The race for the title
- Thread starter Hoops
- Start date
danielneeds
Kick-Ass
- May 5, 2004
- 24,182
- 48,812
He is a Spurs fan though...
Here's one from
Tony Evans
Top four: 1. Tottenham 2. Manchester City 3. Arsenal 4. Manchester United
Relegated: Hull, Burnley, Swansea
Top scorer: Sergio Aguero
Player of the Year: Dele Alli
Saoirse
Well-Known Member
- Aug 20, 2013
- 6,165
- 15,644
A Scouser who thinks we'll win the league and Liverpool won't make the top 4? I guess cows really do fly.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
- 10,400
- 12,476
Khilari
Plumber. Sort of.
- Jun 19, 2008
- 3,461
- 5,287
A Spurs fan by any chance? And/or a member of SC.
flannel
Member
- Sep 26, 2005
- 31
- 88
He's a big Spurs fan. Co-runs The Tottenham Way podcast
scat1620
L'espion mal fait
- May 11, 2008
- 16,387
- 52,880
Bang on. The only reasonable position that anyone could possibly take is that we'll win the title this season: any contrasting opinion that we probably won't win the title is clearly ludicrous. I'm on Team Brightside!
Khilari
Plumber. Sort of.
- Jun 19, 2008
- 3,461
- 5,287
Aha
Will have to listen to that
Before it kicks off it looks like it's going to be such an exciting season. I hesitate to make any predictions on finishing places because I think there is so little between 5/6 or even 7 sides. Whilst people may lament the lack of European success by English sides due to it, but it doesn't bother me so much as we get to be a fan of such a competitive and exciting league where anything could happen.
Looking forward to this season so much.
Looking forward to this season so much.
Our regular first XI is as good as any in the league. If they stay healthy, we will be in the title race most likely. We can flat out win the title if we stay healthy, keep our form of last season, and Lamela has the type of season I, and some others, suspect he will have.
The biggest issue for us is injuries and lack of squad depth in certain key positions. It's rarely talked about, but go back and look at how many games our key players missed versus key players from City and Arsenal, for example. Kompany, De Bruyne and Silva miss huge parts of the season, and Aguero also missed a number of games. If we have lengthy injuries to more than one of Eriksen, Lamela, Kane, Alli, Alderweireld at once, I think we'd be looking at a finishing 5th, most likely. Dembele's absence is something else entirely, as he is such a lynchpin of the side. I will say that I rate Wanyama and think he's actually the single best non-starter from a regular XI from late last season. But we need to see how Dier/Wanyma work as a CM2, too.
Overall, this is by far the most loaded Prem in history. It's going to be fascinating to watch.
The biggest issue for us is injuries and lack of squad depth in certain key positions. It's rarely talked about, but go back and look at how many games our key players missed versus key players from City and Arsenal, for example. Kompany, De Bruyne and Silva miss huge parts of the season, and Aguero also missed a number of games. If we have lengthy injuries to more than one of Eriksen, Lamela, Kane, Alli, Alderweireld at once, I think we'd be looking at a finishing 5th, most likely. Dembele's absence is something else entirely, as he is such a lynchpin of the side. I will say that I rate Wanyama and think he's actually the single best non-starter from a regular XI from late last season. But we need to see how Dier/Wanyma work as a CM2, too.
Overall, this is by far the most loaded Prem in history. It's going to be fascinating to watch.
Sevens
Well-Known Member
- Apr 23, 2014
- 4,583
- 6,947
I have very few expectations for this season.
I'm still smarting badly from the end of last season. The end of season collapse and being beaten by the Gooners again (combined with our Manager publically stating finishing above Arsenal isn't important) has driven the passion out of me completely. Didn't watch any Euros game except a Wales game (and that was because I was at a party and it was on), haven't watched or paid any attention to pre-season. I was bitterly delighted that England & Belguim failed so miserably at the Euros because there were Spurs players in those squads who clearly switched off from giving a shit about the club the moment the title was gone and were already dreaming of the Euros and ensuring they were fit and healthy for them.
We seem to have strengthened the squad over the Summer but not the first team. And last year was an unusual season that won't be repeated this year. The last couple of years there are a couple of real flaws in the first XI and these haven't been resolved.
The mentality of the players was on display at the end of last season. This year their focus will be on the Champion's League. I hope it doesn't detract them from the bread and butter of the Premier League but I fear it will. To be fair it's very tough to perform in both competitions when you aren't that experienced in doing so.
If we get top six this season we've done well. I am hoping my pessimism is unfounded but I have a feeling this season we're going to struggle. I felt that West Ham showed how easy it was to beat our system last year and if other teams have done their homework then we could be in for a very frustrating year.
I'm still smarting badly from the end of last season. The end of season collapse and being beaten by the Gooners again (combined with our Manager publically stating finishing above Arsenal isn't important) has driven the passion out of me completely. Didn't watch any Euros game except a Wales game (and that was because I was at a party and it was on), haven't watched or paid any attention to pre-season. I was bitterly delighted that England & Belguim failed so miserably at the Euros because there were Spurs players in those squads who clearly switched off from giving a shit about the club the moment the title was gone and were already dreaming of the Euros and ensuring they were fit and healthy for them.
We seem to have strengthened the squad over the Summer but not the first team. And last year was an unusual season that won't be repeated this year. The last couple of years there are a couple of real flaws in the first XI and these haven't been resolved.
The mentality of the players was on display at the end of last season. This year their focus will be on the Champion's League. I hope it doesn't detract them from the bread and butter of the Premier League but I fear it will. To be fair it's very tough to perform in both competitions when you aren't that experienced in doing so.
If we get top six this season we've done well. I am hoping my pessimism is unfounded but I have a feeling this season we're going to struggle. I felt that West Ham showed how easy it was to beat our system last year and if other teams have done their homework then we could be in for a very frustrating year.
Sandros Shiny Head
Well-Known Member
- Aug 20, 2013
- 4,794
- 8,765
How could you possibly know that, nobody saw it coming in the first place
thinktank
Hmmm...
- Sep 28, 2004
- 45,893
- 68,893
If we can beat palace and pool at home, come back from the int'; break with no injuries, then have a fit Dembele for the game after sunderland, we would have a good chance to accumulate a good few points in Sept/Oct. November will be very tricky, December more forgiving leading up to Chrimbo, where, if we play our cards right up 'till then, we could be nicely placed for the inbound stretch.
Need two more good signings to give ourselves the best chance.
Need two more good signings to give ourselves the best chance.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
- 10,400
- 12,476
looking at the matches so far, and we haven't even played our 2nd game yet, Mourinho and Pepe seem to have their game plans working very quickly.
Stoke, Leicester and Jan could definitely struggle though with their defending on corners/set pieces if refs are going to be strict on holding
Stoke, Leicester and Jan could definitely struggle though with their defending on corners/set pieces if refs are going to be strict on holding
Everlasting Seconds
Well-Known Member
- Jan 9, 2014
- 14,914
- 26,616
Love have we've heard for months that all the changes and new managers at several of the big clubs would come with so much uncertainty, and that our team, which won the youngest average age league trophy, would only improve. Now, after 1 round and 1,5 matches, they've (the new big club managers) got it all correct and we are lucky to be even in the same league as them.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
- 10,400
- 12,476
Love have we've heard for months that all the changes and new managers at several of the big clubs would come with so much uncertainty, and that our team, which won the youngest average age league trophy, would only improve. Now, after 1 round and 1,5 matches, they've (the new big club managers) got it all correct and we are lucky to be even in the same league as them.
i never said that, but if you read through this thread again, it has been mentioned a few times that it will take them time to implement their plans, and may take time to do so. both Manc clubs have very strong squads, even if a bit aging, but both have better managers than they had last season, and apart from having to play each other pretty soon, they don't have any tough games till October. hopefully I'm wrong and once they face tougher ops we will see holes appear, but last season we saw them both drop points v weaker teams.