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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (1 Viewer)

One of the more conservative ITKs for Spurs - on Bale:

Woke up to "just medical and formalities left to go".
 

Obviously not a completely done deal yet, but I'd say the odds of Bale in the Premier League this season are now near 100%

 
Sinn Fein said:
One of the more conservative ITKs for Spurs - on Bale:

Woke up to "just medical and formalities left to go".
 

Obviously not a completely done deal yet, but I'd say the odds of Bale in the Premier League this season are now near 100%
Click to expand...
I can't believe you are listening to a conservative.     :lol:  

:noban:

 
I realize its not Christmas, so some of you have not yet looked at the PL table, but it seems the broad shapes are already taking place after week 1.

Title contenders

1. Man City
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Man United

That's it.  That is the list of teams that can win the title this year.  None are as focused as Liverpool last season, and one of these teams will almost certainly finish outside the top-4 (my guess is Man United, but Chelsea have to blend a lot of new players together.). City's main goal will still be Champions League, while I think Liverpool will have a bit of a hangover after winning CL and PL over the last two seasons.  So, nobody will run away, but its hard to envision anyone else challenging for the title.

Top-4 / Europa League chasers

5. Wolves
6. Spurs
7. Arsenal
8. Leicester
9. Everton

No real rhyme or reason to the numbering here, they can all finish in any of those places - and at least one of those teams will finish in the top-4, and one will probably finish lower (I think Leicester).  Wolves might have the best starting XI, but less depth.  Arsenal and Leicester have Europa League distractions (as do Spurs, if they navigate early round qualifying).  Everton will be solid, but may be lacking a little fire-power up front to make a strong push for top-4.  

Mid-Table - Safe from relegation

10.  Newcastle
11. Burnley
12. Crystal Palace
13. Southampton
14.  Leeds
15. Sheffield United

Of these, I'd say Newcastle, Palace, Burnley and Soton have a chance at finishing in the top-half, but not really threatening the Europa League spots (5-7). If everything goes right for Newcastle - maybe they can sneak 7th.  Leeds are on the ascendency, but too much to ask for this season.  Sheffield United will probably be relegation fodder by next season - but they are definitely receding.

Relegation Fodder

16.  Brighton
17. Aston Villa
18. West Ham
19. West Brom
20. Fulham

I would guess that David Moyes at West Ham would be among the first managers sacked this year - they looked dreadful on opening weekend, and its hard to imagine where they turn to get better.  Fulham and West Brom look least likely to stay up of the 3 newcomers.  Villa narrowly avoided the drop last year - probably going to be close again this year.

 
Sinn Fein said:
I realize its not Christmas, so some of you have not yet looked at the PL table, but it seems the broad shapes are already taking place after week 1.
Click to expand...
My two cents

United are not title contenders as it stands now.  Not enough depth.  City are clear cut favorites with Liverpool a touch behind.   I believe after that, 3-8 is a crap shoot.

Team I think that will surprise this year - Arsenal.

Team I think will disappoint - Leicester (although they did just sign Under from Roma today which is a nice get)

And there is absolutely NFW West Ham get relegated.  I'm pretty sure they'll finish between 8-13 as they seemingly do every year.  Last year they were decimated by injuries.  They could use another striker for sure, but they'll be fine.

 
NewlyRetired said:
@bentley congrats on Healey.  Great pick up for an important off the field position.   My Revs have never recovered in the booth since he left for ESPN.
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That seems big. Hopefully we can find a decent (not Flo Sports) media partner.

 
I think City and Liverpool are gonna battle it out this year.  I think they're fairly close and if they both remain relatively healthy we'll see a good battle.

I think Chelsea are closer to competing for the title than ManU.  If they can swing a deal for a GK then I think they have an outside chance for the title if City and Liverpool slip up a little.

United I agree are too top heavy.  Without the depth needed, especially this year, to rotate and stay fit I think they're clearly 4th best IMO with very little chance of lifting the trophy.

I think Wolves, Arsenal, and Spurs will all be right there, with hopes to get into the top 4 if Chelsea or ManU struggle.  I really like Wolves still.  Although Spurs could really look different if Bale comes back and can give them anything of what he used to.

Leeds is still too early to compete, but they look like they'll be playing some fun footy this year.

 
Agreed. If Man U only focused on the league (resting their regulars for all other matches, even the CL) stayed healthy, secured Sancho and a top quality CB AND got 2018 world cup Pogba for like 30/38 matches (plus De Gea from a few years ago) .....MAYBE.

But as constructed, with a full schedule and some likely bumps and bruises, not a chance.

My guess is that Chelsea drops some points early as all their new key pieces figure out how to play with eachother.

 
guru_007 said:
My two cents

United are not title contenders as it stands now.  Not enough depth.  City are clear cut favorites with Liverpool a touch behind.   I believe after that, 3-8 is a crap shoot.

Team I think that will surprise this year - Arsenal.

Team I think will disappoint - Leicester (although they did just sign Under from Roma today which is a nice get)

And there is absolutely NFW West Ham get relegated.  I'm pretty sure they'll finish between 8-13 as they seemingly do every year.  Last year they were decimated by injuries.  They could use another striker for sure, but they'll be fine.
Click to expand...
Agree about arsenal. By the end of last year and what I've seen of them this year, they look really organized and competitive. Going to need somebody beside Auba to score goals... 

 
These deposits have typically translated extremely well into real tickets so this is big news from St. Louis

==============

St. Louis CITY SC

@MLS4theLou

Thanks to all the CITY Founders who put down season ticket deposits for St. Louis CITY SC today. We will release numbers soon, but know that STL blew the previous @MLS record out of the water!

 
Bale deal:

Gareth Bale will return to Tottenham Hotspur after the north London club secured a season-long loan deal for the Real Madrid star worth £13 million, according to the Daily Mail.

As reported by ESPN on Tuesday, Tottenham moved ahead of Manchester United in the race to secure Bale's services for the 2020-21 Premier League campaign. The Mail's report now claims that Tottenham have agreed to cover half of the Welshman's whopping £500,000-a-week salary.
Click to expand...
 
Sinn Fein said:
Fabrizio Romano

@FabrizioRomano

·

2h

Gareth Bale to Tottenham, here we go!
Click to expand...
Just coming to post this.  I'm not exactly  :pickle:  but I'm still  :clap: .  Should be entertaining  :popcorn: .

Saw reports that Dele was offered to RM on loan and they declined.  Haven't tried to get to the bottom of the validity in that.  Should serve as a nice kick up his backside.  

 
Poke_4_Life said:
Just coming to post this.  I'm not exactly  :pickle:  but I'm still  :clap: .  Should be entertaining  :popcorn: .

Saw reports that Dele was offered to RM on loan and they declined.  Haven't tried to get to the bottom of the validity in that.  Should serve as a nice kick up his backside.  
Click to expand...
Dele's future depends a lot on how Mourinho changes his tactics.

Since coming to Spurs, he has used an asymmetrical back-4, with the right FB playing more as a wingback, and the LB, Davies, staying back, and forming a back 3 when in possession.

Reguilon is not that kind of left back - he is very much an attacking LB - which is why I was surprised Spurs were even interested, let alone paid nearly full-price.

But, with two attacking FBs, Mourinho will still want players who can cover those areas when the fullbacks get caught up field - so, either a back-3, or a midfield-3.

If its a back-3, then Dele has no spot at all in the CM2.

If its a CM-3 - then Dele has a chance, but he is not an ideal play-maker, since he does not move the ball quickly or incisively.  Dele's best attributes have always been making runs off Kane and finding spaces in the box.  With Son-Kane-Bale + two attacking FBs - there really isn't room for those kind of unmarked runs.

 
guru_007 said:
My two cents

United are not title contenders as it stands now.  Not enough depth.  City are clear cut favorites with Liverpool a touch behind.   I believe after that, 3-8 is a crap shoot.

Team I think that will surprise this year - Arsenal.

Team I think will disappoint - Leicester (although they did just sign Under from Roma today which is a nice get)

And there is absolutely NFW West Ham get relegated.  I'm pretty sure they'll finish between 8-13 as they seemingly do every year.  Last year they were decimated by injuries.  They could use another striker for sure, but they'll be fine.
Click to expand...


TLEF316 said:
Agreed. If Man U only focused on the league (resting their regulars for all other matches, even the CL) stayed healthy, secured Sancho and a top quality CB AND got 2018 world cup Pogba for like 30/38 matches (plus De Gea from a few years ago) .....MAYBE.

But as constructed, with a full schedule and some likely bumps and bruises, not a chance.

My guess is that Chelsea drops some points early as all their new key pieces figure out how to play with eachother.
Click to expand...
United's top XI can run with anyone IMO.  But like you guys said, no depth to compete on all fronts and with the tight schedule, there is little available for rotation.  And if someone misses time?  4th is probably the ceiling at this point.  8th is the floor.

Sancho is needed.  A more dynamic holding MF would be nice.  A pacey CB would help.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Dele's future depends a lot on how Mourinho changes his tactics.

Since coming to Spurs, he has used an asymmetrical back-4, with the right FB playing more as a wingback, and the LB, Davies, staying back, and forming a back 3 when in possession.

Reguilon is not that kind of left back - he is very much an attacking LB - which is why I was surprised Spurs were even interested, let alone paid nearly full-price.

But, with two attacking FBs, Mourinho will still want players who can cover those areas when the fullbacks get caught up field - so, either a back-3, or a midfield-3.

If its a back-3, then Dele has no spot at all in the CM2.

If its a CM-3 - then Dele has a chance, but he is not an ideal play-maker, since he does not move the ball quickly or incisively.  Dele's best attributes have always been making runs off Kane and finding spaces in the box.  With Son-Kane-Bale + two attacking FBs - there really isn't room for those kind of unmarked runs.
Click to expand...
Sounds like they could use a guy like ericsen

 
Dzecko to Juve?

Suarez not going to Juve and out of Barca's plans?

Depay to Barca?

Thiago to Liverpool
Remuilon and Bale to Tottenham

 
From Twitter 

Apparently Plovdiv are down to 8 men. Scenes. I'm not sure why.

eta - False alarm. Looks like someone was off for treatment.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
NewlyRetired said:
These deposits have typically translated extremely well into real tickets so this is big news from St. Louis

==============

St. Louis CITY SC

@MLS4theLou

Thanks to all the CITY Founders who put down season ticket deposits for St. Louis CITY SC today. We will release numbers soon, but know that STL blew the previous @MLS record out of the water!
Click to expand...
who is our St Louis rep here?  Is it @gianmarco ?   Whom ever it is, does this (see below) seem real to you?

===================================================

St. Louis City SC's first day of season ticket deposits was record-setting.

The 2023 MLS expansion club announced that it received 30,000 deposits within the first 15 minutes and 50,000 after the first 24 hours of season tickets being made available to the general public.

 
NewlyRetired said:
who is our St Louis rep here?  Is it @gianmarco ?   Whom ever it is, does this (see below) seem real to you?

===================================================

St. Louis City SC's first day of season ticket deposits was record-setting.

The 2023 MLS expansion club announced that it received 30,000 deposits within the first 15 minutes and 50,000 after the first 24 hours of season tickets being made available to the general public.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be surprised at all. Since moving here 12 years ago, I've learned this is a big soccer town.

 
Poke_4_Life said:
I posted in the Video Game thread.  Do we need a new thread for Football games?  Or specifically Football Manager?  (Wait, is there a thread for FM?)
Click to expand...
:lmao:

All good questions my friend.

The wrong thread comment was directed at the guys talking game day events for Tottenham trying to get out of the Europa League....

 
B Maverick said:
:lmao:

All good questions my friend.

The wrong thread comment was directed at the guys talking game day events for Tottenham trying to get out of the Europa League....
Click to expand...
Oh, well in that case you can go back to wondering who ManU is not going to buy!

Tottenham won the game.  And tomorrow Bale is playing golf in London w/ Levy (not kidding).

 
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