The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - WALKING THE DOG - 7th January

[dudu]

Had to rate that 'Winner', because I somehow missed Spurger King's post. Anyway, you catch my drift, your post wasn't a winner at all

Now i have to stay awake till i get a real one!

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Great post mate. I saw it quoted first a few pages back and felt it was my duty to trudge back what seemed like a hundred pages to winner the original, LOL.

Cheers buddy. Your 'trawling back' efforts will be appreciated by everybody, and not just me

 

[PhezTHFC]

Hmm, why do I get the feeling I'm being set up for a fall? Oh well, it won't be anything new, so I'll answer your questions anyway

Am I a bit miffed at the lack of movement and ITK? Well not really, if I'm honest. We made so many changes in the summer, too many, in my opinion, so it's not at all surprising that we're suffering from a lull in info or activity.

Already, after just 5 or 6 months, it 'appears' that more than 1 of those new recruits (I'm including Holtby, though I know he was signed in the January window last year), could well be heading towards the exit door. We are led to believe that this is due to Sherwood not liking their lack of professionalism (Capoue), and or their actual ability (Holtby). Unfortunately none of us can say for a fact whether either of those rumours is correct. Over £100mil invested back into the squad, yet nobody seems to know how best to utilise any of the new talent. Surely looking for more would complicate things even further? Unless somebody is available that is genuinely an upgrade on a current squad member, there's no point in signing anyone!!

As for the season so far, I think 'indifferent' is the only way I can describe my feelings about it. I liked AVB, I wanted him to succeed, but I think I agree with those that believe he'd simply had enough, so opted to walk. I was saddened by this, not because of any unwavering support I had for him, but because, despite a few drubbings & a lack of entertaining football, we were still a win or two away from the top 4, we had a 100% record in each of the cups and, as already stated, we had so many new players to integrate. 7 purchases, 2 loanees returning, and 2 long term injury absentees returning. That's 11 players, a complete team, almost half a squad. How could anyone expect that to click in any short time frame? Yet competitive we remained. Still, AVB has gone, performances are back to being 'exciting', so I guess the majority will now be happy? I just thought it made more sense to give AVB the season, then decide after that about his future.

Now I come to Lamela, a player that, before we signed him, I knew NOTHING about. Here we are, 5 months later, and I still know NOTHING about him. However, I've seen more than enough to make me see he has some quality. I know it was "only against FC Sheriff", but that performance showed me a glimpse of what I've read about him on here. That night, he made the ball dance!! As far as I'm aware, he is still yet to play in the position that had the world raving about him, whilst at Roma? And he certainly hasn't been given what I'd call "a fair shot, via a good run of games", but I've not seen the lad in training, or how he looks to those who truly matter, ie the management team.

The most important thing about Lamela, was touched upon by 'Nabil Bentaleb' in his recent interview. Bentaleb said, “[With the other French players], we’re always here to talk to each other. It’s always good to have people that you’re tight to and, coming from the same country, it helps. ".......... Lamela has none of that!!

This is something many have touched upon, yet seem to forget so easily. Lamela never asked for the massive fee to be put upon his head, and he clearly never knew what he was letting himself in for, when accepting our advances. We MUST remain patient, just as we MUST come up with a way of getting him in our team, and playing with confidence. Can Sherwood do this? I couldn't say, but I do have my doubts, though they are without any significant foundation. Everyone was inexperienced at some point in their life!!

The rest of our summer business? Well we've seen the good and bad from Paulinho, he just needs to calm down his shooting, because he's rivaling Townsend in the 'who can give someone a shiner in the upper tier' stakes. I don't doubt he will be a massive success for us IF we play the right system for his game.

KiriKesh (Yes Lufti, i said it again lol) has shown to be a little too used to be head and shoulders above everyone else in his league. He just needs to acclimatise & be constantly reminded that he's not playing in Romania anymore. I'll get massacred for this, but I personally believe he could be even better than Vertonghen.

Eriksen started like a house on fire, then quickly seemed to lose his mojo. He got an injury, and since his return has looked more like the player that we signed. I think we can all see the ability this kid has got but, again, we need to think about the system that best suits him. Ironically, it seems that system is the exact same system that would suit all of our summer recruits, but we're not playing it. I'm talking about 4-3-3.

Chadli is someone I really want to see more of, mainly because he's a player I see being regularly slagged off. His international manager has stated that, when fit, Chadli is the first name on his team-sheet, and amongst the talent that Belgium have at their disposal, that's quite a statement to make. From what little I've seen of him, he's not a 'winger', he's an 'attacker'. He's strong, he's technically competent (gifted?) and his goal record in Holland would suggest he knows where the back of the net is. Again, play him on the left of a 4-3-3, then watch him shine. I think he'd not be too shabby as a main striker, also.

Capoue looked like he'd be our best business of the summer, when he first played for us. He then got that injury against Arseanal (a game he was totally bossing) and looks to need a good run of games to get to that level again. Unfortunately it appears our new manager has different ideas. Time will tell, but I'd be gutted if we lose him. I'm not an accountant, so couldn't give a shit about a possible quick profit.

Soldado? Ah now this is bloody obvious, is it not? The guy is bloody quality, but let's be realistic here. From a football point of view, our club, or the managers of it, has/have treated him like shit. He's literally been hung out to dry, and the rest of the footballing world is absolutely bloody loving it. "Look at Tottenham and their laughable £26mil striker".. Yeah, F*** OFF!! The guy is one of the best 'feeders' from crosses, in world football. But just like the rest of our summer signings, he's playing in an alien league, and in an alien formation. 18 PL games, 5 goals & 4 assists, despite the above factors, and despite the fact that he's OBVIOUSLY frustrated (who can blame the poor sod?) is not at all a bad return, in my opinion. Remember Shaun Goater? "Feed the goat & he will score". Well that's what we have IF we can make Soldado feel valuable, loved, and get the right players around him. Stick Eriksen to his left, Lamela to his right, Paulinho, Sandro & Dembele behind him, then watch what £26mil has purchased!! There's MUCH more to come from Soldado, mark my words!! I think that fella Suarez got something like 7 goals in his first season? Not done too bad since then. Though a different type of player, I see no reason at all why Soldado's 2nd season wouldn't be massively different to his 1st.

I should probably take this opportunity to apologise to everyone, especially the mods. I was asked a question & now you've all suffered as a result of that .. Stupid verbal diarrhea

That is spot on but that took a while to read!!

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

That is spot on but that took a while to read!!

I'm pissed now, I'm not even going to apologise.

 

[Atarrier]

The quote from Tim bout Lamela seems very 'Timmish' although that shouldn't be a deduction to believe it out right, it sounds like that archaic British footballing mentality that in order to play in the premier league you have to be able to kick shit outta somebody that I can imagine Tim Sherwood buys into. I sincerely hope Lamela adapts in time before media, staff and the fans sharpen their respective knives and it becomes too overwhelming for the kid.

 

[Gedson100]

Great post mate. I saw it quoted first a few pages back and felt it was my duty to trudge back what seemed like a hundred pages to winner the original, LOL.

See the little arrow in the quote next to the name?
Click that.

Then you will save yourself some shoe leather

 

[EllenAlex]

Are you Ellen or are you Alex right now?

Tim.

 

[SpurSince57]

The quote from Tim bout Lamela seems very 'Timmish' although that shouldn't be a deduction to believe it out right, it sounds like that archaic British footballing mentality that in order to play in the premier league you have to be able to kick shit outta somebody that I can imagine Tim Sherwood buys into. I sincerely hope Lamela adapts in time before media, staff and the fans sharpen their respective knives and it becomes too overwhelming for the kid.

Sorry, but how do you know this? I haven't really heard enough from Sherwood to be able to judge what sounds 'very Timmish' at all. How do you know this is exactly what Sherwood said anyway? Was 'Ali Z' there? Were these words directed to him personally? How does he know Lamela wasn't fit? Does his souRce know this? Or is it from his source's source?

You can imagine that Sherwood buys into this archaic mentality? Why can you do that? Do you suppose it's because he buys into that mentality that he promoted Bentaleb? That he wants to bring back Carroll? A real couple of latter-day Tommy Smiths, aren't they?

If he has a doubt that Lamela might not be able to hack it, it's not entirely unreasonable. He has, however, made it pretty plain that he's going to give him a chance to prove himself in the EPL, which is altogether more than Villas-Boas did.

 

[Spursidol]

I agree that people are too quick to have a pop at Sherwood based only on ITK, but you can't deny that we do have a certain degree of turmoil going on.

We've got 80m worth of new players who aren't performing and a manager who isn't going to have the authority to buy anyone else because he's only on a ludicrous length of contract.

And the problem is that supposedly that manager was on the committee that helped buy those players. Is he admitting he was wrong? Was he not involved in the first place? Does anyone really know who's making the decisions transfer wise?

The turmoil isn't (all) Sherwood's fault. But I don't think it's wrong to talk about turmoil because it's a bit of a mess at the moment.

Spurs now have a squad of about 25 players let alone a few youngsters who could come in and do a job for a few games.

AVB found that he couldn't utilise all the squad, and I imagine Sherwood has come to the same conclusion - last January I found that the other top PL teams had maybe 20-22.players, and its probably not changed.

I suspect that Sherwood wants to trim a few players from the squad to get down to that number, possibly addiing a CB or LB in the process.

With a 20 - 22 man squad, its then a question of deciding whether we keep all the youngsters (BEntaleb, Carroll, Kane et al) at Spurs to fill gaps in case of injuries or we allow some of them out on loan.

Probably most managers coming in would do the same, not just Sherwood.

Nothing against any of the individual players being shipped out - its just we have too many competing for certain positions, of which Holtby is a prime example. Good player but there are better players left in similar positions

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

@Gards44: Shame Lewis is goin! He loves the club and is well liked behind the scenes! Can't help but think TS is changing things that aren't necessary

 

[ggibbs1971]

Spurs now have a squad of about 25 players let alone a few youngsters who could come in and do a job for a few games.

AVB found that he couldn't utilise all the squad, and I imagine Sherwood has come to the same conclusion - last January I found that the other top PL teams had maybe 20-22.players, and its probably not changed.

I suspect that Sherwood wants to trim a few players from the squad to get down to that number, possibly addiing a CB or LB in the process.

With a 20 - 22 man squad, its then a question of deciding whether we keep all the youngsters (BEntaleb, Carroll, Kane et al) at Spurs to fill gaps in case of injuries or we allow some of them out on loan.

Probably most managers coming in would do the same, not just Sherwood.

Nothing against any of the individual players being shipped out - its just we have too many competing for certain positions, of which Holtby is a prime example. Good player but there are better players left in similar positions

Finally a man with common sense.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Ok it looks like Holtby be might be going back to Schalke

I swear to God if Arsenal sign Draxler, I would never forgive the club

 

[ButchCassidy]

Ok it looks like Holtby be might be going back to Schalke

I swear to God if Arsenal sign Draxler, I would never forgive the club

So he can compete with Ozil and Cazorla? I'd be very surprised.

 

[TwoEriks]

Really unhappy about Sherwood making such a rash decision when he's not likely to be at the club come August.

Holtby will be a top player in a couple of years. This will be like KPB but x20.

 

[Atarrier]

Sorry, but how do you know this? I haven't really heard enough from Sherwood to be able to judge what sounds 'very Timmish' at all. How do you know this is exactly what Sherwood said anyway? Was 'Ali Z' there? Were these words directed to him personally? How does he know Lamela wasn't fit? Does his souRce know this? Or is it from his source's source?

You can imagine that Sherwood buys into this archaic mentality? Why can you do that? Do you suppose it's because he buys into that mentality that he promoted Bentaleb? That he wants to bring back Carroll? A real couple of latter-day Tommy Smiths, aren't they?

If he has a doubt that Lamela might not be able to hack it, it's not entirely unreasonable. He has, however, made it pretty plain that he's going to give him a chance to prove himself in the EPL, which is altogether more than Villas-Boas did.

I made the conclusion it sounded 'Timmish' by the language he used, I think the term was 'fancied him' that sprung up connotations of the language I've seen/heard used by in, admittedly the few interviews Tim has done since taking the reigns. I also stated that just because of this you should not deduce that he actually said it now didn't I?
I can imagine Sherwood buys into it because he was that type of player and seems to come across in that very British way. As I said, I imagine, I wasn't announcing it as a fact, simply what I imagine, 'imagine' was used because I have no direct evidence to back up my assumption.
And finally this is a ITK thread, speculating on the ITK was simply all I was doing, my friend. Without doing so it is a fairly redundant thread wouldn't you agree?

 

[thinktank]

@Gards44: Shame Lewis is goin! He loves the club and is well liked behind the scenes! Can't help but think TS is changing things that aren't necessary

Shame, he really does love the club. Good kid.

We're such a fuck up as a club when it comes to handling players, jesus.

If siggy doesn't follow then I'm gonna be pretty fucking annoyed.

 

[yankspurs]

How the fuck is Levy allowing Sherwood to make such decisions when he's not going to at the cub past August. And this is because Sherwood wants to bring Carroll back. This club is such a clusterfuck of epic proportions. I really like Holtby and quite frankly this makes me want Sherwood out even more. Im serious, all this guy wants is to play with his youngsters because there his guys and is completely ignoring players that are better now because of it. His man management is awful. Ugh. I feel awful for Holtby and I hope he becomes a great player. Get the flying fuck out of my club, Sherwood.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

How the fuck is Levy allowing Sherwood to make such decisions when he's not going to at the cub past August. And this is because Sherwood wants to bring Carroll back. This club is such a clusterfuck of epic proportions. I really like Holtby and quite frankly this makes me want Sherwood out even more. Im serious, all this guy wants is to play with his youngsters because there his guys and is completely ignoring players that are better now because of it. His man management is awful. Ugh. I feel awful for Holtby and I hope he becomes a great player. Get the flying fuck out of my club, Sherwood.

So its all Sherwood's fault.

Some of your posts about Sherwood are laughable mate...

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

Shame, he really does love the club. Good kid.

We're such a fuck up as a club when it comes to handling players, jesus.

If siggy doesn't follow then I'm gonna be pretty fucking annoyed.

TBH has he done enough over the year. I think he has been average. Rather make some money and give Carroll more chances.

 

[Mouse!]

Really unhappy about Sherwood making such a rash decision when he's not likely to be at the club come August.

Holtby will be a top player in a couple of years. This will be like KPB but x20.

KPB x 20? Jesus that's...

Spoiler

Yes, KPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPBKPB.