Winter Transfer Window

[redwhiteandermblue]

It seems like we've been desperate for that all crucuial decent second striker since the days of woe when Defoe, Crouch, and Pav couldn't get into double-figures between them!

Thank God Kane came good, and he's not of the same mindset as the likes of Carrick, or Berbatov or Modric, or even Bale! Just image where we'd be if we had to hold on to LOLdado, and he was our only striker!

Or Adebayor!

I will be narrowly pilloried (why is everyone widely pilloried), but you’ve reminded me why I always wanted to keep Adebayor. Locker room poison he may be, but if Kane did have a season ending injury who would be better able to fill in?

 

[No Kane No Gain]

Looks like Garde has taken the Berahino role for the end of the window.

 

[The Changing Man]

And how many crucial goals did Solskjaer score for United from the bench? Or a certain Jermain Defoe, holder of record number of goals scored as a substitute? It isn't as simple as 'leaving players out'. It's the importance of being a goal down or stuck at 0-0 against a team with 10 men behind the ball and having no-one to turn to from the bench

Good points CK well made, I do honestly share your frustration, I am a glass half full type of bloke and whilst as a football (particularly a Spurs fan) I know you cant be that much of an optimist, i am trying to look for reasons to be cheerful (part 3!). You are right about Solskjaer and game changing subs, and yes in an ideal world we are still 1 striker short I think we all agree on that, but if our favoured front 4 are Kane, Eriksen, Alli and Son, we do have Chadli and Lamela in reserve and the option of moving Dembele further forward, shortly we will have Mason back too who will also give us another option.

 

[deedub93]

Well at least we ballanced the books. Lowest net spend of any Premiership club in 2015-2016 of exactly zilch.

I still think Berahino will arrive in the summer and i'm not a fan of wholesale changes.

Poch has done well up until now so i for one am prepared to give him the benifit of the doubt. COYS

 

[LockStock]

Well at least we ballanced the books. Lowest net spend of any Premiership club in 2015-2016 of exactly zilch.

I still think Berahino will arrive in the summer and i'm not a fan of wholesale changes.

Poch has done well up until now so i for one am prepared to give him the benifit of the doubt. COYS

I hear you. I believe the lack of inward activity may do wonders for the moral of the current squad. Enhance their belief that they are good enough.

Only now, I expect more from the team for Poch to earn the benefit of my doubt.

If we went all in this window, and came 4th. So be it. We went for it.

But now, with no plugging of the obvious gaps at DM and line leading striker, I will be disappointed without some glorious victories in cup finals and a solid title run.

The audacity to not get solid reinforcements, especially when Leicester, and teams like Stoke, are going all in (weren't we in for Imbula not long ago?), is something I can't understand, and I won't unless Poch and the squad really know and believe something that I'm still not quite sure of yet.

We're either winning the league, or a cup, or all three, or I actually won't see what the point of us missing the opportunity has been.

I tell you what, I wouldn't like to play Pochettino in a game of poker.

 

[Sidney Fiddler]

Poch has done amazingly well so far . After a first season of bland uninspiring football they
are know playing some of the best in the league .
It would be a new dawn if he was supported by the board but once again he operates with
One hand tied . A little money spent would help in establishing a top 4 position as next year
the Chavs and Utd will no doubt be back .
Let's hope that Pochs minor miracle continues and actually win something .

 

[deedub93]

I hear you. I believe the lack of inward activity may do wonders for the moral of the current squad. Enhance their belief that they are good enough.

Only now, I expect more from the team for Poch to earn the benefit of my doubt.

If we went all in this window, and came 4th. So be it. We went for it.

But now, with no plugging of the obvious gaps at DM and line leading striker, I will be disappointed without some glorious victories in cup finals and a solid title run.

The audacity to not get solid reinforcements, especially when Leicester, and teams like Stoke, are going all in (weren't we in for Imbula not long ago?), is something I can't understand, and I won't unless Poch and the squad really know and believe something that I'm still not quite sure of yet.

We're either winning the league, or a cup, or all three, or I actually won't see what the point of us missing the opportunity has been.

I tell you what, I wouldn't like to play Pochettino in a game of poker.

So would you have prefered to pay £30M for Berahino now or wait until the summer when he is out of contract?
We have a new stadium to build and in order to compete with better financed clubs we need that desperately. Poch has managed to build a top 4 challenging side with a zero net spend. He's got the likes of Dembele and Dier playing like top players not to mention improvements in the likes of Lamela. Not only the signing of Alli but the way his stepping up to the next level was managed was top notch. Poch appears to have installed belief in our team. They know that they can beat anyone on their day.

What is also impressive is that the youngsters know that if they try hard enough, they will be given a chance.

For me, a top 4 finish would be a successful season. A cup would be the icing on the cake.

Rather than win the Prem this year wouldn't it be nice to christen the new stadium with the title?

And you are right, I wouldn't fancy playing Poch at poker either.

 

[Dier Hard]

I must say, the levels of optimism and cheer on this forum are comforting and I thank you all for that.

As for me, it's goodnight and a big fat 'F*ck you Levy. F*ck you and f*ck your stupid bald head'.

Here's to May, when one of the two parties on this forum will be saying 'I told you so'. And I sure as hell hope it isn't me and my pessimistic bastard brigade.

I really hope you stayed away from any sharp objects last night

 

[Dier Hard]

Well the excitement's over for another few months.

Ultimately it's a shame we didn't get that second striker but Poch has insisted all season that we won't just add a name and are only interested in signing the right player. Saido certainly seemed that guy in the Summer but after a 4th bid of £25m+ was rejected it became obvious Peace weren't selling, then we seemed close to adding Dembele only for Fulham to pull the plug.

If there's one thing Poch has proven more than anything it's his squad management and understanding the capabilities of his players, after the Summer window we were all worried about the lack of a DM and being disappointed at losing out to Utd for Schneiderlin and then not getting Wanyama, yet the decision to play Dier there was magnificent and a master-stroke, he's been better than the pair of them and saved us splashing £20m.

No we're in a situation where we're a bit worried/ disappointed at not getting that alternative striker. I personally feel that there are enough goals in the side with and without Kane, it's worth noting that of the 41 goals we've scored in the Prem, Kane has 13 of them so we've proven we don't rely on just one player, albeit he is instrumental to how we play. I do believe Chadli or Son can fill the striking position when required, hopefully that requirement is purely for cup games and resting Kane and not replacing him due to injury.

Time will tell if the decision to not sign anyone was right or wrong but the team and staff have done brilliantly so far so I see no reason to start doubting anyone.

 

[Citizen Kane]

Ah f*ck it wasn't just a dream. ****e.

 

[LockStock]

So would you have prefered to pay £30M for Berahino now or wait until the summer when he is out of contract?
We have a new stadium to build and in order to compete with better financed clubs we need that desperately. Poch has managed to build a top 4 challenging side with a zero net spend. He's got the likes of Dembele and Dier playing like top players not to mention improvements in the likes of Lamela. Not only the signing of Alli but the way his stepping up to the next level was managed was top notch. Poch appears to have installed belief in our team. They know that they can beat anyone on their day.

What is also impressive is that the youngsters know that if they try hard enough, they will be given a chance.

For me, a top 4 finish would be a successful season. A cup would be the icing on the cake.

Rather than win the Prem this year wouldn't it be nice to christen the new stadium with the title?

And you are right, I wouldn't fancy playing Poch at poker either.

Berahinho isn't out of contract this summer, it expires next summer.

Top four would have been a successful season, to me, before Chelsea and Man U imploded and Leicester elevated themselves solidly into the top of the league, in the same way that Leicester were only focussed on 40 points at the start of the season. Now they are aiming for 79 points total.

Now we, and they, have a golden opportunity to win the league. We've seen Leicester do all that they can, within their means, to get cover for their key players despite the fact that they have relatively few games to play. They are going for it.

We have more competitions, more chance of injury and fatigue, yet we didn't get cover. We are 5 points from the top and 5 points from 5th. Why not go for top? It's the only way we can secure top 4 in my opinion with the top being so tight.

Are you saying you'd rather not win the league now because we don't have a shiny new stadium in which to celebrate?
I just don't get that mentality. I'd rather be defending the championship in the new stadium personally.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with everything that is happening at the club right now and agree with your sentiment in that regard, I just don't want to get bitten in the arse with injuries that cause us to miss the opportunity we clearly have, and should be going for.

I worry slightly for Kane and Dier.

Forget goals, who else in our entire squad can hold up the ball up top like Kane?

 

[deedub93]

I think that we should try and win every game and if we win the league great. I would not be reticent in my celebrations. But i would see a top 4 finish as a successful season.

Shame that Berahinho is not out of contract this summer but if Pritchard does well at West Brom perhaps an extended loan spell might make it easier for Levy and Pearse to bury the hatchet and come to an agreement.

As for the new stadium, a title would be a nice way to start off. Having said that the CL title would be a fitting fairwell to the Old WHL. We can all dream.

Not many in the Prem can hold a ball up like Kane, thats why he's Englands first choice. We all worry that he might get injured. He would not be easy to replace whoevdr we signed.

I personally think that not signing obvious replacements will have a positive affect on both the youngsters who are awaiting their chance and other talented youngsters who may be looking for an academy to join.

I think the longer term view is more important.

 

[Citizen Kane]

Berahinho isn't out of contract this summer, it expires next summer.

Top four would have been a successful season, to me, before Chelsea and Man U imploded and Leicester elevated themselves solidly into the top of the league, in the same way that Leicester were only focussed on 40 points at the start of the season. Now they are aiming for 79 points total.

Now we, and they, have a golden opportunity to win the league. We've seen Leicester do all that they can, within their means, to get cover for their key players despite the fact that they have relatively few games to play. They are going for it.

We have more competitions, more chance of injury and fatigue, yet we didn't get cover. We are 5 points from the top and 5 points from 5th. Why not go for top? It's the only way we can secure top 4 in my opinion with the top being so tight.

Are you saying you'd rather not win the league now because we don't have a shiny new stadium in which to celebrate?
I just don't get that mentality. I'd rather be defending the championship in the new stadium personally.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with everything that is happening at the club right now and agree with your sentiment in that regard, I just don't want to get bitten in the arse with injuries that cause us to miss the opportunity we clearly have, and should be going for.

I worry slightly for Kane and Dier.

Forget goals, who else in our entire squad can hold up the ball up top like Kane?

Beautifully put. It's like decades of inertia and mediocrity have caused us to forget the wise words of that great man...it is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low.

And to be quite honest, finishing 4th this year will have in it an echo of failure. Arsenal and City really haven't been that impressive whilst Leicester are clearly inferior to us in every department. Chelsea, United and Liverpool have been awful. As you say, we really might not get a better shot at this ever again.

For me, now, if Levy and Poch really are so confident in the squad as it is, 4th plus a trophy is the absolute minimum. We are not arsenal. We shouldn't be celebrating 'getting by' year in year out. We should be aiming so much higher and showing so much more ambition than we do.

I really do hope that you and I are proven wrong come the end of the season and we achieve higher than 4th plus a trophy. If by some miracle that happens, I am in full agreement with the other posters on here...we will be in an exceptionally strong position to add to this squad's quality come the summer.

 

[The Changing Man]

I must admit that I was trying to think of a player that we could have signed whose hold up play and closing down from the front would match Harrys
Not sure that Berahino fits the bill and I havnt seen enough of Dembele 2.

We are disappointed with no new players coming in and we are having a good season so far, I cant imagine the rage the Villa fans must be feeling, the worst team in the league and no new signings to at least make it look like you are trying to make improvements and give themselves a chance

 

[Spurf]

I must say, the levels of optimism and cheer on this forum are comforting and I thank you all for that.

As for me, it's goodnight and a big fat 'F*ck you Levy. F*ck you and f*ck your stupid bald head'.

Here's to May, when one of the two parties on this forum will be saying 'I told you so'. And I sure as hell hope it isn't me and my pessimistic bastard brigade.

You and your pessimistic bastard brigade have made some compelling arguments in what has been a debate far more interesting than the window itself. The January window is usually a disappointment which in itself is a good thing if you agree with Wenger's assessment of it.
To paraphrase:

'The January window is for teams that are in trouble, successful teams will have sorted out their squads during August'

 

[Dier Hard]

I must admit that I was trying to think of a player that we could have signed whose hold up play and closing down from the front would match Harrys
Not sure that Berahino fits the bill and I havnt seen enough of Dembele 2.

We are disappointed with no new players coming in and we are having a good season so far, I cant imagine the rage the Villa fans must be feeling, the worst team in the league and no new signings to at least make it look like you are trying to make improvements and give themselves a chance

I somewhat feel for Villa fans, what a pathetic excuse of a club it's become. To not even go for a few additions in the attempt of survival shows a complete lack of mental strength in the club, it's clear that they've given up already and are now bracing themselves for next season in the Championship. They've been in decline for a few years now but this is where they're literally ****ed, it started when they sold Downing, Milner and Young and replaced none of them with adequate replacements, then losing Delph in the Summer was the nail in the coffin. It wouldn't surprise me if they get relegated into League 1 next season, the likes of Richards and Lescott will likely look for moves away, Guzan will probably be snapped up, Westwood may be a target too for some Prem sides, looking very bleak for them I'd say.

 

[Hoddle is a god]

I see Berahino very much is the same style of player as Defoe used to be - very fast, and best when the ball is put in front of him, running at goal. I think Kane has more to his game than that, but that isn't to say that Berry won't do a good job for us, as he gives Poch a different option, which we have been sorely lacking.

 

[Spurm]

I was angry at not getting NEW STRIKER in the summer. Now? Not so much actually. Kane is holding up so far (touching all the woods) and we have goals coming from a number of other players too. I feel this season we have a much more rounded goal threat than we had last season which is shown in our goal difference and goals scored (i assume we are scoring more, i haven't checked, it feels like we are).
If we get Saido in the summer on a free (tribunal?) then that is some good business with our position of having a stadium to pay for.

A little disappointed Pritchard has gone out on loan again. After last season i felt this might be his season but he's in the toughest position to get in with the "emergence" of Lamela and Alli, the "veteran" Eriksen, the goals of Chadli and the real Dembele.

The only disappointing thing for me is that, as long a shot as it is, this could be our only chance for EPL glory for a number of years with City bringing in Pep and giving him a big war chest. Probably the sensible choice in the long run to be frugal though, oh well.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

One aspect that seems not to have come up in Berahino discussions is that we have a very good insight into the lad. Harry Kane has played alongside him, trained with him, accompanied him on away trips abroad for junior England teams. Harry's the ultimate good professional; trains hard, plays 100 % every game, respected by opponents and team mates alike, not big headed or flash. To believe that M. Pochettino hasn't discussed Berahino's talent and character in minute detail with Harry is ridiculous. I daresay Harry's marked Saido's card about what's happening at Spurs under M. Pochettio's regime and that this is the place for him to come and build his career. The fact that we're still interested says that we believe wholeheartedly in Berahino's talent and character and he'll be ours come the summer.

 

[deedub93]

One aspect that seems not to have come up in Berahino discussions is that we have a very good insight into the lad. Harry Kane has played alongside him, trained with him, accompanied him on away trips abroad for junior England teams. Harry's the ultimate good professional; trains hard, plays 100 % every game, respected by opponents and team mates alike, not big headed or flash. To believe that M. Pochettino hasn't discussed Berahino's talent and character in minute detail with Harry is ridiculous. I daresay Harry's marked Saido's card about what's happening at Spurs under M. Pochettio's regime and that this is the place for him to come and build his career. The fact that we're still interested says that we believe wholeheartedly in Berahino's talent and character and he'll be ours come the summer.

I Wholeheartedly agree. I think the Pritchard loan is a sweetener. Hopefully two grown men can then do business