Race for top 4 | Finito.

croadyman said:
Oh absolutely he was a prat raising his hands
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3 games out for that is so so daft. Needed him today badly.

Soon as he is out this midfield turns into shithouse again.

Although I don't think Marcel was bad at all today.
 
BlueHaze said:
3 games out for that is so so daft. Needed him today badly.

Soon as he is out this midfield turns into shithouse again.

Although I don't think Marcel was bad at all today.
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Yeah he did a decent job,finally get to see them together in League Cup Final thank god
 
That’s why I wanted Spurs to lose on the weekend. The top 4 race isn’t over. Every point we and the other contenders gain / lose matters. We are due some loses of form
 
Spurs by and large have not been very good. One smash and grab against City does not change that. I still think the top 4 come the end of the season will be Arsenal, City, United, Newcastle
 
croadyman said:
Because at least for those title fights you always confident we could retrieve points deficits whereas don't have that belief when we drop such silly points like tonight
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I understand we've been burnt far too many times in the last decade, but ETH knows what he is doing. The players are together and playing for a common goal. Have some faith.
 
Lloris is out for 6 weeks, that could cost Spurs 2-3 points right there
 
BlueHaze said:
Tbh what casemiro did was the stupid thing there not Antony.. So dumb to do that with var and everything and knowing they'll do anything to feck us over.
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Definitely. I'm not sure it was a red but he gave the ref the excuse and that's enough. It's cost us 2 pts already but look, the bigger issue is why our midfield got overrun tonight. That shouldn't be happening. Sabitzer I can excuse as it was a baptism of fire in the PL but Fred was just woeful. We have to figure it out and make do because Leeds (a), Leicester (h) are certainly not gimme's.
 
AshRK said:
We should really bin him if we are being honest. Players like him are unreliable and are the difference between a proper title challenge and being a pretender.
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We should and can't afford to do so this season. The alternative we have is a massive downgrade. At least with Sancho back, we could play Rashford up front
 
MUFC OK said:
Definitely. I'm not sure it was a red but he gave the ref the excuse and that's enough. It's cost us 2 pts already but look, the bigger issue is why our midfield got overrun tonight. That shouldn't be happening. Sabitzer I can excuse as it was a baptism of fire in the PL but Fred was just woeful. We have to figure it out and make do because Leeds (a), Leicester (h) are certainly not gimme's.
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Could easily win neither looking at tonight
 
When will we giving ourselves some breathing space with these midweek games. Palace away 9 off top with chance to go within 6, blow it and still 8 behind. Leeds tonight 8 off top with chance to go within 5 but blow it again and 7 off top.
 
elisha27 said:
Lloris has cost Spurs more points this season than perhaps any other player among the top 4 race.
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He's struggled but I do not have faith in the giant Forster after his form at Southampton.
 
This is a make or break month for us with injuries, suspension and whether ten hag persists with wout , if we can get through this month with breathing space between us and 5th place then I think we will be OK for 4th
 
Lee565 said:
This is a make or break month for us with injuries, suspension and whether ten hag persists with wout , if we can get through this month with breathing space between us and 5th place then I think we will be OK for 4th
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Yeah injury and suspensions are really biting deep in a big way this month that's for sure
 
Lee565 said:
This is a make or break month for us with injuries, suspension and whether ten hag persists with wout , if we can get through this month with breathing space between us and 5th place then I think we will be OK for 4th
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Given that Wout is fit and available and almost everyone else is not Ten Hag doesn't have a great deal of choice. Wout will either start or come off the bench for the next month until Martial is finally fit again. Bruno as a false nine was horrible earlier in the season, and Rashford, good though he is, cannot play two positions at once.
 
Sammy McIlroys fan club said:
Given that Wout is fit and available and almost everyone else is not Ten Hag doesn't have a great deal of choice. Wout will either start or come off the bench for the next month until Martial is finally fit again. Bruno as a false nine was horrible earlier in the season, and Rashford, good though he is, cannot play two positions at once.
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I see no reason why rashford can not play as a striker, he has matured a lot this season and I include physically as well as he does looks really strong the ball now, wout is a massive hindrance and since his inclusion we have looked below par with him on the pitch
 
It'd be nice if Newcastle pay for Bruno's availability in the League Cup final by dropping more points in the league. Some measure of fairness
 
Lee565 said:
I see no reason why rashford can not play as a striker, he has matured a lot this season and I include physically as well as he does looks really strong the ball now, wout is a massive hindrance and since his inclusion we have looked below par with him on the pitch
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So Garnacho RW, Rashford CF and Sancho LW
 
Lee565 said:
I see no reason why rashford can not play as a striker, he has matured a lot this season and I include physically as well as he does looks really strong the ball now, wout is a massive hindrance and since his inclusion we have looked below par with him on the pitch
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I don't have a professional batch so can't give you all the technical details, but Rashford has been tried as #9, by a few managers already, all with different background, and yet he still fails to perform as #9. On counter-attack, he is 1 of the best, anything else, just not working. May be he can do the job under Pep's false 9 system.
 
cyril C said:
I don't have a professional batch so can't give you all the technical details, but Rashford has been tried as #9, by a few managers already, all with different background, and yet he still fails to perform as #9. On counter-attack, he is 1 of the best, anything else, just not working. May be he can do the job under Pep's false 9 system.
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Rashford may not be a long term no.9, but it's better than WW who under normal circumstances wouldn't be considered for top 7 teams (Newcastle included) for bench role.

It's similar to playing Mbappe uptop in WC final when Giroud became a hinderance under Argentina press. Not ideal (Mbappe, Rashford as CF), but better than being handicapped to play in oppositions' palm.

There is level element aside from natural attribute/role to be considered. How much some players work doesn't compensate when being outleveled. WW almost should not start PL games in 99% circumstances for us.
 
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Giroud wasn't really a hindrance though. He would most likely have scored the header that Kolo Muani missed.
 
Lee565 said:
I see no reason why rashford can not play as a striker, he has matured a lot this season and I include physically as well as he does looks really strong the ball now, wout is a massive hindrance and since his inclusion we have looked below par with him on the pitch
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I don'
ti vu said:
Rashford may not be a long term no.9, but it's better than WW who under normal circumstances wouldn't be considered for top 7 teams (Newcastle included) for bench role.

It's similar to playing Mbappe uptop in WC final when Giroud became a hinderance under Argentina press. Not ideal (Mbappe, Rashford as CF), but better than being handicapped to play in oppositions' palm.

There is level element aside from natural attribute/role to be considered. How much some players work doesn't compensate when being outleveled. WW almost should not start PL games in 99% circumstances for us.
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Why do you think Giroud keeps on starting for France? Is he really a hinderance or is he helping the French team in certain aspects? The most ideal #9 is Benzema or Lewandoski (but 10 years younger) but we have none.
 
cyril C said:
I don'


Why do you think Giroud keeps on starting for France? Is he really a hinderance or is he helping the French team in certain aspects? The most ideal #9 is Benzema or Lewandoski (but 10 years younger) but we have none.
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I talked about the WC final.

Giroud is several levels above WW. The point being, when your CF failed to lead the line, and became a hinderance to the system, not amount of previous work could get in the way of decision to change the tactic.

WW didn't really have anything in the bank at PL, or for us, so that we have to try and hope somehow he would improve and contribute much to our team.

People see a traditional CF and equate WW to one that can do it at the required level.
 
ti vu said:
I talked about the WC final.

Giroud is several levels above WW. The point being, when your CF failed to lead the line, and became a hinderance to the system, not amount of previous work could get in the way of decision to change the tactic.

WW didn't really have anything in the bank at PL, or for us, so that we have to try and hope somehow he would improve and contribute much to our team.
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I think it is unfair to put all the blame on Giroud, when half of the French 1st teamers are missing. The fact that France can progress so far in the tournament, should give credit to the manager as well as the rest of the squad.

Mind you, Giroud was meant to be backup to Benzema, likewise WW is meant to be backup to Martial, or whoever our new #9.

AND, we definitely don't need another attacking player who are only comfortable on the left.
 
cyril C said:
I think it is unfair to put all the blame on Giroud, when half of the French 1st teamers are missing. The fact that France can progress so far in the tournament, should give credit to the manager as well as the rest of the squad.

Mind you, Giroud was meant to be backup to Benzema, likewise WW is meant to be backup to Martial, or whoever our new #9.

AND, we definitely don't need another attacking player who are only comfortable on the left.
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I am putting any blame on Giroud. I tried to give an example on how a CF lacking pace to run the channel in certain situation can hinder the team. I am well aware, Dembele dropped his head, and played badly too. That's not the discussion here.

Right now, WW is not up to the standard of someone like Giroud. He can also be tactical mismatched. He shouldn't start especially against team known for their high pressing tactic. Rashford playing uptop maynot be ideal, but it's much better than having WW, and struggling to build up attack.
 
Since I have burned twice, thinking we could be in a shout for league and subsequently thrown it away against Palace and then yesterday. Now I am firmly in the top 4 group. We don't deserve the league title, purely on the basis that whenever the window of opportunity arose we shat our pants. The league winners make these moments count and we didn't .

Furthermore, it also highlighted that the backup for Martial (Wout) and Casemiro (Mctominay) is not good enough for a title challenging team, where we need better squad players, who will come in and do the job, whereas Wout (thrice), Mctominay (against Arsenal) and Fred (Twice - Crystal Palace and Leeds) has shown whenever there was opportunity to close the gap and gain control of the game none of them has enough about them or either performed at that level.

I believe Eriksen should be a great squad player, we need to sign first choice player CM to play alongside Casemiro and his backup (DM), plus a striker to ensure Martial becomes his understudy and have enough time to remain fit.
 
Top 4 in TH first season is brilliant. It was an hope more than an expectation at the start of the season, but he has surpassed my belief in him. I thought this would be a settling in season, a big step up, but I am glad I am wrong. The fact we could have a cup as well is great.
 
Fahad Jawaid said:
Since I have burned twice, thinking we could be in a shout for league and subsequently thrown it away against Palace and then yesterday. Now I am firmly in the top 4 group. We don't deserve the league title, purely on the basis that whenever the window of opportunity arose we shat our pants. The league winners make these moments count and we didn't .

Furthermore, it also highlighted that the backup for Martial (Wout) and Casemiro (Mctominay) is not good enough for a title challenging team, where we need better squad players, who will come in and do the job, whereas Wout (thrice), Mctominay (against Arsenal) and Fred (Twice - Crystal Palace and Leeds) has shown whenever there was opportunity to close the gap and gain control of the game none of them has enough about them or either performed at that level.

I believe Eriksen should be a great squad player, we need to sign first choice player CM to play alongside Casemiro and his backup (DM), plus a striker to ensure Martial becomes his understudy and have enough time to remain fit.
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Yeah it's frustrating that both times we have had a tiny window of opportunity something got in the way (draw against Palace & Casa suspended v Arsenal) then (draw against Leeds due to Casa suspended)

Like you say both the Arsenal & Leeds games have really shown up how HUGE the drop off is in midfield. I would say forward line but Martial made of weetabix so best just to ignore that until the summer.

Would have been nice to close gap down to 5 and have vested interest in Arsenal's next two games but not meant to be. So instead we fully focus on Spurs and Newcastle's instead.
 
wolvored said:
Top 4 in TH first season is brilliant. It was an hope more than an expectation at the start of the season, but he has surpassed my belief in him. I thought this would be a settling in season, a big step up, but I am glad I am wrong. The fact we could have a cup as well is great.
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We haven't achieved it yet.
 
ti vu said:
I am putting any blame on Giroud. I tried to give an example on how a CF lacking pace to run the channel in certain situation can hinder the team. I am well aware, Dembele dropped his head, and played badly too. That's not the discussion here.

Right now, WW is not up to the standard of someone like Giroud. He can also be tactical mismatched. He shouldn't start especially against team known for their high pressing tactic. Rashford playing uptop maynot be ideal, but it's much better than having WW, and struggling to build up attack.
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Wonder if we could have pushed harder for Giroud or was he never a realistic possibility
 
There’s doom and gloom merchants (one in particular) wishing hard for a Spurs comeback right now.
 
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