The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - The Gonads on the Line Edition 30th August 2013

[GetSpurredOn]

But where's our fucking substitute goalkeeper eh?!

I'd be more concerned about replacing Ade to be honest. I think we had some ITK yesterday, (may have just been a passing comment though) that Gomes could be amongst those next out of the door, and that young Jordan Archer (Scotland U21) would step up to 3rd choice.

I had a quick count up today, and if we sign those already signed/on the brink (Chiriches, Lamela & Eriksen), plus replace Ekotto and Adebayor, we'll still be bang on the limit of 17 'foreign' players in the 25 man squad. Potentially under 17 based on a comment I saw yesterday that Lamela and Eriksen wouldn't count based on their age.
Added to the 'home grown' contingent that gave us two players for every position, plus three extras, (and that's natural positions, not filling in like Naughton at LB last year).
We are replacements for Ekotto and Ade away from having the most complete squad I've seen. Arguably without swapping those for players more favoured by AVB, we're still as strong as I've ever seen us.
AVB's big challenge now is moulding all these players into a team. This, I think is what he's been after. A squad he can call his own, not inherited.
Very excited about times ahead. Short term there's gonna be some tough times until the gelling is done, but long term we are in a great position. Young talented manager, young talented squad, great youth prospects coming through, DoF that seems to be really strutting his stuff, chairman who's backing all those mentioned, and to cap it all, a new stadium looming large.

 

[Henderson Yid]

Yeah, I was surprised as well. KPB was one of the leading players at Milan. The perfect partner for Sandro - the two of them would cause some teams to forfeit matches.

I shan't say any more as it's clearly not ITK related. I was just surprised as I thought he'd started to realise his early promise.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Am I the only one not fussed if we keep Brad as our keeper this season? He isn't as good as he once was, and Lloris outshines him (like he does most keepers in the league) but we could do much worse from a backup keeper. He's one of the most consistent keepers we've ever had, he's more than happy to sit the bench and play cup games, he's doing his badges with us so presumably he's a good leader and can help the development of players like Archer, and he has more experience than most of our team put together. Plus I think we would struggle to find a keeper who is young, proven, and promising, and yet wants to move to us when he could be sitting behind Hugo for a decade. I think the plan is to keep Friedel on for this year and then bring Archer up to no. 2 next year if he's ready, with Brad perhaps behind him as a player-coach.

 

[Snarfalicious]

In regards to the LB situation, the match against Arsenal couldn't come at a better time for Danny Rose and us. He's been our first-choice LB and you'd tend to think he was finding some form as a result. I think for the most part he's been very good, but if we're honest he hasn't been challenged hardly at all.

Arsenal present a big test for him, especially with Walcott on the right. It's one of the things I'm most interested in seeing this weekend and honestly my biggest question mark about him (positional sense and letting guys get in behind him).

If he has major struggles, it may lead us to really put a full-court press on a LB target as we won't want our season to be derailed due to a LB that can't be trusted in defense.

 

[Hot-Spur]

I haven't felt this excited since........3 hours ago when Coco signed

How many more can we take

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

Not sure what I'm going to do Monday night now.

LOL I'm in Paris now. I've had it booked for a whle now, and was worried about how I'd be able to follow the deadline day coverage. turns out I needn't have worried. I might just go to bed at 9pm haha

 

[Gambler]

They are in cl... top 4 team in bundesliga... why he is not interested is beyond me !! :\

My guess would be he's a greedy ****er

 

[thinktank]

Coentrao will be overpriced because Bale is overpriced. It's the price you pay when you hold out for top dollar but want a player from the club you're selling too.


You could be right about Lennon. The interesting thing about Lennon is that he is the only winger after Bale goes who is only confortable as an outside winger. Everyone else seems to prefer coming infield onto their favoured foot. They can also play on the other side but I think it works better when you have infield wingers with overlapping fullbacks.

Chadli and Eriksen on the left coming infield
Lamela and Townsend on the right coming infield

Lennon is too limited and although I am happy for him to stay I would not be surprised to see him sold.

Also, people need to appreciate that Townsy will develop at a furious rate with AVB and the players he now has around him.

AL isn't gonna learn any new tricks tbf.

 

[Mr1r15h]

Thanks mate. Surprised no one has seen him enter or exit Hotspur Way. Maybe he is still there signing the contract.

Considering no one has seen him, does anyone think there is some sort of Harry Potter-esque entrance into the training ground? Maybe they flush themselves down toilets in Harry Potter- if Bale tries to do it, he can stay in the fucking toilet.

As it happens, there is a back entrance to the training ground, I've driven past it enough times. I'm always amazed that none of the press seem to have picked up on it!

 

[Henderson Yid]

In regards to the LB situation, the match against Arsenal couldn't come at a better time for Danny Rose and us. He's been our first-choice LB and you'd tend to think he was finding some form as a result. I think for the most part he's been very good, but if we're honest he hasn't been challenged hardly at all.

Arsenal present a big test for him, especially with Walcott on the right. It's one of the things I'm most interested in seeing this weekend and honestly my biggest question mark about him (positional sense and letting guys get in behind him).

If he has major struggles, it may lead us to really put a full-court press on a LB target as we won't want our season to be derailed due to a LB that can't be trusted in defense.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Trebmint2013]

If Contreo (sp) is overpriced lets go for Sakho, mainly to annoy the bindippers. Or Baines to annoy manure

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Having a piss up with some friends (who could care less about football) round mine soon, but little do they know the reason for my celebatory drinks. COME ON YOU SPURS!

Well tell them then, even non football people will grow to love us now [/quote]



Personally i can never see Arsenal fans liking us..............

 

[sweyid]

Been up in the mountains the entire and just got home to see both Chiriches, Lamela and some great Eriksen ITK. Best day ever!

 

[Samson]

Really don't get this. I know AVB might not think Benny's attitude is right , but up to his injury he was the third best LB in the prem and Rose is still young enough to improve with the talent around him he will continue to learn. Apart from someone to stick the ball in the net from inside the box (Soldado) the biggest gap was a creator and with eriksen and Holtby I think we have that now.

For me another striker is paramount, don't really care who he replaces Defoe or Adebayor, but we do need proper cover for Soldado.

BAE's not fit, literally, and he's not the right type of full-back for a system with inverted wingers. Rose actually helps the attack more than Benny did, but you just know he will cost us two to four games with mistakes.

 

[Indisguise]

If Contreo (sp) is overpriced lets go for Sakho, mainly to annoy the bindippers

Sorry.

No can do.

I'm a spoilt little bastard now and only Coentrao will do!

 

[Mouse!]

I wanna pop out and get meself some fish 'n chips, but I just know if I do I'm gonna miss two or three signings.

#dilemma

Send Jair1970 out to get them for you!

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

Wow, this window has been just truly amazing.

It all comes down to how the team gels, off the pitch I think that's fine as we seem to have an awesome 'togetherness'.

If things starts to click quicker than we expect on the pitch, I fear no-one in this league and see us as amongst the title challengers.

Only weak points immediately in the first team is LB, so it's very important to try and bring in Coentrao.

If we're really going to be really demanding I'd like another striker cover in.

 

[Grey Fox]

BAE's not fit, literally, and he's not the right type of full-back for a system with inverted wingers. Rose actually helps the attack more than Benny did, but you just know he will cost us two to four games with mistakes.

I know he is not fit, I was the one who ITK'd it, but Benny worked perfectly with Bale when he played on the left and his crosses are better than Rose's

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Regarding the desire for a number ten, I was hugely impressed with Holtby last night. Granted the opposition were not great, but his willingness to dictate our rhythm in the danger areas was a sign of the player so hyped whilst still in Germany. It appears the early arrival and a return to International duty at the U21 tournament, has got him up to speed now, and we should see the best of him. Great vision last night, desire to be on the ball and move it quickly to lift the tempo, also a drive to win the ball back high up the pitch, all AVB style tactics.

 

[felmani26]

Wow, this window has been just truly amazing.

It all comes down to how the team gels, off the pitch I think that's fine as we seem to have an awesome 'togetherness'.

If things starts to click quicker than we expect on the pitch, I fear no-one in this league and see us as amongst the title challengers.

Only weak points immediately in the first team is LB, so Coentrao is very important to try bring in.

If we're really going to be really demanding I'd like another striker cover in.

I really want to see us lifting some silverware this year and with the squad we've assembled/assembling then we can have no excuses for not being competitive on all fronts this year.