The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 31st December 2014

[DaSpurs]

Agree entirely with Poch that that goal was Lennon's fault. Absolutely no question, and Lennon should have done better homework. I'm from fucking Alabama and I know Hazard loves give and go's into the box. You absolutely cannot allow him to run freely after making a short pass right behind you into the box.

As for relevance, I agree and I do hope we manage to part ways. Lennon has been a caricature of himself ever since AVB flipped him and Bale, and I think he could use a change in scenery. Much obliged to him for his servitude over a very long period of time, but our system has moved on and now so should he.

The fact he didn't accept criticism for that goal really irks me. We were doing so well up until that point.

 

[PhezTHFC]

I think maybe the 10 who are safe is a bit extravagant in my eyes it will be more like 15

 

[Mr Pink]

Disappointed with Lennon's attitude if that's accurate, as he showed a great attitude on the pitch against Everton.

Lennon was always one of my favourites and he's the last one of the old guard. Bit of a shame in all honesty as I still think he would of been a great option to call on for some games, I emphasize 'some'. Sort of like the way Fergie used Park.

 

[Dirty Ewok]

ali z:
I hear final straw with Lennon is claiming hamstring was not right, also after Chelsea away did not accept criticism from Poch for goal.
Plenty Poch wants out, either through attitude or ability but its al about takers only 10 or so are safe.

10 safe players....can't even field a starting lineup with players he has no issue with. Well....that's....fun?

We have already had one season with massive overhaul....hopefully we have it mapped out how to take care of a clear out and restock....

 

[dk-yid]

ali z:
I hear final straw with Lennon is claiming hamstring was not right, also after Chelsea away did not accept criticism from Poch for goal.
Plenty Poch wants out, either through attitude or ability but its al about takers only 10 or so are safe.

Wow. 10. That's not even enough for a starting 11 by my calculations.

Thanks for whoring.

 

[DaSpurs]

10 safe players....can't even field a starting lineup with players he has no issue with. Well....that's....fun?

We have already had one season with massive overhaul....hopefully we have it mapped out how to take care of a clear out and restock....

Gonna head out on that limb and suggest the possibility that "safe" means absolutely no bids would be considered, and that we would listen to a bid for Lamela if it were sizable enough. No subjective involvement there whatsoever, I just think that we would take the money for other improvements if a sizable enough bid came in (i.e. very close to what we paid, while as with the "safe" players it would cost well in excess if Poch were even willing to concede the player to go).

 

[steve]

Disappointed with Lennon's attitude if that's accurate, as he showed a great attitude on the pitch against Everton.

Lennon was always one of my favourites and he's the last one of the old guard. Bit of a shame in all honesty as I still think he would of been a great option to call on for some games, I emphasize 'some'. Sort of like the way Fergie used Park.

With all due respect Pinky, Park was a talented squad player with a tremendous attitude, never (allegedly) complained, would dip in and out of the team almost seamlessly when called upon and worked his balls off on and off the ball. I don't think Lennon has ever been in that bracket even in his more exciting formative years.

I used to defend him but outside of the (pinch of salt) ITK, a big earner and sporadic performer with an alleged questionable attitude isn't what we need. I'm glad the old guard have been moved on (Daws, Defoe, Hudd, Keane, soon to be BAE) as they represented a talented but flawed group of individuals and thankfully Poch (and other managers before him) are only interested in those who are willing to embrace his way of hard work on and off the pitch. ANY senior player who doesn't embrace that should be moved on if possible as soon as possible.

 

[flamsteadspur]

ali z:
I hear final straw with Lennon is claiming hamstring was not right, also after Chelsea away did not accept criticism from Poch for goal.
Plenty Poch wants out, either through attitude or ability but its al about takers only 10 or so are safe.

I hope we can take away the squad numbers of the "deadwood " to encourage them to move on!

 

[Wellspurs]

Anyone got some itk on why the hell we aren't on tv when there's only two matches on? Isn't the only reason to play on Mondays to be on tv?

Probably because it is the half-way point between our games?... is it really only5 days since we smashed the blue scum?

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

ali z:
I hear final straw with Lennon is claiming hamstring was not right, also after Chelsea away did not accept criticism from Poch for goal.
Plenty Poch wants out, either through attitude or ability but its al about takers only 10 or so are safe.

Was there not ITK about a week ago that mentioned Poch criticising Lennon, Lennon disagreeing, only for Poch to show him a video of what he was talking about, then Lennon apologising & working hard to right his wrong?

 

[DaSpurs]

With all due respect Pinky, Park was a talented squad player with a tremendous attitude, never (allegedly) complained, would dip in and out of the team almost seamlessly when called upon and worked his balls off on and off the ball. I don't think Lennon has ever been in that bracket even in his more exciting formative years.

I used to defend him but outside of the (pinch of salt) ITK, a big earner and sporadic performer with an alleged questionable attitude isn't what we need. I'm glad the old guard have been moved on (Daws, Defoe, Hudd, Keane, soon to be BAE) as they represented a talented but flawed group of individuals and thankfully Poch (and other managers before him) are only interested in those who are willing to embrace his way of hard work on and off the pitch. ANY senior player who doesn't embrace that should be moved on if possible as soon as possible.

I agree with you here on the most part, but despite our recent upsurge in form and evident team chemistry, I think Pink's reservation with seeing the old guard go is warranted. It's no coincidence that as soon as they were almost entirely removed, our mentality bottomed about as badly as I've ever seen any professional athletic club do.

 

[steve]

I agree with you here on the most part, but despite our recent upsurge in form and evident team chemistry, I think Pink's reservation with seeing the old guard go is warranted. It's no coincidence that as soon as they were almost entirely removed, our mentality bottomed about as badly as I've ever seen any professional athletic club do.

Who in particular are you referring to?

 

[Hoopspur]

Someone will let me down - and I've got the name in my little envelope!

Sorry, but not really buying into this sort of thing. Not doubting at all the source but the type of info itself. What does that actually mean? Sod all in my books - I reckon by the end of the season another 5 could have been added to that list and 5 taken off. The 'safe' players are only safe whilst we cannot find an upgrade on them. If we could then none of them would be 'safe'.

I will reiterate though, not the ITK, or the source, but the sort of info it is.

Hoops, prepare yourself for the backlash...........

Edit - and this was from someone (me) who said a couple of months ago that they'd only be prepared to keep 5 of them!! My attitude to a couple has changed since then also.

 

[HotSprut]

Wow. 10. That's not even enough for a starting 11 by my calculations.

Thanks for whoring.

You sir, are a math genius!

 

[DaSpurs]

Who in particular are you referring to?

Tbh, I haven't talked about it much on here, but I'm convinced Scotty P had a bigger impact on our squad mentality than many recognized or alluded to. He was incredibly professional and hard-working during matches. It was mentioned in an ITK that he was also the hardest working in training. So I think he set a fine example to the younger lads and provided a foundation for which others stood on and also contributed, such as Thudd and Livermore. I think there was genuine chemistry there as these guys all seemed to stand up for each other and the other players. Livermore almost never played for us, but you'll note that in every instance in which a fight broke out on the pitch, Livermore rushed out to try to break things up and shield his teammates. It'd be one thing if he wanted to just get involved and throw blows, but he didn't. He just wanted to protect his mates.

I think we're only just now starting to recover that mentality, that will for togetherness. Kane's impact this season has been incredible, and I think extends even well beyond what we can see on the surface. It's been more than satisfying seeing even Goons rue our togetherness and fight on the pitch against Chelsea while bemoaning their own. The last year and a half though were very different, and there's not a doubt in my mind it has much to do with literally gutting out our core and replacing it entirely with players from abroad.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Gonna head out on that limb and suggest the possibility that "safe" means absolutely no bids would be considered, and that we would listen to a bid for Lamela if it were sizable enough. No subjective involvement there whatsoever, I just think that we would take the money for other improvements if a sizable enough bid came in (i.e. very close to what we paid, while as with the "safe" players it would cost well in excess if Poch were even willing to concede the player to go).

Was just about to post the same thing / idea... I couldn't agree more with what you said here.

 

[carpediem991]

Lloris, Vorm, Vertonghen, Fazio, Davies, Rose, Walker, Dier, Stambouli, Bentaleb, Mason, Lamela, Chadli, Eriksen, Kane

Can't imagine Poch wants anyone of these 15 out.
Anybody else is honestly questionable though I'd keep Dembele and one of Townsend/ Lennon, at the moment keep Andros because of attitude reasons.

Lots of work to do, but as always dont expect to much, especially before the last week in January.

 

[dk-yid]

You sir, are a math genius!

Not really. Needed to borrow my sons Fischer Price calculator.

 

[$hoguN]

I think maybe the 10 who are safe is a bit extravagant in my eyes it will be more like 15

If we are going to accept Ali Z is correct, and that requires a lot of salt:

Lloris, Vorm, Walker, Vertonghen, Fazio, Davies, Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli, Kane, Bentaleb, Mason are all clearly safe. Rose, Yedlin, Dier, Dembele, Stambouli and Townsend aren't likely to go.

So that leaves potential outs as Naughton, Kaboul, Chirches, Paulinho, Capoue, Lennon, Adebayor and the highly unlikely Soldado.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

If we are going to accept Ali Z is correct, and that requires a lot of salt:

Lloris, Vorm, Walker, Vertonghen, Fazio, Davies, Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli, Kane, Bentaleb, Mason are all clearly safe. Rose, Yedlin, Dier, Dembele, Stambouli and Townsend aren't likely to go.

So that leaves potential outs as Naughton, Kaboul, Chirches, Paulinho, Capoue, Lennon, Adebayor and the highly unlikely Soldado.

And I'd be willing to bet that there wouldn't be too many complaints if you had those 'outs' spot-on