The Race for the Title, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or even 6th Thread.

[Saoirse]

4th and a trophy is a minimum. I still expect to achieve at least that. With a squad that's got so close before, has some world-class players and major investment since last year, they really need to be going for major honours especially if we do get a couple more in.

 

[wadewill]

I’d be shocked if we get Top 4 this year unless there are some serious additions between now and the end of the window.

so many team and squads better than us now. I’d include Leicester and Wolves in that

 

[Trotter]

4th and a trophy is a minimum. I still expect to achieve at least that. With a squad that's got so close before, has some world-class players and major investment since last year, they really need to be going for major honours especially if we do get a couple more in.

Has it really though. I see the squad that in the main got close, (bar a one off you couldn't repeat in wildest dreams Champs League run) as in the main having broken up, and replaced with much inferior players, and the ones remaining being restrained by tactics/level of their teammates.
Walker/Trippier, Rose, Vertonghen, Dembele, Wanyama, Eriksen from our team that were good, all sadly left for other pastures and in the main their back-ups now playing, and showing why they were only back-ups.

I think we have 2 players (Son and Kane) who could be classified as "World Class" and they have to feed off scraps.

 

[dbspurs]

The one that sums it up for me is Dembele and Wanyama replaced by Winks and Sissoko. One player is only good at running and another who makes Ray Wilkins look like a progressive playmaker.

Verts has effectively been replaced by Dier which is laughable. I think we should cash in on Dier and Winks as I believe we could get a pretty good fee for them both and use it to improve the team

The only one of those that the jury is out on is Lo Celso as Eriksens replacement and i still believe he'll come good.

 

[Saoirse]

The one that sums it up for me is Dembele and Wanyama replaced by Winks and Sissoko. One player is only good at running and another who makes Ray Wilkins look like a progressive playmaker.

Verts has effectively been replaced by Dier which is laughable. I think we should cash in on Dier and Winks as I believe we could get a pretty good fee for them both and use it to improve the team

The only one of those that the jury is out on is Lo Celso as Eriksens replacement and i still believe he'll come good.

They were meant to be replaced by Ndombele and either Dier or Hojberg. Which is a much more expensive pairing than Dembele and Wanyama was. Have to wonder what's gone wrong with identifying good players - we've got more money and a worse team.

 

[Locotoro]

I'm usually optimistic about our chances and going in to this season i always felt that JM could get us performing in an "efficient" way - not necessarily glamour football but winning football. I do in part still think that and I do think we can achieve top four and a trophy however I feel like I need to have a rant at this time.

I'm looking at the business being conducted by our rivals which improves their first team/squad and I'm getting really annoyed. These clubs are still being linked with more players. How is it that we are not picking up some of these players that would improve our team.

Even those clubs that were in the group below us have made improvements...

I had a long arse post written out but i left it a few hours and decided to leave it like this.

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

It should be obvious to anyone who has been watching for the last year or so that we're not even going to be in the running for Top 4, let alone actually achieving it. We're not a good team at all. Blame whoever you need to for this, be it Levy, Mourinho, Pochettino, the players, whoever, but it is what it is.

 

[SandroClegane]

It should be obvious to anyone who has been watching for the last year or so that we're not even going to be in the running for Top 4, let alone actually achieving it. We're not a good team at all. Blame whoever you need to for this, be it Levy, Mourinho, Pochettino, the players, whoever, but it is what it is.

So despite the top 4 form since he took over, one loss to Everton means we won't even be in the running?

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

No, the fact we've looked poor for most of that time, and have neither improved the quality of our squad or our football while others have means we won't even be in the running. Feel free to pull me up at the end of the season if I'm wrong though.

We do love a good "we've had this form in this conveniently arbitrary period" but it's all bollocks. It's just like when we made such a big thing of having the best record in the league over 38 games across 2 seasons. The only period that matters is the one between the start of the season and the end.

 

[SamR]

With all of this news on incomings, where do people think we sit in the mix of best squads?

It's So competitive now...I'd say it's shaping up to be one of the closest PL title races

 

[Sevens]

4th and a trophy is a minimum. I still expect to achieve at least that. With a squad that's got so close before, has some world-class players and major investment since last year, they really need to be going for major honours especially if we do get a couple more in.

Eriksen was always the key. When he played well, Spurs played well. When he didn't? We struggled. The last 12 to 18 months at Spurs, he struggled and we struggled. The Champion's League final (and qualification) papered over massive cracks in the quality of the first team and squad. Hell, the last two seasons it was like teams were falling over themselves NOT to qualify for the Champion's League. I still don't know how we qualified for it in 18/19 as we were so awful in the league that year.

The current first XI are nowhere near as good as the first XI three or four years ago. We've lost key players (Eriksen, Verts, Dembele), other good players have declined (Toby, Rose, Alli) and the players that have come in to replace the lost players aren't of the same calibre.

If we get in Bale, then expectations obviously improve but realistically how many games can we count on him for? If we get him and him and Kane stay fit then top four is a good possibility this season, but because we are still so weak in midfield and defence I don't think we are favourites to get top four.

 

[ItsBoris]

Eriksen was always the key. When he played well, Spurs played well. When he didn't? We struggled. The last 12 to 18 months at Spurs, he struggled and we struggled. The Champion's League final (and qualification) papered over massive cracks in the quality of the first team and squad. Hell, the last two seasons it was like teams were falling over themselves NOT to qualify for the Champion's League. I still don't know how we qualified for it in 18/19 as we were so awful in the league that year.

The current first XI are nowhere near as good as the first XI three or four years ago. We've lost key players (Eriksen, Verts, Dembele), other good players have declined (Toby, Rose, Alli) and the players that have come in to replace the lost players aren't of the same calibre.

If we get in Bale, then expectations obviously improve but realistically how many games can we count on him for? If we get him and him and Kane stay fit then top four is a good possibility this season, but because we are still so weak in midfielder and defence I don't think we are favourites to get top four.

Assuming we sign Bale and Reguilon, we have a much stronger squad than 3 years ago imo. Our attacking depth is pretty deep (Kane, Bale, Son, Moura, Bergwijn, Alli, Lamela - all quality players). In midfield Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Ndombele, Sissoko, Winks for two spots. Defense Toby, Dier, Sanchez, Doherty, Reguilon, Tanganga, Aurier, Davies.

I don't see any poor players there. Only thing missing imo is a really creative midfielder (although I think Lo Celso solves that to some extent) and maybe one more really solid central defender. But our squad is really good right now imo. Plus it's likely that some will emerge/surprise us in a positive way.

The problem for top 4 is that there are so many other strong squads in the league. Chelsea have strengthened a lot, as have Arsenal. Leicester, Everton, and Wolves all have strong teams. And assuming Liverpool and City are top 2, then there are two spots for Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester, Everton, and Wolves. A lot of competition for a small number of spots. I think we can do it though

 

[yankspurs]

I think Jose’s really gotta be targeting a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the league and some silverwear now. Not really any excuses now. Levy made massive moves this week getting him Bale & Reguilon.

 

[dirtyh]

I think Jose’s really gotta be targeting a 2nd or 3rd place finish in the league and some silverwear now. No excuses. Levy made drastic moves this week.

if bale and reguilon get over the line and assuming we get past plovdiv, i'd say we'd be pretty strong favourites for europa.

 

[bubble07]

4-2-3-1

Lloris
Doherty Sanchez Tanganga Reguilon
Hojbjerg Lo Celso
Bale Ndombele Son
Kane

CF
Bergwijn Dele Lucas
CM Winks
Davies Dier Alderweield Gedson
Hart/Gazzaniga

Sell: Aurier Lamela Sissoko Foyth Rose Clarke

We can then challenge for 4th

 

[JayB]

With all of this news on incomings, where do people think we sit in the mix of best squads?

It's So competitive now...I'd say it's shaping up to be one of the closest PL title races

I don't know if we'll be able to compete for the title this season. With Doherty, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Ndombele, and Bale six of our best XI weren't at the club on the night of the CL final. The two who were here last season had really difficult campaigns and are still in the process of coming to grips with life in England.

We're up against juggernauts in Liverpool and City so I think it's too much to expect that a team with so many new(ish) players to be able to compete for the title. I do think we should be well in the race for top four and am very optimistic about our chances in cup competitions, however.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

No one battles to be relegated, doofus.

It sometimes looks like they do

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Too many people are too negative all over the community today. I'll check back in when Bale signs.

Sticking to my own words I think I can check back in here now.
I find that our squad now very possibly will avoid relegation.

 

[TropicalYid]

Buzzing about Bale and Regulion.
Statement signings from Levy. Jose got what he wants and need this window.

I really think this squad can give us something this season. If we cant do it now, then I dont understand anything.....

 

[hellava_tough]

Buzzing about Bale and Regulion.
Statement signings from Levy. Jose got what he wants and need this window.

I really think this squad can give us something this season. If we cant do it now, then I dont understand anything.....

Still need a striker.

And some key players need to get their form back.

But I agree that our squad is looking a lot better than 2 months ago.

I'm excited for the season ahead.