The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 4th June 2014

[Shadydan]

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.

Depends what his options are though, if there are any other clubs out there who are willing to guarantee him first team football playing at out level then it would make sense if he looked at them (maybe Liverpool)

Caulker isn't really in a position to walk back into Spurs and ask for guaranteed first team football despite the season he's just had, no one is unless you're at the top of your trade. In any case we're in 4 comps again this season so I'd imagine we'd see quite a bit of him.

 

[Supersi32]

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.

I don`t think he`s slow when he gets to full tilt, its just the time it takes for him to turn because as you say of his lumbering frame. He gets turned inside out regularly.

 

[allatsea]

Poor reader of the game, poor positionally, slow on the turn, fails to use his build when defending but very good when his team are attacking. Not for me.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Caulker's just Dawson without the dopey grin.

9m for him was great business.

 

[DaSpurs]

I don`t think he`s slow when he gets to full tilt, its just the time it takes for him to turn because as you say of his lumbering frame. He gets turned inside out regularly.

This. There is a massive difference than being quick at a full field sprint vs the 20-50 yard burst sprints, and especially on the turn while addressing a counter. If it were the same and "speed" was one category, we'd have no need for multi-distance events at the Olympics or even the field of physics for that matter.

 

[E8spur]

I was sorry to see Caulker sold, and I'd be glad to have him back.

He's still only 22 and will develop under Poch, he's come through the youth teams here and will actually have some commitment to the club. He's been a captain at Cardiff - and we need more leaders on the field. And he bangs in goals from set pieces - which except for Eriksen's beauties, we currently don't. A snip at £6m.

 

[JonnySpurs]

I don't see the point in bringing back Caulker when we have Zeki Fryers because however u spin it, Caulker would have to be a backup CB and he doesn't want that anyway.

My preference would be to see if we can develop Zeki Fryers a bit more as he will be more accepting of a backup role right now. He's raw but has better pace, near enough as much strength and is better on the ball.

I think Zeki is similar in size and style to Michah Richards who also arguably should have made the move to CB some years back.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

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.

He's slow on the turn and slow over that first few yards. And that is what matters most in football, especially for defenders.

His brain doesn't work that quick either. In other words, his reading of the game doesn't compensate for that lack of agility.

 

[Hoopspur]

I want a settled centre half pairing with 2 understudies/deputies - whether it's Verts and 1 other or not. Caulker clearly wants a permanent place in a team and we just should not tell him he can have that.

 

[StanSpur]

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.

What happened last time we sold a CB we didn't think would make it and then bought him back cheaper the next year? Oh yes thats it. KABOOM

Wishful thinking but if we could get a similar improvement then has to be worth a shout. Worst case you sell him on again in 12 months for another profit.

 

[Blockbuster]

Caulker would help our quota on developed players?

 

[Shadydan]

He's slow on the turn and slow over that first few yards. And that is what matters most in football, especially for defenders.

His brain doesn't work that quick either. In other words, his reading of the game doesn't compensate for that lack of agility.

That can be coached imo, he's only 22 - defenders don't really hit their peak until 27-30.

 

[DaSpurs]

Caulker would help our quota on developed players?

I assume you're referring to the homegrown count, in which case they don't have to be players we develop.

 

[SpurSince57]

What happened last time we sold a CB we didn't think would make it and then bought him back cheaper the next year? Oh yes thats it. KABOOM

Wishful thinking but if we could get a similar improvement then has to be worth a shout. Worst case you sell him on again in 12 months for another profit.

From whom we got one good season (in which Friedel was kept even busier than Lloris last season, so the defence can't have done that good a job of protecting him).

Sorry, this idea that if he still doesn't cut it we can always sell him again is preposterous. We don't need a 22-year-old who might or might not improve, we need an experienced, top-quality CB who can slot in alongside Vertonghen.

 

[Zeb]

Can't we just club up and get some stem cell injections for Ledley's knee???

 

[mark87]

Can't we just club up and get some stem cell injections for Ledley's knee???

And then clone him.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

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.

Yet people want us to spend £25m on Lallana, go figure ...

 

[Mr Pink]

Depends what his options are though, if there are any other clubs out there who are willing to guarantee him first team football playing at out level then it would make sense if he looked at them (maybe Liverpool)

Caulker isn't really in a position to walk back into Spurs and ask for guaranteed first team football despite the season he's just had, no one is unless you're at the top of your trade. In any case we're in 4 comps again this season so I'd imagine we'd see quite a bit of him.

I'm just not that convinced by him, so I'd pass regardless to be honest.

Would much rather have another quality addition to slot in beside Vertonghen immediately. Vlad has talent but he's still a quite a bit to learn IMO.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

The whole reason Caulker moved on was because he wanted to play games. I don't see him starting ahead of Kaboul, Verts, Chiriches so it seems pointless bringing him back. He also probably won't even want to come back.

We probably inserted a clause in the deal with the hope he would kick on to a level where he could be considered a genuine first teamer for us somewhere down the line, but from what I have seen he hasn't progressed that far yet. I would much rather just get Micah Richards as a backup on a free - and I don't particularly rate him either!

 

[vicbob]

From whom we got one good season (in which Friedel was kept even busier than Lloris last season, so the defence can't have done that good a job of protecting him).

Sorry, this idea that if he still doesn't cut it we can always sell him again is preposterous. We don't need a 22-year-old who might or might not improve, we need an experienced, top-quality CB who can slot in alongside Vertonghen.

Spot on, we have Fryers who could be the one who may or may not improve and Vlad who still has a bit to prove as a first team starter, we need a first team, experienced player who can form a partnership with Jan (fingers crossed he's still here) and play week in and week out, barring injuries and suspensions.