rosenthal

8 hours ago, VillaChris said:

Have they got any backup CFs on the bench now? I think they signed the young Argie CF and he's had a couple of minutes here and there but they're very thin on the ground next few weeks in most areas.

We've had injuries to four major first team players this season and our bench still looks fairly strong so that's one advantage we should have in next month compared to Spurs and increasingly Newcastle.

Biggest squad depth advantage Villa got over Spurs is at centre back, which also is an issue with Romero suspended for three games and van der Ven obviously out for a while. It's where Spurs fans demand strengthening in January and was upset about at transfer deadline. Club made the decision to let Davinson Sanchez go even if he clearly was needed as a squad player. Faith being put in two England U18 CBs Ashley Phillips and Alfie Dorrington. 

Lot of talk about Spurs avoiding injuries, however we went into the season with Bentancur, Lo Celso, Sessegnon and Bryan out. Perisic out for the season early on while looking very strong and important. Solomon as well. A lot of the players that can play out left. Maddison, Son and Richarlison playing with issues and having to be managed. 

1 Manchester City
2 Liverpool
3 Chelsea
4 Arsenal
5 Tottenham Hotspur
6 Manchester United
7 Aston Villa
8 Newcastle United
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Brentford
11 Crystal Palace
12 West Ham United
13 Nottingham Forest
14 Bournemouth
15 Burnley
16 Fulham
17 Everton
18 Wolverhampton Wanderers
19 Luton Town
20 Sheffield United

Surely back three - Walker, Dier, Maguire
With Saka as wing back.

Also think this jumping back and forward between a back 4 and a 3 is madness. National teams have very little time together to shape the team, stick with a formation and keep it over time. 

5 minutes ago, R.Bear said:

There was talks. It wont happen. European players wont want to fly across the world every international break. I realise the non European internationals have to but that's unavoidable. Plus, how long before North American or African teams want to be a part of it? Then it just becomes a World Cup spread out over 18 months. UEFA and FIFA just need to stop changing things.

Think the idea is for South American teams to compete in Europa, not that UEFA teams are to travel over there. Unfair for their fans, and bit of a mess. But can see why their FA would like it. Would probably lead to them playing additional games with just players from home leagues as well to give local games.

Chelsea were so dependent on Lukaku being their star performer, when he turned into a flop their title chase was pretty much over. 

Dele was free transfer initially, 10m after 20 games. 40m if he's an absolute success for them. 
Question now is probably whether Spurs get a cut of a transfer in the summer.

Player pulled out because he got abuse from Spurs fans on social media. He's an Arsenal fan who had among other Spurs negativity posted derogatory tweets about Kane. Just show how childish tweets can come back and haunt you. 

Already refinanced and added to the long term stadium debt, as long as people will be allowed back to watch sport and entertainment then there's no issue with Spurs' finances. 

43 minutes ago, villalad21 said:

I see no escape for Fulham or West Brom. 

Brighton and Burnley look to have what it takes

Fulham got a chance, they are far better now than they were early on this season. Struggle for wins, but play well and went 5 games unbeaten before they met Chelsea and United. 
Their three next games are Brighton WBA and Burnley.  

It can of course be postponed, but then most likely need to be played in august at the earliest. We're at a point where if they continue to postpone games then the league won't be finished in time for the euros. Decision to be made.

Either teams play with what they got, or they have to look at a similar solution as last season.

Think they'll have to sack Arteta and get someone more pragmatic in to save their Premier League status. 
Long term however, they also need to get rid of almost all of their high profiled players. It's an attitude issue more than a talent one.

12 hours ago, Rds1983 said:

How exactly does an age test work?

 They use a scan of the wrist. It's apparently very accurate.

7 minutes ago, stewiek2 said:

So, Southgate bemoans Grealish not playing in his natural position for club, then plays Dier at CB

Again, he's a CB for his club and will never be a midfielder again.

5 hours ago, MrBlack said:

Something like this for tomorrow?  (I know Jack won't start... f$#king Southgate)

Rice instead of Dier? Walker instead of Trent?

Dier is a centre back now, probably won't play in midfield again.

I'd go with Henderson; TAA, Dier, Mings, Gomez; Rice, Ward-Prowse, Mount; Sterling, Kane, Sancho.

If City wins it doesn't matter, there's no achievement in what they do. It's just a write off

1 hour ago, Mic09 said:

I wonder where that Ajax team might finish if they played in the Prem League?

Probably 7th

Will still be played as Nations League is a tournament on it's own, not just a euro qualifier. 

It's the lower divisions that teams might drop out of the play offs as those are to settle qualification spots for the euros.

On 16/11/2018 at 13:47, Tommo_b said:

Bloody hell, he was excellent for Spurs as well when he must’ve been like 40!

Joined at 40, was solid and kept his place for a season and a half until Lloris took over. 
Retired at age 44, said he had no issue with still playing games, but that it was tough for his body to throw himself around daily at the training ground. 

11 hours ago, Kuwabatake Sanjuro said:

Daily Heil saying 170k

 in stead of transfer fee to Schalke there'll be a sign on fee to agent and player - thought to be £14m

So if Zaha come complaining, they could still point to Meyer earning less than him. 

2 hours ago, daggy_333 said:

Does a transfer embargo effect outgoing transfers as well as incoming? 

You can still do outgoing transfers while under an embargo. Anything else would be unfair and damaging to players at said club. However, often clubs with transfer embargo will not sell players as they have no opportunity to replace them.

5 hours ago, maqroll said:

How far off is Jack from England consideration?

That's the choice he make these days. Will it be 2-3 months or 2-3 years.

Size of the fee probably not as important in their discussions as how much is up front.

If he goes Spurs, he'll get England caps in the fall.

England will look bad on paper, but maybe there'll be a balanced motivated unified team there for once.