The Weekend ITK Discussion Thread - 15th/16th August 2015

[225]

Time will tell and we'll know one way or the other by the end of the window, but it's fair enough for fans to be skeptical as we've been burned before, going past many a deadline day with gaping holes in the squad. I'm not too worried at the moment - ideally we'd have got everything sorted before the opening game, but for whatever reason this doesn't seem to be the done thing any more, and we're far from the only side who have yet to address obvious weaknesses in their squads - however the fact that we're not just a little low on numbers but completely lacking an alternative to Kane and currently using a young central defender in defensive mid with two games already gone is worrying. We ended Saturday's game with makeshift players in two key positions, and we have a fully fit squad at the moment, it's not like this is the result of an injury crisis.

They may have been makeshift, but Dier is older than Bentaleb and (by all accounts) has been very good in DM.

As Saturday showed, we don't rely on our Striker to score the goals for us - we were undone by a penalty (these don't count, as per the 'Soldado Rule' ) and a good Stoke equaliser. If we'd have won 2-0, I'm sure people would have panicked less.

For all we know, as it did last season, our makeshift efforts might uncover something very positive. Lamela might suddenly transform into Messi after a few games in Harry's position We might miss out on Saido and end up with a rough diamond as a plan B.

 

[shelfmonkey]

I like this idea. We have a secret team of highly qualified alchemists brewing a concoction of magical potions for a variety of purposes - fitness potions, confidence potions, potions we slip into opposing chairmans latte's so they do things like buy Malbranque, Tainio and Chimbonda for 22m odd.

Even better is we have back up potions and back up potions to our back up potions for all kind of eventualities. Shame the stabilise Ade one didn't work.

Credit must go to Levy for assembling the finest team of alchemists in the country.

Magigimmix?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I was thinking all the inside is on Berahino and quite righlty as it's also in national press etc, as is the tenuous link to the other well known Premiership standard striker presently plying trade in the Championship, Charlie Austin.

As the window closure draws nearer, it owuld not surprise me in the least to find a last minute scramble by media and our own ITKs lnking a highly unlikely striker who, like Swansea unearthing Michu, come in last doors and do a job in supporting a worn out knackered, injured Harry Kane, no longer a Hurri-cane, more a stiff breeze.

Are you saying you think we will try to sign a previously unlinked striker or you think we will be linked to one ? Or both ?

 

[lukadownthelane]

I think most people get that signing players isn't that easy, however I think most people are losing faith in the powers that be because we seem to be facing the same problems year after year.

I for one can't believe we can't make the effort to sort out key positions earlier, especially given all the early sales we made. It would be nice to go into the end of the transfer window without needing to make signings and only picking up quality players should they become available (a la VDV).

 

[225]

Sounds more opinion than ITK, but for the sake of sanity.... regarding no Berahino bid:

Ali Z: you can bet your bottom dollar we are negotiating hence no bid as such - haggle time

 

[Spursidol]

Granted, but not a specialist according to my French friends. My point is to let Soldado go is ok but should of had a replacement ready to be announced aside from N'Jie, as permit would restrict him for couple weeks I think.

Soldado has failed the one major tests to be defined as a striker - he doesn't score goals at Spurs.

BTW you will have read that Poch likes players who play in more than one position. Hence the likes of N'Jie will become a norm for us - he's nopt a specialist striker but a general purpose forward who scores goals. Time to get used to it.

 

[Hercules]

Soldado has failed the one major tests to be defined as a striker - he doesn't score goals at Spurs.

BTW you will have read that Poch likes players who play in more than one position. Hence the likes of N'Jie will become a norm for us - he's nopt a specialist striker but a general purpose forward who scores goals. Time to get used to it.

Yes but not available for now, so technically speaking we only have one available striker.

 

[McFlash]

Having shared stuff publicly on this forum I have to say the mods are great as are 95% of the posters.

I still share stuff on here with the mods and it gets posted but wouldnt do it on the ITK thread anymore as those 5% make you want to leave and not share. Hopefully Jasper will come to SC as would be a welcome addition.

It can get a little bit frustrating when stuff comes off and you can't get credit but at the same time a relief when it doesn't. The goat is sometimes the safest way.

ps. There are many who post through the goat. And to note the latest info is not mine.

And that's a bloody good point. Jasper should come here, assume another name and post his info through the goat. That way, he can still share his itk with the fans, join in with the banter but not run the risk of being given shit from any knob jockeys.

 

[Lilbaz]

I think most people get that signing players isn't that easy, however I think most people are losing faith in the powers that be because we seem to be facing the same problems year after year.

I for one can't believe we can't make the effort to sort out key positions earlier, especially given all the early sales we made. It would be nice to go into the end of the transfer window without needing to make signings and only picking up quality players should they become available (a la VDV).

What problems do we face year on year? That we have limited transfer budget due to building a new stadium so have to do a juggling act with transfers. Yet people are suprised?
Guess what, you've got 3 more years of this.

 

[Lilbaz]

Yes but not available for now, so technically speaking we only have one available striker.

Why is he not available? He has a french passport doesn't he?

 

[Spursidol]

I think most people get that signing players isn't that easy, however I think most people are losing faith in the powers that be because we seem to be facing the same problems year after year.

I for one can't believe we can't make the effort to sort out key positions earlier, especially given all the early sales we made. It would be nice to go into the end of the transfer window without needing to make signings and only picking up quality players should they become available (a la VDV).

I don't think you 'get it' enough

it takes 3 to Tango so if Spurs want but if either the player or his current club wants to see if a bigger offer/club/CL football etc comes in, the deal will not happen - or will come after many weeks of discussion

 

[ross the saint]

Ah fair enough. Thought you meant the site in general.

I only really frequent this thread.

That's why I get so fed up when people get it shut down!

 

[Hercules]

Why is he not available? He has a french passport doesn't he?

The club said "subject to a work permit".

 

[Spursidol]

Yes but not available for now, so technically speaking we only have one available striker.

We buy for the long term - not for one match - and its not always possible to bring a player in until the end game of TW (see Levy video for the intro explanation).

And we could have still had Soldado - a striker as you said but not Poch's choice.

 

[Spursidol]

The club said "subject to a work permit".

subject to a work permit and international clearance.

and Poch sometimes gives players time before playing them, and at one game a week its not necessarily a problem

 

[SpursDave88]

You say we don't back the manager. Have you ever thought it was the manager who didn't want those players you mentioned?

Also man utd are dying for another striker.
Chelsea want to bring in stones.

If the deals are so easy why is it taking them so long?

If the manager would prefer the squad as is than the players mentioned then I'm sorry to say that I don't think he has a clue what he is doing.

Man Utd wanting to sign another striker and Chelsea wanted Stones are not relevant to the points made.

 

[Spursidol]

And that's a bloody good point. Jasper should come here, assume another name and post his info through the goat. That way, he can still share his itk with the fans, join in with the banter but not run the risk of being given shit from any knob jockeys.

Agreed - its the reason for the 'Goat' being a feature of the site.

But Jasper has always posted on SO so it still needs someone to concert him to the joys of SC - although on tonight's posts I'd stay clear if I were him. Too many 'I want this now' (with stamped foot) posters

 

[Spursidol]

If the manager would prefer the squad as is than the players mentioned then I'm sorry to say that I don't think he has a clue what he is doing.

Man Utd wanting to sign another striker and Chelsea wanted Stones are not relevant to the points made.

The ManU and Chelsea examples simply demonstrate the difficulties of buying players - a fundamental point that some still fail to understand

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Guys, can we save the stuff about how long it takes us to sign players/our failures in the transfer window until the day after the window shuts? Its getting pretty boring now as its an argument that's going around and around in circles.

Put your frustrations away for a couple of weeks and just try to enjoy the ride. After the window closes we traditionally open this thread up to a transfer window 'post mortem' at which point it would all be better discussed from a position of knowing what's transpired.

Usually, once the window closes a number of people are seething with rage at Levy, who will then pull a masterstroke by making some sort of stadium related announcement at which point he'll go back to being a hero who can do no wrong. Or as the BSoDL like to call him, 'daddy'…….

Anyway, can we? Yeah?

Lets leave it for just a couple of weeks…..'kay?

 

[Scott Spur]

So let me get this straight...you think anyone having a go at Levy and the way the club is run is indirectly being disrespectful to the ITKs?

If everything goes tits up it wouldn't be the first time that ITK has been passed on in good faith only for things to not work out. Obviously people shouldn't be having a pop at the ITK, but it's quite a leap to imply that everyone on the forum should tip toe around the problems they see with the running of the club because some ITKs have said positive things about our transfer plans.

Agree, there's no point in having a Discussion Thread if all that happens is we all nod and pat A&C on the back.......that's what happens on COYS and it darn well sterile.

Trouble is some can't differentiate between discussion and personal attack