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O.Spurcat said:
Even after today, I would still expect Citeh to finish no lower than 2nd.
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For me, their squad lacks balance. They have excellent attacking players like Aguero, KDB, Silva (although not what he was a few years back) and have great potential in the likes of Sane, Iheanacho and Sterling.

However, not one of the players behind that lot (barring a truly fit Kompany and in time, Gundogan) would get anywhere near our team. Pep is going to have to learn about the power and pace required in English football and rebuild the majority of his team. Top 4? Definitely. I don't have them as champions this year and I see another BIG spend next summer on full backs and central defenders and midfielders. After this afternoon, I would expect our players in those positions to be top of his list but beyond even Citeh's means.
 
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I wouldn't put any substantial sum on who's going to be champions this season.

There are six possible contenders, IMO. Any one of which could do it, if they went on a run at the right time...
 
NowsufferinginSpain said:
I wouldn't put any substantial sum on who's going to be champions this season.

There are six possible contenders, IMO. Any one of which could do it, if they went on a run at the right time...
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I don't think it's any different to last season. All teams have various weaknesses - some more obvious than others.

Leicester aren't going to win it - nor will another team emerge from lower mid table to replicate their achievement- but who can say whether City are more likely than Liverpool or Arsenal more likely than Spurs?

I won't be putting any money on Utd or Chelsea though.
 
I think Spurs first XI is the most complete of all the contenders. The question marks remaining are whether you can score enough if Kane isn't contributing regularly and whether your results can be consistent enough to get the extra 10 points to elevate you from 3rd or 4th to champions.
 
littleDinosaurLuke said:
I think Spurs first XI is the most complete of all the contenders. The question marks remaining are whether you can score enough if Kane isn't contributing regularly and whether your results can be consistent enough to get the extra 10 points to elevate you from 3rd or 4th to champions.
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I'm not sure if should quote this, because it was apparently said by Tim Sherwood,

He said if Spurs had Aguero, they'd walk the league this season...
 
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littleDinosaurLuke said:
I think Spurs first XI is the most complete of all the contenders. The question marks remaining are whether you can score enough if Kane isn't contributing regularly and whether your results can be consistent enough to get the extra 10 points to elevate you from 3rd or 4th to champions.
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Scoring without Kane now aren't we Luke?
 
D.G.C. said:
Scoring without Kane now aren't we Luke?
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Goals were a problem last season in many games. There were convincing victories, but there were plenty of 0 and 1s which led to dropped points. Too early to tell if this season will be different, but few teams can seriously contend for the title without a regular source of goals. Kane was the only striker to score for you in PL last season. How many goals can midfielders realistically contribute?
 
littleDinosaurLuke said:
Goals were a problem last season in many games. There were convincing victories, but there were plenty of 0 and 1s which led to dropped points. Too early to tell if this season will be different, but few teams can seriously contend for the title without a regular source of goals. Kane was the only striker to score for you in PL last season. How many goals can midfielders realistically contribute?
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Last season that was true. I think there are a number of reasons why it is less likely to be the case this year round:

  • We actually have alternatives up front - Janssen who brings another aspect to our play with his strength and physicality and Son with his pace and unpredictability;
  • we have greater depth all over the pitch and that should give us more energy and the greater competition for places should avoid too much complacency and the post EL malaise;
  • this is a young team and players like Son, Dele Alli, Kane, Dier, etc will improve and learn and gain confidence - last season no Kane, Dier and Dembele would have seen heads drop. Not now;
  • the manager is learning and we are seeing tactical growth and changes. He is still learning and improving;
  • the players actually believe they can win big gameswhich took a bit of time to click last time out.
We'll be stronger this time out and maybe, just maybe.....
 
littleDinosaurLuke said:
Goals were a problem last season in many games. There were convincing victories, but there were plenty of 0 and 1s which led to dropped points. Too early to tell if this season will be different, but few teams can seriously contend for the title without a regular source of goals. Kane was the only striker to score for you in PL last season. How many goals can midfielders realistically contribute?[/QUOTE
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I've already seen some similarities this season to last season Luke which is why I'm being ultra critical.
 
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D.G.C. said:
I've already seen some similarities this season to last season Luke which is why I'm being ultra critical.
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You're being ultra critical because you can't help it (or can't be bothered to modify your opinions). It probably says more about you than about the team. You were doing quite well yesterday but still managed to say our win was partly due to luck. Seriously, if you don't enjoy yesterday you are probably never going to be happy.
 
vimhawk said:
You're being ultra critical because you can't help it (or can't be bothered to modify your opinions). It probably says more about you than about the team. You were doing quite well yesterday but still managed to say our win was partly due to luck. Seriously, if you don't enjoy yesterday you are probably never going to be happy.
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I said also take that bit of luck away and it was still a 1-0 win which suited me . I also said I was happy with the Moscow result.

Look Vimhawk, if there are going to be similarities to last season then there will probably be the same ending as last season and this is what concerns me. Anyway Vimhawk are you a psychologist or something?
 
PleaseNotPoll said:
You can debate the handball if you want, but I have no idea what your point is supposed to be about him being offside.
He's in an offside position, the ball's played forward and he makes contact with it. That's it. It's offside.
He doesn't have to intend to touch the ball. He's clearly interfering with play, as he bloody scored.
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Sorry for bringing this up again PNP, but I listened to the analysis on Sky and I watched the replay again more closely. My initial comments may have been wrong. I'm not sure if Ox does actually touch the ball. He kicks Koscielny's foot, but it looks like Koscielny kicked the ball into his face and onto his hand, in which case, Koscielny wouldn't have been offside as he was on from Walcott's header.

Ox did say he kicked the ball - and maybe he thought he kicked it - but in reality, actually kicked Koscielny's foot.

Having checked the offside rule again, I will concede that if Ox did touch the ball before Koscielny, the goal shouldn't have been given - but the replays suggest that it's inconclusive. So I understand if the referee would have given the decision either way, especially as he doesn't have the benefit of looking at replays, but he has to make a decision in real time.
 
BrunelGooner said:
PNP. We can argue about this all day long, but honestly, I think the goal was fine and it would have been harsh to rule it out.
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Not harsh, just correct. Frankly you are arguing the most ludicrous point ever. It should be allowed as it is somehow fair. No, it's not. It's way offside.
 
BrunelGooner said:
See comment above.
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I hadn't before my post, but have now. If I were you, I'd just accept that you got a dodgy decision and move on. It happens to all of us, but arguing the Oxlade-Chamberlain didn't get a touch is beneath your usual posting standard, frankly.
 
SpursDisciple said:
I hadn't before my post, but have now. If I were you, I'd just accept that you got a dodgy decision and move on. It happens to all of us, but arguing the Oxlade-Chamberlain didn't get a touch is beneath your usual posting standard, frankly.
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Complimenting a Gooner SD?
 
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