The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 20th July

[Paolo10]

I don't see where there needs to be a massive influx of new players right now, anyway.

Surely AVB will want to run the rule over the players he has, see them in some friendlies, study their strengths and weaknesses - essentially giving Levy a second opinion on all the players Harry may have written off - before deciding where he would like to strengthen and who with.

Ade is an obvious necessity, no squad study required there, but as far as everywhere else goes it makes sense to me that we may not see much, if any, movement in/out of the team until the end of the USA tour.

I don't mind the management taking some time to get to know the squad before they go about making replacements, especially when some have already been brought in. When they know what they need I have no doubt we'll be seeing new faces - there's plenty of time left.

With Ade not signed and being the only player pretty much *not* on our books that has any degree of experience in playing the lone role up top with any degree of competence, I think another striker should be a priority right off the bat. The ITK on other strikers didn't stop once Harry left so I sincerely hope that the club are looking to sort this out.

I just really hope that it's not the situation that we have to sell Modric before we can bid for this other striker at the very least, does anyone think RM may return the favour we did to them and play transfer chicken after losing VdV for a paltry £8m?

There's not too many players that were 'written off' that I'd like to see kick another ball for Spurs in all honesty, Gio, JJ and Bentley especially so (edit: also Bassong). Don't get me wrong, I'd love them to suddenly grow bollocks and make the most of their abilities, but I doubt it will happen. AVB's just a manager, he's not Jesus...although I am hoping he can work miracles of course.

I just don't want too much going to the fucking last seconds again, learn from the last few windows ffs.

Any word if this Modric strop has any legs?

 

[McFlash]

We've dealt with RM before and they've even praised our professionalism and the way we work.
I find it hard to believe that they'd take this stance with Levy, unless they're not bothered about really getting Modric.
If we both respect each other, as has been said, why would they start to conduct their business with us in such a manner?

If the rumours of Modric refusing to train again are true...I'm close to losing my temper with the little runt.

 

[Super Tottenham]

It does sound like Modric is going on strike again.

 

[SonicSarr]

Yup I think this is spot on. AVB has said it's a clean slate for everyone so he needs to properly see the existing squad in action before making any massive decisions.

From one perspective it may be a good idea to really assess the squad before buying. We have a very large group of players with obvious deadwood on big wages (Bentley, Jenas etc) but also loads of players who have hung around for ages picking up a wage when they are clearly never going to make it at Spurs (Obika (he must be heading towards 25 now surely) , Dawkins etc). We can get streamlined, add a few specific signings and concentrate on a core of players and bringing through the cream of the younger guys.

On the other hand it does not take much assessment to realise we need to replace Modric, we need another decent Striker and we will soon need a long term goalie.

 

[SteveH]

It does sound like Modric is going on strike again.

It is his right, but I dont think it will come to that. Luka needs realise he has met his match in DL.
But he will be off to RM if he does not do something silly.

 

[SonicSarr]

It does sound like Modric is going on strike again.

Great attitude to show to Madrid. I'm sure Mourinho will be well impressed with that level of professionalism. If true, the bloke it a complete bellend.

 

[Insomnia]

Is there any ITK that Luca is refusing to train and going on strike or is it another SSN understands that....

 

[andyp8080]

It is his right, but I dont think it will come to that. Luka needs realise he has met his match in DL.
But he will be off to RM if he does not do something silly.

why do you say it is his right to go on strike?

 

[SonicSarr]

It is his right, but I dont think it will come to that. Luka needs realise he has met his match in DL.
But he will be off to RM if he does not do something silly.

Erm...no it's not. He is under contract.

 

[talkshowhost86]

From one perspective it may be a good idea to really assess the squad before buying. We have a very large group of players with obvious deadwood on big wages (Bentley, Jenas etc) but also loads of players who have hung around for ages picking up a wage when they are clearly never going to make it at Spurs (Obika (he must be heading towards 25 now surely) , Dawkins etc). We can get streamlined, add a few specific signings and concentrate on a core of players and bringing through the cream of the younger guys.

On the other hand it does not take much assessment to realise we need to replace Modric, we need another decent Striker and we will soon need a long term goalie.

And I'm pretty sure we're working on all three of those positions.

 

[aws_young]

I've always been an advocate of POTL's info but he really seems to have gone off the boil in the last couple of transfer windows. Didn't his last post say (in an incredibly vague way) that there would be a couple of incomings and outcomings this week? Well there's been nothing other than King's retirement and it's increasingly coming across as guess work.

The whole cryptic thing last summer didn't do him any favours. Reputation shot.

 

[Mr Pink]

I have these visions of Levy screaming 'you will like chicken fucking badge' at him

 

[Breezer]

Real Madrid are not in a position to negotiate. If they don't pay the asking price they don't get the player. Modric has 4 years on his contract, do no chance of him leaving on the cheap. Levy is in a win-win position. He either gets the money he's asking for and spends it on someone like Moutinho etc or he keeps Modric after explaining to him that no club has met are valuation. Ok Modric might not be too pleased but he will understand DL is no mug. He given other teams the opportunity to bid for Modric however it's not his problem if the bids are short. This still leaves us needing strikers. Adebayor plus one more! Assuming modric stays and we do not receive any transfer money. Do we have the funds to purchase another top striker. I believe we do! We bid £18m for remy in jan and also had 2 bids for Damaio rejected. So all is not doom and gloom. Transfers take time! We still have weeks to complete signings and I think AVB will sign 2-3 more players of his own choice.

 

[aws_young]

I'm guessing we've all seen this recent pic of Modric at a Spanish restaurant? Real Madrid suits opposite apparently.

 

[Daredevil]

The last time we had a massive influx of new players a constant refrain on here was, 'When Juande gets his own team together', which conveniently ignored the point that the squad he'd inherited was supposed to be capable of challenging for a top four place.

Exactly.

AVB has been in the job barely over a week, has played one friendly against Stevenage and with some players still on holiday after the Euros during that time too. He seems the methodical type who will look at what he has before going out to get 'his team' in.

Besides, he tried making sweeping changes at Chelsea right away... I think he learned something there.

It may take longer then some of us may like, especially after the exciting activity early in the window, but I am keeping the faith that the lack of activity right now is temporary.

But I've been wrong before.

 

[dellybelly]

Great attitude to show to Madrid. I'm sure Mourinho will be well impressed with that level of professionalism. If true, the bloke it a complete bellend.

Maybe that's what Mourinho has advised him to do.

 

[Paolo10]

Does anyone who looks a bit goblinesque pass as Luka now? Hard to tell tbh.

If the Real Madrid move doesn't materialise out he can always go for a role in Game of Thrones if he doesn't fancy kicking a ball about for a living.

 

[wpd659]

I had heard it was AVB who sent modric home after there chat! It wasnt a case of modric refusing it was more AVB didnt want a sulking player training and ruining the gd atmosphere at training!

 

[JonnySpurs]

The whole cryptic thing last summer didn't do him any favours. Reputation shot.

He said good news and bad news. Ade would be with us shortly and he mentions ins and outs.

The bad news is clearly about King and probably Modric (the little turd).

Good news, ins and outs could all refer to Ade (altho now stalling a bit) Fryers (apparently with us already)

Beyond that I'd say that I still think he's reliable and one of the better ITK's but as we all know, it's a risky business to be in and nothing is really concrete until it's officially announced by the club.

Let's see what he comes up with when he's back next week.

 

[dellybelly]

The whole cryptic thing last summer didn't do him any favours. Reputation shot.

He started believing his own publicity and started acting very arrogantly with the other ITK's. People were more than happy to shoot him down when he didn't deliver the goods.