Some important games tonight. Spurs vs Man City will be an interesting one, Spurs always raise themselves for bigger games, and are coming into form anyway, while City have just suffered 2 bad defeats.
Going by their team selection, Spurs seem to be putting their focus onto next weeks Europa league game.
Which is understandable given that winning it gives you a Champions league place.
Could England have six spots in the Champions League next season then? - Or does winning the Europa, take away the spot from fifth in the League - If we're the highest Co-efficient that is.
Yes a country can now have a max of 6 teams. it was 5, but it's now changed.
Yep, most definitely focus on the Europa now. Finally, we might just take a cup competition seriously for the first time in what seems like years.
I was bloody annoyed to turn up last night to find Kulusevski and Spence rested, they've been by far our best players this season without question but hey, totally get why Ange done it.
We were so aimless first half. No movement at all. It doesn't help that without Solanke, Sonny or Richarlison, we dont have anyone capable of playing the no.9 role and we just dont have anyone making runs and the ball goes backwards, sideways, backward, sideways without any penetration. Tel isn't a no.9, that is clear. I'm fairly certain he'll play on the wing once Solanke returns.
Second half was a massive improvement. Biggest cheer of the night was when Spence came on. He's had one hell of a turnaround that lad. Finally got his act in order and he looks in the team to stay now, whether it be at left back or right back. I prefer him over Porro thats for sure. Shame is took Ange so long to realise.
Danso looks capable of being a very proficient centre back. He seems to have got some pace about him too. Not sure what Johnson offers apart from the back post tap in, which he's managed 14 of in all competitions this season. He was poor last night. And as for Timo Werner, why on earth did Ange throw him on with 10-15 mins to go over Mikey Moore? Werner doesn't have a future at Spurs beyond the end of this season, so play the youth please.Oh and Bergvall. Blimey, that lad is going to be a bit good when he grows a bit more and has got a bit more experience.
Good to Romero is back training and only a week or so away from returning. But an interesting stat I heard last night in the pub. He has played 112 games for Spurs in all competitions. But last night was the 77th game he has missed through injury or suspension since he signed.
Got home just before midnight after 4 neck oils. In bed around 12:30pm. Youngest daughter projectile vomited all over her bedroom carpet around 1am. Went back to bed around 2:30am after cleaning it all up. Sigh.
Yep, most definitely focus on the Europa now. Finally, we might just take a cup competition seriously for the first time in what seems like years.
I was bloody annoyed to turn up last night to find Kulusevski and Spence rested, they've been by far our best players this season without question but hey, totally get why Ange done it.
We were so aimless first half. No movement at all. It doesn't help that without Solanke, Sonny or Richarlison, we dont have anyone capable of playing the no.9 role and we just dont have anyone making runs and the ball goes backwards, sideways, backward, sideways without any penetration. Tel isn't a no.9, that is clear. I'm fairly certain he'll play on the wing once Solanke returns.
Second half was a massive improvement. Biggest cheer of the night was when Spence came on. He's had one hell of a turnaround that lad. Finally got his act in order and he looks in the team to stay now, whether it be at left back or right back. I prefer him over Porro thats for sure. Shame is took Ange so long to realise.
Danso looks capable of being a very proficient centre back. He seems to have got some pace about him too. Not sure what Johnson offers apart from the back post tap in, which he's managed 14 of in all competitions this season. He was poor last night. And as for Timo Werner, why on earth did Ange throw him on with 10-15 mins to go over Mikey Moore? Werner doesn't have a future at Spurs beyond the end of this season, so play the youth please.Oh and Bergvall. Blimey, that lad is going to be a bit good when he grows a bit more and has got a bit more experience.
Good to Romero is back training and only a week or so away from returning. But an interesting stat I heard last night in the pub. He has played 112 games for Spurs in all competitions. But last night was the 77th game he has missed through injury or suspension since he signed.
Got home just before midnight after 4 neck oils. In bed around 12:30pm. Youngest daughter projectile vomited all over her bedroom carpet around 1am. Went back to bed around 2:30am after cleaning it all up. Sigh.
And that was JohnBoy's review of last night.
Well Moore wasn't on the bench last night so he couldn't have put him on. But i do agree it makes no sense to play Werner when you're clearly not going to keep him next year.
Looking at the Europa draw i don't think there's anyone Spurs should fear. Ajax/Frankfurt won't be easy but those ties are 5-6 weeks away and you'd hope to have most of your players fit by then.
Yep, most definitely focus on the Europa now. Finally, we might just take a cup competition seriously for the first time in what seems like years.
I was bloody annoyed to turn up last night to find Kulusevski and Spence rested, they've been by far our best players this season without question but hey, totally get why Ange done it.
We were so aimless first half. No movement at all. It doesn't help that without Solanke, Sonny or Richarlison, we dont have anyone capable of playing the no.9 role and we just dont have anyone making runs and the ball goes backwards, sideways, backward, sideways without any penetration. Tel isn't a no.9, that is clear. I'm fairly certain he'll play on the wing once Solanke returns.
Second half was a massive improvement. Biggest cheer of the night was when Spence came on. He's had one hell of a turnaround that lad. Finally got his act in order and he looks in the team to stay now, whether it be at left back or right back. I prefer him over Porro thats for sure. Shame is took Ange so long to realise.
Danso looks capable of being a very proficient centre back. He seems to have got some pace about him too. Not sure what Johnson offers apart from the back post tap in, which he's managed 14 of in all competitions this season. He was poor last night. And as for Timo Werner, why on earth did Ange throw him on with 10-15 mins to go over Mikey Moore? Werner doesn't have a future at Spurs beyond the end of this season, so play the youth please.Oh and Bergvall. Blimey, that lad is going to be a bit good when he grows a bit more and has got a bit more experience.
Good to Romero is back training and only a week or so away from returning. But an interesting stat I heard last night in the pub. He has played 112 games for Spurs in all competitions. But last night was the 77th game he has missed through injury or suspension since he signed.
Got home just before midnight after 4 neck oils. In bed around 12:30pm. Youngest daughter projectile vomited all over her bedroom carpet around 1am. Went back to bed around 2:30am after cleaning it all up. Sigh.
And that was JohnBoy's review of last night.
Well Moore wasn't on the bench last night so he couldn't have put him on. But i do agree it makes no sense to play Werner when you're clearly not going to keep him next year.
Looking at the Europa draw i don't think there's anyone Spurs should fear. Ajax/Frankfurt won't be easy but those ties are 5-6 weeks away and you'd hope to have most of your players fit by then.
Thanks for pointing that out. I missed the starting line up and list of subs as was still finishing my pint. Just got to my seat as the trumpeter started.
It's only February and you don't have to be Mystic Meg (Sam, she's brown bread !) to know that Liverpool are Champions and Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester are on a yo-yo.
Despite the wishes of the CL members, Palace as I said back in October would finish mid table at least when their talented half dozen players were all fit and United and Spurs despite losing many games would entertain everyone in the bottom half of the table but still well above the drop zone and playing a myriad of matches every few days in cups and league.
My hopes are Chelsea finish outside the top 4. Liverpool, Arsenal and City will take the top 3 places and about 6 other sides will battle away for the financial pleasure of Champions league nights and 3 games a week with other domestic cup games thrown in.
It's neatly 18 years since CAFC were relegated from the Premier league elite; it feels longer 🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
The West Ham V Leicester game is like a pre season friendly. Agree with Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage it's like Leicester and Southampton have thrown the towel in and Ipswich can be added to that duo. TBF I haven't watched an Ipswich live game for some time but they are also looking doomed as Wolves have more talent in their side.
2-0 West Ham and they are only playing in 2nd gear.
Must be a chance this bottom 3 will all be confirmed relegated earlier than any season before.
16th to 18th is already a 15 point gap!
Only Wolves are catchable.
It's been a pathetic performance from all three promoted sides this season. Some will say Ipswich have put up a fight, but it's still no where good enough for Premier League.
Some important games tonight. Spurs vs Man City will be an interesting one, Spurs always raise themselves for bigger games, and are coming into form anyway, while City have just suffered 2 bad defeats.
Going by their team selection, Spurs seem to be putting their focus onto next weeks Europa league game.
Which is understandable given that winning it gives you a Champions league place.
Could England have six spots in the Champions League next season then? - Or does winning the Europa, take away the spot from fifth in the League - If we're the highest Co-efficient that is.
Yes a country can now have a max of 6 teams. it was 5, but it's now changed.
Must be a chance this bottom 3 will all be confirmed relegated earlier than any season before.
16th to 18th is already a 15 point gap!
Only Wolves are catchable.
It's been a pathetic performance from all three promoted sides this season. Some will say Ipswich have put up a fight, but it's still no where good enough for Premier League.
Ipswich's problem is that they just cant defend. Same for Leicester. But at least Ipswich has got some energy in their front players.
Of course, both beat Spurs.
Wolves are better than the bottom 3 by some distance although the points tally doesnt show it. Cunha, a real quality player, is arguably the difference.
Not a hope in hell Cunha or Delap play in the Championship next season. If either go down, most of the top PL clubs with be after them.
(I'd happily see both at Spurs but they'll end up at a club playing European Football!)
Must be a chance this bottom 3 will all be confirmed relegated earlier than any season before.
16th to 18th is already a 15 point gap!
Only Wolves are catchable.
It's been a pathetic performance from all three promoted sides this season. Some will say Ipswich have put up a fight, but it's still no where good enough for Premier League.
Ipswich's problem is that they just cant defend. Same for Leicester. But at least Ipswich has got some energy in their front players.
Of course, both beat Spurs.
Wolves are better than the bottom 3 by some distance although the points tally doesnt show it. Cunha, a real quality player, is arguably the difference.
Not a hope in hell Cunha or Delap play in the Championship next season. If either go down, most of the top PL clubs with be after them.
(I'd happily see both at Spurs but they'll end up at a club playing European Football!)
Even if Wolves stay up, I imagine Cunha still leaves for big money in the summer. Seems a real talent.
Don't follow enough Prem games to know which team is the best fit for Delap, but as you say most of them will be keen to sign.
Must be a chance this bottom 3 will all be confirmed relegated earlier than any season before.
16th to 18th is already a 15 point gap!
Only Wolves are catchable.
It's been a pathetic performance from all three promoted sides this season. Some will say Ipswich have put up a fight, but it's still no where good enough for Premier League.
Ipswich's problem is that they just cant defend. Same for Leicester. But at least Ipswich has got some energy in their front players.
Of course, both beat Spurs.
Wolves are better than the bottom 3 by some distance although the points tally doesnt show it. Cunha, a real quality player, is arguably the difference.
Not a hope in hell Cunha or Delap play in the Championship next season. If either go down, most of the top PL clubs with be after them.
(I'd happily see both at Spurs but they'll end up at a club playing European Football!)
Even if Wolves stay up, I imagine Cunha still leaves for big money in the summer. Seems a real talent.
Don't follow enough Prem games to know which team is the best fit for Delap, but as you say most of them will be keen to sign.
Hopefully Delap doesn’t go to Chelsea never to be seen again
I think Ipswich tried to do the right things but they're just not defensively solid enough. Would expect Delap to go to a Top 6 side for big money , will be interesting what happens to the likes of Leif Davis, Jaden Philogene and Omari Hutchinson who have starred in the championship and have shown flashes in the PL.
Other 2 promoted sides have been complete cannon fodder.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
At some point they have to give it a proper go. Thats 2 seasons of taking prem money out of 3 (and parachutes in between) with a relatively moderate amount of spend. Either give it a proper go, or whats the point?
Ipswich have at least spent reasonably well, even if they haven't been quote up to staying up - they'll make a good profit on Delap and maybe Hutchinson, and Szmodics and Clarke for example will be very good playrrs for the Championship next year.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
At some point they have to give it a proper go. Thats 2 seasons of taking prem money out of 3 (and parachutes in between) with a relatively moderate amount of spend. Either give it a proper go, or whats the point?
From memory, Norwich never gave it a go when they went between Premier League and Championship constantly. Now they're stuck in Championship.
Although think Fulham went up and down few years in a row until they worked out how to avoid relegation and become mid table side.
Second season running that the 3 promoted clubs will go straight back down. Unless a team comes up and does well next season (i'd imagine Leeds would have the best chance) then serious questions are going to get asked about how things can change.
PL clubs obviously won't care but it's becoming more and more of a closed shop, and as poor as the bottom 3 are, we know they'll be amongst the favourites for promotion next season. The top 3 in the championship right now are Leeds who were in the PL two years ago and came third last year, and Sheff Utd/Burnley who both went down last year.
If they both bounce back immediately next year Leicester and Southampton will have gone PL-Champ-PL-Champ-PL.
The only way you have a chance of surviving is to come up and spend about 150m.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
Burnley are an interesting one as in the Championship they are incredibly defensively solid. Obviously that won't hold up a division but they might be better set than recently promoted teams (including themselves)
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
At some point they have to give it a proper go. Thats 2 seasons of taking prem money out of 3 (and parachutes in between) with a relatively moderate amount of spend. Either give it a proper go, or whats the point?
Unless they are backed by someone with deep pockets, I suppose clubs simply don't want to risk putting themselves in a state of financial ruin. Parachute payments are compensation but they won't make up for big money signings or long term commitments to players on extortionate salaries. Of course, those players could be sold but that would probably not be at the level that were paid in the first place.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
At some point they have to give it a proper go. Thats 2 seasons of taking prem money out of 3 (and parachutes in between) with a relatively moderate amount of spend. Either give it a proper go, or whats the point?
The difficulty is that the better players won't want to join a newly promoted team, so you end up building a squad of good Championship players, and end up a yo yo club.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
Burnley are an interesting one as in the Championship they are incredibly defensively solid. Obviously that won't hold up a division but they might be better set than recently promoted teams (including themselves)
They don't score enough goals as it is in the championship. They're only where they are because of their defence. But as you rightly say that won't hold up in the PL, so they will naturally struggle. Sheff Utd will probably be the same.
If another club (currently Sunderland/West Brom/Blackburn) sneak up via the play offs then god help them.
If I was a Blade or Burnley supporter, would I be looking forward to promotion, or dreading a season of dispiriting defeats?
At some point they have to give it a proper go. Thats 2 seasons of taking prem money out of 3 (and parachutes in between) with a relatively moderate amount of spend. Either give it a proper go, or whats the point?
The difficulty is that the better players won't want to join a newly promoted team, so you end up building a squad of good Championship players, and end up a yo yo club.
You'd have to look abroad for signings. In a world where even Wolves have Brazilian national team players, there's plenty of players willing to move here to sign for PL teams.
Ipswich have at least spent reasonably well, even if they haven't been quote up to staying up - they'll make a good profit on Delap and maybe Hutchinson, and Szmodics and Clarke for example will be very good playrrs for the Championship next year.
Think they could well come straight back up.
They spent £103 million on players , the 13th highest spend in world football this season. this shows the massive gap between the Championship and the Premiership. Maybe the gap now is is not closeable.
Personally I'd like the parachute payments to be cut to just Two seasons. Also I'd like the amount of money paid within the parachute system drastically reduced. As things stand the championship is a uneven playing field making it much harder for teams to gain promotion without parachute payments.
Comments
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cr46erzp1e0o
I was bloody annoyed to turn up last night to find Kulusevski and Spence rested, they've been by far our best players this season without question but hey, totally get why Ange done it.
We were so aimless first half. No movement at all. It doesn't help that without Solanke, Sonny or Richarlison, we dont have anyone capable of playing the no.9 role and we just dont have anyone making runs and the ball goes backwards, sideways, backward, sideways without any penetration. Tel isn't a no.9, that is clear. I'm fairly certain he'll play on the wing once Solanke returns.
Second half was a massive improvement. Biggest cheer of the night was when Spence came on. He's had one hell of a turnaround that lad. Finally got his act in order and he looks in the team to stay now, whether it be at left back or right back. I prefer him over Porro thats for sure. Shame is took Ange so long to realise.
Danso looks capable of being a very proficient centre back. He seems to have got some pace about him too.
Not sure what Johnson offers apart from the back post tap in, which he's managed 14 of in all competitions this season. He was poor last night. And as for Timo Werner, why on earth did Ange throw him on with 10-15 mins to go over Mikey Moore? Werner doesn't have a future at Spurs beyond the end of this season, so play the youth please.Oh and Bergvall. Blimey, that lad is going to be a bit good when he grows a bit more and has got a bit more experience.
Good to Romero is back training and only a week or so away from returning. But an interesting stat I heard last night in the pub.
He has played 112 games for Spurs in all competitions. But last night was the 77th game he has missed through injury or suspension since he signed.
Got home just before midnight after 4 neck oils. In bed around 12:30pm. Youngest daughter projectile vomited all over her bedroom carpet around 1am. Went back to bed around 2:30am after cleaning it all up. Sigh.
And that was JohnBoy's review of last night.
Looking at the Europa draw i don't think there's anyone Spurs should fear. Ajax/Frankfurt won't be easy but those ties are 5-6 weeks away and you'd hope to have most of your players fit by then.
Despite the wishes of the CL members, Palace as I said back in October would finish mid table at least when their talented half dozen players were all fit and United and Spurs despite losing many games would entertain everyone in the bottom half of the table but still well above the drop zone and playing a myriad of matches every few days in cups and league.
My hopes are Chelsea finish outside the top 4.
Liverpool, Arsenal and City will take the top 3 places and about 6 other sides will battle away for the financial pleasure of Champions league nights and 3 games a week with other domestic cup games thrown in.
It's neatly 18 years since CAFC were relegated from the Premier league elite; it feels longer 🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
2-0 West Ham and they are only playing in 2nd gear.
https://x.com/KingElm665/status/1862594267174088879
Same for Leicester. But at least Ipswich has got some energy in their front players.
Of course, both beat Spurs.
Wolves are better than the bottom 3 by some distance although the points tally doesnt show it. Cunha, a real quality player, is arguably the difference.
Not a hope in hell Cunha or Delap play in the Championship next season. If either go down, most of the top PL clubs with be after them.
(I'd happily see both at Spurs but they'll end up at a club playing European Football!)
Other 2 promoted sides have been complete cannon fodder.
Think they could well come straight back up.
PL clubs obviously won't care but it's becoming more and more of a closed shop, and as poor as the bottom 3 are, we know they'll be amongst the favourites for promotion next season. The top 3 in the championship right now are Leeds who were in the PL two years ago and came third last year, and Sheff Utd/Burnley who both went down last year.
If they both bounce back immediately next year Leicester and Southampton will have gone PL-Champ-PL-Champ-PL.
The only way you have a chance of surviving is to come up and spend about 150m.
If another club (currently Sunderland/West Brom/Blackburn) sneak up via the play offs then god help them.
this shows the massive gap between the Championship and the Premiership.
Maybe the gap now is is not closeable.
I do think we need to scrap FFP. I'm not sure what purpose it is serving other than stopping teams outside the big 6 from investing.
Also I'd like the amount of money paid within the parachute system drastically reduced.
As things stand the championship is a uneven playing field making it much harder for teams to gain promotion without parachute payments.