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The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 27th June 2013

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Singaspursofsixspence

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Aug 17, 2005
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storts is usually good with his info....

and too much noise about him coming to us that make it not going to happen. time to get excited yes?
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
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Very positive quotes. It's easy to forget how attractive we are as a team these days. The last times we have reluctantly sold players have been to United and Real - two of the biggest clubs in football.

We have several incredible players, including the best player in the country, a manager respected across the world, and an incredible place to train during the week.

Maybe it's the Jimmy Beam talking but I'm starting to feel positive!
 

THFC_is_my_life

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Jan 29, 2011
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This seemingly immenient transfer of Paulinho is a huge statement of intent on our part, not only in terms of the calibre of player but also in terms of the money we are spending. The money appears to be there if the aquisition is the correct one for the team, and I personally feel that Paulinho will take our midfield to the next level (IF he is signed of course- a midfield containing sandro, dembele, bale and paulinho will cause absolute destruction to opposition sides).Very pleased at the news from Storts, appreciate it buddy. Let's hope we get this announced ASAP after the CC and hear something definitive on Villa, I guarantee people will begin to take notice of us and the squad in which AVB is assembling. Exciting times indeed.
 

Snarfalicious

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Jul 15, 2012
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We should snap up your mate, PEA, before he joins Newcastle.


I'd love that. Bale, Villa and PEA is about as fluid as it gets as a front 3. All could seamlessly move around to completely befuddle defenses. It's basically creativity through fluidity in my mind.
 

beats1

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Feb 22, 2010
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I'd prefer a wide-forward, or if Villa is coming in to play LW then a true #9.
I wouldn't be surprised if Villa was coming in to play LW as he is going to have less competition there as he will up front. I mean he has Torres(who is loved by Del Bosque), Soldado, Negredo(Likely to be at Atletico) and Llorente(At Juve)
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
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I'd prefer a wide-forward, or if Villa is coming in to play LW then a true #9.

You're thinking of a 4-3-3 aren't you?

That would make sense, though I still think that Ade could do brilliantly if he had Bale and Villa either side of him.

I would love some creativity though. At times last season we looked like a foosball team. You've argued a brilliant case for how difficult we would be to break down with Sandro, Dembele, and Paulinho in a midfield three, but players like Modric and VDV were instrumental to our ability to break down teams, and we're lacking any player remotely like them (though Carroll, maybe optimistically, shows some potential).

For me creativity is often about intelligent movement. Most of last season we looked like a bunch of skittles.
 

Snarfalicious

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You're thinking of a 4-3-3 aren't you?

That would make sense, though I still think that Ade could do brilliantly if he had Bale and Villa either side of him.

I would love some creativity though. At times last season we looked like a foosball team. You've argued a brilliant case for how difficult we would be to break down with Sandro, Dembele, and Paulinho in a midfield three, but players like Modric and VDV were instrumental to our ability to break down teams, and we're lacking any player remotely like them (though Carroll, maybe optimistically, shows some potential).

For me creativity is often about intelligent movement. Most of last season we looked like a bunch of skittles.



Yeah, I think with our midfield depth the 4-3-3 is actually a realistic option moving forward. Paulinho/Dembele, Sandro/Livermore or Parker (I wish we would sell both and buy a younger guy to be honest) and Holtby/Carroll all share similar characteristics in one way or another and it gives us 6 options we could feel comfortable starting which is title-challenging depth. Obviously the problem continues to be up top for us.

Should we land Villa, we'd have 2 guys who can play LW (Siggy making up the other) and on the right possibly Bale and Townsend with Lennon maybe becoming more of substitute that can give us some pace off the bench. Depending on how AVB rates him, I do believe Bale and Townsend are perfect for the RW role, more so than Lennon.

I do agree the creativity was an issue, and as you mentioned, movement is key. I do think Adebayor could be our realistic #9 given our other true line leading transfer targets are either over-priced or going to be spoken for by other clubs shortly.

I think we could do worse than Villa, Adebayor and Bale up top. I'd obviously like to see a younger #9 or at least someone who can mix it up and bring a more consistent performance to such a pivotal position. But, having Villa and his goal-scoring record at LW, it may ease the burden on needing Adebayor to put together a 20+ goal season. One thing's for damned sure, we can't have anything near a repeat of his last season.

It's also why I really do wish we would add a legitimate #9. Thinking of all the goals between, for example, a Villa, Bale and Soldado front line is incredible. All are match-winners in and of themselves, but when you put them together, with the type of muscle/depth we'd have from midfield, we really could be a fantastic side.
 

Snarfalicious

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Jul 15, 2012
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I wouldn't be surprised if Villa was coming in to play LW as he is going to have less competition there as he will up front. I mean he has Torres(who is loved by Del Bosque), Soldado, Negredo(Likely to be at Atletico) and Llorente(At Juve)


That's a really good point. I think a lot of posters think he will want to come here just to be a #9. And while I think it's just as good of an assumption as any, I do think Villa is a player who is well aware of his age, knows this is going to be his last shot at a big role in a World Cup side, and will do whatever he needs to ensure he gets that role.
 

TheGreenLily

"I am Shodan"
Aug 5, 2009
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You're thinking of a 4-3-3 aren't you?

That would make sense, though I still think that Ade could do brilliantly if he had Bale and Villa either side of him.

I would love some creativity though. At times last season we looked like a foosball team. You've argued a brilliant case for how difficult we would be to break down with Sandro, Dembele, and Paulinho in a midfield three, but players like Modric and VDV were instrumental to our ability to break down teams, and we're lacking any player remotely like them (though Carroll, maybe optimistically, shows some potential).

For me creativity is often about intelligent movement. Most of last season we looked like a bunch of skittles.

This, for more than any other reason, why some of our long term players need to be moved on.
 

Snarfalicious

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Jul 15, 2012
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This, for more than any other reason, why some of our long term players need to be moved on.


My real hope is that we lock up Villa/Paulinho very early. I'm talking first couple weeks of the window early.

And, as I have mentioned before, we move our focus to shifting off players who really should be sold. If we can then re-assess what the financials of the transfer kitty are then, maybe we could move forward with some youthful depth signings and also some bargains in the market.

There's so many fantastic young talents out there that are worth the money and places in the squad over our guys that don't quite have a role or simply have no future value to the club.
 
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