The 21/22 Football Thread

You mean the same January window where it’s notoriously difficult to pick up new talent, especially on the cheap. The problem with Spurs is Levy.

Yes, I'm aware of that and at some point you can't keep writing to address what you think someone might say so when I posted I thought to myself that someone will bring that up...and so you have :)

Re Levy. Yes.,.he's been the problem for years. It's a trueism ..buy cheap and risk spending double down the line and, often,not too far down the line. How many games did Santo manage ? Just 17, of which Spurs won only 8 and he was contracted at £7million a year. Conte £15million. Word is that Conte has taken the job on the understanding that he'll be allowed to bring in new players and after what happened..allegedly..with Harry Kane re 'an understanding' with Levy that he (Levy) would allow Kane to leave, it wouldn't surprise me if Conte had that in writing. Between Chelsea and Inter Milan he spent £251 million in the transfer market in just two windows. It was the financial terms demanded by Conte that caused Levy to reject him at the start of the process when Conte was number one target. NE Santo had a clause in his 2 year contract that they could sack him without compensation next summer ,however, they obviously decided to terminate his contract now and that will cost them £14 million. Add that to the ongoing contract issues with Mourihno's premature sacking, which amounts to £15million, you can see why it's been a costly time for Levy. Also, the official fan base demanded a meeting with him and he was under a great deal of pressure not least because they have one of the finest grounds in the world not to mention the ultra-modern Hotspur Way training ground. In August last year the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium plus facilities (that will include their training ground too) was officially declared, by Brand's Finances Football Annual, the best in the world out of twenty-five. As an aside, The Emirates were at 18 with the Etihad at 22.

Just to put some of these numbers re contract costs into perspective, the owner of Spurs Joe Lewis (84) lives on a £112 million super-yacht in the Bahamas and his wealth is estimated at £4.3billion(Forbes) Not bad for an East-End true Cockney.

I've read that Conte handed over a list consisting of 4 players he wants in re the January window.I thought you might be interested so here they are.

1.Top of the list ...Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, (a Serbian) who was a target for Spurs last summer but no agreed deal was made and my guess is that, yet again, it was Levy not willing to spend the money for top players. Word is that a deal has been struck.

2. Franck Kessie. (from the Ivory Coast) has a reputation as one of Italy's best midfielders. Initial deal has been rejected,though and Liverpool and Manchester United are after him too.

3. Lazio's right-back Manuel Lazzari.

4. Another defender..Stefan de Vrij Dutch. Inter Milan. Played under Conte .

There's another Inter defender in Conte's sights too..Alessandro Bastoni .

The other aspect of Conte is that top players will now want to come to Spurs.


I think Spurs fans have a lot to look forward to. I'm not sure if Conte will have his work permit in hand for tonight's European Conference League game (2nd leg) game against Vitesse Arnhem. Spurs fielded a weakened side in the first leg two weeks ago losing 1-0. No Kane, no Son. That will change tonight,I'm sure work permit or not.

I'm sure Cambsno won't be so dismissive by the end of this season or even sooner. At least he says that it's 'his hope' that Spurs will still be rubbish. Actually, I'm sure he used a different adjective for rubbish and changed it. :) Is that true Mr C..? :D But that's ok whichever term, I think he'll be proved wrong ...I know he will.
 
Maybe we'll see Christian Erikson back in the Premiere League now he has an ICD fitted. Serie A won't allow him to play whist he has it fitted and it will be permanently fitted. He'd have to be cleared here,of course.The ICD is for a more serious heart condition than a normal pacemaker would be implanted for which just regulates either fast then slow beat or a millisecond pause which can cause fainting or momentary blackout which leads to a fall.


 
So, Gerrard to Villa. Good move for the ex England international?
 
So, Gerrard to Villa. Good move for the ex England international?

I think so - good sized club, he seems to know what he is doing - get a good cup run and knock around top 8 and that sets him up for Liverpool or another bigger club.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked by Man Utd, amazed he lasted this long. What next for Utd. I wonder why they haven't been able to attract a top manager as City, Liverpool & Chelsea have done in recent years.

It's a poisoned chalice....

Oh, and let's not talk about Arsenal :mad:
 
It's a poisoned chalice....

Oh, and let's not talk about Arsenal :mad:
I hope Man Untd take Brendon Rogers (but I think that ship has sailed) Rogers has according to everything I hear 'lost the dressing room' at Leicester. I am not surprised, imo all managers have a limited 'shelf life' Motivating the same players with the same words/tactics is a big ask. Lampard is available and willing I believe.
 
It's a poisoned chalice....

Oh, and let's not talk about Arsenal :mad:


I'm intrigued as to what the outcome of the Spurs v Arsenal game will be on January 15th. By then Conte may well have brought in a couple of players in the January window and he will have instilled his style of play by then,too.

I wouldn't be too despondent re that 4-0 loss. Liverpool are very talented team. Mo Saleh is something else. Amazing to watch. I see you have Newcastle next at home. 27th. That should be a win for you and Manchester United on the 30th at Old Trafford. Maybe they'll still be in disarray. You are 5th. after all, just 3 points behind West Ham. Wolves.. at 1 point behind you have Norwich next then Burnley..both wins for them I'd have thought.
 
I hope Man Untd take Brendon Rogers (but I think that ship has sailed) Rogers has according to everything I hear 'lost the dressing room' at Leicester. I am not surprised, imo all managers have a limited 'shelf life' Motivating the same players with the same words/tactics is a big ask. Lampard is available and willing I believe.

I don't think it will be Rogers. Could be Poch, especially if PSG don't win the CL next May. Zidane is in the frame too. Manchester United's Board should have sacked Olly last month in order to get Conte but failed to do so. Conte would have gone there, for sure.
 
I don't think it will be Rogers. Could be Poch, especially if PSG don't win the CL next May. Zidane is in the frame too. Manchester United's Board should have sacked Olly last month in order to get Conte but failed to do so. Conte would have gone there, for sure.

They've already made the mistake with one youn manager, can't see them putting Lampard in there myself. Like Spurs, I think the issues are above the manager as much as below it (although I think Kane is happier now with Conte). United brought in Sancho, and they guy can't get a game! They don't need Pogba, and they have one or two others that are past their sell by date.

Say what you will about Wenger, but it was very rare for him to let a player go and for them to get better (Van Persie being that rarity). Even the greats like Henry & Viera played at a similar level, most went downhill, rather quickly too.
 
They've already made the mistake with one youn manager, can't see them putting Lampard in there myself. Like Spurs, I think the issues are above the manager as much as below it (although I think Kane is happier now with Conte). United brought in Sancho, and they guy can't get a game! They don't need Pogba, and they have one or two others that are past their sell by date.

Say what you will about Wenger, but it was very rare for him to let a player go and for them to get better (Van Persie being that rarity). Even the greats like Henry & Viera played at a similar level, most went downhill, rather quickly too.

I was unaware that Lampard's name was in the frame.Since I posted Poch is looking good and contrary to what I said he could move now as her has a buy-out clause. He's not held in great esteem at PSG. Zidane has no interest is going to Old Trafford. I didn't know this but he barely speaks any english but more importantly, his wife doesn't want to live in Manchester. Neither would I if I lived in sunny Madrid (average temp 25C) not to mention the wonderful architecture. Almudena cathedral with its Baroque -style exterior and Neo-Gothic interior (and I'm a hard line atheist :D The The top health service in a country, which according to the World Economic Forum and to Bloomberg, has the most efficient health system in Europe, and also ranks at the top worldwide along with Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. Wonderful restaurants. The Atocha ..wonderful shopping mall converted from old railway station. Retiro Park. Tapas bars. High speed AVE trains (180 mph).Rather densly-populated, though but apart from that.... :) Maybe I should get a job with the Madrid tourist board. lol.

I've been reading about Olly. No-one doubts he's a really nice person.I heard that when he first arrived as manager he took a Norwegian biscuit speciality to hand out to everyone ands spokje to all staff fromm the cleaners up. He spoke to the press after his sacking. Not many have done that.He went with dignity saying how proud he was a to and honoured to have been manager of a great club,has made many friends..etc etc. BUT..he failed to develop players. Wann-Bissaka. One of, if not, the best one-on-one defenders stopping some of the best forwards in the game. but was being given the runaround this season. Harry Maguire. gets caught out time after time, so much that clubs are targeting him to exploit the space behind the front three. Luke Shaw.. Should have been told to stop getting so close to Maguire inside him.

Jadon Sancho ? being left out as he was cost the lad an England place.A £73million player who only got six starts in all competitive games.What has that done for the lad's confidence. He's probably sorry that he left BD. Just confirms Solskjaer's lack of development skills. Hope fully, that's going to change for Sancho.

You mentioned Pogba, who United paid a record fee for and who was kingpin in France's U-20 World Cup win in 2013 achieving 'best tournament player' but after three years with United no-one knows where he plays ,how he plays or even if he plays. PSG and Real Madrid have shown an interest but will wait till he can leave on a free transfer next summer. He's strange person. Maybe I'm wrong but he comes across to me as moody and at times petulant . All in all,though, A complete failure on Solskjaer's part to develop any of United's midfield defenders like Fred, McTominay, Matic, or Van de Beek..a Ballon d'Or nominee by the way. Then there's Bruno Fernandes ?. Apart from a hatrick against Leeds he's done nothing and should have been dropped. On Saturday he was woeful. OGS has never addressed his issues . Two stand out as positives. Ronaldo and David de Gea. A caller to Five Live suggested that Fergie still hangs over the club and he should retreat. I think he's had a say in all management appointments since his departure. Another issue, which you've rightly likened to as being the same at Spurs,..ie management.. but in the case of Manchester United, the owners, the Glazers only know about the bottom line and zilch about football. It was an infamous leveraged buy-out.

Yes, agree, Kane is back on song or at least now showing willing. I think he's a lot happier with Conte at the helm. He, Conte, still has a lot work to do with the team, though and he certainly motivated them in the second half against Leeds, not only the players but the fans.

Say what you will about Wenger, Well, I don't have anything to say about Wenger...:) Seems the fans did towards the end. As you say, brilliant at developing players. Thierry Henry, RVP, Cesc Fabregas for instance. Some of them never reached the same heights in their career after they left Arsenal like Nasri, Hleb, Adebeyor. Wenger was also brilliant at talent-spotting, too. And never to be forgotten. Arsenal went unbeaten in the 2003/4 season.
 
I was unaware that Lampard's name was in the frame.Since I posted Poch is looking good and contrary to what I said he could move now as her has a buy-out clause. He's not held in great esteem at PSG. Zidane has no interest is going to Old Trafford. I didn't know this but he barely speaks any english but more importantly, his wife doesn't want to live in Manchester. Neither would I if I lived in sunny Madrid (average temp 25C) not to mention the wonderful architecture. Almudena cathedral with its Baroque -style exterior and Neo-Gothic interior (and I'm a hard line atheist :D The The top health service in a country, which according to the World Economic Forum and to Bloomberg, has the most efficient health system in Europe, and also ranks at the top worldwide along with Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. Wonderful restaurants. The Atocha ..wonderful shopping mall converted from old railway station. Retiro Park. Tapas bars. High speed AVE trains (180 mph).Rather densly-populated, though but apart from that.... :) Maybe I should get a job with the Madrid tourist board. lol.

I've been reading about Olly. No-one doubts he's a really nice person.I heard that when he first arrived as manager he took a Norwegian biscuit speciality to hand out to everyone ands spokje to all staff fromm the cleaners up. He spoke to the press after his sacking. Not many have done that.He went with dignity saying how proud he was a to and honoured to have been manager of a great club,has made many friends..etc etc. BUT..he failed to develop players. Wann-Bissaka. One of, if not, the best one-on-one defenders stopping some of the best forwards in the game. but was being given the runaround this season. Harry Maguire. gets caught out time after time, so much that clubs are targeting him to exploit the space behind the front three. Luke Shaw.. Should have been told to stop getting so close to Maguire inside him.

Jadon Sancho ? being left out as he was cost the lad an England place.A £73million player who only got six starts in all competitive games.What has that done for the lad's confidence. He's probably sorry that he left BD. Just confirms Solskjaer's lack of development skills. Hope fully, that's going to change for Sancho.

You mentioned Pogba, who United paid a record fee for and who was kingpin in France's U-20 World Cup win in 2013 achieving 'best tournament player' but after three years with United no-one knows where he plays ,how he plays or even if he plays. PSG and Real Madrid have shown an interest but will wait till he can leave on a free transfer next summer. He's strange person. Maybe I'm wrong but he comes across to me as moody and at times petulant . All in all,though, A complete failure on Solskjaer's part to develop any of United's midfield defenders like Fred, McTominay, Matic, or Van de Beek..a Ballon d'Or nominee by the way. Then there's Bruno Fernandes ?. Apart from a hatrick against Leeds he's done nothing and should have been dropped. On Saturday he was woeful. OGS has never addressed his issues . Two stand out as positives. Ronaldo and David de Gea. A caller to Five Live suggested that Fergie still hangs over the club and he should retreat. I think he's had a say in all management appointments since his departure. Another issue, which you've rightly likened to as being the same at Spurs,..ie management.. but in the case of Manchester United, the owners, the Glazers only know about the bottom line and zilch about football. It was an infamous leveraged buy-out.

Yes, agree, Kane is back on song or at least now showing willing. I think he's a lot happier with Conte at the helm. He, Conte, still has a lot work to do with the team, though and he certainly motivated them in the second half against Leeds, not only the players but the fans.

Say what you will about Wenger, Well, I don't have anything to say about Wenger...:) Seems the fans did towards the end. As you say, brilliant at developing players. Thierry Henry, RVP, Cesc Fabregas for instance. Some of them never reached the same heights in their career after they left Arsenal like Nasri, Hleb, Adebeyor. Wenger was also brilliant at talent-spotting, too. And never to be forgotten. Arsenal went unbeaten in the 2003/4 season.

I don't think many who are on 5-10m a year will be bothered about train service or healthcare.
 
So England got Team of the Year and Southgate got Coach of the Year as SPOTY. Seriously? They won sod all.

Conversely, St Helens rugby league men's team won the double and the women's team won the treble!
Ah, but it's the populist vote! Anyway, England have been so dire for so long, actually getting to the final of a major competition is rather impressive (for them). However, maybe they need a different coach to work with them on penalties, the current one has little to offer......
 
While on the subject of football....

Gunners back in the top 4 over Christmas, well it's been a while...
 
So England got Team of the Year and Southgate got Coach of the Year as SPOTY. Seriously? They won sod all.

Conversely, St Helens rugby league men's team won the double and the women's team won the treble!

Not sure about coach, but he certainly threw those youngsters under the bus in the penalty shoot out.
 
WHat are the chances of a bunch of games being called off again this weekend?
 
Here's all the possible transfer news. Click on 'Read more' at the bottom to ..well, read more. https://www.teamtalk.com

Just watched a fantastic Aresenal v Manchester City game which City won 2-1. Arsenal lost Gabriel through a second yellow card. Abosolutely stupid thing he did to get the first one. He scuffed the penalty spot whilst a debate went on with the ref about whether it was a penalty or not.Shaka brought down B. Silva with the help of a pull on the shirt.It went to VAR..a tough call.Mahrez took it and scored. First goal was excellent from Saka 30 minutes He got a yellow near the end for having words with the ref, another unnecessary yellow.City's Rodri got the winner in the 6 minutes of extra time most of which was accountedf for by the time it took re the VAR check.
 
Yeah, but he didn't check the VAR when there should have been a penalty at the other end. Can't be having penalties against City or Liverpool can we, that's in the special rules, the ones in the brown envelopes....
 
Yeah, but he didn't check the VAR when there should have been a penalty at the other end. Can't be having penalties against City or Liverpool can we, that's in the special rules, the ones in the brown envelopes....
That’s what annoys me about var. lack of consistency. Just like kanes yellow and Robinson red in same game. Both were reds.
 
That’s what annoys me about var. lack of consistency. Just like kanes yellow and Robinson red in same game. Both were reds.

You can't give the darling of the England team a red card! Good grief, you'll be saying he's not allowed to take penalties next....
 
Waiting for MOTD to start, need to see our amazing performance again. Yes, little Cambridge Utd beating the worlds richest club!!! Amazing game!
 
I'd forgotten about this thread. Page 2 now. :rolleyes:

You have to wonder what these top players are thinking about. Benjamin Mendy now Mason Greenwood.

 
Some seem to have a sense of entitlement, with all the money they have to throw around.
 
Some seem to have a sense of entitlement, with all the money they have to throw around.

Is it - anyone from a bin man to a CEO to a Dr has probably been done for things like this, why would we expect footballers to be different?

What is getting me though is the FB Lynch mobs. I thought we had 'innocent until proven guilty', but even if charges are not forthcoming (and certainly no conviction) can he get back to playing football or will the hate mob still be out? Sure, on the face of it, it looks bad and some disgusting behaviour which if true should be seriously punished, but I doubt what we have seen is evidence to convict.

Similar at Raith Rovers, who have a striker who had to pay a fine in a civil court for an offence 10 years ago, but has not been convicted in a criminal court. Some fans are outraged.
 
Great piece in the Times - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...Lk2fUE8I_8K2JT3ag46xY9-3WaEd-Tx0Nh23EWpeYXdT0

Ok, I am biased, its about Mark Bonner, Cambridge manager. He has taken us from bottom 4/5 in L2 just over 2 years ago, to 2nd, then holding our own mid table in L1 amongst huge teams like Wednesday, Sunderland, Ipswich etc... Plus the away win to PL Newcastle! All this on a budget that belongs in the bottom 4 of L1. Destined for great things!
 
Great piece in the Times - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...Lk2fUE8I_8K2JT3ag46xY9-3WaEd-Tx0Nh23EWpeYXdT0

Ok, I am biased, its about Mark Bonner, Cambridge manager. He has taken us from bottom 4/5 in L2 just over 2 years ago, to 2nd, then holding our own mid table in L1 amongst huge teams like Wednesday, Sunderland, Ipswich etc... Plus the away win to PL Newcastle! All this on a budget that belongs in the bottom 4 of L1. Destined for great things!


Looks like he's a real talent off the pitch, too. A great chap, it seems. I hope he does well.
 
Manchester City... 2 Spurs.. 3

Spurs can't beat Southampton nor Wolves but beat Manchester City and at The Etihad bringing at an end to City's 15-game unbeaten run.Liverpool fans will be celebrating as much as Spurs fans.

Kane scores two in open play...infact, three into the back of the net but one ruled offside, just...by VAR.
 
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Manchester City... 2 Spurs.. 3

Spurs can't beat Southampton nor Wolves but beat Manchester City and at The Etihad bringing at an end to City's 15-game unbeaten run.Liverpool fans will be celebrating as much as Spurs fans.

Kane scores two in open play...infact, three into the back of the net but one ruled offside, just...by VAR.

I was impressed by Kane yesterday, I have always considered him to to be not more than above average, but he showed his class yesterday.

What stunned me was that Arsenal won, and we managed to finish with 11 men on the pitch... The young guns did it again :banana:
 
I've just been listening to the Crystal Palace-Arsenal game which was a 'must win' for Arsenal especially after Spurs 5-1 win over Newcastle yesteday re top four places. . Arsenal lost 3-0 so Spurs goal difference puts them 4th ahead of Arsenal .I knew they'd have a game on their hands with Palace who are doing well under Vieira.

Spurs have Arsenal at home May 12th (Thursday).
 
I couldn't believe the result. Well, I could, because I'm used to them getting you all excited, then pulling the rug just when you start to go into games with confidence....
 
its not looking good for Everton at the moment..i wouldn't really like to see them relegated, it would be funny, hilarious even...for a couple of weeks then reality would sink in and id miss the derbies and the 6 points we get from them
 
its not looking good for Everton at the moment..i wouldn't really like to see them relegated, it would be funny, hilarious even...for a couple of weeks then reality would sink in and id miss the derbies and the 6 points we get from them

Might just have found the way out of the relegation trio today with that 1-0 win over Manchester United. Seem to have got their act together as Lampard brought in experience. It's Norwich v Burnley tomorrow.
 
I couldn't believe the result. Well, I could, because I'm used to them getting you all excited, then pulling the rug just when you start to go into games with confidence....

I see they disappointed again today. They really should have beaten Brighton. Spurs benefited from that loss and also Man-U's loss and their own 4-0 win today against Aston Villa.The 4 goals might be crucial if it comes down to goal difference in the top four. Spurs now 4th with 57pts and 19 GD. Arsenal 54 pts 9 GD followed by West Ham with 51 pts 11 GD and Man-U on 51 pts too but only 7 GD West Ham should beat Brentford today (Sunday) which would put them on 54pts but above Arsenal because of that higher GD.

Spurs seem to have gone a few gears since Conte's outburst a few weeks ago. Son-Kane and their on loan...Kulusevski, (Swedish)are all clicking well up front along with new midfielder, Bentancur (Uruguayan)
 
Didn't they thump Chelsea a week or so ago? Chickens shouldn't be counted....


:D Well, would you Adam and Eve it 2-0 defeat for WH. Everton look more secure but a few games to go yet.
 
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