The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - The Benteke Bingo Edition 16th July 2013

[Austen Merritt]

I really want us to sign Bernard - he looks amazing and is another classy signing to pull off.

However, I (and I am probably in a very small minority here) would like us to sign Damiao. There, I said it.
When we were linked with him in the past, I loved the idea of us signing a Brazilian striker - now that we have a Brazilian midfield pairing, that desire is even stronger. Imagine if we got Damiao AND Bernard? What if Gomes recovers his form? We could have 5 Brazilians in our starting line-up... Then, if we accept Bale is leaving next summer, we do a swap for Neymar, Under Armour do a yellow and green away kit - forget "it's just like watching Brazil" - we would have most of the team playing for us. Just a few more players to sign at that point to complete the master plan... We could keep enough English players in the squad to satisfy the rules but never play them ... Mwah ha ha ha ha ... Oh, time for my mess.

I would also be happy to sign Leandro; just because we have been messed about by his club does not make him a bad player. I guess I would be happy if we just heard we'd signed him rather than another long protracted negotiation.

 

[Nocando]

Some of you need to man up. When JJ enters the room it's like being at a Justin Bieber concert with a bunch of giddy school girls!

I'm interested to know how you know this. Something you want to tell us?

 

[Dannyspur]

About jj's info regarding hazard and how he wanted to come before we lost cl. If he see us line up with his country men benteke, dembele and verts with a vacant left forward role i wonder if he regret not coming.

Hazard - benteke - bale
Dembele- paulinho - sandro

Ah what could have been! Young side with a young manager and several other belgians. If by any chance mourinho dont rate him maybe we should try a cheeky bid for him.
(luckily the optimistic rating has been removed)

Yet another suggested line-up without Lennon in it? Is he at last becoming a squad player? Should we try to cash in on him now?

 

[Ionman34]

I can't read wpd's assertion that "we're not out of the race for a certain Brazilian" without picturing Donna Cullen being strapped naked to the medical bench and Daniel Levy reaching for the Veet.

I think I need a rest.

I think you need a shrink!

 

[Riandor]

Of course. Goes without saying and I didn't mean to intend otherwise, if I somehow did !

No not at all, was in agreement with you as i believed that was what you meant.... All good!

 

[bubble07]

Yet another suggested line-up without Lennon in it? Is he at last becoming a squad player? Should we try to cash in on him now?

I don't really want him to go but I think we need a goalscoring wide player and I still think lennon could be sold for 12m+

 

[gibbospurs]

Yet another suggested line-up without Lennon in it? Is he at last becoming a squad player? Should we try to cash in on him now?

We shouldn't cash in on him no! That is a silly idea IMO,, we need to keep him and use him when needed. It's called having quality back up.

 

[WestBelfast Spurs]

We shouldn't cash in on him no! That is a silly idea IMO,, we need to keep him and use him when needed. It's called having quality back up.

when his pace goes what else does he offer, honest question

I think we are not going to be using out and out wingers anymore more wingbacks providing crosses

I feel we could get about 15 million for him 20 if its to the bin dippers

 

[panoma]

Yet another suggested line-up without Lennon in it? Is he at last becoming a squad player? Should we try to cash in on him now?

Lennon (like defoe) is just a little outdated imo. We want to play a more modern type of football with inside forwards and a lone striker, and neither fits into this model.

Personally i like to keep both as they are both capable of changing a game. lennon can add width and allow us to change formations if we need to mix it up, while defoe always been allright as an impact sub coming on as a second striker.

There are many others i would sell before Lennon, but if a good bid come in im sure levy might consider it.

 

[easley91]

Yet another suggested line-up without Lennon in it? Is he at last becoming a squad player? Should we try to cash in on him now?

Keep Lennon as an impact sub. His pace vs tiring defenders could proof very useful, especially if the game becomes very open.

 

[Mr Pink]

I just couldn't sell Azza. Been here, how long? over 8 years?

I know, no room for sentiment but still one of my favourites, and he'd be a great option to mix it up tactically as well.

Unless it were a very large and tempting offer, keep all day long for me.

 

[davidofkane]

If Benteke was a 22 year old Spanish striker at 6'3 and scored 19 goals I. La liga ppl would be losing their minds about us signing him. Cos he comes from Villa a lot of people see an overpriced Englishman. What was Drogba, Negredo, RVP doing at age 22?

 

[dondo]

If we do sign Benteke or a striker of similar illk i would be intrested to see if lennons assists improve with a more physical target to cross to

 

[wishkah]

Lennon (like defoe) is just a little outdated imo. We want to play a more modern type of football with inside forwards and a lone striker, and neither fits into this model.

Personally i like to keep both as they are both capable of changing a.game. lennon can add width and allow us to change formations if we need to mix it up, while defoe always been allright as an impact sub coming on as a second striker.

There are many others i would sell before Lennon, but if a good bid come in im sure levy might consider it.

As i see it,

what Lennon "is" is around 6.5/10. What Lennon "offers" is 8.1/10.

If Lennon is playing, we are balanced (how bad are we when we're not) and becuase he hugs the line, other players are more involved. Moreover he is marked as a thread which again opens space.

So as a player he's not all that good, as a concept, he's very useful. You can't put a price on raw pace!

 

[Flashspur]

looks like its going to be a long day

 

[Timberwolf]

If we do sign Benteke or a striker of similar illk i would be intrested to see if lennons assists improve with a more physical target to cross to

I can see Bale's assists increasing massively with Benteke and Paulinho in the team. His crosses are usually brilliant but nobody ever seems to get on the end of them.

 

[Ionman34]

Yes we think so and I'm trying manage expectations here!!
It Could easily take quite a while from here or happen quick? as you are hearing about it very early so be patient until you hear otherwise!

Managing expectations JJ?

Think of SC as being like that Gary Larsson cartoon about what dogs actually hear. Your post above would be the perfect example;

What you actually said is written above, what the SC lunatics actually read is this;

'Yes, blah, blah, blah, blah,
Blah, blah, easily, blah, blah, happen quick.
Blah, blah, very early blah, blah.'

Alternatively, the doom mongers read this;

'aaaaargh, no one will sign for us, Levy is a tight f***er, we're going down and Bale will leave for a bag of chips and a Bic ballpoint.'

 

[EJWTartanSpur]

I just couldn't sell Azza. Been here, how long? over 8 years?

I know, no room for sentiment but still one of my favourites, and he'd be a great option to mix it up tactically as well.

Unless it were a very large and tempting offer, keep all day long for me.

I think there is a happy medium with Azza that we are yet still to find - he should be a brilliant option for us on rotation, against correct oppo or off the bench at times as well, but should never have been the irreplaceable we are fucked without him player that he has been at times. Hopefully, this season we find that medium. I wouldn't like to sell, he's a long servant now and under the correct conditions he is still ultra dangerous and capable of winning games

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Has there been some ITK on Lennon ?

 

[Spurger King]

It will probably take Benteke a month to read the contract. Doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the box.