Plenty to do with it PNP - and of course they spend more than us, that's why they're better than us and have been throughout the RA era.
While Chelsea look very strong going forward, the combined Spurs/Shaktar results show a team that's vulnerable at the back. Terry's aging, and Luiz, Cole and Ivanovic all look better at attacking than defending. Cahill did, too, against Spurs, anyway.
Agree with that RWB, attack is Chelsea's main strength, but don't forget they can just go out and buy another defender in January, just as they did with Cahill, if they see the need.
The first goal was an absolute calamity of errors. Firstly Luiz charging in when there was no immediate danger with Spurs back to goal and the non-marking of G*llas and Vertonghen. The 2nd goal again came from Luiz inexplicably allowing the ball to bounce rather than clearing it resulting in us losing possession from which you scored. The 1st and 3rd goals you have to hold your hands up and say they were quality but I agree our 2nd and 4th were more easily preventable. I didn't really see all the game on TV again but I know for sure at 2-3 we had 3/4 clear cut chances to get a 4th before we did. Mata missed a sitter at 0-1 and we got in excellent positions to counter and extend the lead with our final ball lacking I hated heading the ball To be fair 10-12 was an exaggeration I'd probably say 7-8 is more realistic Refreshing Honesty I do think you are too hard on yourselves though. You had the equivalent of Terry, Marin, Oscar and Bertrand all missing. We would have struggled to win if we weren't at full strength. I agree that given you were at home that possibly evens things out but I thought 2nd half you were decent. You'll be fine when key players come back
In fairness we were better than you long before RA Came. Money always plays a big part in it. In the 60s/70s/80s Spurs had far more money than us. Your Double winning side cost twice as much as anyone elses and you were able to pick up the Villa and Ardiles whilst we had to put up with Mike Fillery. Playing field has never been level, the notion that it is now just because Chelsea and City have upset the cartel is absurd IMO.
As SD said it's Kaboul, Benny, Naughton(on the bench but not fit to start), Dembele, Parker and Bale. I was going in terms of positions they tend to play and what order they're picked in. I don't understand why Benny would be equivalent to Bertrand when he's clearly first choice in his position, nor Marin and whoever he's supposed to be comparable to and Bale is clearly one of our best players making him most comparable to Mata or Hazard
1st choice players at centre-back, left-back, left midfield and both central midfield positions. That's Terry, Cole, Mata, Mikel and Ramirez, in my opinion.
