The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 4th June 2014

[sloth]

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

That's the discussion of ITK.

What's that you say A&C?

I said the discussion of ITK.

So I shouldn't post random un-linked names...

So I shouldn't post random names...

It's sinking in.

A&C…..What about stuff that's already been done to death? You know, Benny, Walker, Harry's spending, AVB's gingerness…..that kind of thing? Can we talk about that shit?

Why would you want to?

We're bored.

Fuck off.

No seriously, there's no ITK and talking about that stuff is like a comfort blanket.

Go away.

So that's it then A&C?

Yep

No wife gags?

Nope. But your mum does.

My mum does what?

Gags View attachment 12022

 

[Drexl]

Caulker stinks of a Levy signing, a cheap deal as opposed to filling a need, we need a CB but not him

 

[Mr Pink]

We need to sign a CB who's going to partner Vertonghen. Just can't rely on Kaboul.

Caulker isn't good enough to be first choice for us IMO.

 

[sloth]

I don't agree caulker's slow, just watch him and you can see he's quick, I think his size however disguises this somewhat and makes people assume he's slow. I read somewhere that he was one of the fastest at the club when he was with us. His failing at the moment, as far as I can tell, is that he's a bit raw still, but that can be put down to age surely. I'd be really happy if we re-signed him.

 

[lemony snickets]

Understood Sloth Boss

 

[Shadydan]

We need to sign a CB who's going to partner Vertonghen. Just can't rely on Kaboul.

Caulker isn't good enough to be first choice for us IMO.

I think he's improved playing for Cardiff, got a bit more mental strength about him too.

I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a replacement for Dawson.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think he's improved playing for Cardiff, got a bit more mental strength about him too.

I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a replacement for Dawson.

But would he be happy with that?

Be surprised if a few Clubs at the bottom of the League don't offer him first team football.

 

[Shadydan]

But would he be happy with that?

Be surprised if a few Clubs at the bottom of the League don't offer him first team football.

To replace Dawson?

Dawson played most games out of any of our cb's last season lol, I think he'd be happy with that.

 

[Bendo]

Caulker will probably never be our first choice, but if he could be convinced to come back he'd be a more than decent backup. Kaboul and Dawson are both unlikely to play a big role in the future, so we need some additional muscle to rotate with.

That said, I doubt he'd be willing to come back at this point. Both United and Liverpool desperately need CBs, and would be able to give him a better deal, not to mention Saints, Swansea, and the rest of the clubs in the lower ten. It would be a pretty dumb career move to go back in squad rotation now that he's finally getting into his stride.

 

[Mr Pink]

To replace Dawson?

Dawson played most games out of any of our cb's last season lol, I think he'd be happy with that.

So you're saying you'd want him as a first choice pick then?

Not for me.

I prefer we went for a more accomplished CB to partner Vertonghen.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I don't agree caulker's slow, just watch him and you can see he's quick, I think his size however disguises this somewhat and makes people assume he's slow. I read somewhere that he was one of the fastest at the club when he was with us. His failing at the moment, as far as I can tell, is that he's a bit raw still, but that can be put down to age surely. I'd be really happy if we re-signed him.

Over 100m I can believe it but he isn't particularly agile, not quick over a short burst and his positioning needs a lot of work (of course his positioning looked poor when playing with us but in our chop change defence its maybe not surprising). If we are playing a high-line Caulker would need to be able to slot in and not get caught out by nippier strikers trying to beat the offside trap. I don't think he is a natural fit for that kind of system, he probably looks a lot better in a deeper defence where he can win aerial battles and play out from the back.

 

[mpickard2087]

I don't really see the point of re-signing Caulker, he shouldn't have been let go in the first place and seemed to me to be a victim of AVB's complete unwillingness to really give proper chances to the younger players or try to develop them as footballers, but I don't think he has demonstrated that he is that outstanding a prospect to bring back for a big fee. I'd rather we looked at what else we had coming through the academy.

 

[dantheyid]

Seen we're linked with batshuayi again today, suggests to me that Soldado will be given another crack at it at the beginnings of the season

 

[$hoguN]

In principle, I agree completely, but last season we were down to one functioning CB on at least a couple of occasions, and two a lot of the time. That's not the first time in recent seasons that has happened. 2007-08 we had King out, followed in rapid succession by Gardner (no shocks there!) and Rocha. That left us with Dawson and a hopelessly out-of-his-depth Kaboul.

If he comes to anything, I suspect Fryers will develop into a CB rather than a LB, so that would be the fifth spot sorted out. I'd be minded to say goodbye—regretfully—to Kaboul, keep Dawson and get another proven, quality CB to partner Vertonghen (assuming van Gaal doesn't decide to whack in an offer we can't refuse).

I agree with this, but I think the only logical outcome from it is to let Kaboul go (as him always being inured is a real issue for the squad) and replacing him.

 

[Shadydan]

So you're saying you'd want him as a first choice pick then?

Not for me.

I prefer we went for a more accomplished CB to partner Vertonghen.

No I'd want him as cover as we cannot rely on Kaboul to stay fit.

We have Vlad Chiriches as the more accomplished CB partner to Vertonghen...unless you'd want us to spend £15m on a player like Dejan Lovren which I don't think he's worth that.

 

[$hoguN]

For everyone beating the Lovren drum, if my memory serves me correct he wasn't great for Lyon so you are basically saying you want him after one decent season in the PL which isn't the greatest logic, especially when he is going to cost well over £10 million.

 

[Mr Pink]

No I'd want him as cover as we cannot rely on Kaboul to stay fit.

We have Vlad Chiriches as the more accomplished CB partner to Vertonghen...unless you'd want us to spend £15m on a player like Dejan Lovren which I don't think he's worth that.

I do like Lovren but appreciate he wouldn't come cheap. If Poch decides to go for him though I'll certainly be up for it.

We can't rely on Kaboul but my original point still stands - would he want to sign as cover? Just because Dawson got a lot of games last season, wouldn't mean he would this season if you're looking to draw parallels with potential game time for Caulker this season.

 

[DaSpurs]

For everyone beating the Lovren drum, if my memory serves me correct he wasn't great for Lyon so you are basically saying you want him after one decent season in the PL which isn't the greatest logic, especially when he is going to cost well over £10 million.

There's a good bit of logic more to it than just the Prem experience:

Already familiar with Poch's unusual tactics, familiar with Poch as a manager, familiar with Lloris due to their time with Lyon, fast and athletic CB to maintain the high press, right-footed to couple Vertonghen, had that good season therefore played out of position a bit due to playing on the left, and an excellent verbal leader to replace Dawson's best trait. I'd say given our need and what CB's go for in Europe these days, he's worth every bit of what we pay for him.

 

[Stoof]

He was also in and out of the team for us which didn't help. He looked a lot more assured when getting game time at Swansea, and by all accounts has had a good season for Cardiff this year.

I suppose those issues would arise again for us though if he's not a regular starter, and I'm not convinced he's good enough to take that role from any of Vertonghen, Kaboul or Chiriches.

Probably need to fire your accountant dude ...

 

[NorthernMonkey]

Dawson needs a strong player beside him or mistakes start to creep in, that's his flaw. Caulker is probably going to turn out to be a great CB. Don't understand why we sold in the first place. It's a no brainer for me to get him back. Think he and Verts would make a seriously solid pair. If he's up for a return. £6 mil makes sense.

Agreed, the first full season he played with us, he spent it next to Ledders and looked imense. 2nd season, Ledders missed nearly all of it and he ended up playing with a young Kabs and Gardner and needed to be the leader. He was a bit of a mess, not sure if just felt he couldn't trust his CB partner and was always trying to cover for them, but he was like a different player...Strangely a bit similar to Verts this last season.

If it was me, I'd try to get rid of Daws and Kabs and bring back Caulker and buy AN Other. We've hopefully got a lot of games to play this season. Whilst I don't want to be changing the back 4 every game, there's got to be a bit of rotation or we will pick up injuries. Not sure I'd make him 1st choice though and that might be the stumbling block.