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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

Sinn Fein said:
Spurs are always underrated.

I'll concede it has not been the best of summers - but with 48 hours to go, Spurs have lost nobody.  Signed several to extensions, including Kane and Poch.  Lucas was signed in January and has had a terrific pre-season ("just like a new signing!")

Kane still the best 9 in the league

Eriksen still the best 10 in the league (although he will be playing as more of an 8 this season...)

Rose will be back healthy.

Trippier among the top RBs in the league now

Lloris is still a top keeper.

CBs are the best group in the league - assuming United won't swap Martial for Alderweireld.

Biggest question marks will be around midfield - looks like they will switch to a 433 with Eriksen and Dele playing in front of Dier.  That has not been Dele's best position, as seen in the WC, and he has missed pre-season...

Depth in CM is really the only lack of depth - plenty in defense and in attack.

Jack Grealish is likely to be the only signing - and he will help at CM, albeit as the only signing, a little underwhelming.

All that said, Spurs will be in top-3 by the end of the season.  :thumbup:
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if Spors are in contention at the Jan break... do you think they'll splash out some money to get a player(s) to help push them through? 

I can't imagine them ever being in better contention than now in terms of the players they already have.

 
El Floppo said:
if Spors are in contention at the Jan break... do you think they'll splash out some money to get a player(s) to help push them through? 

I can't imagine them ever being in better contention than now in terms of the players they already have.
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Yes and no.  They actually did spend some money last January to bring Lucas Moura in - but it has taken until now to get him integrated into the squad.

But, Spurs biggest problem right now is having too many non-HG players on the roster.  Spurs are over the league limit by 1 player right now, and 3 players for CL*.  And, they have not been able to off-load any of the deadwood.

Vincent Janssen will not be registered under any circumstances - so that gets them to the league limit - but they can't sign any non-HG players unless they can move some out.  Hence Grealish is the only signing lined up right now.  The split England and European windows has hurt Spurs - because the European squads are simply waiting for the window to close and then come looking for deals.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Spurs are always underrated.

I'll concede it has not been the best of summers - but with 48 hours to go, Spurs have lost nobody.  Signed several to extensions, including Kane and Poch.  Lucas was signed in January and has had a terrific pre-season ("just like a new signing!")

Kane still the best 9 in the league

Eriksen still the best 10 in the league (although he will be playing as more of an 8 this season...)

Rose will be back healthy.

Trippier among the top RBs in the league now

Lloris is still a top keeper.

CBs are the best group in the league - assuming United won't swap Martial for Alderweireld.

Biggest question marks will be around midfield - looks like they will switch to a 433 with Eriksen and Dele playing in front of Dier.  That has not been Dele's best position, as seen in the WC, and he has missed pre-season...

Depth in CM is really the only lack of depth - plenty in defense and in attack.

Jack Grealish is likely to be the only signing - and he will help at CM, albeit as the only signing, a little underwhelming.

All that said, Spurs will be in top-3 by the end of the season.  :thumbup:
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At least we can agree on your avatar being pretty great

 
gianmarco said:
I thought Alderweireld was gone. If he's around and still plays, that's big.

I think the bigger issue is lack of depth. If they make any CL run, it's going to hurt I think. If they concentrate on the league, well....
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Spurs and United are playing a game of chicken with Alderweireld.  We will see if anyone blinks in the next 48 hours - I think it impacts both teams negatively is Toby is still at Spurs on Friday.  

Toby is currently 3rd choice CB - albeit, it means Spurs have great depth to rotate.  But, Spurs need a CM to replace Dembele, who can no longer play regularly, and is not as effective in moving the ball forward as Poch wants.  I think there is still a chance Dembele heads to Italy before their window closes - but he is not being pushed out.

As for depth - really the only depth issue is a back up for Eriksen - and I suppose Grealish fills that role, at least in cup matches...

I know people talk about a lack of a back up for Kane - but Spurs did well enough without Kane last season - they move Son to a false 9 role, and get more movement from the attackers in that formation.  There is not anyone who could adequately fill in for Kane as a 9, so switching tactics works.

 
Kafka said:
What time we leavin’?
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meet me at port authority in 15 minutes. 

I'll be the guy yelling at the third garbage can on the lower left level, holding up my pants with one hand while ramming the other down the back of them. if it seems like I'm ignoring you while yelling at my can, that's just my way- keep trying. we have about 6 hours until go time, so definitely just keep trying to talk to me.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Spurs and United are playing a game of chicken with Alderweireld.  We will see if anyone blinks in the next 48 hours - I think it impacts both teams negatively is Toby is still at Spurs on Friday.  

Toby is currently 3rd choice CB - albeit, it means Spurs have great depth to rotate.  But, Spurs need a CM to replace Dembele, who can no longer play regularly, and is not as effective in moving the ball forward as Poch wants.  I think there is still a chance Dembele heads to Italy before their window closes - but he is not being pushed out.

As for depth - really the only depth issue is a back up for Eriksen - and I suppose Grealish fills that role, at least in cup matches...

I know people talk about a lack of a back up for Kane - but Spurs did well enough without Kane last season - they move Son to a false 9 role, and get more movement from the attackers in that formation.  There is not anyone who could adequately fill in for Kane as a 9, so switching tactics works.
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Kane is irreplaceable at Spurs but they still need better depth than Son and Llorente.

It's a good squad but a thin one in comparison to their competitors in the league.

 
Eephus said:
Kane is irreplaceable at Spurs but they still need better depth than Son and Llorente.

It's a good squad but a thin one in comparison to their competitors in the league.
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Son is really good - 19 and 22 goals across all comps in the last 2 seasons, to go with 18 total assists.

Llorente is a lamp-post - which is why Son is Kanes replacement, and Llorente is really just a sub.

I sort of agree with your second statement - but Spurs depth is probably only behind Liverpool and City right now.  United, Arsenal and Chelsea are not bursting with talent outside the starting Xi these days.*

*I do hear that Chelsea are looking to add Kovacic and Fekir before the deadline, which would help them - but right now they count on Barkely and Drinkwater as part of their depth...

 
I should add that Spurs are in an awkward position with Son - they have allowed him to go to the Asian games, immediately after the match this weekend, and he will probably be out until the 1st international break.  And, Son will be playing in the Asian Cup in January.

The Asian Games - in August - is an U23 tournament, so Spurs were not required to release Son - but if South Korea wins gold, the players are exempt from mandatory military service, and this is probably Son's last chance.  At the last games, Leverkusen would not release Son.  In exchange, SK will not call up Son in November, and he will not turn up for the Asia Cup until the last minute.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Son is really good - 19 and 22 goals across all comps in the last 2 seasons, to go with 18 total assists.

Llorente is a lamp-post - which is why Son is Kanes replacement, and Llorente is really just a sub.

I sort of agree with your second statement - but Spurs depth is probably only behind Liverpool and City right now.  United, Arsenal and Chelsea are not bursting with talent outside the starting Xi these days.*

*I do hear that Chelsea are looking to add Kovacic and Fekir before the deadline, which would help them - but right now they count on Barkely and Drinkwater as part of their depth...
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Fekir is at Stamford Bridge as we speak - confirmed.

 
El Floppo said:
meet me at port authority in 15 minutes. 

I'll be the guy yelling at the third garbage can on the lower left level, holding up my pants with one hand while ramming the other down the back of them. if it seems like I'm ignoring you while yelling at my can, that's just my way- keep trying. we have about 6 hours until go time, so definitely just keep trying to talk to me.
Click to expand...
Sounds reasonable to me

 
I've now seen footage of Kepa walking through an airport (could be a train station).  This is apparently confirmation that he'll be at Chelsea soon.

His last name is Arrizabalaga. Slightly easier to grasp than Azpilicueta, but we'll call him Dave as well I suppose.

 
It is weird to see all the talk of Spurs not adding anyone.  They haven't lost anyone either.  And that seems far more significant.  Now, I don't think Spurs have much room to grow. I think they probably peaked two years ago.  But I don't see the bottom dropping out either.  

 
CletiusMaximus said:
I've now seen footage of Kepa walking through an airport (could be a train station).  This is apparently confirmation that he'll be at Chelsea soon.

His last name is Arrizabalaga. Slightly easier to grasp than Azpilicueta, but we'll call him Dave as well I suppose.
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His name is basically Keeper in drunk speak  :lol:

 
Eephus said:
Kane is irreplaceable at Spurs but they still need better depth than Son and Llorente.

It's a good squad but a thin one in comparison to their competitors in the league.
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If Spurs weren't in the Champions League, I wouldn't be as worried about them.  But coming off a long summer where they had key players play deep into the tournament, a tough year last year with EPL/UCL and some injuries and now looking at the same thing this year, I think fatigue will start to play a factor. 

Chelsea and Arsenal don't have the UCL to worry about (Europa, but, well....).  I just don't see how they can give some of their key guys a lot of rest and I think it's going to catch up to them.  Maybe not early on, but eventually.  They are still an incredibly high quality side.  But if any team is going to suffer with a congested schedule, I think it's Spurs. 

 
Obviously, Arsenal has a lot of question marks.  Their preseason looked pretty good on paper, but the advanced stats weren't great.  From what I've seen, I think Emery is employing a tactic that should help a lot defensively in midfield.  And Torreira should be an excellent addition and a big upgrade to Xhaka as a ball winner.  Which should allow Xhaka to concentrate on his passing, which is a strength.  Auba and Lacazette have a lot of potential playing together, IMO and Lacazette was easily Arsenal's player of the preseason.  The "system" is a pretty dynamic 4-3-3 that swaps the two fullbacks for one of the CMs with the ball and drops one of the forwards so that there is an option to have 5 players between the lines to receive the ball.  They should also counterpress a bit more.  

CB is still, however, a really problematic position.  The system really needs ball playing CBs and Sokratis doesn't really seem to solve that need.  I worry teams will just try to man-mark the deepest lying defensive midfielder and Arsenal won't have the quality at CB to play it out of the back aggressively.  Defense was the big problem last year, and I think that will be better.  But I think the goals might be a bit hard to come by, particularly early in the season.  Depth is also an issue as guys like Joel Campbell and Lucas are still ostensibly in the team.  

 
CletiusMaximus said:
I think Courtois is very likely gone. A few others will be loaned or perhaps sold, but probably not any of the main players from last season.  Loftus-Cheek is the biggest question mark on the roster.  If he's loaned again, that must surely be the end of his time at Chelsea.  No idea who they are bringing in, but I can't see the club trusting Willy Caballero between the sticks this season.
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R. Loftus-Cheek is starting today, so more question marks for him.  Chelsea's first game is 4 days away.

 
ESPN just announced a package of 340 Serie A games.  Most will be on the premium ESPN+ platform but there will be one game of the week on one of their cable channels.

 
Eephus said:
ESPN just announced a package of 340 Serie A games.  Most will be on the premium ESPN+ platform but there will be one game of the week on one of their cable channels.
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This is excellent news, as long as I can subscribe without having to have a cable subscription.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Not sure I follow - is anyone starting today that is likely to play this weekend?

I did see that Hazard spoke up for him - RLC.
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I can't say who will start Saturday. From the starters today - Willian maybe. Christensen perhaps.  Possibly Bakayoko?  Emmerson seems possible.  Sarri dressed 19 reserves today, so he's got 30 players out there.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
I can't say who will start Saturday. From the starters today - Willian maybe. Christensen perhaps.  Possibly Bakayoko?  Emmerson seems possible.  Sarri dressed 19 reserves today, so he's got 30 players out there.
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I agree with Willian - unless he is off to Man United in exchange for Martial.  The others don't seem likely to start this weekend - particularly playing today.  

I guess everyone will get a little run out, without over taxing, but seems risky 4 days before the season.

 
Eephus said:
ESPN just announced a package of 340 Serie A games.  Most will be on the premium ESPN+ platform but there will be one game of the week on one of their cable channels.
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Great, moar Juve... everyone can watch their favorite team 2x this year; whenever they play the Ronaldo's home & away...

 
El Floppo said:
Congrats to Spurs for winning hardware already...the much covered intenasational champions cup is heading to London!
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I think we still have to wait on one more result - in theory Inter could still catch Spurs - need to win by 3+ goals, and I think score 5 in the process.

 
Kafka said:
Great, moar Juve... everyone can watch their favorite team 2x this year; whenever they play the Ronaldo's home & away...
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Yeah, but 340 games - 38 unwatchable (except 2) is still not bad. I am going to see if my TV/FireTV/DroidBox supports it.

i would have to pay $20 more for Serie A on the Euro package, and having more than one avenue to the games, plus the Championship, and maybe some Australian football sounds ok to me.

 
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