The Daily ITK Discussion Thread: LEVY TELLS ALL - 21st January 2014

[macrmm]

No way I assume we could get rid of Chadli and Siggy this late in the window AND bring in a better replacement like perhaps this rumored Ukranian but it would be nice. Chadli and Siggy both strike me as mid-table starting material, and Spurs hopefully inspire to be more than just that. Lamela is potentially a world-class talent on the right if given time, and a similar player on the left would be nice. Chadli and Siggy aren't growing into world-class talents no matter how much they play.

Ideally, I think we get rid of Lennon (reached his peak, only going to decline as he loses pace), Chadli, and Siggy this summer and get a true LW with Townsend behind both able to play both sides. Just my two cents.

 

[DaSpurs]

No way I assume we could get rid of Chadli and Siggy this late in the window AND bring in a better replacement like perhaps this rumored Ukranian but it would be nice. Chadli and Siggy both strike me as mid-table starting material, and Spurs hopefully inspire to be more than just that. Lamela is potentially a world-class talent on the right if given time, and a similar player on the left would be nice. Chadli and Siggy aren't growing into world-class talents no matter how much they play.

Ideally, I think we get rid of Lennon (reached his peak, only going to decline as he loses pace), Chadli, and Siggy this summer and get a true LW with Townsend behind both able to play both sides. Just my two cents.

I don't think Chadli has any suitors, but I'm hoping our connection with Kono and the news about someone bidding for Siggy are related in some manner. Regardless, we've got to address our left wing immediately if we're to still have any shot of getting fourth.

 

[yankspurs]

All I want is for a front 4 attack of:
Lamela Eriksen *insert left winger here*
Adebayor/Soldado

Is that too much to ask? We really need a LW signing this window. Also need an LB and another striker, but IMO the LW is the most pressing need. Townsend, Chadli and Siggy are not the answer.

 

[WiganSpur]

If we got Konoplyanka then I wouldn't be averse to both Chadli and Sigurdsson leaving the club in the summer.

4 decent wingers in Townsend, Lennon, Lamela and Konoplyanka would be fine.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Usually when i play Football Manager and use tottenham, the first position i look to buy for after selling Naughton, Dawson and Defoe is a LW and another striker.

So on that logic, i guess we do need a LW and a ST.

 

[doom]

Konoplyanka's agent has acknowledged he has talked to the chairman of another PL team and that he could go to either club.
We need to get today's game into a little more perspective. We had 4/5 first teamers out and had Rose not been sent off who knows what could have happened at one nil down. It doesn't mean we have to change the manager or get more players in though. Once our new players get going then we expect great things - look how long it has taken city to really gel together.

 

[yankspurs]

If we got Konoplyanka then I wouldn't be averse to both Chadli and Sigurdsson leaving the club in the summer.

4 decent wingers in Townsend, Lennon, Lamela and Konoplyanka would be fine.

Sell Lennon too, please.

 

[Snarfalicious]

If we got Konoplyanka then I wouldn't be averse to both Chadli and Sigurdsson leaving the club in the summer.

4 decent wingers in Townsend, Lennon, Lamela and Konoplyanka would be fine.

I'm personally over Lennon at this point. I respect what he's done for this club but for him to block Lamela out seems ludicrous to me. We've got a lot more riding on Lamela at this point and we should do what Chelsea did with Willian and play him through the struggles because once he finds his feet he will be fine. Obviously, he needs to get healthy first. But I have no doubt that if he's healthy Lennon would still be starting over him.

 

[DaSpurs]

Konoplyanka's agent has acknowledged he has talked to the chairman of another PL team and that he could go to either club.
We need to get today's game into a little more perspective. We had 4/5 first teamers out and had Rose not been sent off who knows what could have happened at one nil down. It doesn't mean we have to change the manager or get more players in though. Once our new players get going then we expect great things - look how long it has taken city to really gel together.

I think you're absolutely right, but the clamoring for a left winger is nothing new. It's been a problem position since the beginning of the season, and this game immensely exposed that weakness. Both of their first two goals, the second one leading to our demise, could have been prevented with any sort of pace and defensive assistance from a true left winger.

I'm not calling for an overhaul here. I'm just saying in typical Spurs fashion, we have one spot of weakness that is a major thorn in the side, and if addressed IMO could propel us to where we want to be.

 

[DaSpurs]

I'm personally over Lennon at this point. I respect what he's done for this club but for him to block Lamela out seems ludicrous to me. We've got a lot more riding on Lamela at this point and we should do what Chelsea did with Willian and play him through the struggles because once he finds his feet he will be fine. Obviously, he needs to get healthy first. But I have no doubt that if he's healthy Lennon would still be starting over him.

It's hard to say it, but they could afford to do so with Willian because they have so much creativity and goal-scoring ability across the park. We have yet to even find a real identity.

 

[ryantegan]

If Ben Smith talks and its regarding a Liverpool deal then its the best ITK possible

 

[macrmm]

Anyone think we would be better off moving Chadli to striker and try to develop him there full-time and then pick up a LW? I don't see the Chadli thing working at all at LW but he is big and strong. Maybe he could be our young striker candidate.

 

[Snarfalicious]

It's hard to say it, but they could afford to do so with Willian because they have so much creativity and goal-scoring ability across the park. We have yet to even find a real identity.

I do believe that even if Lamela is bad for 80 minutes, that 10 minutes of quality is enough to change a match. We've seen flashes of it and when he finally starts to put it together we will be happy we allowed him to play himself into some form. He's not going to get any better sitting on the bench. Lennon's a one trick pony at this point. Fake in, go outside, attempt a cross that inevitably fails. The scoring for him is just as random as a quality final ball. I don't like to put down our players, but I think we really do need to actively seek an improvement on Lennon and I think we have two plenty capable players on our roster to do that already (Townsend and Lamela).

 

[Snarfalicious]

Anyone think we would be better off moving Chadli to striker and try to develop him there full-time and then pick up a LW? I don't see the Chadli thing working at all at LW but he is big and strong. Maybe he could be our young striker candidate.

Yes, I do. I mentioned that in the summer when we signed him. He had some experience playing there for FC Twente last season. He's got the build, the ability to hold on to the ball and the ability to win valuable headers. Would love to see him get that opportunity in the EL.

 

[DaSpurs]

Anyone think we would be better off moving Chadli to striker and try to develop him there full-time and then pick up a LW? I don't see the Chadli thing working at all at LW but he is big and strong. Maybe he could be our young striker candidate.

I've been hoping for this for awhile now. He's fucking huge for a winger, and honestly too cumbersome IMO to speed into the positions needed for a winger to be effective in the modern game. However, I think he'd work really well in a lone striker setup as he's got a decent touch and can lay off the ball well.

 

[DaSpurs]

Yes, I do. I mentioned that in the summer when we signed him. He had some experience playing there for FC Twente last season. He's got the build, the ability to hold on to the ball and the ability to win valuable headers. Would love to see him get that opportunity in the EL.

Did not know that about Twente. Really wish he'd utilize it, as I think he'd be an excellent addition there.

 

[DaSpurs]

I do believe that even if Lamela is bad for 80 minutes, that 10 minutes of quality is enough to change a match. We've seen flashes of it and when he finally starts to put it together we will be happy we allowed him to play himself into some form. He's not going to get any better sitting on the bench. Lennon's a one trick pony at this point. Fake in, go outside, attempt a cross that inevitably fails. The scoring for him is just as random as a quality final ball. I don't like to put down our players, but I think we really do need to actively seek an improvement on Lennon and I think we have two plenty capable players on our roster to do that already (Townsend and Lamela).

I can't agree with that as while Lennon may not contribute a whole lot numerically in offense, his defensive contribution merits him starting over those brief minutes of quality from Lamela. I have no idea what's to become of Lamela, but for now I don't think he's done anything to deserve a starting spot.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

I think were okay at left wing. I can't think of many better left wingers in the league than Nacer Chadli and Gylfi Sigurdsson.



He said with a grimace.

 

[Vulcan10]

The position we 100% desperately need above all others is left back. The position we could do with upgrading is left wing, the player we could do with cover for is Ade.
Sounds like irons in the fire for the latter two, left back is the tricky one though. Such an unlucky twist of fate that Luke shaw is a chelsea fan & probably has his heart set on a move there in the summer. I just don't know who else is out there that we could get? Especially by Friday.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I can't agree with that as while Lennon may not contribute a whole lot numerically in offense, his defensive contribution merits him starting over those brief minutes of quality from Lamela. I have no idea what's to become of Lamela, but for now I don't think he's done anything to deserve a starting spot.

In the Europa League/EPL, Lamela's averaging a significant defensive contribution (tackle/interception/clearance) every 25 minutes he's been on the pitch. Lennon on the other hand has averaged a significant defensive contribution every 33 minutes.

Stats obviously don't tell the whole story and I know Lennon track backs like a beast and more consistently than Lamela. I also think that's to be expected with a player like Lennon who knows what is required in the EPL. But Lamela isn't absolutely a liability in winning the ball back and chipping in on defense.