What the pundits & media are saying about us

[eddiev14]

Thought I'd start a new thread in order to collate any articles, video, interviews etc where pundits, managers, players, journos talk about us. Similar to the opponents fans thread, but probably with even more vitriol!

I'll kick this off with an interview Rio Ferdinand has given BT Sport, where he says we'll be third behind the two Manchester clubs, with Goons, Chelski and Liverpool competing for 4th.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/04/rio-f...tle-for-final-champions-league-place-6048811/

Whether it comes true or not remains to be seen. However it is refreshing to finally see a pundit show us and Poch a bit of respect for what we did last season and see that there's no reason we can't do even better with the squad we have.

 

[Dougal]

Finish above Arsenal?

Why are you doing this to me?

 

[eddiev14]

Finish above Arsenal?

Why are you doing this to me?

As Spurs fans, hope is all we have!

 

[Dougal]

 

[Kiedis]

Guardian looks to think we'll finish 3rd. Seeing as they've pinned Liverpool down for 6th, Leicester 9th, Chelsea 4th and Arsenal 5th.

Craycray.

 

[mattie g]

Guardian looks to think we'll finish 3rd. Seeing as they've pinned Liverpool down for 6th, Leicester 9th, Chelsea 4th and Arsenal 5th.

Craycray.

I think that's pretty reasonable/realistic.

 

[gp13tot]

Phil Neville on sky sports last night said fancied us to go well again this season, mentioned us along with liverpool and the manc pair

 

[gp13tot]

I think that's pretty reasonable/realistic.

No way leicester drop that much. Think liverpool and arsenal will be bang in the top 4 race, id have them above chelsea as it currently stands.

With all the money being spent by the sky 5, if we did finish 3rd, it would be absolutely fantastic

 

[eddiev14]

Phil Neville on sky sports last night said fancied us to go well again this season, mentioned us along with liverpool and the manc pair

Those Man Utd players all seem to really rate Poch, as does Fergie. I think that's a good sign for us if they are saying those things.

Journalists will naturally focus on the headline grabbing managers and transfers, however annoying that may be.

Always nice to fly under the radar though!

 

[Disconosebleed]

Anything between first and sixth is entirely fair and realistic for us this season. If a pundit says they think we'll finish sixth it's not disrespectful - there are six teams who *should* be fairly evenly matched this season (City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, a Europa-free Liverpool and us) and we're as likely - if not more likely - to finish towards the lower end of that six as the top end. I fancy us to finish top four again - though probably not challenging for the title as we did last season - and I would imagine the general consensus among the media will have us around fourth or fifth, which is probably about right.

1. City
2. United
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Chelsea
6. Liverpool

I imagine United and City will finish top two, with the rest of us fighting for the two remaining places. There probably won't be much separating the top six, arguably even the top eight with West Ham and Leicester.

 

[RichieS]

Anything between first and sixth is entirely fair and realistic for us this season. If a pundit says they think we'll finish sixth it's not disrespectful - there are six teams who *should* be fairly evenly matched this season (City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, a Europa-free Liverpool and us) and we're as likely - if not more likely - to finish towards the lower end of that six as the top end. I fancy us to finish top four again - though probably not challenging for the title as we did last season - and I would imagine the general consensus among the media will have us around fourth or fifth, which is probably about right.

1. City
2. United
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Chelsea
6. Liverpool

I imagine United and City will finish top two, with the rest of us fighting for the two remaining places. There probably won't be much separating the top six, arguably even the top eight with West Ham and Leicester.

Everton more likely than West Ham imo, but it's going to be a tightly contested top half this season I think.

 

[yankspurs]

We're not finishing top 4 ffs. Christ almighty people. Only chance we have of that is if Modric or Bale come back or anpther world class player comes along

We got extremely lucky last year where the sky 4 all had down years and we were a fighting chance from a fighting chance at the title until we managed to fuck that up and finish 3rd in A 2 horse title race(who says spursy is dead?!) That chance wont happen 2 years in a row. City, Chelsea and United will be MUCH better this year. Arsenal could fuck up for 30+ games but they'll still finish above us because we havent proven we can string along a 38 game season under Poch. The top 4 will be back to normal.

We have a fantastic opportunity to distrupt it but look at this transfer window. Are we taking that opportunity? No. Will we? No. Can we? Well, no. We have a stadium to build.

 

[eddiev14]

Anything between first and sixth is entirely fair and realistic for us this season. If a pundit says they think we'll finish sixth it's not disrespectful - there are six teams who *should* be fairly evenly matched this season (City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, a Europa-free Liverpool and us) and we're as likely - if not more likely - to finish towards the lower end of that six as the top end. I fancy us to finish top four again - though probably not challenging for the title as we did last season - and I would imagine the general consensus among the media will have us around fourth or fifth, which is probably about right.

1. City
2. United
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Chelsea
6. Liverpool

I imagine United and City will finish top two, with the rest of us fighting for the two remaining places. There probably won't be much separating the top six, arguably even the top eight with West Ham and Leicester.

Oh yeah I agree but to not even mention us for Top 4 - as many have - in my opinion totally dismisses our achievements last season.

I get it though. It's basically because the other teams have lots of new names (mangers & players) who they can talk about and we are stable.

For the media, stable is boring.

 

[yankspurs]

Oh yeah I agree but to not even mention us for Top 4 - as many have - in my opinion totally dismisses our achievements last season.

I get it though. It's basically because the other teams have lots of new names (mangers & players) who they can talk about and we are stable.

For the media, stable is boring.

We had an good season but we were hugely benefitted for a spectacularly shit sky 4. That wont happen again.

 

[Shadydan]

Good thread mate.

Simeone on Spurs (although he's not a pundit I'm gonna stick it in here anyway )

They are very bold, aggressive, quick and intensive,’ he said. ‘We particularly reflected in the dressing room that these minor players are working very well and we hope they will be seeing more minutes.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

Guardian looks to think we'll finish 3rd. Seeing as they've pinned Liverpool down for 6th, Leicester 9th, Chelsea 4th and Arsenal 5th.

Craycray.

I wouldn't be surprised. Ignoring the last few games, we played very good aggressive football.

 

[Disconosebleed]

Oh yeah I agree but to not even mention us for Top 4 - as many have - in my opinion totally dismisses our achievements last season.

I get it though. It's basically because the other teams have lots of new names (mangers & players) who they can talk about and we are stable.

For the media, stable is boring.

It's more than that, IMO. City, United and Chelsea have all brought in top managers with good track records. Guardiola and Mourinho are proven winners who, you can reasonably expect, will massively improve the teams they're in charge of, before you even consider the players they've brought in. Chelsea can't help but improve under Conte after a car crash of a season. Liverpool have had a summer of getting used to Klopp's style and won't have the distraction of European football. We've improved our squad significantly but we will have the difficulty of coping with our best players being required for all our European games, which could be a major problem. And Arsenal have stayed more or less the same, as they always do.

When you look at it, there really isn't much to choose between the teams, and from an objective point of view if you had to pick a team who might not do as well as last season from that six, it would probably be us because of the CL football issue. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of things in our favour - we've improved the squad and have a young squad which will have learned from last season - and I fancy us to do well again, but four of our five rivals should "obviously" improve on last season, and Arsenal are Arsenal.

 

[sussexyid]

Was listening to Talkshite last night whilst cooking dinner and I have heard a recurring theme recently... We will be top dog in London this year. That means 3rd behind the 2 Manc clubs.

Id take that now if offered, as much as Id love us to win the League, I think 3rd would be a magnificent achievement for us!!

 

[goughie1966]

I don't understand why anyone is making predictions before the transfer window is over. Arsenal may buy Lacazette which will make a big difference. Leicester could lose Mahrez. Utd, City and Chelsea still have plenty of time to spend lots of money. Hell, even West Ham might buy some quality yet

 

[mil1lion]

This is the most unpredictable season ever. So many questions over Man Utd, City and Chelsea and how they fair under new management. It also depends on how the mega money new signings settle early on in England. Never write Arsenal off finishing top 4 again. Liverpool will do well now that Klopp has had time to build. Leicester will be dark horses again.

I think we're the most stable looking club at this time. The biggest challenge for us is balancing Champions League and League games. At least in Europa League we could rest key players in some of the group games, I don't think you can do that in any Champions League games. I think we'll do well, finish top 4 and fingers crossed win a domestic trophy. Get this season right and I think we could potentially challenge for the title in the following season.