So how good are we?

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Spurf

Spurf

Thread Mover
Forum Moderator
Jan 27, 2011
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SCOTLAND
1 Chelsea 21 21 46
2 Arsenal 20 21 45
3 Man City 20 34 44
4 Everton 21 15 41
5 Tottenham 21 1 40
6 Liverpool 20 23 39
7 Man Utd 21 11 37
8 Newcastle 20 4 33
9 Southampton 21 4 30

Despite sacking our manager and having a goal difference that says we really ought to be about 10th here we are only 6 points off first place Chelsea and still very much in contention for a top 4 place.

I think we have done this because we have some very talented footballers in our squad who with individual moments are getting results beyond our team performances.

Just how good are we? What is the true potential for this squad? Considering the injury list atm it's quite impressive that we can still go on getting results.

If Sherwood can knit this all together by next season we should be serious contenders perhaps just needing the addition of a top striker to replace Defoe and a Left Back.
 
We're alright. Still a work in progress, for me. Need to address a couple of areas in this window.
 
Spurf said:
1 Chelsea 21 21 46
2 Arsenal 20 21 45
3 Man City 20 34 44
4 Everton 21 15 41
5 Tottenham 21 1 40
6 Liverpool 20 23 39
7 Man Utd 21 11 37
8 Newcastle 20 4 33
9 Southampton 21 4 30
Click to expand...

About 6th best, which is where we will be tomorrow.
 
I was still writing when it posted (pressed the wrong key) so I don't know if the above comments saw the complete comment.
 
Spurs have built a squad of top 4/5 potential and resilience over the last 5 seasons.
Which is why even with this season, we have stumbled into where we are.
But every PL game for the next 2+ months is going to be "must win" ,
Whether the squad can deal with that, we shall see.
 
Spurf said:
1 Chelsea 21 21 46
2 Arsenal 20 21 45
3 Man City 20 34 44
4 Everton 21 15 41
5 Tottenham 21 1 40
6 Liverpool 20 23 39
7 Man Utd 21 11 37
8 Newcastle 20 4 33
9 Southampton 21 4 30

Despite sacking our manager and having a goal difference that says we really ought to be about 10th here we are only 6 points off first place Chelsea and still very much in contention for a top 4 place.

I think we have done this because we have some very talented footballers in our squad who with individual moments are getting results beyond our team performances.

Just how good are we? What is the true potential for this squad? Considering the injury list atm it's quite impressive that we can still go on getting results.

If Sherwood can knit this all together by next season we should be serious contenders perhaps just needing the addition of a top striker to replace Defoe and a Left Back.
Click to expand...

We're good enough to be 6 points off the top but zero chance of winning the title. That probably says more about the inconsistent results of Chelsea and Man City earlier on this season so in reality we're a far way off being actual contenders.

Although there's no doubting the potential within the squad, and it looks like Redknapp made a good choice in bringing Sherwood to the club as he's been good for the progression of the Academy, and now we're in a position where we have a manager who believes in bringing through youth players, allowing players to express themselves and has a good balance between old school methods and modern.

One thing I've started to learn about Sherwood is that all this mouthing off, being a toe rag in the past and being nicknamed 'slimey' doesn't transfer to his management style.

I'm beginning to really like his style of management as he himself as admitted he took alot from Redknapp and that's why players like Eriksen and Ade are performing.

Also he's learning to make changes re tactics and systems and isn't scared to say '' we don't have to buy, we can use the squad and kids ':.

If we can carry on picking up points at our current rate, while players progress, and bring in two quality proven talents then I don't see why we can get back into the champions league next year.
 
Sherwood has a simple straightforward style with the media which is very refreshing, I really hope he is a success. What could be better than a manager out of the Redknapp school but without the baggage.
 
As much as I hate to admit it, I think someone like Benitez could make this team as good as the best team he managed at 'Pool, and probably even better.

I'm extremely doubtful that Sherwoodie can.

But, yes, I'd agree that the squad has superb potential, and certainly enough to bring on the long-awaited North London Power-Shift.
 
There are currently 7 users browsing this thread. (5 members and 2 guests)

Boss,
cini65,
PleaseNotPoll,
Spurf

He's close, HIAG ... :D
 
I think it's a top 6/7 team.

Quality in abundance down the middle of the pitch but lacking in quality out in wide positions.

Paulinho, Vertonghen, Sandro and Dembele is the spine of a potentially awesome side, I just think there's too many average players surrounding them.

Given the things Spurf has mentioned and the fact neither. Lamela and Soldado have hit form + the injuries you've had to contend with I'd say you're doing well. Didn't think you'd be in the hunt for 4th but now you've sacked AVB and got in a guy that is happy to let players play and adopt a less cautious approach I think you'll push Everton and Liverpool hard.
 
Hoddle Is A God said:
You cheeky bastard!

If we had someone like Benitez in charge, this squad could genuinely challenge for the title.
Click to expand...

Not cheeky at all.

There's little in it between Spurs, United, Liverpool and Everton but United are definitely the weaker of the four. Arsenal, City and Chelsea are a cut above the rest for me.
 
We've got a quality squad, just as we have had for the past few years. It can be small differences that see you through to the goal of top 4, or trophies, or whatever. We've seen that in recent years too.

I'm not going to go through the full list of players putting them into catergories but I think we've got a good clutch of very good players with some other good and useful players in the squad, plus a few tag alongs. So do other teams though and what I'm hoping for is that we start to see more from the new signings as they become more and more settled as the season progresses to give us that little bit extra.
 
People are always inclined to judge things at a particular moment in time - City are invincible (yet they didn't look it in losing at Cardiff or Villa or Sunderland or in conceding 17 away goals already), Chelsea are relentless (yet a month ago they conceded 6 in 2 games at Stoke and Sunderland and before that were struggling to find the goal) etc. It hasn't been all rosy for any team. Let's judge at the end of the season when all the games have been played. Teams only need to drop their performance level 5% at the top level for results to change, particularly when confidence disappears - this is Utd's problem without SAF and with RvP out, Vidic, Rooney, Carrick in and out..... City clearly have the biggest and strongest squad - but they did last season too and didn't really challenge for the title. Their desire was missing then. Arsenal and Liverpool could easily find results drop off with the one or two injuries they have. And teams may make important signings this month too, which have an effect.

Spurs are again in a period of transition with so many comings and goings (again). Results have been fairly consistent, if not performances. Three very bad results should not mask the fact that Spurs have otherwise been as consistent in picking up points as any other - hence only 6 points off the top. We've seen 8 point leads thrown away in 3 games before so nobody should be counting chickens with 17/18 games left!

In the next month there is Chelsea v Utd, Liverpool v Everton, Soton v Arsenal, Spurs v City, City v Chelsea, Liverpool v Arsenal, Spurs v Everton. There will be more changes at the top. Things could tighten up even more looking at these fixtures.
 
I agree with LDL at least in part. Spurs won't win the PL, but not because they aren't good enough so much as because no one, including Spurs, think they will. Talent is less important among the top 7 or so than psychology.

There is a reasonable hope that Spurs are likelier to improve than any other team, between the gelling process and the depth. We'll see.
 
Little Luke makes a valid, if not obvious point, that there are so many tough matches coming up, and with no one team showing any real consistency the top four places are up for grabs. Any of Arsenal, £ity and Chavs could win the title, but (for me), with each being as inconsistent as the other, I'd say that £ity are favourites, having, by far, the greatest quality in depth. I'd say that Gunners have least chance, having the least quality in depth, and what with Ozil having gone off the boil already this season.

As for us, I think we're locked in a battle with United, Everton and 'Pool for fourth spot, and I think we've got to see ourselves as favourites to take it, with United being weakest. I see us as favourites because, whilst we've had so many changes, our quality in depth is probably the best of all those teams, plus we've been the most consistent since Sherwoodie's appointment, with him not having lost a game in the league, yet.
 
Hoddle Is A God said:
Little Luke makes a valid, if not obvious point, that there are so many tough matches coming up, and with no one team showing any real consistency the top four places are up for grabs. Any of Arsenal, £ity and Chavs could win the title, but (for me), with each being as inconsistent as the other, I'd say that £ity are favourites, having, by far, the greatest quality in depth. I'd say that Gunners have least chance, having the least quality in depth, and what with Ozil having gone off the boil already this season.

As for us, I think we're locked in a battle with United, Everton and 'Pool for fourth spot, and I think we've got to see ourselves as favourites to take it, with United being weakest. I see us as favourites because, whilst we've had so many changes, our quality in depth is probably the best of all those teams, plus we've been the most consistent since Sherwoodie's appointment, with him not having lost a game in the league, yet.
Click to expand...

Disagree. I see Liverpool as favourites with United second and Spurs a close 3rd with Everton 4th and I think bookies would agree.

What's been overlooked by many is that Liverpool have played all of the top 8 bar United away from home. They lost away from home against all of the top three and only took a point a piece against Newcastle and Everton. Liverpool would easily be able to better that record of one win in 6 against the sides around them given the said games will be at Anfield. They've also got big players in Gerrard and Sturridge returning to the side and IMO have the quality and consistency to get 4th spot.

With United it depends on Rooney and RVP's fitness, they're the only team from that bunch that I can see going on a 6/7 game winning streak. If those two are fit and in form then that's still the best attack in the league for me and would be good enough to carry United to 4th even with the depleted midfield.

Spurs are the side I see with the most depth and also strength down the middle of the park. Despite the thrashing against Liverpool my money would be on them to come 1st in a mini league out of the four teams. I still think Spurs are not as strong as they could be down the middle of the park and with. Levy unlikely to invest in a replacement for Defoe or a left back that leaves you short in those areas as Adebayor is a liability and Soldado can't score for toffee and has zero confidence. I can't believe Levy isn't going for Controeu.

Everton I'd make fourth favourites because although they are the surprise package of the four the injuries are beginning to mount and Lukaku seems to have lost form with Barkley and Deulofeu long term absentees. They lack the experience of United, the conviction of Liverpool and the depth of Spurs IMO.
 
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