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Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 21st, 2019, 4:39 pm
by TheBoy
I said whoever we appointed would tell us exactly what the club's ambitions are for the next 2-3 years and I think Mourinho shows in no uncertain terms they now expect trophies. He was my unquestionable first choice due to the reasons listed previously and hearing him talk in his first press conference today I think really showed a different Jose to the one we saw at United. He never seemed happy there but he genuinely seems happy and excited to be at Spurs. It could be just his honeymoon period, but people have already highlighted the massive difference in his demeanour between this press conference and his first United one where he was moody and defensive from the off.

I'm also pretty gobsmacked by the initial negative reaction from a large number of Tottenham fans. Every complaint they have, the appointment of Jose answers them: He plays boring football - well we've been playing absolutely dire for a good 18 months or more. Spurs don't spend money - they've just hired the most expensive to maintain coach in world football, of course they are going to spend money. He unsettles squads - we've currently got half the first team wanting to leave, just how much more unsettled can they be? He goes against the ethos of the club - yes he does, he actually likes to win things!

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally prepared for this to fail spectacularly but I'm a damn sight more excited by this scenario than another project manager that might play fancy football but inevitably fall short again and again over the next 4 years.

Regarding the lack of backing Poch, it's kind of a myth. We broke our transfer record several times on players like Sissoko, Sanchez and then this season Ndombele and Lo Celso with 150m spent this summer. The problem was Poch being very stubborn in the players he wanted, particularly during 2018. For example, the rumours are that Levy was pushing hard for Tielemans last January, but Poch refused. As we know he went on loan to Leicester and has been one of the best players in their fantastic time under Brendan Rogers.

Congrats on Wales, Peter.

Wales, Golf and Madrid - in that order ;)

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 22nd, 2019, 6:10 am
by PeterL22
TheBoy wrote: November 21st, 2019, 4:39 pm I said whoever we appointed would tell us exactly what the club's ambitions are for the next 2-3 years and I think Mourinho shows in no uncertain terms they now expect trophies. He was my unquestionable first choice due to the reasons listed previously and hearing him talk in his first press conference today I think really showed a different Jose to the one we saw at United. He never seemed happy there but he genuinely seems happy and excited to be at Spurs. It could be just his honeymoon period, but people have already highlighted the massive difference in his demeanour between this press conference and his first United one where he was moody and defensive from the off.

I'm also pretty gobsmacked by the initial negative reaction from a large number of Tottenham fans. Every complaint they have, the appointment of Jose answers them: He plays boring football - well we've been playing absolutely dire for a good 18 months or more. Spurs don't spend money - they've just hired the most expensive to maintain coach in world football, of course they are going to spend money. He unsettles squads - we've currently got half the first team wanting to leave, just how much more unsettled can they be? He goes against the ethos of the club - yes he does, he actually likes to win things!

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally prepared for this to fail spectacularly but I'm a damn sight more excited by this scenario than another project manager that might play fancy football but inevitably fall short again and again over the next 4 years.

Regarding the lack of backing Poch, it's kind of a myth. We broke our transfer record several times on players like Sissoko, Sanchez and then this season Ndombele and Lo Celso with 150m spent this summer. The problem was Poch being very stubborn in the players he wanted, particularly during 2018. For example, the rumours are that Levy was pushing hard for Tielemans last January, but Poch refused. As we know he went on loan to Leicester and has been one of the best players in their fantastic time under Brendan Rogers.

Congrats on Wales, Peter.

Wales, Golf and Madrid - in that order ;)
To be honest, as a neutral, I think Levy has made a big mistake.
If you look at all Jose's conferences in the past when he arrives at a club they are similarly modest and "saying all the right things". For me the clue was when one reporter asked him if he thought losing to Liverhampton in last season's Champions' League final had had a lasting effects on Spurs's players, and he replied "I wouldn't know. I've never lost a final!". A leopard doesn't change his spots.
If I was a Spurs fan, I would be worried about his style of playing - a yawnfest - see Mourinho's Chelski & Man Utd teams!
I would also be worried about bringing in a manager who has a record of disrupting dressing rooms when there is already a problem.
Regarding recent signings, the list you quote says it all - they may be expensive, but are all pretty useless - even Sissoko only plays for spells, and is lucky not to pick up even more yellow cards!
We'll have Potch back down here on the South Coast!!

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 22nd, 2019, 6:16 am
by PeterL22
And the weekend's results are.......

West Ham v Spurs - away by 2 (Hammers are awful and Mourinho will get "New Manager" effect)
Arsenal v Saints - home by 2, but depending on which Arsenal turn up I wouldn't rule out a Saints win.
Bournemouth v Wolves - away by 1
Brighton v Leicester - away by 2
Palace v LIvehampton - draw (Palace often surprise the Scousers)
Everton v Norwich - draw
Watford v Burnley - scoreless draw
Man City v Chelski - draw
Sheff Utd v Man Utd - home by 1. (Will OGS be next for sack - close between him an RH at Saints)

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 25th, 2019, 6:11 am
by PeterL22
Reflections on two of the weekend's games.

Firstly, Saints at Arsenal (which I went to). How on earth did we miss all those chances in the second half???? (Djenepo you are the guilty one). Saints should really have been 3 (or 4) -1 up before the equaliser came.
I am now certain why away fans have changed "Is this a library?" to "Is this the Emirates" to goad home fans who are being quiet!! - it was difficult to even hear you booing your team off at half-time!
Speaking of which Emery has become favourite for next sacking - just ahead of Silva from Everton (losing at home to Norwich??!!??).

Secondly, Sheff Utd v Man Utd - Man Utd are rubbish! If Sheffield had taken their chances in the first half it would have been game-over. Even the three they scored were in a chaotic period when the Blades looked tired and defended too deep (and losing Mousset really didn't help them getting forward on the break)! After all that, they couldn't keep the lead and had to settle for a draw. Not the old Ferguson UTd for sure.
Hmmmm - add OGS to the above list of sackings (I've thought this ever since he was appointed!).

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 25th, 2019, 3:37 pm
by rokkerr
.... and very quietly Leicester keep on winning... I find that shocking to be honest... their team is almost completely different from their title run with the exception of Vardy and the goalie...

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 26th, 2019, 6:35 am
by PeterL22
rokkerr wrote: November 25th, 2019, 3:37 pm .... and very quietly Leicester keep on winning... I find that shocking to be honest... their team is almost completely different from their title run with the exception of Vardy and the goalie...
They are the best side I have seen against Saints this season - the 9-0 wasn't just because Saints were awful that night, Leicester created great chances and took them!
Tielemans has been a great buy for them, and Maddison is dangerous (if somewhat dirty) going forward. Their defence is better now with the Turkish centre back Soyunucu playing really well. When Liverhampton start to get injuries (and it would only need Virgil & Mane to be out for a reasonable spell) watch out for them as title contenders.

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 29th, 2019, 6:18 am
by PeterL22
Emery now officially the favourite to be next PL manager to get the sack - they were even worse last night against Eintract Frankfurt than against Saints!!

This weekend's results - here they are

Newcastle v Man City draw - city are struggling with injuries and Newcastle will park the bus
Burnley v Palace - home by 2
Chelski v West Ham - home by 2
Liverpool v Brighton - home by 3
Spurs v Bournemouth - home by 2 (Bournemouth struggling a bit at the moment)
Saints v Watford - should be home by 2 (depending on injuries)
Norwich v Arsenal - away by 1 (may keep Emery in a job for a bit longer)
Wolves v Sheff Utd - draw (did you know Sheff Utd are unbeaten away in PL so far?)
Leicester v Everton - home by 3 (Silva may just beat Emery in the sack race)
Man Utd v Villa - home by 1

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: November 30th, 2019, 4:25 am
by PeterL22
Told you about Emery - I did post before announcement yesterday, honest!

Add another manager into sack race as well, Flores at Watford - remember that they change managers more often than teenage boys change underpants!
If Saints do the job this afternoon, he may well be on the way out too!
And if Saints don't then Ralph may be on the way from here!

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: December 2nd, 2019, 6:03 am
by PeterL22
So I got Flores & Emery right. Next is Silva if they lose to the Red Scousers in the week!

Mid-week results are ........

Palace v Bournemouth - home by 1
Burnley v Man City - home win!
Chelski v Villa - draw
Leicester v Watford - home by 2
Man Utd v Tottenham - Jose by 1
Saints v Norwich - draw
Liverpool v Everton - draw - and Silva survives a bit longer.
Sheff Utd v Newcastle - home by 2
Arsenal v Brighton home by 2.

Looking at the season as a whole I would like to change a couple of predictions
PL Champions - I switch to Leicester
Relegated - Watford, Brighton and (sadly) Saints.

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: December 6th, 2019, 6:02 am
by PeterL22
Interesting week - Silva out as well.
That only leaves OGS at Man Utd - he'll be gone by the end of the season!

Weekend results? As you asked so nicely .............

Everton v Chelski - draw
Bournemouth v Liverpool - scouser by 2
Spurs v Burnley - Spurs by 2
Watford v Palace - draw
Man City v Man Utd - draw
Villa v Leicester - Foxes by 1
Newcastle v Saints - home by 2
Norwich v Sheff Utd - draw
Brighton v Wolves - away by 2
West Ham v Arsenal - home by 2

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: December 12th, 2019, 7:00 am
by PeterL22
Not too bad last week - now for this weekend .........

Liverpool v Watford - home by 3
Burnley v Newcastle - dullest game of weekend - scoreless draw
Chelski v Bournemouth - home by 1
Leicester v Norwich - home by 2 and Vardy to score again!
Sheff Utd v Villa - draw
Saints v West Ham - away by 2 (sadly).
Man Utd v Everton - home by 2 -
Wolves v Spurs - home by 1
Arsenal v Man City - away by 2
Palace v Brighton - home by 2

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: December 21st, 2019, 8:48 am
by lance_s
Pete's gone? No forecast for this week?

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: January 12th, 2020, 7:23 am
by lance_s
PeterL22 wrote: December 2nd, 2019, 6:03 am

Looking at the season as a whole I would like to change a couple of predictions
PL Champions - I switch to Leicester
Relegated - Watford, Brighton and (sadly) Saints.
Looks like the Saints are safely out of the relegation zone...

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: January 13th, 2020, 12:18 pm
by rokkerr
and shocked to see how Bournmouth are bottom 3... LOVE Eddie Howe... hope they turn it around...

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: January 13th, 2020, 12:19 pm
by rokkerr
lance_s wrote: December 21st, 2019, 8:48 am Pete's gone? No forecast for this week?
He sometimes take a break :)

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: January 13th, 2020, 12:31 pm
by Andrew35
Tim Howard who is part owner of the Memphis 901 Club, is now the Sports Director
of the team
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/usl-ti ... per-usmnt/

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: February 1st, 2020, 1:57 pm
by rokkerr
I have to say Southhampton REALLY gave Liverpool a run for their money in the first half today...
Peter.. your team went from relegation worries to middle of the table.. quite impressive...

VERY glad to see Bournmouth pick up a couple of wins..
The real issue this year will be who is going DOWN... just about anyone in the lower half COULD go down with just a few points separating the bottom third ...
Shocking in my lifetime to see Arsenal with 30 points at this stage of the season...

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: February 2nd, 2020, 9:05 pm
by lance_s
rokkerr wrote: February 1st, 2020, 1:57 pm I have to say Southhampton REALLY gave Liverpool a run for their money in the first half today...
Peter.. your team went from relegation worries to middle of the table.. quite impressive...

VERY glad to see Bournmouth pick up a couple of wins..
The real issue this year will be who is going DOWN... just about anyone in the lower half COULD go down with just a few points separating the bottom third ...
Shocking in my lifetime to see Arsenal with 30 points at this stage of the season...
And your Spurs saved a penalty to pip City today!

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: March 17th, 2020, 9:29 am
by rokkerr
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/euro-20 ... demic.html

Well there goes the European Cup this year....

Re: Gert & TheBoy's Official VNA Soccer... err Football Thread

Posted: May 26th, 2020, 10:35 pm
by rokkerr
Premier league is maybe on the way back? Nut no time soon it seems especially with a few players testing positive for COVID...

https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-pre ... ed-sources