Rival watch

[SpursDisciple]

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Your nemesis (Poll, not Piskie) thinks that it is onside as a Toon defender heads it and so it becomes a second phase. Utterly, utterly wrong. How did he ever become our top ref?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...icester-s-winning-goal-against-Newcastle.html

 

[Blue and White]

It's not just Leicester's scoring that has got them where they are. In their last 4 games they have scored 5 goals and conceded 2- 10 points.
We have scored 6 and conceded 4-7 points.

Take out both of our 2-2 results and they have three 1-0 wins. As we have said on this forum before, they are a defensive side. This year it is working for them. Next year they might go down.

EDIT: Sorry Brian I was writing that as you wrote your comment. It just took me an age as I was doing other things as well.

 

[Citizen Kane]

It looks that way but as others have said, there's a healthy dose of luck involved in football. We just need to win games and let others worry about their own form. If we can win all of our remaining games....

Can't see this happening. Sorry to piss on the bonfire, but just can't see that happening. I think we'll drop a minimum 3-4 points - which incidentally would be a fantastic end to the season. We need 15 points from 24 to beat our previous record points tally and I think we will do it comfortably. The problem is even if we secure this fantastic end to the season, we need Leicester to drop 9 points which given their remaining fixtures is frankly impossible. I think we should put out a full strength team against Dortmund and go for a miracle. The players will get a rest over the international break and we should have enough in the cupboard to beat B'mouth at home. The league is done as far as I'm concerned. The maths just don't work.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

Can't see this happening. Sorry to piss on the bonfire, but just can't see that happening. I think we'll drop a minimum 3-4 points - which incidentally would be a fantastic end to the season. We need 15 points from 24 to beat our previous record points tally and I think we will do it comfortably. The problem is even if we secure this fantastic end to the season, we need Leicester to drop 9 points which given their remaining fixtures is frankly impossible. I think we should put out a full strength team against Dortmund and go for a miracle. The players will get a rest over the international break and we should have enough in the cupboard to beat B'mouth at home. The league is done as far as I'm concerned. The maths just don't work.

We're still in with a shot in March. I can't give that up. I REFUSE TO DO SO, NO MATTER WHAT LOGIC TELLS ME. If we can go out in every game and give everything, then the dream remains alive for now.

I think we'll have just as good a chance next season, by the way, as all these new managers with no PL experience and players fresh in from foreign leagues will need time to settle down. Having good players isn't enough anymore as this season has proved. You need a good team and that can take time. Also,you need to be ready for 38 games you could lose. Games played at ridiculous pace with more physicality than any other league. If we can get in a few quality players this summer to bolster what is already a strong base, then I'll be looking forward to next season with even more optimism.

 

[Spurf]

We're still in with a shot in March. I can't give that up. I REFUSE TO DO SO, NO MATTER WHAT LOGIC TELLS ME. If we can go out in every game and give everything, then the dream remains alive for now.

I think we'll have just as good a chance next season, by the way, as all these new managers with no PL experience and players fresh in from foreign leagues will need time to settle down. Having good players isn't enough anymore as this season has proved. You need a good team and that can take time. Also,you need to be ready for 38 games you could lose. Games played at ridiculous pace with more physicality than any other league. If we can get in a few quality players this summer to bolster what is already a strong base, then I'll be looking forward to next season with even more optimism.

Like your style.

 

[The RDBD]

"The remarkable thing is how they've developed their style over the season.
From free scoring and quite open to the exact opposite."

Mirroring Jose last season.
Coincidentally his game plan for the rest of that season also seemed to change after
playing Spurs at WHL.

 

[The RDBD]

"We're still in with a shot in March. I can't give that up. I REFUSE TO DO SO"

It ain't over til the maths lady sings.
Providing the on-pitch personnel also believe this, she won't be singing for at
least 4 weeks.

 

[The RDBD]

"We need 15 points from 24 to beat our previous record points tally and I think we will do it comfortably."

Set tangible targets on the way to the bigger prize.
I want Spurs to target 76 pts min (to break the 2 pts per game barrier) .


"I think we should put out a full strength team against Dortmund and go for a miracle."

Which IMHO would have other effects.
If the boys turn over Dortmund, why would they not believe they cannot do the same to all
the remaining PL opponents ??

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

"We're still in with a shot in March. I can't give that up. I REFUSE TO DO SO"

It ain't over til the maths lady sings.
Providing the on-pitch personnel also believe this, she won't be singing for at
least 4 weeks.

It's all about strength from here on in, mental and physical. We're the fittest team in the league. It's time to show our resilience. M. Pochettino doesn't strike me as someone who quits and I back him to get our team to give of their best. We need to back that effort in the same manner. Win or lose, we go for it.

 

[Citizen Kane]

I think we'll have just as good a chance next season, by the way, as all these new managers with no PL experience and players fresh in from foreign leagues will need time to settle down. Having good players isn't enough anymore as this season has proved. You need a good team and that can take time. Also,you need to be ready for 38 games you could lose. Games played at ridiculous pace with more physicality than any other league. If we can get in a few quality players this summer to bolster what is already a strong base, then I'll be looking forward to next season with even more optimism.

Couldn't agree more with this paragraph. If you think of how many key players will take things up a notch next season with a year of experience under their belt it's unbelievable how much potential is latent within this young squad. The most exciting part is that, as you say, as long as we keep this team together and no key players leave, we only really need to add 3 players (all of whom will be cover, not huge big-money signings who we'll need to chase the entire summer): CB, DM and ST, and imho we'll have the best squad in the PL. By comparison, Chelsea, City, United and Liverpool all need massive overhauls to clear out the pensioners/dross/petulant children that they have accumulated over the years. We only have Fazio to sell, that's quite literally it. And as you say, the PL is becoming a graveyard for big name managers. TV money has leveled the playing field like no other league in the world, to the extent that everyone, bar Villa, can beat anyone on their day. My major concern about finishing 1st this season is that Levy's track record indicates that he won't invest in the team if all appears to be going swimmingly. In a similar vein to 2011-12 which really stood out as a failure on Levy's part to consolidate and build upon the successes of the previous season. An aging Friedel and Parker together with Adebayor on loan, compounded by the infamous January window of Nelsen and Saha, is what I can see being the case this summer if we achieve success prematurely. Finish 2nd, and there's no way Levy will keep his hand in his pockets.

 

[Citizen Kane]

"We need 15 points from 24 to beat our previous record points tally and I think we will do it comfortably."

Set tangible targets on the way to the bigger prize.
I want Spurs to target 76 pts min (to break the 2 pts per game barrier) .


"I think we should put out a full strength team against Dortmund and go for a miracle."

Which IMHO would have other effects.
If the boys turn over Dortmund, why would they not believe they cannot do the same to all
the remaining PL opponents ??

You've answered your own question there RDBD. If we hit 76 points as you envision, this then requires Leicester to drop 11 points. Eleven. Where on Earth do you suppose those points will come from? As I said, even a return of 20 out of 24 points for a 78 point total (an unbelievable achievement if we pull it off) means Leicester need to drop 9 points. And I can't see where that would come from either. I get that we can potentially turn over all of our remaining opponents. But the likelihood is that we won't and Leicester are getting so good at these narrow wins that the 5 point gap will only increase.

 

[The RDBD]

"My major concern about finishing 1st this season is that Levy's track record indicates that he won't invest in the team if all appears to be going swimmingly. In a similar vein to 2011-12 which really stood out as a failure on Levy's part to consolidate and build upon the successes of the previous season. An aging Friedel and Parker together with Adebayor on loan, compounded by the infamous January window of Nelsen and Saha, is what I can see being the case this summer if we achieve success prematurely. Finish 2nd, and there's no way Levy will keep his hand in his pockets."

In defence of Levy here, there was no money to do what you stated.
I checked the THFC 2011 accounts way back when, and the CL money effectively went on :

1. A ramp-up in the wage bill (that Levy to his credit has kept as a plateau since then)
2. Land purchase for the NPD

I suspect that finishing in the top 2, as well as automatic CL placing, is at the minimum going to trigger
some increased sponsor revenues over the summer. <Levy>

 

[The RDBD]

"You've answered your own question there RDBD. If we hit 76 points as you envision, this then requires Leicester to drop 11 points."

I don't want Spurs to worry about what Leicester are up to. Tunnel vision, target 76 pts min
If that is achieved and there are still games to play, set a new points target.

If in the meantime Leicester have floundered, and the results not the pts total become the issue,
then change the targets.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

You've answered your own question there RDBD. If we hit 76 points as you envision, this then requires Leicester to drop 11 points. Eleven. Where on Earth do you suppose those points will come from? As I said, even a return of 20 out of 24 points for a 78 point total (an unbelievable achievement if we pull it off) means Leicester need to drop 9 points. And I can't see where that would come from either. I get that we can potentially turn over all of our remaining opponents. But the likelihood is that we won't and Leicester are getting so good at these narrow wins that the 5 point gap will only increase.

Looking at Leicester's remaining fixtures:

Palace (A) - Palace will win a league game sometime. Particularly if they drop Adebayor. Palace can be difficult on their day as we found out.

Southampton (H) - Good 'keeper. Decent team that can beat anyone on their day (better not be us!)

Sunderland (A) - Playing for their PL lives anything could happen.

West Ham (H) - Spammers playing for CL football and can't seem to lose for now even when 2-0 to Everton with 15 mins to go.

Swansea (H) - Come on Fabianski and Gylfi!! Can't see them losing this which is why it might happen.

Man Utd (A) - 3 points for Leics.

Everton (A) - On their day Everton can beat anyone, especially at home. Shame they're away but still...

Chelsea (A) - JT's last game and he wins us the title by scoring a hat-trick in the last 5 minutes. Thanks JT!

 

[littleDinosaurLuke]

I don't understand the sour grapes towards Leicester. 5 points top and 11 points clear of 3rd - no team dominates to that extent after 30 games unless it's on merit.

They've had to grind out three 1-0 wins recently, but all title winning teams do at some point. And the crucial figure in those wins is the 0. They can keep clean sheets. They have a good 'keeper, a very organised back four and two central midfielders who work very hard.

They don't lack ability either. In Mahrez and Vardy, they have two of the most outstanding players this season, who score and create goals with pace and skill.

Their success so far might be unexpected, but it's for no other reason than the fact that they've been the best team.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

No sour grapes here. I just want fermented ones in the PL trophy with navy blue and white ribbons on the trophy.

Leicester are doing amazing things. They just need to get out of our top spot!!

 

[deedub93]

Looking at Leicester's remaining fixtures:

Palace (A) - Palace will win a league game sometime. Particularly if they drop Adebayor. Palace can be difficult on their day as we found out.

Southampton (H) - Good 'keeper. Decent team that can beat anyone on their day (better not be us!)

Sunderland (A) - Playing for their PL lives anything could happen.

West Ham (H) - Spammers playing for CL football and can't seem to lose for now even when 2-0 to Everton with 15 mins to go.

Swansea (H) - Come on Fabianski and Gylfi!! Can't see them losing this which is why it might happen.

Man Utd (A) - 3 points for Leics.

Everton (A) - On their day Everton can beat anyone, especially at home. Shame they're away but still...

Chelsea (A) - JT's last game and he wins us the title by scoring a hat-trick in the last 5 minutes. Thanks JT!

The chavs will be on the beach last game of the season. Their last proper game when they actually bother to run will be against us. A lot of their players will be in the Euros, they won't run or tackle for the fear of getting injured. We need to be 3 points in front by then.

 

[The RDBD]

"The chavs will be on the beach last game of the season.
Their last proper game when they actually bother to run will be against us."

Put a win there on the targets list along with the 76 pts min.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

The chavs will be on the beach last game of the season. Their last proper game when they actually bother to run will be against us. A lot of their players will be in the Euros, they won't run or tackle for the fear of getting injured. We need to be 3 points in front by then.

Ok.

Man Utd. (A) - United to rip Leicester a new one. What a team. What a manager! Van Gaal offered new 10 year contract on the Monday.

Job done!

 

[deedub93]

I don't understand the sour grapes towards Leicester. 5 points top and 11 points clear of 3rd - no team dominates to that extent after 30 games unless it's on merit.

They've had to grind out three 1-0 wins recently, but all title winning teams do at some point. And the crucial figure in those wins is the 0. They can keep clean sheets. They have a good 'keeper, a very organised back four and two central midfielders who work very hard.

They don't lack ability either. In Mahrez and Vardy, they have two of the most outstanding players this season, who score and create goals with pace and skill.

Their success so far might be unexpected, but it's for no other reason than the fact that they've been the best team.

Were not best against us, just scored one more goal.