English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

[jeemak]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Spurs nicely placed. Given the injury list and the number of players away at he Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations, sitting 5th at the end of December is a great place to be.

Next League game is vs Man United away and then a struggling Brentford at home. Hoping we can limp through those 2 games and avoid more injuries.

Spurs deserve a bit of kudos for grinding things out (best last five record for the top five). Not perfect and made some blues along the way, but admirable to keep it together somewhat.

My only joy at this juncture in being 1-0-4 in our last five, is being 1-0-4 in our last five and still a point ahead of Chelsea who are 3-0-2 in their last five!

[jeemak]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Not much joy for us Jee. Id go the 3.min version xD

I went the nine minute version and it seemed like a good game for people who wanted to see a bit of entertainment......

While I get we conceded a lot of shots looking at the stats, and that it should have been a bigger margin in result based on those I do wonder why we didn't park the bus from the outset and just let more of it come to us. You're never going to win toe to toe against Liverpool on their deck with half a squad.

Funnily (or not), Howe is starting to remind me of some AFL coaches and not least like Bevo. Stick to the process, call on injuries, lament in game deficiencies, dip the lid to some decisions that don't go your way without being too critical of them, but don't change things up enough to make it really difficult for the opposition because being a good coach (a purist) doesn't allow that. As long as the effort is there, right?

Not really sure what I have to say about Klopp. Most of the top line PL managers are a bit off (borderline certifiable), he didn't acknowledge us or barely did even though with our deficiencies we stayed in the game for sixty minutes or more and took two off them.

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Spurs nicely placed. Given the injury list and the number of players away at he Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations, sitting 5th at the end of December is a great place to be.

Next League game is vs Man United away and then a struggling Brentford at home. Hoping we can limp through those 2 games and avoid more injuries.

Doing really well.

Great news for Ange and Australian coaches more broadly.
The pathway seems clear, Japan then into second tier Europe and hope to land a prime time gig.

Interestingly Harry Kewell has taken over at Yokohama F Marinos (Ange's old side) from Kevin Muscat who has gone to China I heard.

[chef]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

My only joy at this juncture in being 1-0-4 in our last five, is being 1-0-4 in our last five and still a point ahead of Chelsea who are 3-0-2 in their last five!

I feel like we'll start to string some more wins together now that we a getting closer to having a full squad fit finally(missus James). Wont be surprised if we end up making a close run for 6th come the end of the season.

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

I feel like we'll start to string some more wins together now that we a getting closer to having a full squad fit finally(missus James). Wont be surprised if we end up making a close run for 6th come the end of the season.

Bet you a macaroon delivery that won't happen.

[chef]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Bet you a macaroon delivery that won't happen.

Only 6 points between 6th and 11th and none of those teams are really good. Its anyones race.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

I felt like the intensity of the press was back to that title year you guys had.
Was sooo good. Endo goes ok first time I've seen him for you guys.

Apparently Liverpool broke the XG record ha. Without Dubravka mightve been 10-0

The expected goals stat does my head in. But then most stats do that for me.
Your keep was insanely good. According to the commentators, he's been not going so well but he stood out.
Endo is a good no nonsense midfielder who loves laying a hard tackle. Bit like James Milner used to. We probably need an upgrade but he will have to do for the time being.

What happened to that young red head that you guys used to have? I think he was a local.

When i begun watching soccer in the late 90's one of my favourite players to watch was Paolo Wauchope (?). I think he was Colombian and he had really long legs.

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

The expected goals stat does my head in. But then most stats do that for me.
Your keep was insanely good. According to the commentators, he's been not going so well but he stood out.
Endo is a good no nonsense midfielder who loves laying a hard tackle. Bit like James Milner used to. We probably need an upgrade but he will have to do for the time being.

What happened to that young red head that you guys used to have? I think he was a local.

When i begun watching soccer in the late 90's one of my favourite players to watch was Paolo Wauchope (?). I think he was Colombian and he had really long legs.

Young redhead, could be either Jack Colback or Matty Longstaff.
The former moved on a while ago, the latter ended up not making it for some reason.

[jeemak]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Longstaff was loaned to Colchester United in Football League 2. He did his ACL last Christmas and was released from NUFC.

[D Mitchell]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

TO:
All you knowledgeable supporters of EPL teams.

BACKGROUND
1. During the then traditional sojourn in the Old Dart of post uni/apprenticeship life in the '70s, I was a regular attendant at White Hart Lane, a consequence of having befriended the son ("my old mate") of a 'Spurs great.
2. During Covid Lockdowns, I discovered Edinburgh Hibernians by the post game celebrations following their 2016 Scottish Cup victory after 114 years.
3. With Gary's encouragement, I've opened a, regretfully under utilised, sub-forum for discussion of Scottish Premiership League issues.

REQUEST FOR OPINIONS
1. A few years back, on my last trip to London, I went to watch 'Spurs one evening - can't recall the opposition. After the game, in a conversation with my old mate, I was critical of the 'Spurs strikers for not putting pressure on the opposition defenders, reciting what's expected of Aus Rules forwards. His response was that goals are so rare and difficult that strikers must have all their energy reserves for the odd opportunity to score. Was my old mate right ?

2. A few weeks back, I ran into a Rangers' supporter. He said that the Scottish game is harder than EPL, more manly, less finesse. I ran that past a mate of mine who is right into European football, is critical of the A League and the Scottish influence on Australian soccer. He said that Scottish soccer is played on pitches that are below the standard of European / EPL pitches and there isn't the money to put into development. Further that a lot of young Australians wind up in Scotland where their development is hindered by the beatings they cop on the pitch.

Any comments from me betters on either proposition ?

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Interesting, yes I think that's probably accurate. My team, Newcastle United have been relegated to the championship twice in my time following and every time they go down I lament the quality of the league in terms of skill. Don't get me wrong there are many very capable players, however along with that you'll get a lot of brutal centre backs who just want to kick the talented guys and overpower with force.

SPL is a step down from the championship except probably Celtic and Rangers so it would be even worse.
The A League isn't too bad in this regard. I find we try and play rather than just go route one with long balls, however it's biggest drawback for me is the speed and skill level.

Not sure re the pitch quality these days, I think you do get the odd bad one in regions however teams in capital cities play in a grade stadiums (in Aus).

[D Mitchell]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Thankyou, GG. Very informative. Do you have an opinion on the Scottish influence on Aus Football, adverse or otherwise ?

Newcastle, eh? C?wood colours and design. Back then it had a Centre Forward who had the bandiest legs ever. I can?t recall hi name but Jimmy Hill used to say that if his legs we?re straight, he?d be the tallest man in.England.

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

KDB. What a player. Painful against my side but he's just a joy to watch.

[Grantysghost]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Thankyou, GG. Very informative. Do you have an opinion on the Scottish influence on Aus Football, adverse or otherwise ?

Newcastle, eh? C?wood colours and design. Back then it had a Centre Forward who had the bandiest legs ever. I can?t recall hi name but Jimmy Hill used to say that if his legs we?re straight, he?d be the tallest man in.England.

I don't have any issues with it (Scottish influence). Not sure about grabbing players from other countries like Fornaroli, Berisha, Boyle, Souttar and calling them ours though.
Would like to see more youth system players.

My wife is a Geordie so the Pies colours didn't matter and im from a big pies family on Dad's side.

I started following seriously in about 2005 so don't recall that player.

[chef]

Re: English Premier League 2023/2024 Season Thread

Finally moving up from 10th. Hopefully Wolves and Spurs can do us a favour.

Youngest team in the league beats the oldest one, fun derby. Nice to be getting some players back from injury rather than losing them.