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BrunelGunner said:
I think a lot of clubs will be active in January, with the WC being mid-season, and potential injuries/loss of form/fatigue with certain players. There'll be a lot of competition for signatures, too, especially with some of the bigger teams underperforming. I could be wrong, but I expect this to be one of, if not the, biggest January transfer window(s) ever.
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Also worth bearing in mind there are a LOAD of very good players out of contract in June. Just off the top of my head:

Zaha
Trossard
Skriniar
Tielemans
Asensio
Ndicka
Mac Allister
Kamada
Aouar

I'd imagine a bit of a scramble for some of those signatures in Jan.
 
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Citizen Kane. said:
Also worth bearing in mind there are a LOAD of very good players out of contract in June. Just off the top of my head:

Zaha
Trossard
Skriniar
Tielemans
Asensio
Ndicka
Mac Allister
Kamada
Aouar

I'd imagine a bit of a scramble for some of those signatures in Jan.
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2 key wishes...
1. Trossard please
2. No one with a surname beginning with an N followed by a consonant pretty please....
 
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PSG’s front three’s stats this season in all comps are an absolute madness.

Messi - 16 games, 11 goals, 12 assists.
Neymar - 17 games, 13 goals, 10 assists.
Mbappe - 16 games, 16 goals, 4 assists.

Ramos also assisted Messi’s goal today (albeit it was a bit Tom Carroll-ish)… imaging thinking you’d be saying that just a few years back.
 
Just to repeat what I said last week.

FATIGUE

Both Chelsea and Liverpool suffering this week. Even Man City struggled without their injured beast .
The commentators praising Leeds and Brighton but that's not how I see it. Those teams are taking advantage of the fact that they have a whole week between games as opposed to teams playing in European competitions. Newcastle especially are taking advantage.
 
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Blue and White said:
Just to repeat what I said last week.

FATIGUE

Both Chelsea and Liverpool suffering this week. Even Man City struggled without their injured beast .
The commentators praising Leeds and Brighton but that's not how I see it. Those teams are taking advantage of the fact that they have a whole week between games as opposed to teams playing in European competitions. Newcastle especially are taking advantage.
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100%, that’s why I’d rather miss out on Europe than qualify for the conference league or even Europa. Without European football, you have a huge advantage in the league over rivals. Newcastle will likely be in Europe next season so will need and will have a bigger squad
 
Left on the Shelf said:
Haven't seen a replay (strange that) but Robertson appeared to kick a Leeds player on the deck, ball well away. Melee ensued, suggesting that others viewed it the same, but Oliver only spoke to him. No card of any colour...<doh>
I'm sure there's nothing suspicious or corrupt going on ....
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Been a few notable non-reds this season eg
Reece James McTominay, more than once each probably, yet also notable for complete lack of media interest.
 
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Citizen Kane. said:
Also worth bearing in mind there are a LOAD of very good players out of contract in June. Just off the top of my head:

Zaha
Trossard
Skriniar
Tielemans
Asensio
Ndicka
Mac Allister
Kamada
Aouar

I'd imagine a bit of a scramble for some of those signatures in Jan.
Click to expand...
Brighton have the option for another year for Trossard.
Mac Allister's contract runs til the summer of 25 with an option for another year.
 
Blue and White said:
Just to repeat what I said last week.

FATIGUE

Both Chelsea and Liverpool suffering this week. Even Man City struggled without their injured beast .
The commentators praising Leeds and Brighton but that's not how I see it. Those teams are taking advantage of the fact that they have a whole week between games as opposed to teams playing in European competitions. Newcastle especially are taking advantage.
Click to expand...

1. It goes with the territory (about to qualify for UEFA land :
begin thinking about strengthening your squad big time)

2. Any "fatigue" in the Spurs squad has little to do with
injuries and much more to with the skill of the manager
in rotating his squad + use of subs (more so for the latter
in a season where FIVE subs are possible) .
 
The RDBD said:
1. It goes with the territory (about to qualify for UEFA land :
begin thinking about strengthening your squad big time)

2. Any "fatigue" in the Spurs squad has little to do with
injuries and much more to with the skill of the manager
in rotating his squad + use of subs (more so for the latter
in a season where FIVE subs are possible) .
Click to expand...
Because most of the squad players are not at the same level as first teamers. Except Deki and Richie who are both injured. Romero too.
Is that 'skill of the manager' true about Klopp and Potter?
 
Blue and White said:
Because most of the squad players are not at the same level as first teamers. Except Deki and Richie who are both injured. Romero too.
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1. There are no "first teamers" . There is a SQUAD.
Within that squad there are eleven who will
collectively be the best combination in both
attack and defence.

2. Said combination cannot play every game
for 90 mins all season. The manager therefore
has to make changes. More so in a season
such as 2022-23 which has serious fixture
compression due to WC 2022.

3. Said changes have to be done on the basis
that the on-pitch team may be weaker than
the best combination but still be strong enough
to get the job done.


On #3 I have seen little evidence that Conte has
done anything of the kind other than when
injuries/bans to his "favourites" forces his hand.
Which has resulted in certain players being
run into the ground while others have not been
given the opportunity to spread the load in
support of the cause.

On this point I will say in advance that the
team sheet for the League cup tie will IMHO
speak volumes on the point.
 
The RDBD said:
1. There are no "first teamers" . There is a SQUAD.
Within that squad there are eleven who will
collectively be the best combination in both
attack and defence.

2. Said combination cannot play every game
for 90 mins all season. The manager therefore
has to make changes. More so in a season
such as 2022-23 which has serious fixture
compression due to WC 2022.

3. Said changes have to be done on the basis
that the on-pitch team may be weaker than
the best combination but still be strong enough
to get the job done.


On #3 I have seen little evidence that Conte has
done anything of the kind other than when
injuries/bans to his "favourites" forces his hand.
Which has resulted in certain players being
run into the ground while others have not been
given the opportunity to spread the load in
support of the cause.

On this point I will say in advance that the
team sheet for the League cup tie will IMHO
speak volumes on the point.
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I generally agree with your 3 points.
1. I have said the same. I specifically said first teamers and not first team, because we have in the squad players who are not good enough IMO.

It is when you put the blame on Conte that I see our differences in opinion. We haven't got a strong enough squad for point 3.
 
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Mad Schalke tifo for their match against Freiburg. They lost 2-0 and are now bottom.
 
Just watched Plymouth vs Exeter (could’ve probably gone too it!), game of the season so far from what I’ve watched, finished 4-2 to Plymouth.

Proper derby, end to end and only major difference was that Plymouth had the quality to finish more chances. Plymouth have a player on loan from Swansea called Morgan Whittaker, looked a real baller based on that performance, checked his stats for this season, had 6 goals and 3 assists in 16 games, bagged a goal and two assists tonight in a MOTM performance. Played as one of the two behind the striker.
 
Dier Hard said:
Just watched Plymouth vs Exeter (could’ve probably gone too it!), game of the season so far from what I’ve watched, finished 4-2 to Plymouth.

Proper derby, end to end and only major difference was that Plymouth had the quality to finish more chances. Plymouth have a player on loan from Swansea called Morgan Whittaker, looked a real baller based on that performance, checked his stats for this season, had 6 goals and 3 assists in 16 games, bagged a goal and two assists tonight in a MOTM performance. Played as one of the two behind the striker.
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Cracking equaliser for the 2-2.

Speaking of lower league madness, I know a Charlton supporter that left their game early.
They were losing 2-0 to Ipswich at the time. He missed two 2 goal comebacks by his team! <laugh>
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Charlton have uploaded the whole of injury time as a video. 10 minutes of lunacy.
 
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