Anything Football 24/25

[redhed17]

I was going back too far to see last season's footy thread, so I have started a new one. As the title says, Anything Football.

I have just finished watching the re-season game of Liverpool v Man Utd, and aside from the difference in the teams, Utd's kit is a weird one. You'dhave thought theywould have learned from Liverpool of a few years ago that Red and Orange shouldn't be on a kit.

The Utd kit also has an optical illusion because of the way the colours fade together, in that it looks like the players back is covered in red because of the darker red on the back. Do you think that is diliberate! They have also slipped in another sponsor logo above the players name on the back.I'm not sure that will fly in the Premier League. It looks like on Utd's 3rd kit, Adidas have gone with their old logo.

Arsenal's new away kit was also a bit shocking too. Black with red and green Adidas stripes, red and green badge and Adidas logo, and then blue and white slashes.

I'm not keen on Liverpool's new home kit either. Not a nice collar, and an odd yellow pinstripe pattern on it. And it seems Nike are going to do something different with their logo for Liverpool's 3rd kit, with their logo flipped 90 degrees. I'm not sure that has been 100% confirmed yet though.

Oh, and watch out for the brown and pink Man City keeper kit.

I think Palace's home kit is the nicest I've seen so far.

You can see a lot of this seasons kits here.

 

[popcorn]

Not a nice collar,

That's an understatement, it's horrible! Worst Liverpool kit in years

 

[redhed17]

That's an understatement, it's horrible! Worst Liverpool kit in years

Liverpool supposedly going with Adidas again next year, if true, I am hoping for the three stripes on the shoulder from the early 90's.

It seems the Nike deal hasn't worked out, taking less money up front, but taking a cut of each sale. Adidas messed them about last time, but maybe they are offering a better deal, and money talks.

 

[Jelster]

You can see a lot of this seasons kits here.

Handy link that. What would many of the Premier League clubs do if the FA ruled that gambling organisations couldn't sponsor shirts?

 

[popcorn]

Handy link that. What would many of the Premier League clubs do if the FA ruled that gambling organisations couldn't sponsor shirts?

That's happening from the 26-27 season I believe

 

[Jelster]

That's happening from the 26-27 season I believe

That's good to know, as long as the smaller clubs can find suitable sponsors.

 

[JohnC6]

There's a thread in this Lounge section about Carsley not singing the national anthem but nothing about the game so I thought I'd kick it off here..

I was pleased to read that Jack Grealish will be in the squad and possibly starting. I don't know why Southgate sidelined him. He gets the team so many free kicks just outside the box. Invaluable. Carsley is also a fan of Maguire . What will be interesting is when former players from the under-21 side, that Carsley very successfully coached, are brought in,..maybe not today ,especially the Lille player Angel Gomes along with Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke.

Kicked off......

 

[JohnC6]

This read was so extraordinary I thought it's worth posting. It's about Inter-Milan's supporters called the "Ultras" who will be playing Manchester City next Wednesday, at Maine Road, in the Champions League. It's a Times article and paywalled so I'll précis it.

On September 4th. Andrea Berretta, 49 years old,the leader of the Ultras, the hard-line fans who stand in the Curva Nord (north end)of the San Siro stadium and have a lot of sway with the club and players, fatally stabbed Antonio Bellocco. He stabbed him five times in the neck and six times in the heart. during an argument. Unfortunately, for Berretta, Belloco is a member of one of the bloodiest clans of the deadly Ndrangheta mafia. Even I've heard of them. They will definitely not let this go and if they don't get him in prison they'll get him when he's released.The Opera prison, where he's being held, is where his victim's father died in January whilst serving a sentence and the prison if full of the Ndrangheta inmates. Moving him to another prison away from Milan won't save him, either. Infact, his whole family are under police guard in fear of reprisals. He's a dead man walking. His predecessor, as head of the Ultras, was shot five times in the chest and neck by a hit-man outside his home in Milan in 2022. The killing remains unsolved. .

Bellocco,the victim, had angered Berretta by, allegedly, trying to grab a slice of the wide range of rackets run by the Ultras, ranging from selling cocaine to parking permits at the San Siro Stadium,Milan and taking kickbacks from burger stands there. I think it's called 'extortion'. The Ultras run trips to away games and sell merchandise. There's a huge amount of money to be made at the stadium and the Mafia wants a piece of it. In Turin the Ndrangheta has been caught muscling in as a middleman for ticket sales between management and Ultra fans at Juvetus.,,Italy's most successful club. In Rome,the Cammora mafia from Naples is said to have backed a foiled bid to take over Lazio in Palermo. Cosa Nostra bosses have stepped in to resolve terrace fueds between fans. Berretta,the offender, got in with the Ultras after serving 9 years in prison for mafia crimes linked to his family clan which runs drugs through the port of Gioia Tauro in their home region of Calavria in southern Italy and has also sent some family members to Milan to sell cocaine and launder money.

Berretta ran the Ultras despite being handed a football ban for beating up a vendor who sold scarfs at the stadium without his permission. He also ran a merchandise store in Pioltelloa, near Milan where Bellocco lived. Local residents and especially those who live over the shop in the apartment are now very worried that Belloco's clan will bomb it. They are very dangerous and were involved in feuds in the Calabria region that have killed hundreds. To maintain power they cannot let this murder go unpunished. The Bellocco family have been banned from holding a large mafia-style funeral as it woukd risk a display of their power and those attending would use the opportunity to plan crimes.

Last Thursday, the Ultras held a meeting in a cafe outside the stadium, organised by a 55 year old Ultra veteran, who spent 14 years in prison and is currently banned from games at the stadium for his role in a fight with opposing fans in 2018 in which a rival fan was run over and killed.The meeting wasn't about the murder or who will replace Berretta as head of the Ultras but how they are going to get to Manchester next Wednesday. No doubt our ' UKFPU..UK Football Policing Unit, who advise clubs and our police forces ,will be working overtime right now liaising with their counterparts in Italy.

 

[Nod]

The beautiful game...

 

[JohnC6]

Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager. The FA had hoped for Pep but he'd want to see the season out and no doubt other considerations.

Is Tuchel the right man ?

 

[Marc]

This thread is almost as dead as Man City's Premier League hopes!

 

[cambsno]

This thread is almost as dead as Man City's Premier League hopes!

I for one would not be surprised if they went on a 12 match winning run or something, although defensively they look awful!

 

[Marc]

I for one would not be surprised if they went on a 12 match winning run or something, although defensively they look awful!

Must admit, I don't really follow the Premier League. When I saw their dip in form, I thought Haaland must be injured. I was quite surprised hen I saw he wasn't

 

[Jelster]

Must admit, I don't really follow the Premier League. When I saw their dip in form, I thought Haaland must be injured. I was quite surprised hen I saw he wasn't

Defences just mark him out of the game, and with Foden & Debryune off form, they don't have a plan B. I'm waiting for the wheels to come off of the Liverpool bus, other than City they haven't really played any of the contenders yet.

 

[redhed17]

I for one would not be surprised if they went on a 12 match winning run or something, although defensively they look awful!

They would have to go on a 12 match winning streak, and Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea to go on as bad a run as City have been on. While City could go on a run, I can't see the rest of them all losing form at the same time.

And to be honest they are looking awful atm, not only in defence, and a win is no certainty, never mind 12 in a row.

 

[redhed17]

Defences just mark him out of the game, and with Foden & Debryune off form, they don't have a plan B. I'm waiting for the wheels to come off of the Liverpool bus, other than City they haven't really played any of the contenders yet.

Liverpool have also played Arsenal, (and drew) so who are the other contenders, Chelsea, Villa, Brighton?

 

[Marc]

 

[cambsno]

2024 WC going to Saudi... wonder how many new cars FIFA officials will be buying now???

Now I am against taking the knee, and rainbow armbands. Futile IMO and achieves nothing and this really backs it up. While I don't think politics and sport should mix, we have seen they do with these things and like Russian athletes. So if we are trying to force players to wear armbands and the like, why give the WC to a country like this???

 

[Nod]

Edward II had the right idea, although that was more to promote archery practise...

 

[welshwizard645]

This read was so extraordinary I thought it's worth posting. It's about Inter-Milan's supporters called the "Ultras" who will be playing Manchester City next Wednesday, at Maine Road, in the Champions League. It's a Times article and paywalled so I'll précis it.

Probably explains why Man City's form is off, the players don't know where they are!!!

 

[andya700]

Probably explains why Man City's form is off, the players don't know where they are!!!

I went there a few times back in the sixties when I lived in Bolton, when the Wanderers were playing away. Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, Joe Corrigan in goal. It was a great atmosphere.

 

[Bodian]

SPORTbible (@sportbible) on Threads

A cameraman couldn’t quite believe it after seeing a shot from Brighton’s Carlos Baleba smash into his camera behind the goal against Nottingham Forest Could be an expensive afternoon for the cameraman

www.threads.net

Video of it happening -

https://t.co/lpVUITbwuC

 

[kokolino23]

I hope he's got insurance, I'd be surprised if in this kind of job they aren't covered.

 

[redhed17]

I hope he's got insurance, I'd be surprised if in this kind of job they aren't covered.

To place cameras in that position and not have insurance would be a very stupid thing to do. If he has insurance, no forms to fill in, just send them the video.

 

[redhed17]

Some dodgyness in the FA Cup Final as VAR somehow sees a keeper handle the ball outside the box, but does not bring the play back, or penalise the keeper in any way! I wanted Palace to win, but in the right way.

I was on the train today and Everton fans got on after the final (men's) game at Goodison. A chap sitting opposite me was talking, and I actually heard him say, "With a couple of good buys, we can challenge for the title. It has been easy for Liverpool this year!" At first I was stunned at the delusion, and then had to control myself not to burst out laughing and say wtf! This was from a man in his 50's, not some kid. A couple of buys can somehow bring about 38+ point increase next season compared to this! That's some big expectations on the players can Everton bring in.

 

[redhed17]

Could this be a clean sweep for the birds in football!

Premier League, Liverpool = Liver Bird
FA Cup, Crystal Palace = Eagles
League Cup, Newcastle = Magpies
Europa League, maybe a cockerel?

 

[Jelster]

Europa League, maybe a cockerel?

F***ing better not be, as a Gooner I will forever hold my head in shame, if Spurs, who are only just above the relegation zone, actually achieve something.......

When you stop to think about it, if the bottom 3 hadn't been so dreadful this season, Spurs & Manure could have been relegated.....

 

[redhed17]

F***ing better not be, as a Gooner I will forever hold my head in shame, if Spurs, who are only just above the relegation zone, actually achieve something.......

When you stop to think about it, if the bottom 3 hadn't been so dreadful this season, Spurs & Manure could have been relegated.....

It is scary what has happened to Man Utd and Spurs this season. I never thought I would see Utd go so low! I think through the bad times at Liverpool since the Premier League started, the lowest they have finished 8th. If any of the teams promoted do well next season, some established teams will be looking over their shoulders.

I can't see how Utd can get the players out and in to make any significant difference to that squad. No doubt Gary Neville will still tip Man Utd to get in a Champions League spot next season, or even be runners up! As with my post above from the Everton fan I overheard though, some people are very optimistic on what can be done with "a few good buys".

 

[JohnC6]

Spurs lost to Brighton today 4-1 leaving them 17th in the table. The three below them, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton go down.Spurs finished 5th last season. The team have been dogged by injury to such an extent that questions were being asked about the training regime. Only at that final, last Wednesday, did he have the defence he'd always wanted. Maddison, though was still out as was Kulusevesky ,on crutches still after knee surgery.

Will Postecoglou still be in charge next season ? Should he be left to rebuild/consolidate. That Europa League win will put £100 million into the coffers. He has two years left on his contract. CL football might attract players that would, otherwise, not have entertained joining Spurs. Timo Werner is only on loan and will, I'm sure be released and he's one of only three players, now, was four with Kane, who were paid over £200,000 a week and only because of the loan contract terms

Rumours are that the Brentford manager Thomas Frank is odds-on to take his place, infact, he's even had talks with Spurs management. If Ange goes then,at least he goes with his head held high. He's been a stubborn manager re his style of play but in the games leading to the final he did,at least, show some pragmatism which might just save the day for him. Another consideration,which I think may also swing it for him is how the players respect him. He stood aside as Son held up the trophy, Porro saw that and brought him into the group where he was enthusiastically mobbed. He's done what Mourinho, Conte, Poch et al haven't been able to do in 41 years of European football..... going back to 1984. The last trophy was 17 years ago..the League Cup ,later called the Carling Cup, under Juan Ramos.

I'm sure Levy, and whoever else is involved in the decision, will take all this into account. My opinion is that he should stay.

 

[cambsno]

Spurs lost to Brighton today 4-1 leaving them 17th in the table. The three below them, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton go down.Spurs finished 5th last season. The team have been dogged by injury to such an extent that questions were being asked about the training regime. Only at that final, last Wednesday, did he have the defence he'd always wanted. Maddison, though was still out as was Kulusevesky ,on crutches still after knee surgery.

Will Postecoglou still be in charge next season ? Should he be left to rebuild/consolidate. That Europa League win will put £100 million into the coffers. He has two years left on his contract. CL football might attract players that would, otherwise, not have entertained joining Spurs. Timo Werner is only on loan and will, I'm sure be released and he's one of only three players, now, was four with Kane, who were paid over £200,000 a week and only because of the loan contract terms

Rumours are that the Brentford manager Thomas Frank is odds-on to take his place, infact, he's even had talks with Spurs management. If Ange goes then,at least he goes with his head held high. He's been a stubborn manager re his style of play but in the games leading to the final he did,at least, show some pragmatism which might just save the day for him. Another consideration,which I think may also swing it for him is how the players respect him. He stood aside as Son held up the trophy, Porro saw that and brought him into the group where he was enthusiastically mobbed. He's done what Mourinho, Conte, Poch et al haven't been able to do in 41 years of European football..... going back to 1984. The last trophy was 17 years ago..the League Cup ,later called the Carling Cup, under Juan Ramos.

I'm sure Levy, and whoever else is involved in the decision, will take all this into account. My opinion is that he should stay.

That would be a decision of Truss proportions!!! I love Frank and think he is a brilliant manager but if you have offered Spurs a trophy and CL at the start of the season they would have snapped your arm off!! Are they really going to improve on that next season? Liverpool. Arsenal and City looked certain for top 5. Chelsea and Newcastle will be very strong. Villa and other challengers may be up there and even Man U may put on a burst. He had loads of injuries too

 

[JohnC6]

That would be a decision of Truss proportions!!! I love Frank and think he is a brilliant manager but if you have offered Spurs a trophy and CL at the start of the season they would have snapped your arm off!! Are they really going to improve on that next season? Liverpool. Arsenal and City looked certain for top 5. Chelsea and Newcastle will be very strong. Villa and other challengers may be up there and even Man U may put on a burst. He had loads of injuries too

I'm not familiar with Thomas Frank. I'll do some Googling. Seems you think Post should go Or..have I misunderstood what you meant ? Maybe a Truss proportions decision to take on Frank despite him being brilliant and in the light of the cup win.

You're more on the ball..no pun intended..lol..than me on football matters so maybe you're right....keep Post.

I found this re Frank and Spurs.

"He led the Bees to Premier League promotion in 2021 and has kept them comfortably in the top flight, a feat many promoted clubs fail to manage. If Tottenham do pursue Frank, he would already have a key ally behind the scenes in technical director Johan Lange.Lange, who joined Spurs in 2023 after previous roles at Aston Villa and FC Copenhagen, shares a longstanding history with Frank. The pair, both Danish, worked together during their early coaching days at Lyngby, a club based in the suburbs of Copenhagen.Some reports in recent months suggest it is, in fact, Lange who is advocating for Frank’s appointment, having remained a strong admirer of his former colleague’s work. According to the Telegraph, who reported in April that Postecoglou could be on his way out of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Frank is among the leading candidates should a change be made. That said, it remains to be seen whether the Europa League victory will earn Postecoglou a stay of execution heading into next season"

As I said in my post, I'd like to see Post stay. Btw. It's strange how he looks down on the floor in post-match interviews even when they won,as if he was shy or uncomfortable infront of cameras, which he isn't.

 

[redhed17]

If I were Thomas Frank, I wouldn't go near Spurs. Atm they are not as good as Brentford, and the pressure to build squad depth to potentially withstand injuries again, whilst also going up higher in the league would be huge. Postecoglou, or whoever else who goes there will have that pressure. Not only bringing depth to the squad, but also a couple of star names in, because they lost Kane, and didn't really replace him, and I think Son's time may be over judging him on this last season, so who are their standout players? Solanke has been more miss than hit. Champions League is a draw, but not sure what level of player they can attract. It will be interesting to watch.

 

[cambsno]

I'm not familiar with Thomas Frank. I'll do some Googling. Seems you think Post should go Or..have I misunderstood what you meant ? Maybe a Truss proportions decision to take on Frank despite him being brilliant and in the light of the cup win.

You're more on the ball..no pun intended..lol..than me on football matters so maybe you're right....keep Post.

I found this re Frank and Spurs.

"He led the Bees to Premier League promotion in 2021 and has kept them comfortably in the top flight, a feat many promoted clubs fail to manage. If Tottenham do pursue Frank, he would already have a key ally behind the scenes in technical director Johan Lange.Lange, who joined Spurs in 2023 after previous roles at Aston Villa and FC Copenhagen, shares a longstanding history with Frank. The pair, both Danish, worked together during their early coaching days at Lyngby, a club based in the suburbs of Copenhagen.Some reports in recent months suggest it is, in fact, Lange who is advocating for Frank’s appointment, having remained a strong admirer of his former colleague’s work. According to the Telegraph, who reported in April that Postecoglou could be on his way out of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Frank is among the leading candidates should a change be made. That said, it remains to be seen whether the Europa League victory will earn Postecoglou a stay of execution heading into next season"

As I said in my post, I'd like to see Post stay. Btw. It's strange how he looks down on the floor in post-match interviews even when they won,as if he was shy or uncomfortable infront of cameras, which he isn't.

No, I meant it would be crazy to ditch Post. While Frank is excellent and has done great things (and I think deserves a chance at a bigger club, and I mean the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea etc...).

 

[cambsno]

If I were Thomas Frank, I wouldn't go near Spurs. Atm they are not as good as Brentford, and the pressure to build squad depth to potentially withstand injuries again, whilst also going up higher in the league would be huge. Postecoglou, or whoever else who goes there will have that pressure. Not only bringing depth to the squad, but also a couple of star names in, because they lost Kane, and didn't really replace him, and I think Son's time may be over judging him on this last season, so who are their standout players? Solanke has been more miss than hit. Champions League is a draw, but not sure what level of player they can attract. It will be interesting to watch.

Frank has a great record of buying average players and either making them great (Toney. Mbuemo) or getting average players and blending to a solid unit. So while it may not appease the fans, he could get success NOT getting lots of big names.

 

[redhed17]

Frank has a great record of buying average players and either making them great (Toney. Mbuemo) or getting average players and blending to a solid unit. So while it may not appease the fans, he could get success NOT getting lots of big names.

So what would be the draw, to go to a team not as good, and then probably take a few years to possibly get to a similar level. Spurs may buy better than 'average' players, but they are on a new manager every two years or so, so would he get the time!

 

[cambsno]

So what would be the draw, to go to a team not as good, and then probably take a few years to possibly get to a similar level. Spurs may buy better than 'average' players, but they are on a new manager every two years or so, so would he get the time!

Oh, no, I dont think he should go, if he did I think he would do fine but feel he should target a proper big club

 

[Jelster]

Spurs should be ashamed of themselves.... All clubs have injury issues, Arsenal have been without a striker all season, and their number 1 CB for the 2nd half, and still managed to come 2nd to Liverpool.

The problem at Spurs is Levy, ther recruitment has been awful (just like Man Utd), and to be honest, their manager has to take some of the blame because as pointed out on MOTD this weekend, they can't play the way he wants them to, but he never changed any of his tactics.

Why would Thomas Frank leave a club that loves him, to a side that finished 17th in the league (& 37th in Europe).

 

[redhed17]

Spurs should be ashamed of themselves.... All clubs have injury issues, Arsenal have been without a striker all season, and their number 1 CB for the 2nd half, and still managed to come 2nd to Liverpool.

The problem at Spurs is Levy, ther recruitment has been awful (just like Man Utd), and to be honest, their manager has to take some of the blame because as pointed out on MOTD this weekend, they can't play the way he wants them to, but he never changed any of his tactics.

Why would Thomas Frank leave a club that loves him, to a side that finished 17th in the league (& 37th in Europe).

The good managers come in and adapt to the players they have, rather than stick to whatever plan they may have used before. And then slowly change to the way they want to play. Postecoglou, but particularly Amorim, just seem to follow plans they don't have the players to make it work. They have not been helped by coming into teams that played a lot different to the way they want their teams to play, but as I said, you adapt and get the best out of what you have.

 

[JohnC6]

Spurs should be ashamed of themselves.... All clubs have injury issues, Arsenal have been without a striker all season, and their number 1 CB for the 2nd half, and still managed to come 2nd to Liverpool.

The problem at Spurs is Levy, ther recruitment has been awful (just like Man Utd), and to be honest, their manager has to take some of the blame because as pointed out on MOTD this weekend, they can't play the way he wants them to, but he never changed any of his tactics.

Why would Thomas Frank leave a club that loves him, to a side that finished 17th in the league (& 37th in Europe).

You've mentioned, re Arsenal, just two positions with a problem .A striker and CBs.

If you have a read of this Sun article, below, you'll see that Spurs suffered a lot more injuries than any other club. Most of them have hit the defence,too. There's a table in the article showing they head that table with 269 injuries,next is Arsenal with 169. Quite a gap. There's also a table showing the injuries in relation to named games.I didn't see MoD.....you say the presenters said that the players can't play the way he [Postecoglou] wants them too but I read that he was more pragmatic in the games leading up to the Euro Cup final so, maybe, he's taken note of criticism or just realised he has to be more pragmatic.

As I mentioned above, the injury rate was so much more than other clubs that the training regime was questioned.
From the article. "While many also suspect Postecoglou’s intense training methods contribute to the high volume of muscle injuries, which also happened at his previous clubs"

Here's the article. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/33304721/tottenham-injury-crisis-ange-postecoglou/

Here's another article (Jan this year) looking at the issue. It's clearly something out of the ordinary which is why the media have been looking at it.

The Spurs Injury Crisis: Why do Ange Postecoglou's Players Keep Getting Injured?

Ange Postecoglou's favoured playing style demands a heavy increase in sprints per game, and players are expected to match this in-game output on the training field. Is this the cause of their injury woes?

jobsinfootball.com

Re Levy. Yes. Spurs fans want him out. The club has missed out on great players because of his imposed financial constraints. He seems to like getting in promising talent, getting them up to speed and then selling them. Keep an eye on Lucas Bergval, Archie Gray and Mikey Moore. Infact, Spurs do need to bring in more talent but to do so the funds will come from selling and not input from Levy. To comply with PSR rules (profit and sustainability rules).
clubs are allowed to lose a certain amount over a three-year period. The current limit is £105 million for Premier League clubs. It's a different set of rules to UEFA's FFP..Financial Fair play rules which concentrate more revenue-based limits. PSR concentrate of loss-based revenue. Manchester City is tangled up with the Premiere League re the FFP rules over 115 charges but the can has now been kicked down the road. Re Spurs. They can spend £200 million this summer window. They'll get half of that from the Euro Cup win.

They say that ENIC, the British investment company that own Spurs has a new stadium with a football team attached.They also have a new training ground at Enfield. They built the stadium increase match-day revenues. Ticket prices are amongst the highest in the Premier League and Europe and some fans weren't able to renew their season tickets because of the increased cost.The stadium will be rented out to the NFL as well as hosting other large events.

There's another issue,too.

The businessman ,Joe Lewis, owned spurs and Daniel Levy became Joe Lewis' business partner and they soon became involved in ENIC, then Lewis made Levy the MD of ENIC in 1995..

Joe Lewis owns 70.6% of ENIC, whilst Daniel Levy owns 29.4%. ENIC have been associated with football clubs before owning Tottenham, too. Lewis and Levy have previously held stakes in Greek side AEK Athens, Czech side Sparta Prague, Swiss side FC Basel and Italian outfit Vincenza Virtus

I knew about AEK Athens and have found an article, dating back to December 2000, about how the fans played a part in forcing out ENIC for the same complaints that Spurs fans have although the rules re owning multiple clubs were probably more influential. They've urged Spurs fans to do the same. It's worth having a quick read and you'll see why Spurs fans can, basically,... "dream on".

AEK warn Spurs over Enic

Tottenham fans have been warned not to expect a significant investment in the team from their new owners - by the chairman of AEK Athens, the Greek club which Enic have already backed.

www.theguardian.com

 

[Jelster]

It's worth having a quick read and you'll see why Spurs fans can, basically,... "dream on".

Asking a Gooner to read about Spurs? It will be a cold day in Hell when that happens....

As for injuries, Spurs are not the only club, and to be honest, they should have a deeper squad. Like I said earlier, Arsenal had been without their No 1 centreback for the last 10 games of the season. No fit centre forward all year (and into next year too unless they buy one). Thomas Partey was out more than he was in, Timber has had to play at right back as Ben White has been out most of the season, then Timber himself was out for 5 weeks. We had to get Lewis-Skelly from the Acadamy to cover at Left Back as both Timber and Zinchenko were injured (that happened to be a spot of fortune as MLS has proven to be an excellent player). Our talisman, Saka was out for a number of weeks, forcing us to play yet another Acadamy recruit (Ethan Nwari) who luckily for us, held his own. Odegard was also out for a few weeks, at the same time as Saka & White, which meant the whole right side of the starting 11 were not available. We still finished 2nd though.

It happens at every club, and the management team should be prepared for it. What I said earlier stands, the recruitment at Spurs (and Man Utd) has been poor, and also the man management has been ineffective. Spurs don't deserve to be in the Champions League after finisishing where they did...