Rival watch

We had the last of their two permanent English club raids, so it's only fair that they focus their attention elsewhere this time.

 

De Gea is more valuable to Los Ladrones de Madrid as he's HG - they're quite light on those players, hence they paid through the nose for Isco and Illarramendi a couple of years ago.

 

Newcastle want deBoer, that would be the biggest mistake of his career because he can do much better than that old tanker.

 

When the manager of Bournemouth is turning down the Newcastle job, I expect the manager of Ajax will do likewise.

 

Whoever they hire, you'll still be able to see the strings being pulled!...

 

You can't imagine how easy you've had it in comparison to Spurs. I would love it if they signed De Gea, purely because it will prevent them signing Lloris.

 

Well, they've had Ronaldo, RvN, Beckham and Heinze - although you might say Ronaldo has been the only one to cause any heartbreak

 

One the other hand, they let you have Di Maria - we have a "special relationship" with them which they reneged on almost immediately.

 

A special relationship in which they buy off us and sell to our rivals... I see Khedira's odds on to go to Arsenal.

 

De Boer would never go to Newcastle. That club will go nowhere with Ashley in charge.

 

Yeah,Levy usually shafts the other teams,he he was shafted with that deal

 

I was angry at the time but, on reflection, the club who were shafted the most in the Ozil deal were Arsenal. Has drastically failed to live up to expectiations.

 

Poch said that we can beat any of the top PL sides after having stunned Chelsea. Poch shut up you stupid boy, that's the best way to get it rammed back down your throat. We couldn't beat Burnley after Chelsea and you will look stupid if we lose or draw today. Just SHUT UP.

 

But TMT, if he's asked the question "Do you think you can beat anyone in the League after the Chelsea game?", what else do you expect him to say? Its one of those leading questions journos will ask in order to give them material to use against you later but you can hardly duck the question or say no can you?

I'm assuming it was in an interview though.

 

Not sure to be honest. It's in the BBC gossip.If he's asked that question the safe answer is that it remains to be seen.

 

I do agree with you TMT but ultimately if a journo wants to put a spin on it then they will - "we'll see" becomes "Pochettino still doesn't believe in his players despite lucky Chelsea win" just as "I think we can beat any team in the league on our day" becomes "Pochettino believes Spurs will win every game". Any quote can become a stick to be beaten with at the end of the day, there are no perfect answers.

 

The start of another year of competition and instead of looking forward to great football, I'm just worrying about what awful ref decision is going to benefit ManU, ManC, Chelski or Liverpool in their next match.

 

We're not going to get exciting football and results by going into games thinking we won't win if we play well. Sure there will be some bad results and probably some embarrassments along the way but I'd rather that than sitting back every week and hoping to get lucky and nick a win/draw.

Nothing wrong with showing confidence in yourself and the players, in my opinion.

 

What's he supposed to say, that we'll roll over and die in front of them because that's what Sky want us to do?

 

Nice to see BT continuing their delightful policy of neutral commentators and pundits for their games.
Sunderland v Liverpool: Michael Owen, Steve McManaman and David James.