So what do we need

[baldbloke]

Well for once everyone is in agreement (Mr Levy being the exception no doubt) that to have any chance of being anywhere near the top four next year we need to spend. Let's not bother with names, because that would be a waist of time, just positions.

A top class full back that can play on either side. A top class winger who can also play on either flank. A creative central mid fielder. Thudd will never be good enough. Matinho was the man, but he has now been sold. A top class full out quality striker that doesn't have the inconsistency of DeFoe and Adebayor.

So for me that is 4 top notch players, and in today's market that will cost Mr Levy about £60m. That may sound a lot, however with the increase in TV money. it's actually like spending nothing.

Will it happen, will it fook !!

[ugs]

Well for once everyone is in agreement (Mr Levy being the exception no doubt) that to have any chance of being anywhere near the top four next year we need to spend. Let's not bother with names, because that would be a waist of time, just positions.

A top class full back that can play on either side. A top class winger who can also play on either flank. A creative central mid fielder. Thudd will never be good enough. Matinho was the man, but he has now been sold. A top class full out quality striker that doesn't have the inconsistency of DeFoe and Adebayor.

So for me that is 4 top notch players, and in today's market that will cost Mr Levy about £60m. That may sound a lot, however with the increase in TV money. it's actually like spending nothing.

Will it happen, will it fook !!

Trouble is Baldbloke even if Levy did manage to get his hands into his pockets and sign us 4 decent players we would only be keeping pace with the top 4 !!!
 
We probably need to sign another 2 top drawer marquee players to start to compete with the top 4 and they ain't coming if we don't have Champs League !!!!
 
 

[Chelmsford_yid]

A forward who can score goals, should be top of the list.

[Glenn R]

A forward who can score goals, should be top of the list.

I agree. But just one? I am presuming that one or two of our strikers will be sold in the summer, or at least released.

[RiffHard]

A forward who can score goals, should be top of the list.

I agree. But just one? I am presuming that one or two of our strikers will be sold in the summer, or at least released.

With Harry Kane we only have three. (I am not counting Coulibaly and other youth players).

[Glenn R]

A forward who can score goals, should be top of the list.

I agree. But just one? I am presuming that one or two of our strikers will be sold in the summer, or at least released.

With Harry Kane we only have three. (I am not counting Coulibaly and other youth players).

Yes , but that doesn't mean the ones we have got won't go or be sold? Our three top strikers have not been the actual strikers.

[Chelmsford_yid]

A forward who can score goals, should be top of the list.

I agree. But just one? I am presuming that one or two of our strikers will be sold in the summer, or at least released.

Well a few for cover, for injurys & such. Need cover unlike this season just gone.

[RSS61]

Well for once everyone is in agreement (Mr Levy being the exception no doubt) that to have any chance of being anywhere near the top four next year we need to spend. Let's not bother with names, because that would be a waist of time, just positions.

A top class full back that can play on either side. A top class winger who can also play on either flank. A creative central mid fielder. Thudd will never be good enough. Matinho was the man, but he has now been sold. A top class full out quality striker that doesn't have the inconsistency of DeFoe and Adebayor.

So for me that is 4 top notch players, and in today's market that will cost Mr Levy about £60m. That may sound a lot, however with the increase in TV money. it's actually like spending nothing.

Will it happen, will it fook !!

Hey...I'm in agreement with Baldy.Maybe he's not so bad after all.

To quantify your 4 positions we need to improve, I would say a Left Back in particular, as Walker is not doing too bad overall.
Assuming that we keep Bale, then a right winger as I'm still not convinced with Lennon. A creative midfielder who can score 15 goals a season. And at least 1 striker who can score 20 +.
Unless Kaboul is going to recover, then another CB to partner JVT.

[spursjoolz]

I posted this on another thread. I think it is more appropriate on this one

Without pointing out Johnny Obvious, our weak points have been up front, in midfield and in defense. Everywhere really! So if we want to shine this year, reinforcements in all areas are needed.

The first one being 2 strikers and David Villa and Damiao are still linked to us. I know this is just paper talk at this point, but they have appeared often . So, this would sort out our front line with Defoe remaining and I would hope Adebayor moving on.  Of course all this changes daily!

The great big gap left by Modric was never filled and we need to sort this out as well + one more DF. Huddlestone is a doubt and I believe that without him the rest of the midfield (including Townsend. Did OK at QPR) may well suffice when Sandro returns, assuming that Real stop pestering us for Bale and Levy does not fall for the huge price offered. It is obvious that no-one is interested in Lennon and although he hasn't been consistent, I hope that would change if we buy the above mentioned front men.

Syg, Holtby, Dembele and Dempsey have not broken any record and need another year to prove their worth. IMO, they have been good enough to justify their staying at the club.

There is always room for additional defenders. A couple of youngsters in the making can fill the gaps, but BAE departure is a strong possibility. Talk of Coentrao (spelling!) has been rife for some weeks and he would be a good replacement. Danny Rose could be returning to us after a good spell at Sunderland and Kaboul should be fit and rearing to go by August. I think Gallas is on his way out.

So that would be 5 players coming in and 5 going out. An opportunity for Levy to spend some money and get some back.

Talking about winning or even challenging for the League is still too far away. I think if Levy spends in the right areas, we could be good for CL 3rd place, a good run in Europa and maybe the FA cup. Looking back at our history, this would be improvement enough to take it further the following season.  Our main competitors will still be the Arse, Man U, City and at the top Chelsea. The gap between 5th and 6th will remain.

 

[baldbloke]

I posted this on another thread. I think it is more appropriate on this one

Without pointing out Johnny Obvious, our weak points have been up front, in midfield and in defense. Everywhere really! So if we want to shine this year, reinforcements in all areas are needed.

The first one being 2 strikers and David Villa and Damiao are still linked to us. I know this is just paper talk at this point, but they have appeared often . So, this would sort out our front line with Defoe remaining and I would hope Adebayor moving on.  Of course all this changes daily!

The great big gap left by Modric was never filled and we need to sort this out as well + one more DF. Huddlestone is a doubt and I believe that without him the rest of the midfield (including Townsend. Did OK at QPR) may well suffice when Sandro returns, assuming that Real stop pestering us for Bale and Levy does not fall for the huge price offered. It is obvious that no-one is interested in Lennon and although he hasn't been consistent, I hope that would change if we buy the above mentioned front men.

Syg, Holtby, Dembele and Dempsey have not broken any record and need another year to prove their worth. IMO, they have been good enough to justify their staying at the club.

There is always room for additional defenders. A couple of youngsters in the making can fill the gaps, but BAE departure is a strong possibility. Talk of Coentrao (spelling!) has been rife for some weeks and he would be a good replacement. Danny Rose could be returning to us after a good spell at Sunderland and Kaboul should be fit and rearing to go by August. I think Gallas is on his way out.

So that would be 5 players coming in and 5 going out. An opportunity for Levy to spend some money and get some back.

Talking about winning or even challenging for the League is still too far away. I think if Levy spends in the right areas, we could be good for CL 3rd place, a good run in Europa and maybe the FA cup. Looking back at our history, this would be improvement enough to take it further the following season.  Our main competitors will still be the Arse, Man U, City and at the top Chelsea. The gap between 5th and 6th will remain.

As  usual, our spending will depend on the players we can sell. Unfortunately selling players for Levy's valuation is never easy. It's strange how he always thinks the players we want are overpriced, and the ones we are selling are a bargain. As much as I would like to see the back of Adebayor, who would want to pay his wages, and are Citeh still prepared to pay half of them if he moved on. Players like Livermore and Hudd are only really decent championship players and worth very little. Anyway, we won't know until 11.55 on 31/08/2013, when Levy does all his business

[Metalanimal]

I remember when Levy had no concerns and would pay 15mill for practically any peace of s**t that might make the grade and have a decent resell value when the show they are world beaters, fingers burnt now more shrewd me thinks, but that has back fired on us a few times also!

[dimexi]

I was talking to a friend yesterday, an Ars*nal supporter none the less, about last season, next and football in general. After the expected onslaught of Europa league jibes and abuse the conversation turned to more important football issues. He was saying that Ars*nal get stick because they celebrated getting 4th spot, but in his opinion that is unjustified due to having a look at the teams above them. Man U, City and Chelsea all have spent an absolute fortune getting to that position, approximately around £500 million each in recent years. Therefore finishing below them but above everyone else is an achievement. A valid point I feel.

He also went on to say that although he has the usual feelings towards Spurs, he respects the way that we run the club. The fans that he most dislikes and will not take any stick from is Liverpool, because they have spent so much money on rubbish players and look where they are now.

Finally he said that he may be two years away from giving up on English football altogether. If Ars*nal end up with a mega rich owner that goes and 'buys' the title, he will walk away. For him the ethos of football has become too warped and misguided and if his team chooses that path, he will not follow them down it.


So I guess I am wondering if we would feel the same. Would we be happy to 'buy' the title. I am not talking buying the few players we need to keep up or improve, I think all teams have to do that to some extent within their means. But would you put the essence of the beautiful game above the desire for glory at all costs?

[Metalanimal]

Dimexi, great point and question to raise.

This is how i think I would stand if a rich, money no object lets buy success owner took over. 

Whilst currently i get frustrated at our lack of ambition with transfers and getting in those much needed players there is a high degree of pride that goes along with my support for THFC as to how things are run and the club welfare is priority and we have made steady progress over recent years without geting into debt and paying pre-madonnas bollox wages.

If a Chelsea & City senario was to happen to us (which lets be honest without their big owners neither would even be in the top 8 of the EPL) I would still be a fan of THFC and follow our progress and want us to win, but my support regarding purchasing official merchandise, even my THFC credit card would stop, in addition the achievements even winning the league would not carry as much pride for me as if we did that keeping our current approach.

I hope we never get brought by a rich owner as its these types currently at Chelsea and Man City that have ruined the game in many many ways!

[spursjoolz]

I don't agree that we lack ambition with transfers. It is just a question of being careful with money. As it has been mentioned earlier, we bought so many rubbish players in the past and quite rightly it should stop.

In the event that we should ever be bought by a multmillionaire investor, would it be possible not to relish the success we have all been craving for too many bloody years, of course not, but at what cost?.  The club is well ran as it is and IMO we are doing well in relation to our level of finance, so let's keep it that way.

If you look at the Arse whith greater means that us, they have not done much better than us, this season or last season, just 1 point and Chelsea with all that dosh, just 3 points. City, well we all know about them.

I could never see myself giving up on footbal, but it may not always be with the same passion.

[baldbloke]

I was talking to a friend yesterday, an Ars*nal supporter none the less, about last season, next and football in general. After the expected onslaught of Europa league jibes and abuse the conversation turned to more important football issues. He was saying that Ars*nal get stick because they celebrated getting 4th spot, but in his opinion that is unjustified due to having a look at the teams above them. Man U, City and Chelsea all have spent an absolute fortune getting to that position, approximately around £500 million each in recent years. Therefore finishing below them but above everyone else is an achievement. A valid point I feel.

He also went on to say that although he has the usual feelings towards Spurs, he respects the way that we run the club. The fans that he most dislikes and will not take any stick from is Liverpool, because they have spent so much money on rubbish players and look where they are now.

Finally he said that he may be two years away from giving up on English football altogether. If Ars*nal end up with a mega rich owner that goes and 'buys' the title, he will walk away. For him the ethos of football has become too warped and misguided and if his team chooses that path, he will not follow them down it.


So I guess I am wondering if we would feel the same. Would we be happy to 'buy' the title. I am not talking buying the few players we need to keep up or improve, I think all teams have to do that to some extent within their means. But would you put the essence of the beautiful game above the desire for glory at all costs?

I have said for many years that I would rather be relegated than buy a league title like Chelsea or Citeh. At the same time Spurs have gone to far the other way and don't spend anything. Please Mr Levy, how about a decent balance !!