Rival Watch™ 2013/2014

I just let them know they're on first on motd 2, in case they wasn't aware

 

Soldado has been anonymous for the most part, he hasn't even scored a goal from open play yet. Paulinho has been ok but hasn't reached the levels he showed for Brazil in the Summer. And Eriksen didn't have the best of games today nor the last.

 

"Soldado has looked pants - I would be seriously be pushing Ade through the fitness tests these next 2 weeks.

Eriksen - the early statements that he is more value for money than Ozil now looks pathetic. He has done nothing since his debut - struggles to get into the game.

Lamela - huge, huge, huge pricetag. Has not impressed me at all - give him time they cry but for 30 odd mill it needs to come off straight away. He was absent again for half hour today.

Chiriches - looks extremely dodgy.

Chadli - again not impressed.

Paulinho - doesn't do enough for me. OK in the middle of the park but near the box he is another Dembele - every shot seems to go into row Z."

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A Spurs fan wrote that earlier on

Apparently Ericksen has not looked so good past couple of seasons and no clubs went in for him. Am I saying he'll fail? Hopefully! On paper he looks a good fit (as all of Spurs signings do ) for us but no 'bug' clubs wanted him, I do wonder why

 

Commentator on MOTD when West Ham took a free kick:

"every one was expecting a Downing curler"


Errrr.... No we weren't.

 

Another fan on Paulinho

"
he is a ****ing **** footballer. he cant pass, his touch is crap, his decision making is useless and he cant shoot for ****.

his last 3 starts he has been absolutely shocking."

A lot of this stuff though is probably being angry at todays defeat

 

No we definitely wasnt!

 

Saldado was superb in the first half a dozen games as was Paulinho. Maybe teams have watched them?

 

All clubs have fans that come out with comments like them after a loss. Fans are fickle. The ones that are happy and optimistic will shout louder when winning whereas you doom mungers will stand out when not.

Edit...Spurs fans are especially fickle / delusional!

 

Will have to agree to disagree with you there mate, maybe lack of service but what I've watched of Soldado he's done next to nothing bar an assist for Siggurdson. Paulinho is nice and tidy in the middle, but it's hard to tell what his role is at the moment. Again, not at all writing either off, but for the price paid for Soldado you'd be expecting much more if you're a Spurs fan. Especially with them seemingly trying to blood in Lamela, a £30m signing.

 

Maybe, I dont watch them enough to disagree on that but if their fans are saying that now then God knows

Its early for teams to learn about the players though I think, usually takes about half a season doesnt it? Thats what we've said about Ford and did say about Suarez until we fully realised what an world class player he is

 

Spurs have changed their whole attacking setup, when you do that it can take a while for the team to settle (see Man city/Chelsea). They haven't been playing great this year as shown by their lack of Goals, but saying that they have picked up a fare few points. I think we all know that the players they have bought in are quality and i expect at least some of them to come good in the second half of the season.

That being said we really need to put the pressure on in the first half of this season, and hopefully have enough of a lead to hold them off for the top 4.

 

Yeah would agree with all that mate

 

As I said, unless the vast majority are saying it I wouldn't pay much attention.

So far this season Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Enrique, Agger, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Alberto, Sterling, Aspas, Coutinho and Sturridge have been criticised on this board from what I've seen yet here we are sitting second in the league!

 

Well said

 

Of course it takes time to settle, but when you've spent £100m I just think you should be expecting a bit more.

25 Lloris
16 Naughton
20 Dawson
02 Walker
05 Vertonghen
17 Townsend
08 Paulinho
22 Sigurdsson
23 Eriksen
19 Dembélé
18 Defoe

Only 2 Summer additions included in their first eleven today, it's not like they're playing all seven signings at once.

 

Defence isn't great IMO. They've exceeded themselves prior to today.

 

Hell yeah

Although I prefer the phrase joint 1st

 

That would also be a lie

 

I put Dawson in my fantasy team..... YOU ARE ALL WELCOME!

 

I always prefer joint 1st

chelsea were flattered today as much as utd were bailed out by jinjizzm yesterday I sense drop many more points they will... uhm