Ryback Hates Bullies Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 The ten points separating 1st from 10th is unprecedented. The two points separating 5th from 10th after 19 games is ridiculous. It really could go anyone's way. It's true; couple of kicks went different over the last week and Liverpool would be in the bottom half of the table. But as is, who knows right now? Liverpool got the result against Leicester at Anfield, and those home games against Arsenal and Man Utd look like potential 6-pointers again.
Death From Above Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 The other guy that is emerging at Tottenham that doesn't get as much chatter is Eric Dier. Not as sexy a player because he's more of a defensive player, but hell we're sittin' third let's give some credit there. This is a guy playing a lot of minutes and not doing a hell of a lot wrong. Frankly given how bad Manchester United have looked at times, given that Chelsea are clearly out of it, and given that Liverpool aren't that consistent just yet, if Tottenham aren't top 4 at the end it's a huge disappointment to me. I'm not sure our defense is strong enough to win but then again how many clubs in the world are nailed down at central defense? Five, six? It's such a thin position sometimes. My only concern halfway in is too many draws that could have been wins but hell, we're not losing games. That's good. I want top 4, I dare to dream a little about more but don't really expect it.
Randy Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I think their CBs are having a good year. The 2 Belgians seem to work well together. If there's a deficiency in the back 4, it's the RB.Walker. He makes too many errors.Their defense is better than you expect from Tottenham. 1
Jiji Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 It's fullback that is absurdly thin in talent across the globe. I doubt there are ten world class fullbacks that can do a job attacking and defending at a great level. If I were an oppressive dad looking to make bank off my kid's success, I'd make sure he played fullback. There's a copious amount of strikers and attacking mids. 1
Death From Above Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 Yeah Kyle Walker is the best English right back, apparently. I'm not sure that means he's one of the 10 best right backs playing in England, mind you. But he did score that one lovely goal for Manchester United this year.
Death From Above Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 RE: TV money If a club like Bournemouth can go after players like Juan Iturbe now, then it's going to be a brave new world. Not so much in England because there will always be big clubs and less-big-clubs (I refuse to refer to any club making Premier League money as "small"), but it's not great news for some of the other leagues.
Randy Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 Yeah, if you want to compare the additional spending power they will have with the new TV contract, Chelsea last year was awarded £99 and this season the champions will get £150.
Jiji Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 With how England has become an exciting league of teams ranging from good but not great quality to Aston Villa the past few seasons, this will make up the ground for English teams competing in Europe. Within three years of that deal kicking in, I wouldn't be shocked if we're back to the days of 3 of the 4 last teams in the Champions League being English. It will also mean fewer teams will bother buying English players from other top flight sides because the price will be too high when you can just go buy a quality player from Spain for a third of the price. Now, I think it will also lead to more poaching of promising 16-18 year olds by the bigger sides from the lower divisions. And because the Bournemouths of the world will have all that dough to splash on fancy exotic talents, I actually think the gap between the top and bottom will be diminished. As I posted earlier, I think this could be great for the league's entertainment value and its competitiveness among the top leagues in Europe but will likely suck for supporters having to spend so much more on their Sky subscriptions and God knows whatever else needed to watch games. Also, cocksuckers won't lower ticket prices either. This graph shows just how much spending power the lower end teams will have should they decide to invest it (they'll have to spend a decent amount if they want to stay in the league, you'd think): source And that's including a conservative £3 billion foreign TV deal that will be renewed this year sometime I believe. Last season, 17th placed Villa received £65.65 million. Next year, the 17th placed side will get £103m. The champions will get £146m. I think with wise investment, the shithouses should have an easier time narrowing the gap, which is great. Of course, this isn't stopping sheikhs and Russian oligarchs from spending more than what they earn but the funds are there to really strengthen for the also rans. If Burnley is already above Ajax on the rich list, what will this mean? Mark Hughes will have the best line-up of Bayern and Barca rejects in a few years should he not end up back at Old Trafford (LOL) or managing Ingerlund.
Death From Above Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 If this ends with Zidane of all people being booed at Real, then Real's fans deserve absolutely nothing but scorn.
Jiji Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 That ship sailed ages ago. They have the most spoiled and entitled "supporters" around.
AxB Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Warning to Merseyside based footballers: Winning the first leg of a League Cup semi-final by a single goal can be hazardous to your health.
Charro! Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 Liverpool were lucky tonight to draw. I think they must have set a record for the number of first team debuts in one match. Not really a B team they played, but a C team with a lot of youngsters and a few older players like Benteke & Jose Enrique. Definitely need another backup keeper, why they let Pepe Reina go in the first place boggles the mind since IMO he's a better keeper than Mignolet. Fair dos to Exeter as they put on a heck of a performance and they have one player who could make a big name for himself in Tom Nichols & one who might get a big money move too in the transfer window.
Jiji Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 Pepe made it clear he wanted out when things started going sour. I hate it when Liverpool fans pine for him. He wasn't a consistently great shot stopper and didn't do a great job of commanding his area either. He was on ridiculously high wages too. I think if we're to take the next step, the club needs to get a clear upgrade for both starting goalkeeper and a backup. That was a fun match, watching all the U21 players out there. Enrique at CB was the disaster you'd think it would be and Benteke looked like he was too good to give anything more than 50% effort. Bogdan Bogdan'd.
sabremike Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Scousers got through it playing a "C" side and Exeter get a date at Ainfield and the big payout that comes with it. I'd say both sides won tonight.
Pete Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Scousers got through it playing a "C" side and Exeter get a date at Ainfield and the big payout that comes with it. I'd say both sides won tonight. Paul Tisdale's hat was the real winner if you ask me. Sweet merciful crap.
Guest Edwin Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 If this ends with Zidane of all people being booed at Real, then Real's fans deserve absolutely nothing but scorn. At the pace they've been shoving out managers, I'll give him by the end of the season before he gets sacked and they blame him for their lack of success. Either way, his debut is about to take place against Depor at the Bernabéu. Depor have had an excellent season and could easily take Madrid to a draw. It's going to be funny seeing the Madridistas cry and want Zizou sacked if Madrid loses and being praised as the great manager of all time if they beat Depor.
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