Mattspurs1982
Well-Known Member
- Aug 2, 2011
- 3,039
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In the past 24 hours, Chelsea seal the Auba deal, Fofana and now Zakaria on loan. Wow, that s a crazy squad they now have. I fear we have a huge battle for 4th on our hands
How close are we to challenging City & Liverpool ?
- Thread starter arunspurs
- Start date
shelfboy68
Well-Known Member
- Jun 14, 2008
- 14,566
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Yes I fear the worst I think we are literally playing for fourth place at best.
New owner has not stopped them continuing as before impressive window they have had that is certainly backing the boss he can't complain.
DiamondLites
Well-Known Member
- Jul 29, 2011
- 4,647
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I now think the battle for us is to maintain our CL place. Had we signed a Bastoni level LCB, a proper RWB upgrade and another attacking option then we could seriously consider closing that gap. As it stands, City are light years ahead of us
Ray Ray
Well-Known Member
- Jan 15, 2018
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Yes we may feel slightly deflated come the end of the transfer window, but if we look at it overall we have strengthened in a lot of key areas and now have a squad that is much stronger overall.
The drop off in quality from starters to the back ups is less, which will make us a more competitive squad over the season.
We still have a way to go to catch Liverpool, Citeh and Chelsea, but they either have unlimited money, coaches that have been there for years, or a combination of both.
Whilst we have started slowly, but we are getting results.
Wolves, Chelsea, west ham, Southampton we dropped points against in the same fixtures last year, so there is clearly improvements in the squad, and the players knowing the systems Conte wants to play.
When we start clicking, which I think will be sooner rather than later, we will starting putting some serious performances together.
COYS
The drop off in quality from starters to the back ups is less, which will make us a more competitive squad over the season.
We still have a way to go to catch Liverpool, Citeh and Chelsea, but they either have unlimited money, coaches that have been there for years, or a combination of both.
Whilst we have started slowly, but we are getting results.
Wolves, Chelsea, west ham, Southampton we dropped points against in the same fixtures last year, so there is clearly improvements in the squad, and the players knowing the systems Conte wants to play.
When we start clicking, which I think will be sooner rather than later, we will starting putting some serious performances together.
COYS
worcestersauce
"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
- Jan 23, 2006
- 26,960
- 45,234
I don't care how much they paid for him he's still only Fofana!
Aubamayang ain't a shadow of the player he was and he was never one of the greats.
Zakaria, how good is he really? I mean he's Swiss for heavans sake plus why the sudden deal for him, just how worried are they about Kante's fitness this season?
It all smacks of desperation to me
THE SPURSBOY
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
- 2,062
- 4,234
Chelsea squad way deeper than ours in quality. We’ll do well to get 4th over arse and united. Hope conte happy to play for that
worcestersauce
"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
- Jan 23, 2006
- 26,960
- 45,234
No nobody at all.
worcestersauce
"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
- Jan 23, 2006
- 26,960
- 45,234
Genuinely does anyone really think Chelsea have improved their centre backs over last season?
murichej
Well-Known Member
- Jan 27, 2013
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Surely not as it was missiion impossible. But their new CBs might come very good in years
Yantino
Well-Known Member
- Apr 28, 2012
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Arsenal are a house of cards just waiting to crumble. I am fully expecting a complete meltdown once they lose a couple of games.
greavesy461
Well-Known Member
- Jan 27, 2011
- 512
- 1,615
Everyone needs to remember there is a January transfer window too. Our top targets (Bastoni and Zaniolo) are Italian and not involved in the World Cup. If they don’t sign new deals they will only have 18 months and 6 months left respectively. The teams they play for stop playing mid November and start again first week of Jan. Both clubs seemingly are in desperate need of money but you never know. Inter will also probably be knocked out of CL by then looking at their group.
There is every chance we could have players signed for Jan 1 and spending December learning tactics and getting settled in London. Optimistic I know but the chance is there. That would get them in for GW19. Only 13 games between now and then.
It’s a season of two halves folks. Kulu and Benta completely transformed us last year.
PS Man City are on a different level
There is every chance we could have players signed for Jan 1 and spending December learning tactics and getting settled in London. Optimistic I know but the chance is there. That would get them in for GW19. Only 13 games between now and then.
It’s a season of two halves folks. Kulu and Benta completely transformed us last year.
PS Man City are on a different level
as i quoted earlier 8/10 our window for effort (trying to be early) but in reality 5/10 based on the facts right now... only IP gets into best 11 with R9 and YB pushing the rest. it was obvious from West Ham conte doesn't trust anyone else.... Lenglet making the numbers up while spence isnt a conte signing and unlikely to get in front of ER and MD anytime soon.
think other teams have improved stronger - Arsenal definitely have in terms of starting 11 with the 2 from city, while as expected both chelsea and utd did as quoted smashed us out of the water... i know spend isn't everything but us being outspent by the obvious 2 (utd/chelsea ) and if we take out romero inclusion then you can add newcastle, forest, west ham, arsenal, wolves and maybe some others to that list. Disappointing given we made a big deal about our funds and champions lge. its ok saying we are holding funds back but by Jan we could be out of the CH Lge and struggling to get back in.
i trust conte and i think he is ok with the business but we do feel light. I already dont like the style (non possession) and feel we have lack of options.... west ham game showed how light we were when we couldnt afford to lose PEH who i believe cost us the goal and i dont really rate him.
what is annoying is to make this system work you need better defenders and wingbacks and we have only addressed 1 of 5 with a free transfer for someone late in their career. i think this and along with us being so poor in possession its going to be a big ask to keep top 4 over the season. Vs the rest. its ok saying the others will suffer injuries but the worry is we need them to drop where as i look at us and we need other teams to suffer for us to benefit. Points wise it is currently working (although this comparison vs last season once we have played city and pool will look different) but performance wise its awful to watch and conte seems very stubborn.
A lot hinges on the conte factor and if we can get our star players firing. Right now while we finished top 4 last season we have a battle to maintain or better this season - not our fault what the other teams have spent but i just think as of now trying to challenge chelsea while fighting off utd and arsenal (not to mention others) it wont be easy. The business the others have done and current form etc.it will be much harder than everyone assumed, not impossible but certainly not a given imo
think other teams have improved stronger - Arsenal definitely have in terms of starting 11 with the 2 from city, while as expected both chelsea and utd did as quoted smashed us out of the water... i know spend isn't everything but us being outspent by the obvious 2 (utd/chelsea ) and if we take out romero inclusion then you can add newcastle, forest, west ham, arsenal, wolves and maybe some others to that list. Disappointing given we made a big deal about our funds and champions lge. its ok saying we are holding funds back but by Jan we could be out of the CH Lge and struggling to get back in.
i trust conte and i think he is ok with the business but we do feel light. I already dont like the style (non possession) and feel we have lack of options.... west ham game showed how light we were when we couldnt afford to lose PEH who i believe cost us the goal and i dont really rate him.
what is annoying is to make this system work you need better defenders and wingbacks and we have only addressed 1 of 5 with a free transfer for someone late in their career. i think this and along with us being so poor in possession its going to be a big ask to keep top 4 over the season. Vs the rest. its ok saying the others will suffer injuries but the worry is we need them to drop where as i look at us and we need other teams to suffer for us to benefit. Points wise it is currently working (although this comparison vs last season once we have played city and pool will look different) but performance wise its awful to watch and conte seems very stubborn.
A lot hinges on the conte factor and if we can get our star players firing. Right now while we finished top 4 last season we have a battle to maintain or better this season - not our fault what the other teams have spent but i just think as of now trying to challenge chelsea while fighting off utd and arsenal (not to mention others) it wont be easy. The business the others have done and current form etc.it will be much harder than everyone assumed, not impossible but certainly not a given imo
THE SPURSBOY
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
- 2,062
- 4,234
Exactly this
We are hugely dependent on keeping our 4 attackers fit. If even 2 get injured you are starting Lucas and Gil is our only obvious attacking sub. I guess you could include Perisic as well. But the fact none of our midfield 4 could really be considered to have the slightest attacking impact from the bench. We also have no obvious academy attacking option on the fringe, maybe Devine. But basically as long as all fit I’m happy with match day squad. Couple of attacking injuries and we will look very light.
we very nearly act like a big club but as usual just fall short. However scatter gun Chelsea and United business they act like big clubs. If we haven’t now with Conte Stadium a supposed war chest then we never ever will under ENIC.
we very nearly act like a big club but as usual just fall short. However scatter gun Chelsea and United business they act like big clubs. If we haven’t now with Conte Stadium a supposed war chest then we never ever will under ENIC.
kremlyn
Well-Known Member
- Jul 30, 2004
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It's a marathon, not a sprint. We've started slow but surely and set a steady pace. Any long distance runner knows it's about getting into a rhythm and conserving your energy and this is what we’re seeing.
Teams will drop like flies around us by November at this pace. I don't think Chelsea have the organisation of a settled squad. They'll be good in spurts but will struggle for consistency. Utd will be totally reliant on Caseimiro for control or it's back to mcfred. Arsenal don't have the depth even though they are clearly well organised now. Liverpool are great but have serious fractures and a questionable midfield. Newcastle might challenge for 4th.
Man city for the title.
We’re not perfect but our squad is built to last the distance. I'm saying 2nd this year.
Teams will drop like flies around us by November at this pace. I don't think Chelsea have the organisation of a settled squad. They'll be good in spurts but will struggle for consistency. Utd will be totally reliant on Caseimiro for control or it's back to mcfred. Arsenal don't have the depth even though they are clearly well organised now. Liverpool are great but have serious fractures and a questionable midfield. Newcastle might challenge for 4th.
Man city for the title.
We’re not perfect but our squad is built to last the distance. I'm saying 2nd this year.
sundanceyid10
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2013
- 3,379
- 8,319
Yes I thought the same, Kane in particular is a generational player, replacing his goals will be almost impossible. We may get a little closer to Liverpool possibly this season, Man City though …. Not even close with Haaland, who looks absolutely frighteningly good.
Our best shot is to get the absolute best players in while we are still in the good years of Kane window and get him to sign a new deal.
GutBucket
Well-Known Member
- May 26, 2013
- 6,844
- 11,542
Kane gone for sure IMO, luckily Scarlett has great potential and Kulusevski/Richarlison will stay for few more years.
shelfboy68
Well-Known Member
- Jun 14, 2008
- 14,566
- 19,651
The concern for me is that our game plan is built around a sort of low block, then hoping the opposition push up and then trying to exploit the space left in behind.
But if we are denied that then the ball is passed around at a snails pace and we go nowhere inviting constant pressure.
Add to that many of the players look laboured or out of sorts like son I think we are actually sitting in a false position.
If we are not careful and don't sort this out I think it could all come tumbling down especially as we have city they won't fail to capitalise unlike west ham, forest or wolves.
But if we are denied that then the ball is passed around at a snails pace and we go nowhere inviting constant pressure.
Add to that many of the players look laboured or out of sorts like son I think we are actually sitting in a false position.
If we are not careful and don't sort this out I think it could all come tumbling down especially as we have city they won't fail to capitalise unlike west ham, forest or wolves.
robin09
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- Jun 4, 2005
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We've definitely improved the squad, and the options available from the bench. We're still vulnerable to losing a few key players to injury, although which club isn't.
Rotation is going to be key this year, and if Bissouma, Lenglet and Spence can settle as well as Richarlison and Perisic already have, then we should be able to maintain our competitiveness across most competitions.
I think a lot of the disappointment is purely due to us doing our business so early. Which is exactly what we want, but not what we've become accustomed to. I think we also tried hard for Bastoni but it wasn't possible. I expect us to spend big in each of the next 2 windows on a CB and ACM.
Rotation is going to be key this year, and if Bissouma, Lenglet and Spence can settle as well as Richarlison and Perisic already have, then we should be able to maintain our competitiveness across most competitions.
I think a lot of the disappointment is purely due to us doing our business so early. Which is exactly what we want, but not what we've become accustomed to. I think we also tried hard for Bastoni but it wasn't possible. I expect us to spend big in each of the next 2 windows on a CB and ACM.
