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Next Season

Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Any talk of ENIC selling up is unrealistic, in my view; I think we're stuck with them until they can include a tidy profit on the stadium build in the sale. I definitely don't want a sugar daddy, besides.

Go all out for a signature from van Gaal and let him call all the transfer window shots. Although I have significant doubts about our chances on that front—I think Man U miss a massive trick if they allow us to get him—Levy can't afford to get it wrong again.

LvG's own ideas must be backed if he does come. I wouldn't presume to know his mind, but personally, I'd let go anyone who's never going to figure with no reserve, just take anything we can get for them (Gomes), the ones who patently aren't good enough (Rose, Dawson et alia) or just don't want to be here (yes, I am looking at you, Vertonghen) can go as well but I'd try and keep the number of new additions to 4 or fewer — a LB; a strong, leading CB; a midfielder who can pass and create and a big, strong goalscorer in the Lukaku mould. We'd be forced to stretch that or do without one of those if Lloris goes as well, although I'm hopeful he could be persuaded to stay if someone of v. Gaal's stature came in.
 
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Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

OK, gonna throw my hat in the ring here.

Chairman - Daniel Levy
DOF - Baldini
Manager - Prandelli (if we could get him), LVG if we can't

My rationale for Pradelli over LVG is mostly because I think he's the right age for what we need (56). I think we need an experienced manager to handle our tenuous-but-promising current situation (good players, not playing at their best) but also someone who can be here for a while. FDB is still so young (a bit AVB-ish) and unproven outside Holland. I think at 62, LVG might be a bit of a short-term solution.

Prandelli has found success with a limited budget and in difficult circumstances, and has brought good players in at low fees and developed them into players worth much more (Jovetic, Ljajic, Melo). I also like the way he plays, as he's built the catenaccio Italian National Team into a potent attacking force, building around attacking players (Balo, Rossi, Osvaldo, Pirlo, etc). He also has been able to control the personalities of the team. Any team would be lucky to have Van Gal and De Boer might be the next big thing, but Prandelli ticks all the boxes for me. Plus, he has a great relationship with Baldini.

That said, there's a lot of rumors about Prandelli taking the Azzurri job for another four years, so LVG is probably the man. Would also be thrilled with that appointment.

Staff-wise:

--------------------Lloris
-------------------(Young Keeper)

--Walker-----Chiriches--Vertonghen---Davies
(Fredricks)---(Caulker)--(Lescott)-----(Fryers)

------------Paulinho------Sandro
-----------(Bentaleb)----(Capoue)

---Lamela-------Eriksen----Konoplyanka
--(Townsend)--(Holtby)-----(Chadli)

-----------------Soldado---------
-------------(Lukaku/Benteke)----


In: Ben Davies (8), Konoplyanka (15), Benteke/Lukaku (20), Lescott (free), Caulker (8)

Out: Rose (3 to Norwich), Lennon (5 to Saudi Sportswashing Machine), Siggy (6 to Europe), Dembele (12-15 Europe), Gomes (free), BAE (free), Livermore (3 to Hull City), Dawson (7 to West Ham), Naughton (4 to Norwich), Adebayor (10 Europe/UAE), Friedel (coaching staff)

It would be a pretty limited spend here, and I don't think it would be a massive unsettling. Caulker knows the place and Lescott is a seasoned pro. Lukaku and Benteke would know the league well, and I think they would be our main strikers of the future. Soldado keeps his place and gets help w/ the big man in certain games.

The toughest sell for me is Adebayor, but I think his wages are so big and this is probably our last chance to get anything for him. He's obviously still a very good footballer, but for money and reliability reasons, I think it's best to get shot now. It's sad to see Lennon go, but I think his time is up at the club. I think Lescott would be a good old head to replace Dawson, and we never should have sold Caulker in the first place.

I might be the last person on this board who still rates Paulinho, but he's too talented of a footballer to be playing this poorly. He always looks lost on the pitch under Sherwood, and I think a REAL manager will help him become the great player for Spurs that he is for Brazil.

This team probably may not finish in the Top 4 right away, but I love the mix between solid pros and young players. I do think it's imperative that we hang on to Hugo. If Vertonghen forces a move away, I would replace him with top-level rising center back like Garay, Ignio Martinez, or David Luiz.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Rossi22 said:
Would anyone actually pay £15m for Soldado? I hope so but I don't see it.
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Someone in Spain might as he was pretty good at converting in that league. I'd go back to Valencia and see if they want him back, they've not exactly been able to replace him.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

LVG will want/expect to work with a DoF. He's not bothered about transfers, he likes improving players through coaching.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Cochise said:
Why do people think we are going to get Griezmann lol? The guy is a top top talent.
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Why wouldn't we be able to? It isn't about thinking we are getting him, it's about who we would want in a perfect world. I don't know why you seem to think we couldn't attract him. We are in London and are a step up from Sociedad regardless of whether they are in the CL or not based purely upon the league we play in and the pull of it, not to mention the income tax differences which is currently 11.5% higher for someone earning over 300,000 euros per annum than it would be here.

I haven't seen numerous clubs linked with him either and with only a year left why wouldn't he be a legitimate target for us? I just don't think any of the top sides of Europe want him or they would have been in before now. therefore it comes down to the second tier clubs of which I consider us, as potential suitors.

Konoplyanka would be another target but I would expect him to complete his move to Liverpool and prefer Griezmann anyway.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

We should sign Hatem Ben Arfa. Yeah so he's "lazy". Well the last French winger we signed from Saudi Sportswashing Machine that had that tag didn't do too badly for us did he? In our current predicament of having no Champions League football, no money for big wages and generally looking like a mess, we need to look at players who for some reason are undervalued. Think Modric because he was too small. Think Woodgate because he was injury prone. Think Van Der Vaart because his transfer to Bayern fell through and Real needed a last minute bidder. We have struggled in attack this season because our attacking players have a severe lack of technical quality with the ball at their feet, Ben Arfa would correct that. And because he irritates Saudi Sportswashing Machine for not tracking back, he'd probably be available for around £5m, an absolute bargain for a player that can do the kind of things he can when he's on form. With Sandro and Dembele to cover for him when he runs forward, Eriksen and Bentaleb to pick him out in space, he'd do great things for us. He can play on either wing or through the middle too, so he'd give us options.

A typical "Spurs" player if I ever saw one. Even if he only turns out to be another Malbranque instead of Ginola, **** it, I liked Malbranque, he was decent for us, and at that price it's worth the risk.

Basically - all players I want in attacking positions are players who's primary attributes are technical ones, NOT physical ones. I am not the least bit interested in work rate, strength, height, or raw pace without the ball. I want players who can control the ball. Who can run with it and it sticks closely to their feet. Who can shift it quickly and skin opposition defenders. Who can manouvre space in tight areas. The thing is, we're not just not taking our chances, we're not even taking our opportunities to CREATE a chance. Too many times this season, we've had the ball in an advanced area that if we'd had a genuinely skillful player, he could have worked a bit of space and delivered a cross, or played somebody through, or got through himself. Instead - crosses are blocked, tackles are made, players mis-control the ball or hesitate too long and the opposition get back. If this doesn't change, how are we any better than the Southamptons, Newcastles and Swanseas of this league?

Ben Arfa can be that kind of player. He's imperfect, and not the only one we should be looking at. But considering the value for money, his age, the fact that he's got Premier League experience and his versatility, he'd be a great signing for sure.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

First of all - Manager: Louis Van Gaal.

Then I would expect him to buy a few Dutch players or players from the Eredivisie that he's seen in recent years.

Out: Rose, Dawson, BAE, Gomes, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Dembele, Townsend, Livermore, Falque, Lloris, Vertonghen (if they so choose). That's about 70 million or so in player sales, minimum.

The positions we need to improve:

Left Back: Blind or Rodriguez would be my choices. We aren't going to get Shaw. Blind probably cheaper option (plus LVG knows him and uses him in the national team). Marcus Alonso at Sunderland also looks pretty decent. If they go down, he might be worth a bid in the summer.

GK: Begovic
CB: Schar, Lovren, Veltman (we would need 2 probably).
Left wing: Konoplyanka, Lallana, or Jay Rodriguez would be my choices.
Creative midfielder: Pjanic, Rakitic, Montolivo, Clasie, Grenier, Kovacic. Rakitic is the best one there, probably unattainable. Pjanic also excellent but he'll be difficult to get.
Forward: Kruse, Remy, Finnbogason, Batshauyi

If we sell off 70 million, then we could probably spend about 100 million.

I guess my fantasy purchases would be Rakitic, Blind, Kruse, Konoplyanka, and Veltman to replace Dawson. That would probably be 70 million. I think 3 of those are probably realistic, Kruse and Rakitic would be harder to get. If we sell Lloris and Vertonghen as well, I would buy Begovic and Schar as replacements.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Just get Van Gaal in. Couple minor changes from a player perspective but not wholesale. Its quite simple
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

1) Last I heard Griezmann was being linked with PSG and Arsenal. The guy is young and his stats this year are amazing for a player not at one of the big 3 in La Liga. I only made the comment as I was assuming this was a realistic thread and not an "ideal world" one. In our current position we are not the best place to go, unless Baldini pulls off a deal behind the scenes. Personally I think he'll feature for France at the World Cup and will be out of our reach.

2) Prandelli has been signed up by the Italian FA. All the noise linking us seems to have been either a ploy by his agent to get the Italian FA to the table or a smokescreen, I'm inclined to believe the former.

3) I'd like to see us play a 433 with the team defending like that. We don't seem to defend well at all in either a 442 or 4231 and whilst it is symptomatic of our coaching instructions I do also think having players that chase for 30 minutes before becoming passengers for the last 60 is partly to do with us playing a number 10 or second striker. I don't think that means we have to play with a midfield of ball winners (Liverpool don't) but we will require the three in there to be able to defend well.

4) I don't think we need a load of signings and would only replace those we lose, but would grab Lukaku if he is available. I would make getting a good left back in top priority. We should then pick a first 11 and 7-8 back ups. Sell the rest and have the youth players fill in the gaps. Sounds cut throat but I think that with the problems we have had this year with such a large group of players demanding a starting spot it is warranted.

Lloris/Marshall/Begovic/Forster
Walker
Chiriches
Caulker (would prefer someone more experience if I'm honest but can't think of someone atm)
Blind
Sandro
Dembele
Holtby
Eriksen
Lamela
Lukaku


Townsend
Bentaleb
Chadli
Fryers
Dawson or another CB. Personally I think we need an older figure in the group who won't bring the mood down when things get rough. That is something he can do.
Soldado
Paulinho
Archer

Fredericks
Pritchard
Ceballos
Veljkovic
Carroll
Coulibaly
 
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Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Cochise said:
2) Prandelli has been signed up by the Italian FA. All the noise linking us seems to have been either a ploy by his agent to get the Italian FA to the table or a smokescreen, I'm inclined to believe the former.
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Whoops, didn't see that. LVG then, for me.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

Manager - Either Van gal or De Boer

In's - Begovic, Caulker, Balzaretti, Schneiderlin, Remy

Out - Lloris, Dawson, Capoue, Naughton, Ade

You may think its alot of in's and out's again but as the team have no idea what they are supposed to be doing it will take a while for the new guy to work his magic anyway.

My first team would be

Home

Begovic

Walker Kaboul Verts Balzaretti

Sandro Holtby

Lamela Sig Eriksen

Soldado​

Away

Begovic

Walker Kaboul Verts Rose

Sandro Dembele

Lennon Eriksen Chadli

Remy​

Some of the new boys will have to prove their worth in order to break into the first team. We would play a high line but only against lesser teams and against the bigger boys we would sit a little deeper but press all over the pitch and when winning the ball we hit them with speed and get our front 4 forward as soon as possible with the deeper midfielder also up in support (Holtby). When away we will still press all over the pitch and once we get the ball our front 4 get forward again but the wing backs will be up in support with the 2 holding midfielders sitting back to make a temporary back 4. (again if its a weaker team and we a dominating the more creative out the 2 will support and leave it as a 3)

Our philosophy will not just be about possession, it will also be positive possession getting from a to b as quickly as possible and not giving the opposition time to settle.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

galeforce said:
Bring back AVB, give him the maximum budget we can afford and let him do whatever the **** he likes with the club, total responsibility for all ins and outs.
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Your either joking, mad or totally forgot who avb was/is.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

IN : LVG, Konoplyanka, Lukaku, Caulker (hopefully has a first option buy back clause), LB replacement

OUT : Livermore, whoever else LVG doesn't like.

As for system/formation, we need to get back to the passing, free flowing side we once were with the likes of Modric, Huddlestone, and VDV yet with the steel of a Sandro or Capoue in the middle. 4-3-3 suits us just fine and surely LVG will be able to find a combination that works well in the middle given our 37479301 options in midfield.


First Team :
Lloris

Walker Caulker Vertonghen Replacement

Sandro

Bentaleb Eriksen

Lamela Lukaku Konoplyanka​

Second Team :
Young GK

Naughton Kaboul Chiriches Rose

Capoue

Carroll Paulinho

Siggurdson Adebayor Townsend​

Other Key Players : Holtby, Dembele
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

scaramanga said:
I think I remember him. I think he's that guy who got us our record points haul.
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Yep with possibly the third best player in the world, bale(Ing) us out, a points tally that yts Tim may still equal or better... With a better record than avb had with us in his half of the season.

I was ok with the avb appointment (although I wanted Rodgers), my uncle a massive chelsea fan laughed his **** off, said that the same things that happened to him at chelsea would happen at spurs.... Which it pretty much did. Tim is not the answer but neither is AVB.
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

some good shouts. kruse and garay e.g, i forgot about those

definitely dont want konoplyanka. lamela is our inside forward we dont need two inverted wingers. we'll become more predictable and less dimensional. one inverted winger and one out and out winger is the answer and way more frightening to deal with.
I cant remember the amount of times chadli has taken up good positions on the left/townsend taking up good positions on the right which was crying out for someone to take the ball on the outside and whip a cross in. instead it was the usual cut inside, halt play, allow the other team back then amount to nothing. dont believe the hype, wingers are necessary
 
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Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

veron23 said:
some good shouts. kruse and garay e.g, i forgot about those

definitely dont want konoplyanka. lamela is our inside forward we dont need two inverted wingers. we'll become more predictable and less dimensional. one inverted winger and one out and out winger is the answer and way more frightening to deal with.
I cant remember the amount of times chadli has taken up good positions on the left/townsend taking up good positions on the right which was crying out for someone to take the ball on the outside and whip a cross in. instead it was the usual cut inside, halt play, allow the other team back then amount to nothing. dont believe the hype, wingers are necessary
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Yes, as much as Bale turned into superman when he was allowed to start cutting in, or even playing in the hole, we looked our most dangerous and effective as a team when Bale was on the left, Lennon was on the right and they were firing a non-stop stream of crosses into Crouch/Ade and Van der Vaart
 
Re: 2014/2015. If it was up to you

veron23 said:
some good shouts. kruse and garay e.g, i forgot about those

definitely dont want konoplyanka. lamela is our inside forward we dont need two inverted wingers. we'll become more predictable and less dimensional. one inverted winger and one out and out winger is the answer and way more frightening to deal with.
I cant remember the amount of times chadli has taken up good positions on the left/townsend taking up good positions on the right which was crying out for someone to take the ball on the outside and whip a cross in. instead it was the usual cut inside, halt play, allow the other team back then amount to nothing. dont believe the hype, wingers are necessary
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Don't believe the 1980s hype, traditional wingers are a waste of a starting place.

Crossing is incredibly ineffectual as a method of scoring. It excites the traditionalist though which is why it isn't yet dead. That combined with the fact that a cross is a very identifiable method of attack, you only need to score from it every few games for people to think "Hey, that works - we need to do more of it" forgetting the hundreds of failed crosses in that time period.

http://2plus2equals11.wordpress.com/category/crossing/
 
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