Just a couple of quick questions for you guys. They need not be the same player. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Torres performs, as I reckon that this could be the season that he remembers what a great player he is. However, I don't believe he will be your stand-out player. I think Mata is going to be your MOTS. I've made no secret of the fact that he is the one player in your squad who I would put straight into the Spurs first XI.
For me, exciting players are all the new signings, especially Marin. Most important player will probably be Mata, but I don't think we will be having to rely on him like we did a lot last season.
Well, if you'd had all of our instead of all of yours last season, you'd have finished 4th in the EPL, instead of a lowly 6th, behind the Toon
Hazard, going to set the premier league on fire. In 2/3 years time midfield will be Mata, E Hazard, T Hazard, Oscar
Shaky ground considering not only did we beat you 5-1 on the way to winning the FA Cup, but your 4th place was also nullified by us winning the CL. Though I wouldn't have minded Freidel as a decent back up for Cech.
I think with the apparent attacking depth we have, I will be interested to see how our players might step up due to being more free to express themselves. Would especially look forward to Mikel showing more of the flair he shows for his country. Don' put pressure on the new signings, remember it usually takes quite a time before they settle in. Lamapard, Ramires, Luiz all come to mind.
The new boys will of course take time to gel. I'd like to say Mata will be the one to shine, but the poor lad with the Olympics will hardly have had a break,and I wonder if it will tell on him!
Maybe but he barely played at the Euros and Spain are out early in the olympics. Not ideal but it could have been worse for Mata. I'm most looking forward to seeing Oscar and Hazard and hopeful for a bag full of Torres goals!!
Let me see....the options are moving from 6th to 4th or winning the FA Cup and being CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. ****ing hard one that is.
Very fair point HIAG. But I doubt your boys would have even made sixth if they had Champions League games v Barca and Cup finals to prioritze. I think most neutrals accept we would have finished ahead of Spurs if it was not for our busy fixture list. We would ahve tried v a flapping Spurs side at home for a start and not played our b team v the Toon instead of saving ourselves for bigger games.
No in my opinion. Mata + Hazard would be able to interchange positions a lot and link up well and i doubt Bale could do this to the standard of Chelsea.
The genuinely big clubs are judged on how they do in all competitions. The Spanish press have criticised Real for not winning the CL and many believe for that reason alone they aren't better than Barca who won La Liga and CL in the same season under Guardiola (twice). When Liverpool won the CL in 2005 next year it was expected they would at least have a title tilt. In 2010/11 United were also heavily criticised for "only winning the league"
