The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - WALKING THE DOG - 7th January

[ackie]

If TS doesn't rate Holtby but the club believes that he has potential, then why not loan him to another PL club like Fulham/Villa/Norwich...?
Why is TS granting Lamela and Chadli time to settle and not giving that time to Capoue?
I sincerely believe that Bentaleb is outstanding young player but he seems (position and playing wise) like Dembele. We definitely need DMs, specially as we aim to finish high and mount a serious top 4 challenge.
IMO, we can't keep playing a 4-4-2 or any other formation with no protection to our defensive line!
I would like us to try and win something but we are only in Europa! So why not try and win it now?
Why not use players like Holtby and Capoue in Europa?
So many questions...

 

[Markovan13]

Plus what sort of message does it send to anyone else we are trying to sign? Come to us and we will give you 6 - 12 months of bench time? Whatever happened to letting players settle in?

 

[Blackcanary]

I really really really don't like Holtby being sold, but somehow somewhere I can understand if Tim thinks Lewis won't play much. However, selling Capoue, who is our only natural backup to Sandro..?

This is the first time our squad has got a real depth. Why change that?

He's also technically our fourth CB, what with Kaboul seemingly perma-crocked (even if they haven't come out and said it). I'll be really annoyed if we sell him and don't get in an actual replacement defender.

 

[fatpiranha]

First we lost Modric.

Then we lost Bale.

Now we're losing Holtby.

... or to put it in perspective ...

First we went blind.

Then our legs were amputated.

Now we have dandruff.

 

[stevenurse]

As the horsemeat scandal broke a year today, can we change the name of the thread to 'feeding the pony'?

Also, holtby should be loaned, Capoue and Lamela sold should be classed as bullshit. Where's Karl Pilkington when you need him?

 

[arunspurs]

He's also technically our fourth CB, what with Kaboul seemingly perma-crocked (even if they haven't come out and said it). I'll be really annoyed if we sell him and don't get in an actual replacement defender.

What if TS believe our squad is imbalanced. Suppose we sell Capoue & buy/loan Lescott ?
Lets see what happens...

 

[AX-Spur]

It´s an obvious sign our squad has evolved when we are upset and moaning when selling our bench-warmers!

 

[commodoreLUNGE]

Anyone that says that 4-2-3-1 is the reason we played awful, boring football for the first part of the season is obviously oblivious to the fact that both Arsenal and Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund utilise this formation. All 3 of those teams play exciting, attacking football. Barcelona play 4-3-3, and they play exciting, attacking football. Hell, Spain even play 4-3-3 without a striker sometimes and play exciting, attacking football.
It's not the formation that dictates the style of play, it's the mentality instilled into the players.
I'm not against 4-4-2, but we really don't have the players to play it effectively, and if we stick with 4-4-2 we are an injury or two away from having to completely re-shuffle of formation.
Using a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 we can keep our attacking football, and utilise our breadth of talent far more effectively.

 

[markieboy]

I am just wondering if there is a change of direction within the club,maybe the powers that be are disappointed with the squad we have been left with,especially after spending all that money.
Something Tim Sherwood said before he was confirmed as coach really makes me wonder.

Asked whether he wanted the job Sherwood said that he would, pending a discussion with Levy. “We have to speak about it long-term with the chairman. If it’s down to me I’m getting a ten-year contract now! Football doesn’t work like that. It’s all about getting results. I listen to managers all the time talking about ‘projects’. The project is you win games or you get sacked. End of story.”

He added: “I know all about the football club. I played here, it’s my club. I know what the supporters want. I know what they demand. As I say it ain’t my decision to make the appointments and we have to respect the men who take that decision.

“I know the players we have got here and I know the good young talent that is coming through the club. It’s up to the club. I need to talk about philosophies. What are we looking to do? Are we looking to buy players or are we looking to bring them through? All this has to be taken into consideration when I decide whether it is right for me or not.”

 

[Gedson100]

That's the one. Could be FTL.

I think he also posted a face in a Bale thread, around the time when every ITK other than JJ was saying he'd be staying. The guy was clearly very well connected with the financial side of the club.

That was some other dude that showed up for a couple of weeks 'Billy White' who quit quite soon after.
He was on COYS.

 

[jedimonkey]

Maybe Capoue has behaved in such a way that Sherwood thinks we will be better of without him.

It could well be that when Bentaleb came on against Saints that Capoue threw a hissy fit instead of trying to show the boss that he should be playing instead, because that's what I would do to get back in the team.

I'd be working my bollocks off to show the boss I should be starting instead of the young player.

 

[arunspurs]

Maybe Capoue has behaved in such a way that Sherwood thinks we will be better of without him.

It could well be that when Bentaleb came on against Saints that Capoue threw a hissy fit instead of trying to show the boss that he should be playing instead, because that's what I would do to get back in the team.

I'd be working my bollocks off to show the boss I should be starting instead of the young player.

Especially when that young player plays for same country

 

[Gedson100]

I really really really don't like Holtby being sold, but somehow somewhere I can understand if Tim thinks Lewis won't play much. However, selling Capoue, who is our only natural backup to Sandro..?

This is the first time our squad has got a real depth. Why change that?

I see what you're saying but it's clear to me that Sherwood makes little distinction between a central midfielder and a defensive midfielder. By that regard, Paulinho, Sandro, Eriksen, Bentaleb and Dembele are all in competition with Holtby and Capoue.

FWIW Paulinho is a great DM if you want to play that way.

 

[Gedson100]

Isn't the major argument for having a Director of Football that we don't have wholesale changes in player personnel (potentially costing us eye-watering amounts of cash) just because the manager changes? The Capoue story just makes no sense;

- bought here by Baldini
- barely here for 6 months
- has been injured for nearly half that
- forced to play in his less favoured position for at least half his appearances
- currently our only real cover at CB with Kaboul and Verts not yet fit

Just don't get it. If there's more to it then think the club needs to explain. Otherwise it just seems to massively undermine Baldini.

I think Capoue was a long standing 'Committee' target. His stats in France were really good and he fit the bill from that perspective. We often buy good stats players, Dempsey the most obvious. See it that way and Baldini has no connection with the signing and thus no loyalty to the player. Lamela obviously being the complete opposite.

 

[SpurSince57]

That was some other dude that showed up for a couple of weeks 'Billy White' who quit quite soon after.
He was on COYS.

Didn't he appear from nowhere and then flounce off because half of COYS called bullshit?

 

[thfc1989]

Can someone explain to me why everyone is in such a frenzy about selling Holtby?

He hasn't shown much to suggest he is anything better than average.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Can someone explain to me why everyone is in such a frenzy about selling Holtby?

He hasn't shown much to suggest he is anything better than average.

THAT'S NOT THE POINT. WE'RE ALL GOING FUCKING MENTAL!!!!!!111ONEONE!!!!2

 

[Gedson100]

Didn't he appear from nowhere and then flounce off because half of COYS called bullshit?

I thought it was more cos he got found out, or at least his info was too close?
IIRC he wasn't wrong and that single ' ' was the start of the Bale drama and caused meltdown.

 

[PhezTHFC]

What puzzles me is if deep down levy knows prandelli or LVG are coming in why give him the authority to dismantle any change over massively. I think its most likely that kapow and holtbt go but I doubt in all honesty lamela. Like @jair1970 says they werent baldini buys so not much support for them. I also believe hebis making room and like people keep ignoring we have people coming in or options to anyway for a lb and striker. Why not discuss the possible incomings rather than out as its more enjoyable. I personally see us trying for benteke...

 

[wallyjakeman]

I see what you're saying but it's clear to me that Sherwood makes little distinction between a central midfielder and a defensive midfielder. By that regard, Paulinho, Sandro, Eriksen, Bentaleb and Dembele are all in competition with Holtby and Capoue.

FWIW Paulinho is a great DM if you want to play that way.

Yeah, you may be right. I think it's a mistake not to make that distinction though. But what do I know...