The Weekend ITK Discussion Thread 22/23 August 2014

[yankspurs]

Im really not that fussed over remy, welbeck or schneiderlin tbh

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Does anyone else feel a bit meh towards Morgan? I won't be unhappy about signing him, but it's a lot of money.. And Capuoe has been superb. I'd rather we concentrated an Musacchio kept the money till January to see where we need to invest.

If Pochettino says he is the one guy he wants, I'll run with it.

Really though, it seems like having enough quality for the CM 2 positions is pretty critical - who would you start with confidence: Capoue, Bentaleb, Dembele...and then, for me, a big drop off to Sandro and Paulinho (just in terms of what this position requires, not that they can't be quality players in a different system).

 

[DaSpurs]

Im really not that fussed over remy, welbeck or schneiderlin tbh

It's true that I would have preferred a few other players in those positions as well (still not a fan of Welbeck, think he's an awful wide player), and hell I didn't even prefer Poch. But he's here, and he's got to have the players he feels he needs if we're to make this work.

 

[Mr Pink]

Ideally yes, this would be great for Bentaleb. But with Schneiderlin's arrival, and the reintegration of Paulinho and Dembele, you have to imagine Bentaleb's potential gametime in such a scenario likely would not be conducive to his development. So unless one of the latter two goes as well, I think a full season Prem loan would do him very well.

I think he's better than Paulinho in that role in the two. That's why I don't think Poch will loan him out. He'll be splitting duties with MS, potentially, learning the system and from MS in that respect.

 

[clasess]

No way would I do that.

If we get MS...we'll have him Capoue, Bentaleb and Dembele competing primarily for those two spots.

I think Holtby and Paulinho are funny ones to fit into this system. Neither for me are true number ten's or excel that well in the 'two'. Both probably would fair much better in 4-3-3's.

Be interesting to see what route Poch's takes with them.

Well, we'll need backup/rotation alternatives for the three behind the striker. Wouldn't at least Holtby fit in there? Paulinho is more difficult to find a natural place for in the side.

 

[Mr Pink]

Well, we'll need backup/rotation alternatives for the three behind the striker. Wouldn't at least Holtby fit in there? Paulinho is more difficult to find a natural place for in the side.

Yeah he would mate, much rather see him in the three than the two.

I guess it just depends if Poch wants to bring in another left sided option who carries a much bigger goal threat etc.

 

[Only 1 Spurs]

Remy would be a good purchase imo. He seems to have the composure infront of goal which would suit Poch's system rather him than Welbeck anyway. Anybody know why Liverpool pulled the plug?

 

[Mr Pink]

Considering what Poch is doing so far with us...why would anyone feel a bit meh towards MS given how much Poch clearly rates him...

He's already earning the right for people to start trusting his judgement.

 

[DaSpurs]

I think he's better than Paulinho in that role in the two. That's why I don't think Poch will loan him out. He'll be splitting duties with MS, potentially, learning the system and from MS in that respect.

I completely agree with you that he's better. In fact, I think he's a better Prem midfielder already than Paulinho, irrespective of whatever role they provide.

But the fact of the matter is, Paulinho is an expensive investment. I'm sure Levy will want Poch to have control of the squad, but I find it hard to believe he would allow a 17 million pound investment to waste away on the bench. Let's imagine for a second that Schneiderlin doesn't even play alongside Capoue but alternates with him, Dembele is ahead of him, and now Bentaleb. There is just no way we'd allow that expensive of a player to sit at third choice, and there's no way he'd be content with it.

So either someone is sold from the No 8 position, especially if Poch intends to play Schneiderlin there at all, or Bentaleb has got to go on loan.

As for me personally, I'd say sell one of Dembele and Paulinho for the sake of Bentaleb all day every day and twice on Sunday (on which we'll be playing mostly anyway).

 

[WiganSpur]

No way would I do that.

If we get MS...we'll have him Capoue, Bentaleb and Dembele competing primarily for those two spots.

I think Holtby and Paulinho are funny ones to fit into this system. Neither for me are true number ten's or excel that well in the 'two'. Both probably would fair much better in 4-3-3's.

Be interesting to see what route Poch's takes with them.

Holtby will be a squad player at no10 i'm sure, and a good one at that.

As for Paulinho it's a difficult one. As you said he's a 4-3-3 player. I think he'll try him in both roles but I suspect in January or next summer he'll be gone.

 

[Mr Pink]

I completely agree with you that he's better. In fact, I think he's a better Prem midfielder already than Paulinho, irrespective of whatever role they provide.

But the fact of the matter is, Paulinho is an expensive investment. I'm sure Levy will want Poch to have control of the squad, but I find it hard to believe he would allow a 17 million pound investment to waste away on the bench. Let's imagine for a second that Schneiderlin doesn't even play alongside Capoue but alternates with him, Dembele is ahead of him, and now Bentaleb. There is just no way we'd allow that expensive of a player to sit at third choice, and there's no way he'd be content with it.

So either someone is sold from the No 8 position, especially if Poch intends to play Schneiderlin there at all, or Bentaleb has got to go on loan.

As for me personally, I'd say sell one of Dembele and Paulinho for the sake of Bentaleb all day every day and twice on Sunday (on which we'll be playing mostly anyway).

Something's got to give!

Unless of course Paulinho was going to be pushed up to rotate with Eriksen...but he doesn't have the finesse and wit to play there really.

I agree, some sort of decision would have to be taken.

 

[Mr Pink]

Holtby will be a squad player at no10 i'm sure, and a good one at that.

As for Paulinho it's a difficult one. As you said he's a 4-3-3 player. I think he'll try him in both roles but I suspect in January or next summer he'll be gone.

He probably will yeah...but I don't think he would ever offer enough goals from that position to play there consistently.

He has more guile and craft to play there than Paulinho - but the latter is a much bigger goal threat. Mould the two and you'd have a very good number ten!

 

[Only 1 Spurs]

I completely agree with you that he's better. In fact, I think he's a better Prem midfielder already than Paulinho, irrespective of whatever role they provide.

But the fact of the matter is, Paulinho is an expensive investment. I'm sure Levy will want Poch to have control of the squad, but I find it hard to believe he would allow a 17 million pound investment to waste away on the bench. Let's imagine for a second that Schneiderlin doesn't even play alongside Capoue but alternates with him, Dembele is ahead of him, and now Bentaleb. There is just no way we'd allow that expensive of a player to sit at third choice, and there's no way he'd be content with it.

So either someone is sold from the No 8 position, especially if Poch intends to play Schneiderlin there at all, or Bentaleb has got to go on loan.

As for me personally, I'd say sell one of Dembele and Paulinho for the sake of Bentaleb all day every day and twice on Sunday (on which we'll be playing mostly anyway).

The problem being selling Paulinho could be difficult especially Knowing how Levy will want to make a profit on the outlay of him, He simply failed to live upto the Hype. Granted it wasn't all his fault with the upheaval and manager turnaround. Dembele also had a stop start season. unless somebody has alot of faith in the either of them then i cant see us making profit on them and they will stay.

 

[DaSpurs]

The problem being selling Paulinho could be difficult especially Knowing how Levy will want to make a profit on the outlay of him, He simply failed to live upto the Hype. Granted it wasn't all his fault with the upheaval and manager turnaround. Dembele also had a stop start season. unless somebody has alot of faith in the either of them then i cant see us making profit on them and they will stay.

Exactly, I agree that this is the most likely scenario, unfortunate as it is in my own opinion. As such, this is exactly why I think we should be looking into loans for Bentaleb. Poch does seem to rate him though, so maybe he will prompt Levy to accept any offers we may have for one of the other two.

For a bit of a tangent, we have a 19 year old, academy producted, set to be homegrown, WC-experienced, clearly talented player that seems to fit the philosophy of our new coach. IMO, the difference in investment in flogging a few quid for one of the other two could be more than compensated in allowing Bentaleb to develop in this system. I do hope this is an angle Poch would lobby to Levy in any transfer decisions in this last week, if he hasn't already.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Something's got to give!

Unless of course Paulinho was going to be pushed up to rotate with Eriksen...but he doesn't have the finesse and wit to play there really.

I agree, some sort of decision would have to be taken.

I think Paulinho will be used in the midfield two against teams that we know are just going to sit deep and play for the draw. His greatest weapon is still the ability to disappear and show up in the box totally unmarked - Poch just has to keep him from disappearing for 90 minutes like he did far too much last season.

 

[Drexl]

Not too fussed on MS, Capoue and Bentaleb seem to have really gelled, nice addition but wont shed any tears if we dont get him

Get in a decent CB should be the overwhelming priority

 

[dagraham]

I think Chadli showed today that he can play up top as well.

Chadli was excellent today, but starting up front is completely different to drifting into the box like he did.

We still need someone else in up front imo.

 

[diamond lights]

Not too fussed on MS, Capoue and Bentaleb seem to have really gelled, nice addition but wont shed any tears if we dont get him

Get in a decent CB should be the overwhelming priority

If we want to compete at the top of the league we need a top squad and MS, Capoue, Bentaleb and Dembele would be up there with most of the top four's central midfield choices. Just Capoue, Bentaleb and Dembele would not. One injury and the other two have to play 90 minutes of all games. Competition for places is vital.

 

[TheAmerican]

Considering what Poch is doing so far with us...why would anyone feel a bit meh towards MS given how much Poch clearly rates him...

He's already earning the right for people to start trusting his judgement.

Levy was grinning ear to ear on the tv and during that ALS thing. I can't remember seeing him this happy in a while. Poch may just get his backing.

 

[dagraham]

No way would I do that.

If we get MS...we'll have him Capoue, Bentaleb and Dembele competing primarily for those two spots.

I think Holtby and Paulinho are funny ones to fit into this system. Neither for me are true number ten's or excel that well in the 'two'. Both probably would fair much better in 4-3-3's.

Be interesting to see what route Poch's takes with them.

Agree. MS is still very important as if Sandro goes, Capoue will be the only CM with any real defensive inclination. The fact that MS is also capable of using the ball well and spreading the play is a big bonus.

I like Bentaleb, he's a great prospect but we can upgrade on his position imo at the moment.

 

[Qualsonic]

I would be ecstatic with that.

Really?
Notwithstanding what we saw today?

By that, I mean certain players re-finding their form, being given a second chance and an injection of faith.

Sometimes I think we just want change for change's sake.