The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 4th June 2014

[Lilbaz]

If we're going for a CB I'd want an improvement on what we have, not a squad player.

 

[arunspurs]

We need experienced CB than Caulker.
Suppose we sell 2 CBs (Dawson + one more), I don't mind getting Caulker back. If its just Caulker for Dawson, I really dont see a improvement in defensive strength.

Having said that, Caulker would bring 3 or 4 goals a season from set pieces. Our current lot are simply useless (think entire defense scored like 4 goals the whole PL season).

 

[Keith Morris]

Steven Caulker...easy, no thanks

 

[Krafty]

Caulker needs to kick on a level, and he needs games. He won't get games for us given his level/performances last season, and without games it is unlikely he will kick on a level.

In his favour is the home grown stuff, but while I can see plenty of potential in Caulker I've always thought he had focus/concentration issues, like the game had come a little too easy for him on his loan spells and he didn't completely switch on against the top players. He is quicker than he shows, too often he just jockeys an attacker without a plan to stop the pass/shot/cross, and he seems to get 'smaller' on the pitch rather than being the colossus he should be.

It can all be worked on, but will we take a step back in the hope that he will progress two steps forward? I think his chance with us was ruined when Redknapp picked a creaking Gallas ahead of Caulker.

 

[lemony snickets]

Hangeland has just been let go......just saying is all. Best of a shite bunch @ Fulham, experience 'n' all that....

 

[yojambo]

I believe Caulker is ill suited to play an aggressive high line, I think he has the potential to be a very good defender but i ant see him fitting into a Pochettino team. Maybe im wrong but i would worry that if we bought him back it would be because he is cheap.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Caulker is a tough one, its rare you get a second chance with a club trained player for less than he was released for. He has a lot of promise but I just can't see him being definite first choice.

I'd much prefer Lovren, in fact I'd go as far as offering to waive our selling on fee on Caulker if he went to Southampton just to secure the Lovren signing ahead of Liverpool.

Knowing Levy he'll probably buy him back just to sell for a profit in January.

 

[Gedson100]

I'll happily leave Caulker. I think he's OK, he just doesn't improve on anyone & therefore, what's the point?

 

[ryantegan]

If Caulker left to pursue first team football then why would he be coming back here?

Much rather we persevere with Chiriches and bring through Veljkovic than go back to Caulker who proved rather limited.

Vejkovic has progressed to a DM now I think youll find

 

[sloth]

Hangeland has just been let go......just saying is all. Best of a shite bunch @ Fulham, experience 'n' all that....

Did you read the OP from @Archibald&Crooks at all?

 

[Hitch]

Would be happy with a four of Verts, Chiriches, Lovren and Caulker with Fryers alternating as fifth choice and lb back up (to an actual good left back). Would sell Daws and unfortunately Kaboul's probably on the way out too.

Certainly wouldn't cut it for Caulker to be our sole cb buy (unless there's a miraculous turnaround with Kaboul) but if it's alongside another then I'd be glad to see him back. Some have a downer on him but I still think the potential is there. Playing in the position he does it's real early days for him. Don't see many in that age bracket excelling in the Prem.

*Fair point though that the best thing for Caulks own development at this point might be to go somewhere where he'll start regularly.

 

[felmani26]

Vejkovic has progressed to a DM now I think youll find

Another string to his bow sure and might well be the eventual position he excels in but he could still be deployed at the back and do a job ala David Luiz.

 

[lemony snickets]

Did you read the OP from @Archibald&Crooks at all?

Didn't say we had been linked to him, just that he was a free agent now. We were discussing center backs & Caulker, which ain't ever going to happen, making my post just as irrelevant as the rest

 

[HoltbiusMac]

Pochettino made Jose Fonte look good in a high line last and he is no speed demon instead he won a truckload of headers and was a good partner to Lovren. Chiriches is probably a better player than Caulker but he might to be a better partner to Vertonghen. Most of the best CB partnerships - regardless of what line you are playing - are built on a combination of brain and brawn.

If Pochettino think he can develop Caulker into a good player and replace Dawson then have at it. But, by the same token, I don't want Levy to buy Caulker just because he's cheap and he feels he could probably sell him on again for more.

 

[GobbyJJ]

Would be happy with a four of Verts, Chiriches, Lovren and Caulker with Fryers alternating as fifth choice and lb back up (to an actual good left back). Would sell Daws and unfortunately Kaboul's probably on the way out too.

Certainly wouldn't cut it for Caulker to be our sole cb buy (unless there's a miraculous turnaround with Kaboul) but if it's alongside another then I'd be glad to see him back. Some have a downer on him but I still think the potential is there. Playing in the position he does it's real early days for him. Don't see many in that age bracket excelling in the Prem.

*Fair point though that the best thing for Caulks own development at this point might be to go somewhere where he'll start regularly.

Totally agree, think we need to buy 2 x cb and I wouldn't mind seeing one of these being Caulker. Positive he can still be coached and improve. As he's cheap and young we could always sell him in the future. Sure Harry will still be around somewhere

 

[Curtis Peterson]

Dawson showed that he isn't more than a 4th choice CB at this point. He is loyal to the club and we all love him and last time his position came under fire, he stepped up and performed, but it seems like it's time to move on. He is slow and goes too hard into tackles, which is fine when he gets it right, but he's often just asking to get sent off. Caulker is a young, inexpensive, English defender who is already familiar with the club. He is perfect to challenge Chiriches for that 2nd spot. He reminds me of a younger Kaboul really.

Essentially, we should sell one of Kaboul or Dawson anyways and Caulker for 6m is a good deal.

 

[spursfan77]

If Caulker left to pursue first team football then why would he be coming back here?

Much rather we persevere with Chiriches and bring through Veljkovic than go back to Caulker who proved rather limited.

Veljkovic is being blooded as a defensive midfielder now though as he's too slow for centre back.

Re Caulker, if its a decision to make to get him back now for a relatively low fee or sign another centre back in a couple of months time then its a difficult one. I really don't know how much he's progressed at Cardiff but I can't think it can be too much under OGS who seems like an awful manager.

 

[spursfan77]

Vejkovic has progressed to a DM now I think youll find

just seen your post. Yep, he's definitely been more of a midfielder than a defender for the last couple of years.

 

[Lilbaz]

Would he want to come back?

 

[Mr Pink]

Would he want to come back?

I would doubt it, unless he was going to be assured a lot of game time.

Surely someone like Hull will go for him.