Just had this debate with Piskie. We have to give Mills the benefit of the doubt and suggest his words were twisted by the journalist. He is maye guilty of being naive, but I cannot see why he would speak about Bale like that, there is no benefit to him for doing so.
Which is why I posted it, so people could talk about it as it seems on the face of it one of our directors is speaking out when he was asked not. I thought it would be something worth debating over, I didn't expect it to get Notso's knickers in a twist. And yes, I think maybe he was being a bit naive but if what Spurcat says is true (and it always is!) then the other person was heavily reprimanded for what he did, so you think he'd be a little more careful with what he said and to who! But if it's been discussed elsewhere then no need to discuss it again now
Not wishing to get involved in any dispute here. I think that, given the current sensitivity of the situation, that Mr Mills' comments were unwise. True, he hasn't really given much away that was not already out there, but unless he had been briefed to say what he said, he probably should have kept his gob shut. This is a very easy fire to stoke up, he should know that.
It depends on how much twisting the journalist had to do. I'd like to see a full transcript of the conversation, the conversation may not have been about Bale at all when the more controversial comments were made. But Levy will give him the stare next time they meet.
LOL i don't think I was clear enough on my point. Forget Alderwierald, that's just the name I used. What I mean, is a player who is good enough to be one of the first choice CB's, rather than someone who will settle for 4th. we have always got problems with our CB's, so why not just sign someone who's really good and will develop for the future? With our history of injuries, the chances are they'll play regularly anyway. Plus, if we're serious about winning something, we need that player. not 3 good ones (2 of which have injury issues) and a 4th choice reject. Strength.in.Depth. Also, can everyone save the arguments for the wums please, not each other. I'm very offended by some of the language used. You'd never catch me saying anything like that.
Fair point - It'd be interesting to see! I certainly wouldn't risk being given "the stare" by Levy Sorry Roo! Edited <3 But I am getting extremely pis... peeved... off with him now as I haven't been laying into him if he says something I don't like but he seems happy to do that to me
I wasn't being serious about the language part. I probably swear more than anyone else on here. But the abuse towards each other is unnecessary
Well said re the CBs, it's a shame some people at the club and indeed on various forums including here don't seem to grasp this. As LennyPops has pointed a lot of the trouble seems to be with AVB, who appears to have believe we could 'wing it' with Jan Kab Daws, plus a 'back up'. If we're serious about top 4 plus a trophy then we needed 4 CBs including Kab plus a 'back up'. We currently have none, ridiculous.
you've only got to look at the striker situation last season. Even before the season had started and we knew nothing on Defoe and Ade's form last year, having just 2 senior strikers was asking for trouble. Lo and behold, we were short. It's the same for CB's too. As a club with aspirations of finishing in the top 4 and wanting to win a trophy such as the EL we need 4 very good centre backs. That way, when we've got 2 games a week, we can rotate, giving each player 1 game p/w. it doesn't take a genius to work out that if you've only got 3, 1 person is playing twice a week, before you've even thought about injuries or suspensions. We should always be looking to improve on the quality we have, whether that's the first team, or the squad. IMO, a signing like Alderwiereld or similar, is not unrealistic and asking too much of our club. - Young, talented and a future profit is our motto isn't it?! 4 very good CB's is a necessity IMO, if we're serious about how/where we want to finish our season.
We've been discussing the problem with the centre back situation for a while now and everyone is a aware of how much it effects our ambitions, especially when you compare us with our rivals so not sure why certain people are suggesting it's a view not shared by most forum users.
You got it Roo, shame others, including the ones running our club don't. I can only foresee another season of ultimate disappointment, as once more we're outgunned by the 'new big four'. When we got in Paulinho, i was genuinely excited, and, silly me, optimistic. But it's gonna be the same old, same old, I just feel it. We do okay for a club of our size, I don't deny that. But being so close, and yet ending up potless and in the Europa, it's all too much if it happens again. And if Bale stays this year, I can't see him staying next, if that is our sorry fate again.
Not sure if they are going off something I said, that I'm not worried about the defensive problem at the minute as I think it'll get sorted. If we get to the Palace game and nothing has done I'll start panicking. If we get to the end of the transfer window and nothing has done I'm going have to watch this season through the gaps of my fingers.
Pre season is where all fans panic a wee bit but just a lesson to all of us, what happened last year? everyone panics about our lack of strikers and defoe proved us all wrong. So you could have the right thought process, but In general clubs which have successful seasons are more prepared.
Agreed but we are never prepared and still manage to come 4th / almost 4th - I'm assuming this year whilst unprepared, we are going to have a stronger squad so that might help push us over the line. In a perfect world I'd love for us to have 4 CBs, 4 Strikers, 4 CMs, 2 LM, 2 RM, 2 RB, 2 LB, 2 GK but it's not going to happen with us is it? I echo PnP's thoughts there. How do we know AVB is settling for no defenders? I have no doubt whatsoever that AVB is trying to sort the defensive situation our not sitting on his arse thinking "it'll be fine im sure" - He's just not that kind of manager.
Yeah it's a fair point as we had a crap pre season with arry but then it helps when you have modric, vdv, bale, lennon and ade all in their best form. This year we have so many issues that the defensive aspects just adds to our problem unless zeki fryers is the new Rio ferdinand!
I see Bale's car is taxed to 12/13. He might as well stay till then. All that hassle getting a road tax refund isn't worth it.
I shared your views last season GH10, and felt very pessimistic after losing Modric and VDV. it was a massive kick in the nuts. However, another season of disappointment which we could have helped, has resulted in us making a net spend so far of £35m. We haven't lost our star player (yet) as many thought we would, and we've made some excellent signings; addressing the areas of the squad that were desperate. I know it might seem a bit **** at the moment as we have no fit CB's, but the ambition we've already shown so early in the window (which we hardly ever do) has given me confidence that we'll be ok. As the days pass by, I am more confident that we'll keep Bale, as it's less than 2 weeks till we start the season. There's players we already need as it is (which I'm confident are being worked on as we speak) and I don't see us dismantling the team at such late notice after all our hard work so early on. This window has a different feel about it. Yes, we might be in turmoil defensively right now, but I believe we're in safe hands under Baldini and AVB. Let's not look back in the past too much, but instead look at the the last few weeks. This should give us enough insight as to what we're trying to build. We've broken our transfer record twice! This is unheard of for Spurs. Therefore this season, I'm far more optimistic.. AND we've still got plenty of time to strengthen. COYS
