EPL Discussion Thread 2008/9

[Dirko]

Here's the Bentley goal (hopefully you can see it before it gets removed)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dCv9GDEi9sc

[JK]

**** we threw that game away, after dominating for so much of it, twice being denied by the crossbar and coughing up an OG, you just knew it was going to be "one of those days"!!

Have to question Rafa's sub of Robbie Keane, wasn't Babel's type of game IMHO.

[Wedgie]

How good was that, I recorded the game as I had a good feeling about it but thought when Liverpool went a goal up in the first 3 minutes my feeling were misplaced.
Well done Spurs!

[MightyEagles]

I didn't say that Tottenham could win last night, did I?

[johntheclaret]

Not really EPL discussion, but you know what I mean

Thanks to Sky

Big Sam eyes January return

Sam Allardyce has spoken of his frustration as he attempts to break back into top level management.

The former Bolton and Newcastle boss met with Blackburn after Mark Hughes left for Manchester City but admits that bar an approach from the Republic of Ireland, shortly after leaving St James' Park in January, he has not received a single offer.

Premiership Table (Bottom)

16 Wigan 11 -3 11
17 West Brom 11 -8 11
---------------------------
18 Tottenham 11 -4 9
19 Newcastle 10 -6 9
20 Bolton 10 -5 8

Hmmmmmmm I wonder why

[devilsadvocate]

**** we threw that game away, after dominating for so much of it, twice being denied by the crossbar and coughing up an OG, you just knew it was going to be "one of those days"!!

Have to question Rafa's sub of Robbie Keane, wasn't Babel's type of game IMHO.

Credit where it's due my friend. Liverpool DOMINATED the first 60. The midfield played us off the park. Riera, Mascha, SG and Arbeloa were magic for the first hour for your lot. Liverpool's goal was a well crafted piece of work, assisted by a particularly sloppy piece of defending.

To be fair, Liverpool realistically should have been 4-0 on 55 mins. But in this game, you have to take your chances and like you say, the upright and the crossbar denied you 2 and Kuyt's shocking conversion rate continued to deny the Scouse a buffer.

Enter - 'ARRY REDKNAPP the genius tactician and motivator. 2 subs at the half plus Lennon on 75 and Spurs were flying. Carra's own goal didn't help your cause, but had he not put it in, King would have. ALL the pressure was on Liverpool and Bentley the king of the Lane was wreaking havoc on one side, with Corluka and Lennon tearing it up down the other.

89 minutes in and Spurs had been pressing and throwing the kitchen sink at your lot, and Bentley's effort, followed up by Bent allowed Pavlyuchenko to capitalise, sent us Yids into hysterics. It was magic. It was class. It has been an amazing week.

I have to say, there is nothing like being a Spurs fan. The highs and lows, the disappointment and the utter joy and excitement is second to none. We may not win titles, we may not win trophies left right and centre, but I'd like to hear arguments against my claim that Spurs are the most exciting team to watch in the Prem and possibly the world. ANYTHING can happen with Spurs and usually does. No boring 1-0's or 0-0's for us, there's always drama, drama, drama and I wouldn't have it any other way!

TOTTENHAM 'TILL I DIE....

Pics to follow lads.

[JK]

Congratulations on your win mate, but there's no doubt Liverpool lost it ... A win's a win and you take them anytime, particularly in this game that can be cruel and beautiful on so many different occasions - We've benefitted from some fair "rub of the Green" and you can't have it all one way, so were due to cop one back at some stage.

Your best player was the Crossbar, and to be fair considering you needed to find a way into the game, Harry's moves were hardly earth shattering.

Tottenham have so much more talent than your position suggests (obciously), and if you can latch onto another top front man in January you look pretty lethal up there, need to shore up the back a bit though.

[devilsadvocate]

No doubting at all that Liverpool lost it. I'm more than happy to admit that and pointed that out in my post.

However, you also have to take your chances to win it, which we did.

But, our best players was not the crossbar. Corluka, King and Bentley were good for us, as was Lennon for the last 15. Harry bought on Lennon and Pavlyuchenko (who scored the winner) and put Corluka on the left after taking off Benoit Assou Ekotto, which proved to be a master stroke as Corluka dominated down the left for the last 35 mins. After the half, I was chatting with the bloke next to me (and the 3,000 scousers on the other side, but that was far less produtive ) slating Harry, due to us having 2 natural left backs in the team (BAEkoto and Bale), but he put Corluka there. We have a natural left sided midfielder in Gio Dos Santos who wasn't in the squad, but he put Lennon there. Sheesh, I'm glad Harry is our manager and not some mug like me.

Modric was also great for us at times again. however, Harry pulled him at just the right moment, which undid Liverpool a touch - ther midfield dominance was lost.

Liverpool did lose the game. But we also won by taking our chance at the finish. It's a funny game. We were totally smacked off the park for an hour, but fought back and took the points. Trust me, I've seen the reverse happen to Spurs plenty of times as I'm sure you would have for Scouse. (A certain game in Istanbul spring instantly to mind ).

You win some, you lose some.

I have to say, what a bunch of retards some of the Scouse fans are though (no offecnce - there's 1 in every mob and it's very often me!!!). One bloke outside after the game just stood there slating Spurs fans in front of the bill. He was being a racist, homophobic **** and should have had his face beaten in. A LOT of Yids were giving it to him and when I walked past, made the comment that Liverpool had just lost the league. He didn't know what to say. I loved it!

[JK]

I must admit, I rate the likes of Pav, Corluka (1st time Id seen him, VERY impressed), Modric and Bentley ... The winning goal was all class because the Keeper had performed brilliantly in the play, the finish was just too good.

There is no doubt this loss will have an effect on our title challenge, but to be honest if we're good enough (which I don't think we are just yet) we're still in the best position to win it, so there can be no excuses.

[devilsadvocate]

On the hour, I was thinking that Liverpool are the real deal. With the midfield dominating, they look like a side that can definitely win the title. However, as has been fairly well documented, the defence will be the problem when it comes to lifting trophies. I rate Arbeloa and Agger, but Carra is past it IMHO. I have this argument constantly with a Souse mate. Carra's slow, has become prone to a misplaced pass and generally has to rely on scragging against quicker, craftier players where he resports to shirt pulling.

You never know, but I still expect the Chavs to lift the trophy.

[JK]

I think we've been playing our best football in the league certainly since Rafa took over, and perhaps for 10+ years, but there's still a gap between class in certain area's of our personnel compared with those of the best 2 clubs ... Arbeloa played quite well yesterday and I think Rafa like's him more for the attacking width he brings, because his defensive game has holes.

A team like Liverpool has gotten closer to it, but still can't cover for a missing player like Torres, whereas Man U can still look lethal without say a Rooney, or Chelsea without Ballack or Drogba.

I definitely don't think Carra is past it, he still continues to save the team time after time back there, but Skrtel is definitely the future ... Agger has the best attacking qualities of the 3 but I still worry about him more at the back than the other 2.

[Bully]

was waiting for the roasting from all of you over arsenals performance against stoke. maaybe i should not have brought it up

[devilsadvocate]

was waiting for the roasting from all of you over arsenals performance against stoke. maaybe i should not have brought it up

No point giving you a roasting.
Constructive arguments are far more entertaining for all than me purely giving you a mouthful.

So, what's with Theo having to be carried off on a stretcher with a dislocated shoulder? Obviously hard luck to the bloke, BUT, you don't walk on your shoulder. Having dislocated mine 5 or 6 times, NOT ONCE did I or any other AFL player I've ever seen for that matter need a bloody stretcher to get off the pitch.

And Arsene's constant excuses and mundane babbling is becoming boring beyond belief. He keeps going on about his young side and taking time to mature blah, blah, blah. Well actually Arsene, the average age of Spurs team last week was LESS than Le Arse, PLUS our players had played significantly fewer games in the top flight of any senior league.

[devilsadvocate]

I think we've been playing our best football in the league certainly since Rafa took over, and perhaps for 10+ years, but there's still a gap between class in certain area's of our personnel compared with those of the best 2 clubs ... Arbeloa played quite well yesterday and I think Rafa like's him more for the attacking width he brings, because his defensive game has holes.

A team like Liverpool has gotten closer to it, but still can't cover for a missing player like Torres, whereas Man U can still look lethal without say a Rooney, or Chelsea without Ballack or Drogba.

I definitely don't think Carra is past it, he still continues to save the team time after time back there, but Skrtel is definitely the future ... Agger has the best attacking qualities of the 3 but I still worry about him more at the back than the other 2.

Arbeloa looked more like a midfielder than a defender on Sat night. He was great in the middle of the park and pushing forward, as was Agger, but you're right, Arbeloa's defensive game has holes. I thought Agger defended well though.

On Carra, I take back all the bad things I said. He has scored 4 goals for Tottenham against Liverpool, which is actually 1 more than in his career for Liverpool against all clubs. It puts him equal 8th on the all time goalscoring list for Spurs against Liverpool .

[JK]

On Carra, I take back all the bad things I said. He has scored 4 goals for Tottenham against Liverpool, which is actually 1 more than in his career for Liverpool against all clubs. It puts him equal 8th on the all time goalscoring list for Spurs against Liverpool .

LOL ... Feckin Smartass!!

I'll let you have that one as you haven't had much to boast about in my lifetime

[Bully]

was waiting for the roasting from all of you over arsenals performance against stoke. maaybe i should not have brought it up

No point giving you a roasting.
Constructive arguments are far more entertaining for all than me purely giving you a mouthful.

So, what's with Theo having to be carried off on a stretcher with a dislocated shoulder? Obviously hard luck to the bloke, BUT, you don't walk on your shoulder. Having dislocated mine 5 or 6 times, NOT ONCE did I or any other AFL player I've ever seen for that matter need a bloody stretcher to get off the pitch.

And Arsene's constant excuses and mundane babbling is becoming boring beyond belief. He keeps going on about his young side and taking time to mature blah, blah, blah. Well actually Arsene, the average age of Spurs team last week was LESS than Le Arse, PLUS our players had played significantly fewer games in the top flight of any senior league.

fair point just expected more not just from you but everyone. agreed with you on arsene's excuses. having played AFL for plympton in SAAFL and a few other clubs its noticeable with young players that they arent consistant with their performances ( know that SAAFL league is nothing like premier just example ). all teams must have some player/plaayers of years of experience as they can guide the young ones through tough times on the field. i am frustrated with arsene's policies but im just a supporter and cant change things. if the board and owners were unhappy with his decisions im sure they would show him the door but he has been around for a long time now there. for the past four years i have, not going to tell lies, i have expected arsenal to win the league but these days i dont see that happening for a while the way its going. last year was a good example, arsenal was flying high and they had ' that ' game against birmingham city where eduardo was take off over a broken leg and things suddenly went pair shaped from there. gallas stormed off the ground before the penalty was taken. also we led against chelsea, at stamford, and led against man united at old trafford but lost both.
my point being arsene needs to look hard in what he is trying to achieve lately and think maybe its time to stop going down that road .NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATING then arsenal playing/passing the ball better then anyone and then falling down in the penalty box with 3,4,5 passes when 1 player can shoot and be done with it

[JK]

What a cracking game at the Emirates tonight, I only caught the 2nd half (read the first via blog and had to come watch and see for myself) but it was BY FAR the best game I've seen all season!

El Nasri's 2nd was a corker of a finish, but then Man U ensured it went down to the wire by way of new youngster Raphael (this kid will be a seriously good player btw).

Surprised Fergie subbed Rooney (who is just great to watch - Note: when your team isnt the opposition lol) instead of Berbatov who for all his brilliance still displays some very ordinary body language.

Arsenal have as much natural ability as anyone and should only improve with a better injury run, but Man U can play better than they did, season is still well and truly alive for the big 4.

[Strawb]

Get big sam back at Bolton

[Dogwatcher]

UGHHHHHHH.
Sunderland gone from taking a pot at the top 10 to being a possible relegation battler in just two weeks!

[JK]

Get big sam back at Bolton

Umm, they just had an away win against the 4th placed side?