The ITK Discussion Thread - 15th January 2022

[Pochemon94]

We don't need players better than them though, we need players who do don't blow hot and cold

exactly this, it's fine having squad players who do their job well, shit look at james milner, the least sexy signing ever but he does his job very well and you know exactly what you are getting with him, consistency is key. I'm not saying we need to sign a 35 year old or anything, but we don't need a team of superstars, we need cogs that fit and work together to make the whole machine turn

 

[Son of Saintlyspur]

I must be honest, I'm almost more interested to see how we do on outgoings than incomings. In my opinion that's been a bigger weakness of ours over the last 5 years. (Granted the one process affects the other)

I think it's mainly due to DL wanting to sell on for near if not more than the purchase value! I think we should be looking at clearing the deadwood at all costs this window and then re-view with a chance to rebuild in the Summer!

 

[Rosco1984]

We love a bit of Fiorentina at the minute...It would be better to give white and John time than sign this guy he cant even look exciting on a youtube vid.

Last week of the window. I guess now we will see what is possible. Conte got let down by Bergwijn when he scored those goals against Leicester so he won’t be able to be sold now. Clever not taking the same risk with Dele and Lo Celso by leaving them out of the squad all together. Not sure how deliberately not trying to win a game goes down with others but I guess if you want to prove you need transfers in it’s a smart move.

you cant be serious about bergwijn he was our only threatening player yesterday he played well.

 

[Stevospurs18]

Brilliant to hear of the interest in those players mentioned. For too long we have kept high earning players in our squad that haven't contributed anywhere near enough.

I would hope that some/most of the loans out we can include an obligation for a transfer. We may need to be creative and include obligations contingent on avoiding relegation (Dele to Newcastle etc.)

I think it's unlikely we sign replacements this window for all outgoings, but hopefully this is the start of an exodus that will free up funds and positions for numerous Conte signings in the summer.

3 would be enough for the remainder of the season, but a capable backup striker is a must, because Kane's ankles do not like the month of March!

 

[Hakkz]

Brilliant to hear of the interest in those players mentioned. For too long we have kept high earning players in our squad that haven't contributed anywhere near enough.

I would hope that some/most of the loans out we can include an obligation for a transfer. We may need to be creative and include obligations contingent on avoiding relegation (Dele to Newcastle etc.)

I think it's unlikely we sign replacements this window for all outgoings, but hopefully this is the start of an exodus that will free up funds and positions for numerous Conte signings in the summer.

3 would be enough for the remainder of the season, but a capable backup striker is a must, because Kane's ankles do not like the month of March!

We should give Dele a bonus if he helps getting Newcastle relegated.

 

[worcestersauce]

Lets see I think the key here is how good FP is at shifting out the dead wood. There is a lot of money in wages sat around twiddling their thumbs right now and although there is money to spend bringing in 3 and not moving players out will be harmful in the long term.

I'm a simple man Trix so I can't help but think getting the players we want in must be better in the long term.
That said with the level of interest we seem to have in our players to leave you have to believe we'll be successful with a few of them if not all.

 

[PCozzie]

Thanks Trix. Good that we are still trying for three in, though I'm now just as keen to ship Ndombele, Dele, and GLC. If we can get those three out, and Traore and even one other in, then I'd class this as having being a good solid window that we can build on in the summer.

 

[gavspur]

Some great info @Trix and @Hotspur88 ?? ?

When Poch spoke of a rebuild, he wasn’t wrong, but it seems the two players he chose to start that rebuild, were definitely wrong. Ndombele and LoCelso have been nothing short of useless acquisitions. I’ll be honest and say I thought Gio was a great signing, but he has never really done anything. So disappointing.

 

[Jeremy Paxton]

Thanks @Trix

Building for the summer and beyond makes complete sense in terms of where we were when AC arrived, but I can't help but think it is a missed opportunity if we don't push to strengthen now too with fourth place a definite possibility this season. Fingers crossed the 3 in info bears fruit.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Some great info @Trix and @Hotspur88 ?? ?

When Poch spoke of a rebuild, he wasn’t wrong, but it seems the two players he chose to start that rebuild, were definitely wrong. Ndombele and LoCelso have been nothing short of useless acquisitions. I’ll be honest and say I thought Gio was a great signing, but he has never really done anything. So disappointing.

Yeah he's been totally underwhelming but more underwhelming will be not replacing him. Anyway he will go somewhere and his quality will come through, and we will still be talking about who we are going to get in. This is really negative mark against the club that we cant get our marquee signings performing and it will happen again.

 

[Mr Pink]

You would like to think we're still very much thinking of the short term and this season though.

Being in the CL is surely going to affect who we hope to bring in come the summer window.

From the point of view of attracting and having more funds available etc

 

[Tiffers]

Some great info @Trix and @Hotspur88 ?? ?

When Poch spoke of a rebuild, he wasn’t wrong, but it seems the two players he chose to start that rebuild, were definitely wrong. Ndombele and LoCelso have been nothing short of useless acquisitions. I’ll be honest and say I thought Gio was a great signing, but he has never really done anything. So disappointing.

and there are a few that Poch turned down who went on to become hits

 

[Spud82]

Amrabat would be a solid backup for Skipp/Hojberg. With Conte it's all about the system and each player has a very defined role with a list of set tasks. Dele, NDomble, Lo Celso don't fit into that blueprint and Rodon, Tanganga, Doc and Sess are not good enough. Ambrabat on loan until the summer, with Kessie coming in then makes sense...not ideal but keep in mind how difficult it is to sign players in Jan.

 

[DannyNZ]

We should give Dele a bonus if he helps getting Newcastle relegated.

Don’t worry I suspect he will help

 

[Matthew]

Some bits in Ali gold article
-We still want 3 in
- interested in mckennie but difficult for this window
- want CM,ST and RWB
- traore the RWB
-Sevilla interested in GLC this month
-We like kessie but player wants to wait for summer
- Amrabat is available and cheaper and has same agent as rodon, davies
- wijnaldum unlikely because of wages
- we like Vlahovic but thinks we missed our chance last summer

Where have we heard this before? hopefully this isnt accurate! just makes zero sense if true.

really need at least 3 in, especially with dele, tanguy & lo celso possiblt off.

 

[jurgen]

You would like to think we're still very much thinking of the short term and this season though.

Being in the CL is surely going to affect who we hope to bring in come the summer window.

From the point of view of attracting and having more funds available etc

Assuming some of the out-of-contract or short contract players are the ones we've been linked to already, there is zero chance we get them without CL football, so kicking the can down the road to the next window (and how many times have we heard that in the last decade..) is certainly a strategy that has some risk to it.

Definitely great news that we have solid interest in our deadwood, but if we do our usual dance and then actually leave the squad weaker for half a season following a cull then it seems like not much has changed in our approach - especially with CL very much up for grabs.

 

[Timberwolf]

You would like to think we're still very much thinking of the short term and this season though.

Being in the CL is surely going to affect who we hope to bring in come the summer window.

From the point of view of attracting and having more funds available etc

Yeah - I think getting top 4 this season could be pivotal in terms of attracting players, a bit like the summer Hazard was available and picked Chelsea over us as they snuck into the CL. I can see it being similar with Vlahovic if Arsenal were to pip us to 4th spot.

However, I think even if we only finish 5th or 6th this season, with Conte at the helm, Paratici doing the negotiations, decent wages on offer, plus all the perks (stadium, training ground, London) we should still be able to attract some very good players regardless.

 

[Lamelasrightfoot]

Thanks for info fellas. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but whether it be fitness, attitude or systems the outs mentioned didn’t work out, this should strengthen us long term. Punts on lower league players as well as the ever increasing free options is exciting. I’ll be donating not just for players in this window but crispy £10 for each of Dele, Ndombele and GLC that leaves. Rob, I want it back if they rejoin for next season after failed loans ?

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Club's position hasn't changed, but it won't be players just for the sake of it.

Nothing changed? Bergwijn still deemed surplus? I thought it was disappointing yesterday again.

 

[BedfordshireSpud]

We have to see it for what it is and not how we would wish it to be. If there is little available in January, then a strategy of a January clear out and a cohesive squad has to be the way to go. It effectively makes us “cash buyers” in the summer and ready to go early. Frustrating, yes, but it is a plan.