The Daily ITK Discussion Thread 29th July

[Finchyid]

I’m not overly fussed about the lack of signings, more the implications on Poch’s future. He made none too subtle allusions he wanted to be properly backed or he’d consider his future, and so far from the outside looking in it has been a shit storm of a window by Levy

I agree...window not shut yet but would you really think poch will get upset cos we didnt sign grealish?

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

What I’m struggling to see on here is the balance between holding levy accountable + acknowledging he has made MASSIVE progress over the years and deserves a lot of accolades for doing so. He has done a great job but there are several indications that this summer we will fail to do what is needed and he must also be blamed for that.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I’m not posting anything involved right now because (a) I’m not fully up to date and (b) it’s clear we’re at a sensitive point so it’s not worth it

All I will say is that ‘shrewd’ doesn’t always mean ‘cheap’ and that people don’t seem to understand that we do know the necessity of reinforcing in certain areas which will mean we will find ways to do things.

I’ll also add that there has been a few comments about DL not understanding the ‘changes in football landscape’. Absolutely not true and you should look at his history for evidence of that.

Im still not entirely convinced that what we are currently doing has any semblance of a plan , or that Levy is fully understanding of the market place shift.

But You are certainly one of the posters that I have more respect for in regards the information shared and it’s definite validity, and you sensible words have quelled my complete meltdown. For now ?.

Cheers for taking the time to pass on your take on the situation. Always appreciated.

 

[robertgoulet]

Don't know about that, but it's fair to say it's a model that has clearly worked and paid dividends in the past. I can certainly see why he'd be reluctant to change things considering how it's worked thus far. I just think everyone is now playing the same game or at least worked out how to play against it.

I’m sure the World Cup and transfer window being made earlier than other leagues has made it much more difficult to play that game as well.

 

[hutchiniho]

Zaha dead? Thought it was upto player and we offered more than chavs....not sure where levy got that wrong

All our info is so contradictory, some people are being so short sighted, we have the best striker in world football and the chairman extended his contract putting him in the top 10 highest earners in the premier league

Personally....waiting for spams and disagrees...if grealish, zaha and martial were really our main targets and we dont get them i think thats a good window

How?

Standing still, despite the quality we have, when everyone else around us is improving, cannot be a good window.

Imagine what could happen if we added another world class player!

I just hope missing these targets means Levy has to go up the talent ladder rather than down. ?

 

[stonebrow]

Don't know about that, but it's fair to say it's a model that has clearly worked and paid dividends in the past. I can certainly see why he'd be reluctant to change things considering how it's worked thus far. I just think everyone is now playing the same game or at least worked out how to play against it.

I agree it’s a model that has worked & got us where we are but surely we need to accept that sometimes you need to pay the going rate. I’ve said before we expect clubs to pay what is needed when we sell our players. All ignorant opinions on my behalf as I have no idea about business or how to run one.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I think a lot of the early optimism from ITKs was based on us recouping £100m plus in sales, mainly from Toby and Dembele. We haven't sold a single one and low and behold - not a single penny has gone out.

Problem with having to operate within your own means I guess.

At least a decent chunk of the contract renewals have materialised.

 

[St José Dominguez]

At least we now don't know who our potential signings are going to be, which adds excitement.
Although it's probably more akin to coming out of relationship, thinking about all the girls you're going to sleep with before realising you're going to die alone.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Last minute Levy chipping the deal? Or getting weird with the payment structure?

Or Chelsea got wind and improved their wages, fee or even part-ex offers, leading to us having to cough up more than planned.

 

[dwaynedibley]

I don’t think that levy would have any qualms about going back on promises made to poch or any other player that has signed a new contract, none whatsoever!!

 

[Finchyid]

How?

Standing still, despite the quality we have, when everyone else around us is improving, cannot be a good window.

Imagine what could happen if we added another world class player!

I just hope missing these targets means Levy has to go up the talent ladder rather than down. ?

Nail on head.....grealish, zaha and martial are not world class

 

[George94]

Or Chelsea got wind and improved their wages, fee or even part-ex offers, leading to us having to cough up more than planned.

Chelsea have the Ruben Loftus Cheek card to play - could send him there on loan again for the season.

 

[stonebrow]

What I’m struggling to see on here is the balance between holding levy accountable + acknowledging he has made MASSIVE progress over the years and deserves a lot of accolades for doing so. He has done a great job but there are several indications that this summer we will fail to do what is needed and he must also be blamed for that.

Levy has got us to where we are today but that was his job...which he did well. His job is also recruitment..which he hasn’t done this window so far. If I did my job well I wouldn’t be a rewarded (it’s my job, I get paid for doing it well) but if I didn’t I’d certainly be bollocked for not doing so...potentially sacked if it was a reoccurring trend. As you said it’s a balance & I certainly wouldn’t be going OTT if he does his job of getting the players in Poch needs.

 

[branchie]

When was the last time we signed a “world class player”? I’d say klinsmann? We ain’t signing any world class players, potential to be world class maybe!

VDV?!?

 

[SpartanSpur]

I’m sure the World Cup and transfer window being made earlier than other leagues has made it much more difficult to play that game as well.

The only way I can see this benefitting us on a transfer perspective (apart from the obvious benefits of the window not running through the start of the season) is that we can push for purchases from abroad late on as they'll have 3 weeks to replace. Downside to that is they probably won't be offering bargain prices.

It's killed us on outgoings which seemed to mess up the window.

 

[stonebrow]

Nail on head.....grealish, zaha and martial are not world class

Neither are half of our squad...we need good players...very few out there are world class! That term is used too loosely these days.

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

Levy has got us to where we are today but that was his job...which he did well. His job is also recruitment..which he hasn’t done this window so far. If I did my job well I wouldn’t be a rewarded (it’s my job, I get paid for doing it well) but if I didn’t I’d certainly be bollocked for not doing so...potentially sacked if it was a reoccurring trend. As you said it’s a balance & I certainly wouldn’t be going OTT if he does his job of getting the players in Poch needs.

Agreed - IF he fails to deliver then it cannot be justified by his past success nor can it be used to call for him to leave immediately

 

[Finchyid]

Neither are half of our squad...we need good players...very few out there are world class! That term is used too loosely these days.

Ok will rephrase....zaha, martial and grealish are not world class and they are not that good either

I agree world class is too loose, i would also agree about squad

 

[Flashspur]

I think people need to chill. The TW is still open. A lot can happen even if the ITK is not positive. I am sure DL will get at least one player and shift some as well.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Personally think on the attacking front our success in this window hinges completely on Utd buckling and agreeing the Toby-Martial swap. However based on ITK and media reports that is a loooong shot.

The suggestion that Grealish was a backup midfield target intrigues me, and CM is probably the key area of improvement this summer so hopefully taking Rebrab's info on board we will at least deliver something decent here.

This leaves CB if/when Toby goes, I think unless we can get De Ligt it'll be a honegrown patch up job like Lascelles or Mawson. Especially with Grealish now a non-starter. Might have to go down this route regardless due to the poor outgoings.

As Herc says though lets see what Levy does these next 11 days before sticking the knife in.