***Official*** English Football Season 2018-19

[Uppercut]

I think there's a general acceptance that, resource limitations notwithstanding, they know what they're doing at a fundamental level that can't be said of the other three, though.

Mmm sort of. I think they're in a similar position to United before Ferguson retired. They're able to attract and keep very good players and pay them half their market worth because they have a manager who everyone wants to play for, and this frees up enough money to compete with the superclubs. But the owner isn't doing that- he's taking money out of the club instead. As a result there's severe, continuous underinvestment in the playing squad, to the point where the club has no functional midfield. Despite this, the manager is so good that they're competing for major trophies anyway.

Take out Pochettino and who at the club knows what they're doing? The recruitment is primarily driven by Pochettino, and in any case isn't exactly brilliant. They've got a few good players out of the academy lately but it isn't known as one of the best. They won't go bust with Levy in charge, but on the football side he makes a lot of mistakes by being overly cautious. Will he make the right hire after Pochettino goes? He only brought him in after Tim Sherwood didn't work out.

I mean I definitely don't think they're a badly-run club. I think on the financial side they're well-run, and on the football side it's all Pochettino.

 

[Spark]

Yeah I should have said "Pochettino" instead of "they", I was specifically talking about the footballing side of things. At the other three there are players who don't seem capable of what they're attempting to do, it's not at all clear what they're attempting to do, or what they're attempting to do is simply flawed. Even if the results haven't been that much better in the league, there's a cohesion about the way Spurs play that the other clubs don't have IMO.

 

[sledger]

Spurs are actually a lot better when Kane doesn't play imo.

 

[Uppercut]

Spurs are actually a lot better when Kane doesn't play imo.

That's definitely been true this season because he's come in half-fit to replace an extremely on-form Son. I don't think there's a tactical reason for it or that it'll be the case in the future, though.

 

[sledger]

That's definitely been true this season because he's come in half-fit to replace an extremely on-form Son. I don't think there's a tactical reason for it or that it'll be the case in the future, though.

Yeah fair. I am still a tiny bit sceptical of Kane though tbh. He is clearly very good, but I can't help but feel he is still a little overrated.

Same for Dele Alli, only replace "a little" with "quite a lot".

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah fair. I am still a tiny bit sceptical of Kane though tbh. He is clearly very good, but I can't help but feel he is still a little overrated.

Same for Dele Alli, only replace "a little" with "quite a lot".

Kane peaked before his injury a year ago and hasn't been the same since. Before then he was surely the best in the world in his position, though.

I don't really know how Dele Alli is rated, but he's a pretty great player. He's had to do a lot of work deeper this season to cover Spurs's non-existent midfield and I think they miss him getting into the box. But I'd take him in my team every time. Skillful, physically dominant, smart movement, great pressing and a bit of a dick. I think he might end up at Liverpool.

 

[GIMH]

Alli is top class.

 

[andmark]

What a week for quick goals. Shane Long (7.69 seconds) and now Naby Keita (15 seconds).

 

[James90]

A chance for Liverpool to catch up the giant gap to City in goal difference if the second half is anything like the first.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Has there ever been a strike in the entire history of industrial action from a more feeble standpoint than Bolton Wanderers first team?

 

[fredfertang]

Has there ever been a strike in the entire history of industrial action from a more feeble standpoint than Bolton Wanderers first team?

Didn't the Zimbabwean cricket team do something similar?

 

[wpdavid]

Has there ever been a strike in the entire history of industrial action from a more feeble standpoint than Bolton Wanderers first team?

Still waiting for their March salaries aren't they? If so, I can't see that the players are being unreasonable over this.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Still waiting for their March salaries aren't they? If so, I can't see that the players are being unreasonable over this.

That’s not what I mean. I mean using a strike as a bargaining tool.

 

[cpr]

Dunno. If they don't play, the club don't get the gate money, which means they don't pay their next months salaries too... Which under FA rules means the players can walk away from their contracts with no blowback. They'll be jumping like anything to get a consistent paycheck.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Congratulations to Leyton Orient on getting back into the League. I like to see the traditional sides getting back in.

 

[Spikey]

does no team actually want to finish 3rd or 4th or what

 

[GIMH]

Congratulations to Leyton Orient on getting back into the League. I like to see the traditional sides getting back in.

Generally agree but it’ll be hilarious if Wrexham fail in the play offs

 

[Furball]

That’s not what I mean. I mean using a strike as a bargaining tool.

I feel it's a desperate measure to draw attention to their plight in the hope that something happens.

 

[sledger]

Spurs gonna spurs

 

[andmark]

I feel sorry for pundits. They get accused of talking about the top four race too much, but the situation keeps changing. It's worth the analysis especially given the narrative of the title race changing little and only one relegation spot left.