The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 17th May

[Gb160]

"You know this club is very active in the last weeks of the transfer window, so you can see that speculation is growing here and there, but at the moment we are focused on trying to get the fourth spot.”

This is possibly one of the worst, if true, pieces of ITK news this summer. This strategy of buying late is just idiotic, ok VDV was great but a one off. The reality is that bringing in players late, disrupts the team, gives them no time to settle or learn the clubs playing ethos... All in all its bad news (if true). It's just not the way to build a team. If a VDV turns up on the last day/days that fantastic but you don't wait all summer to then buy run out if time and buy Dempsey if you want to move up in the world.

Although your point is valid,if we spunk our budget early,there's no money left for a vdv like coup at the end of the window.

 

[Flynn]

I think Levy would stump to £170k for Bale.

Just have to get Ade off the wage bill and you're there already.

 

[faulks]

"You know this club is very active in the last weeks of the transfer window, so you can see that speculation is growing here and there, but at the moment we are focused on trying to get the fourth spot.”

This is possibly one of the worst, if true, pieces of ITK news this summer. This strategy of buying late is just idiotic, ok VDV was great but a one off. The reality is that bringing in players late, disrupts the team, gives them no time to settle or learn the clubs playing ethos... All in all its bad news (if true). It's just not the way to build a team. If a VDV turns up on the last day/days that fantastic but you don't wait all summer to then buy run out if time and buy Dempsey if you want to move up in the world.

Not strictly true, we had Vertonghen and Sigurdsson tied up relatively early last summer. I think it comes down to the fact we seem quite happy to wait until we get the price we want. Or that we'll wait until the clubs realise they can't shift their players to anyone else so have to settle for the low ball bid we make on the last day.

 

[Flynn]

Too true, everyone loves a last minute VDV for peanuts, but I'd have to agree with you that some aspects of Levy's philosophy are wearing a wee bit thin.

As long as we do the important things first (LB, CF, Wing cover) and get them in for pre-season training. I'm happy for Levy's last minute bargain hunt to snap up any VDV's that become available.

 

[not_tenth-again]

We get an ITK thread on my birthday. Sweet. Do I get second wish? Hmmm, a striker signing please! And for my last wish.... make this bus trip home smoother.... or the poor bloke sitting in front of me is going to get chunder down the back of his neck.

 

[bubble07]

"Our step at the moment is to be in the Champions League, probably not title contenders. But we hope to be competitive next season if we manage to do things properly in the summer."

AVB with a not so subtle hint that we need to do transfers early

 

[Indisguise]

As long as we do the important things first (LB, CF, Wing cover) and get them in for pre-season training. I'm happy for Levy's last minute bargain hunt to snap up any VDV's that become available.

I agree with you in general. DL does a sterling job, but the Damiao type sagas have become, dare I say it, a trifle embarrassing? For several windows running we haven't done what's needed to be done in respect of our strikeforce because there's been too much pissing about with Damiao, etc. If we hadn't been spending so much time on tying up that deal we might have found someone else who may have made the difference in edging us into the CL. We've probably kissed goodbye to a very large amount of CL income because of it.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Not strictly true, we had Vertonghen and Sigurdsson tied up relatively early last summer. I think it comes down to the fact we seem quite happy to wait until we get the price we want. Or that we'll wait until the clubs realise they can't shift their players to anyone else so have to settle for the low ball bid we make on the last day.

Obviously they where great buys and done in time but come the end of the window we still had a massive Modric sized hole and no new striker (I don't count Ade as he was here last season and unfit after no pre season). The Moutinho debacle just summed it up for me that waiting 9 times out of 10 just does not fly. As long as we bring in what we really need early I have no problem with a last minute Hail Mary but apart from VDV has this tactic worked for Levy?

It just worries me that it sounds like AVB/Levy are planning to do there summer transfer shopping in the same last minute vain. You can't plan for a world class talent to suddenly become available on the last day of the window.... You will be left with Louis Saha!

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Although your point is valid,if we spunk our budget early,there's no money left for a vdv like coup at the end of the window.

If we are waiting for, or hoping for another VDV style coup at the end of the window, i'd wager that we'd grow so old waiting that our nads will be sagging between our knees by the time it happens. Such events aren't exactly commonplace are they? Anyway, i'm sure Levy would find the cash if that particular bolt of lightning were to happen to strike twice in the same place.

 

[Spurrific]

If we are waiting for, or hoping for another VDV style coup at the end of the window, i'd wager that we'd grow so old waiting that our nads will be sagging between our knees by the time it happens. Such events aren't exactly commonplace are they? Anyway, i'm sure Levy would find the cash if that particular bolt of lightning were to happen to strike twice in the same place.

Spoiler

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

As well as he's done, hardly a VDV style coooooo

 

[RichieS]

As long as we do the important things first (LB, CF, Wing cover) and get them in for pre-season training. I'm happy for Levy's last minute bargain hunt to snap up any VDV's that become available.

fyp - Danny Rose and Andros Townsend would like a word. No point loaning these youngsters out and then not integrating them into the team when they've been successful.

Benteke I would love to be happening but I can imagine he'll be way too expensive - much more likely Remy as he can play through the middle or from the right. All the signs seem to be pointing towards Bale signing a new contract - will the announcement be before the game to get the atmosphere rocking or after to pick us all up when the inevitable happens?

 

[Mr Pink]

I would really, really love it if we got Benteke. My number one target for this summer.

 

[Indisguise]

I would really, really love it if we got Benteke. My number one target for this summer.

We'll be renaming ourselves Tottenham Hot Belgians at this rate and I have absolutely no problem with that whatsoever.

 

[kr1978]

I would really, really love it if we got Benteke. My number one target for this summer.

Me too but can't see it happening now (hope I'm wrong). Now that villa are staying up they don't have to sell and if they do I think there will be a few clubs in for him pushing up the fee and wages too much. Randy Lerner has also got top dollar for players previously (downing, Milner, Barry )

 

[Mr Pink]

Me too but can't see it happening now (hope I'm wrong). Now that villa are staying up they don't have to sell and if they do I think there will be a few clubs in for him pushing up the fee and wages too much. Randy Lerner has also got top dollar for players previously (downing, Milner, Barry )

Yeah its a tall order. But just maybe they'll fancy a player in our ranks - you never know!

I would love to see wee Tommy Carroll get a full year playing time - that young Villa side would be perfect for him!

Benteke will be very difficult though.

 

[chinaman]

I think Levy would stump to £170k for Bale.

Just have to get Ade off the wage bill and you're there already.

But then we'll have to pay even more than the 100k Ade is supposed to be making to get a serviceable replacement.

 

[ohwhenthespurs]

We'll be renaming ourselves Tottenham Hot Belgians at this rate and I have absolutely no problem with that whatsoever.

Can we ditch the contract with Carlsberg and get Leffe and Grimbergen on tap at the Lane too, then?

 

[kr1978]

Yeah its a tall order. But just maybe they'll fancy a player in our ranks - you never know!

I would love to see wee Tommy Carroll get a full year playing time - that young Villa side would be perfect for him!

Benteke will be very difficult though.

Would like to see Carroll getting a lot more game time with us next season tbh

 

[Mr Pink]

Would like to see Carroll getting a lot more game time with us next season tbh

I would prefer him to get games week in week out to facilitate his development at a quicker rate. Unless AVB would be intending to start him next season, which I don't think he will, a loan at a good Prem Club like Villa, playing week in week out, would serve him and us better in the long run - IMO anyway.