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The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 12 January 2011

Berglad

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2008
2,557
2,749
Isn't Vucinic considered to basically be a Berbatov-equivalent?

I'm not sure we need someone fast or a monster in the box to lead the line, but a Berbs-type: someone skillful and able to relieve pressure/bring the midfield into play, but chip in with a fair amount of goals themselves... (Crouch + more strength + goals). Wouldn't Vucinic fit that bill? I'd think that would be preferable to someone like Fabiano who isn't too influential on games outside of goals.
 

Rout-Ledge

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2005
9,611
21,718
Evra is world class and has proved his quality consistently at very the highest level. Ekotto has been very good overall but he has had some shocking moments at times, far too many for him to be considered anyting but a good full back, not great like Evra and Cole, but still better than most which is enough for me at this moment in time.

Agree with this. Ekotto has had some magnificent games, but often (and it is often) does things that top class full backs like Evra wouldn't. He did have a good game agaisnt United, but there was one moment when he tried to shield the ball out of play and got us in trouble when he could have easily cleared it. He has bad lapses of judgment.
 

jermaine_defoe

The Mighty Yid
Aug 22, 2009
126
19
latest from my source....

Havent agreed a fee with Ajax but are still in talks.....If we dont get Suarez we'll be going after Fabiano/Cardozo and I'm sure a few others but I dont see Levy putting up the money Sevilla would want to get him on a permanent deal. Maybe a loan would work out but I havent heard if we've actually taken the steps to do that. No buy on price if we spend 10 million on Fabiano and thats something Levy has been known to be looking for with all the players we've brought in when they've cost a good amount to land.
 

Strikeb4ck

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2010
4,483
9,409
Don't know if it was ITK that I read this on, but I saw somewhere that Ajax were gonna accept the offer from Liverpool for Suarez, Babel + cash.
Babel is now in talks with Hoffenheim after a price was agreed, would this lead to a breakdown in talks?

Sorry if this was previously mentioned, don't have time to go through all the pages. If so, just ignore this.
 

DoublePivot

Relegated to Lurker
Jul 1, 2005
8,987
67
Don't know if it was ITK that I read this on, but I saw somewhere that Ajax were gonna accept the offer from Liverpool for Suarez, Babel + cash.
Babel is now in talks with Hoffenheim after a price was agreed, would this lead to a breakdown in talks?

Sorry if this was previously mentioned, don't have time to go through all the pages. If so, just ignore this.

Well ostensibly they could take the 7 million from the sale of Babel (that's the number being used here last I looked) and apply it to Suarez. Ajax can do a lot more with 7 million that Babel.
 

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
8,780
6,660
Personally I just cant see how anybody who watches enough of Spurs can genuinely not rate Ekotto.

I think he's the best LB in the League at present. I wouldn't be surpised if there is real interest in him come the summer.

Agreed! BAE is the most underated player in a Spurs shirt.
I think he effectively covers Bale when Bale runs forward and BAE can cross the ball and has a great left foot. He works well with Bale.
Yes he does make the odd mistake that can cost us a game but so too can Hutton, Gomes, Gallas, Dawson, King... but overall he is a great player...
 

Twizzle

The Alpha Male
May 25, 2008
4,955
4,735
latest from my source....

Havent agreed a fee with Ajax but are still in talks.....If we dont get Suarez we'll be going after Fabiano/Cardozo and I'm sure a few others but I dont see Levy putting up the money Sevilla would want to get him on a permanent deal. Maybe a loan would work out but I havent heard if we've actually taken the steps to do that. No buy on price if we spend 10 million on Fabiano and thats something Levy has been known to be looking for with all the players we've brought in when they've cost a good amount to land.

encouraging news mate, but I think our ITK mods have all it the sack
 

ChristianBaler

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2010
1,877
1,246
Posted earlier on SO by lagosspur which was also confirmed as "spot on" by archibald

It's not really news as such, and it may have already occurred to some people... but it was confirmed to me by a close friend (100% trustworthy and connected) who spoke to one of the coaches last weekend (I honestly don't know which one, they're keeping that close to their chest) that, and I paraphrase:

Harry wants to sell one striker minimum and would not replace that one for the sake of it (i.e. like for like) as he believes that the current 4 striker rotation is too much.

Apparently, now that he is favouring one striker plus VdV, he believes that 3 + VdV is sufficient and he would struggle to keep more than 3 happy.

He will not buy a striker purely to replace Keane (who is expected to leave one way or another) - he would be content with 3. However, if a very good striker became available, then he may even let two go with just one coming in.

There was also a suggestion that CL availability of a new striker does not enter into the consideration as that is not the priority at this time - as reported in one or two other places. The focus is getting the right striker for the coming years, regardless of availability for CL this season.

he then added

Re: a few of the comments that this means no new striker... not necessarily. The point was just that Keane leaving does not mean one in, one out. The only 'desperation' mode would come in if two strikers were to leave (i.e. Keane and Crouch or Pav) which Harry believes would then leave us short.

I understand from this that Keane going is a gimme and irrelevant to other transfer business (except for the welcome boost of money) and that the linkage is between a new striker coming and one of the 2 'big men' (neither of whom ever win headers!) going.

By the way, I got another message today that was short and sweet, but basically said the club is over-the-moon about Bent moving to Villa as we had not expected him to leave Sunderland anytime soon and with the clauses we had in his deal this is a nice little windfall that they were simply not expecting at all... basically paid for Pienaar!
 

Twizzle

The Alpha Male
May 25, 2008
4,955
4,735
surely harry cannot be satisfied with the strikers we have

not even harry classifies VDV as a striker, he refers to him as a hole player
 

ChristianBaler

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2010
1,877
1,246
surely harry cannot be satisfied with the strikers we have

not even harry classifies VDV as a striker, he refers to him as a hole player

Which, at least what I'm thinking is that Keane and Pav will both go and 1 striker will be brought in. Rotate the 3, with VDV in behind and Pienaar covering him when he needs a rest. With that purchase Harry can more or less assure himself that we have adequate cover for him so he can continue playing the lone striker role.
 
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