Spurs Thread for Other Teams' Results - [R]

[DigitalTron]

This thread is for posting the score and consequences of other teams' results and any consequences it may have. If you want to avoid seeing a result, please avoid this thread. :D

Week 1:
One bright spot was that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, and other European contenders dropped points in their first game or two.

With Berbatov, Zakora, Ekotto, etc. all settling still, and our World Cup players without a lot of time to develop chemistry, our squad hasn't gelled yet. It's good we've not fallen behind, and I think when our squad does gell, it will be a good bet to make the Champion's League this season.

-Digital

[OrlandoSPUR]

...definitely need this thread, its good to see teams who should be be challenging for the top 6 drop points. ManYoo have got off to a flyer, probably needed, but I have a feeling they will start to get found out, would I be right in pointing out Saha seems to be going well, Digital?

hahahaha to Chavski, your money can buy you championships but not a victory in smoggieland. ********ing rent boys.

I'm hoping the fact that the scum have moved to the 'emerroids stadium will give the away side a better chance than playing on that subbuteo pitch at the library.

Also with Bolton buying Anelka I think they have pushed themselves well and truely into the european hunt. He and Davies will be a real handful.

[MartinJol]

great thread digital.

everyone have been taking points off each other so far - only newcastle and man utd have 100% winning records. hopefully man city take 3 more off the scum tomorrow

[Danners9]

ZOKORA ;)

Man Utd looked good vs Fulham and good again vs Charlton, although their defending was dreadful at times.

Chelsea losing and Arsenal dropping points on the opening day are encouraging for the league in general. Teams struggle at new stadiums, Arsenal's home form may be indifferent this season.

Our real test will come in the game after a midweek European game.

[DigitalTron]

would I be right in pointing out Saha seems to be going well, Digital?

I agree completely, he's looked fabulous. In fact, Manchester United look absolutely fantastic. Saha has sped up play quite a lot, and both Ronaldo and Rooney are starting the season in top form. Those three, Giggs and even Scholes seem to be really moving the ball quickly, and if that continues, they'll simply outclass most of the league. Much focus has been on Carrick joining United and no other big name transfers, but honestly, it's the people who were already there that have been putting on the show. Scholes is back and showing he's not lost it, Skolsjaer (sp?) is back and really shaking off the rust quickly. Ronaldo is playing to exorcise the demons of the last World Cup, and Rooney is looking like a leading candidate for Premiership Player of the Year. The defense has looked solid, but it's their attack that really has been an eye opener. No slow start this season.

Interesting to see the Bolton-Anelka development, heh, he could be a great signing or a disasterous one. I think Big Sam can handle him though.

-Digital

[Spur_Forever]

Ok, so I know the season has only just begun, but can someone please explain wtf is going on?

Sheffield Utd holding Liverpool...
Comeback kings Boro getting "come-backed" against by Reading...
Boro beating Chelsea (deservedly, I might add) then getting trounced by Pompey...
The fortress that was WHL being breached by Everton..
Villa near the top of the table (just behind Portsmouth)...

What's next???

Robbie Savage to win the fair play award?
Jimmy Bullard to be voted sexiest man in football?
Newcastle to get an injury-free striker?

[DigitalTron]

What's next???

Robbie Savage to win the fair play award?
Jimmy Bullard to be voted sexiest man in football?
Newcastle to get an injury-free striker?

Chelsea's squad reveals that 100% of their salaries will go to charity
Arsenal voted least-diving club in the Premiership
Ken Bates named England's nicest owner.

Now, as for results ... gotta admit that while it's a topsy turvy early season, Martin O'Neal is doing good things with Villa. Coupled with American Lerner's purchase of the team, things seem to be looking up for them.

It's funny seeing Bolton as the favorite in just about any game, but when they're the team playing flowing football, it's just mindboggling! Then hearing Big Sam (a very good coach) complain about the very same tactics he routinely employs, it makes me chuckle.

-Digital

[Skizz]

It could always be worse for inconsistency:

23rd Aug: Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Chelsea
28th Aug: Middlesbrough 0 - 4 Portsmouth

[THFC1]

It could always be worse for inconsistency:

23rd Aug: Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Chelsea
28th Aug: Middlesbrough 0 - 4 Portsmouth

That is just Middlesbrough for you, they were the same last season, they beat Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal at home and lost at home to Sunderland.

[DigitalTron]

In a bit of a shocker, Manchester United's Rossi seems about to be loaned to Newcastle. Dang, why give the talented kid to the Toon?!?!?!?

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=413238&CPID=8&clid=4&lid=2&title=Magpies+in+shock+Rossi+swoop

-Digital

[DigitalTron]

I'm afraid that Arsenal have received full value at the end of their transfer window. While Ashley Cole is a top fullback, I'd say getting William Gallas is actually more valuable to them. While Cole is replacable with a good player, Gallas is a huge upgrade for their defense--Arsenal's weak point IMHO. The fact that they received 5 million pounds to boot is just icing on the cake for them. That definitely makes them a harder side to beat away from their new stadium.

Reyes was definitely talented, but they have a wealth of good creative midfielders, and Hleb or Rosicky can fill in the midfield without a huge dropoff. Getting Baptiste gives them somethings they lack up top: size and strength. While it's only a 2-way loan deal, and there's always the settling in period, I'd say it was a significant victory for Arsenal on both fronts.

I've seen Arsenal as an incomplete team for quite a while. They've lacked a Dmid since Viera left, and it's really been their Achilles Heel. They've lacked that lock-down defender since Sol went missing. They've also lacked a physical presence up top for what seems like forever. In one day they've addressed two of their biggest holes in their team, IMHO. Not sure how their Dmid will work out--still a huge hole--but Wenger has made excellent work of this transfer window, I'd say.

Rosicky was excellent value, especially considering the Reyes situation. He's a a bit of a 2-way player, which they'll need without a real Dmid. Trading Gallas for Cole + Cash is another coup, especially considering everyone knew Cole would never re-sign for them. Getting the seldom used Baptiste for the wantaway Reyes was also an excellent deal. While I think Spurs have had a very good transfer window, I'd have to say that Arsenal's has been just as good. Making the Top 4 just got significantly harder.

-Digital

[tapper]

I think Baptista as a striker could give them issues. He's a bit reluctant to hang around the box, but rather likes to drop much deeper as he is, by trade, a midfielder.

However, he has shown himself to be a versatile player in the past.

And Honestly, I never thought of Vieira as a true DM. THat's Gilberto's (or Petit's) role after all. Vieira, for me, was always more of a box-to-box midfielder, and what they've missed is his imposing size and speed in the middle of the park with the very small, slight Fabregas. Baptista would be a much better fit there, IMO, but I don't think they'll take Fabregas off the field.

[DigitalTron]

September 9, 2006 RESULTS - [R]


Some scores of note:

Boro ties Arsenal 1-1
Great result for Spurs. I don't think Boro will be much of a threat for Champions League play, but Arsenal are already dropping points by the bagful, so even when Spurs haven't really gelled like they need to gel, we're not falling behind Arsenal. :)

Everton beats Liverpool 3-0
Well I don't expect Everton to challenge for CL play either, but they did beat us, at the Lane no less. Always good to see Tim Howard post another clean sheet, and it couldn't have come against a better group of fellas than Liverpool.

Fulham beat Newcastle 2-1
I'm kind of worried for Fulham this season, as I think they may be in a relegation battle, so happy to see them win ... and again, always nice to see Newcastle drop points.

Sheffield United ties Blackburn 0-0
Speaking of relegation teams ... Sheffield United isn't going down without a fight (figuratively that is). I'd imagine this game would be the height of gentility and flair, but the "contenders" drop points to the "pretenders" ... seems to be a lot of that going around. I guess Blackburn and Bolton don't have a duopoly on stylish play, but it seems to be grinding out a lot of results all around the Premiership this season.

Leaving aside Manchester United and Chelsea for a moment (as I think it's a safe bet both will make CL spots), that leaves Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle (quite possibly in that order) fighting for the remaining CL and UEFA spots. Even if we lose against Manchester United at Old Trafford, we'll only have lost 1 point total to those three. Seems like it's too early to write us off just yet!

-Digital

[Danners9]

You tell but half the story.

Arsenal were losing to a James Morisson goal, until Boateng got sent off (apparently harshly, not seen it yet) on 60 something, and then a soft penalty (according to Mr Gooner Charlie Nicholas on Sky) that Henry scored. 1-1.

The Sheff Utd game had THREE penalties. 2 for Sheff Utd and 1 for Blackburn. All saved! Unsworth and Hulse for Sheff U, and er.. I don't know who for Blackburn.

I watched Chelsea vs Charlton. 2-1 to Chelsea. But Charlton had what looked to me a perfectly good goal disallowed for handball. Hard to see exactly on the TV but it looked like shoulder.

Two teams got big favours to get them some points. Have to watch it properly later on and see if my view changes ;).

Jimmy Bullard got taken to hospital during the Fulham game, a cruncher from Scott Parker on the knee cap led to it being 'dislocated' according to 5Live radio. Chris Coleman says it's not as bad as first thought, and the Sky man said the incident made him feel sick. His knee was 'inverted' apparently. Again, not seen.. not sure I want to. I'm squeemish with knee/leg injuries.

[DigitalTron]

Thanks Danners, I didn't know about all that drama in the other games ... good stuff! :eek:

Looking at our direct competition, the table looks like this to me:

Liverpool: +1
Spurs: 0
Newcastle: 0
Arsenal: -1
Blackburn: -2

So after bringing in a boatload of new players, and playing at least half subs or new players among the 10 field players in each of the first 4 games, and a horrible early season for Robinson ... Spurs are still right in the thick of the battle despite losing 3 of the first 4 games.

New: Berbatov, Zokora, Ekotto, Chimbonda
Subs started: Davenport, Ghaly, Ziegler, Mido (a sub this year), Lee (a sub this year), Defoe. Granted Mido, Lee and Defoe are all former starters.

-Digital

[DigitalTron]

September 16th, 2006

Bolton 0-0 Middlesbrough
Charlton 0-1 Portsmouth
Everton 2-2 Wigan
Sheff United 1-2 Reading
Watford L-L Aston Villa

Not much to speak about really, but we couldn't have asked for better results. Bolton and Boro dropping points can't hurt, and Everton dropping points is a good result for us.

-Digital

[Colm]

Portsmouth are having a great start to the season. Yet to concead a goal. Reading and Aston Villa also doing well so far.

[sendorange]

Surprised that Pompey haven't conceded a goal as their defence looks the weakest part. If they manage to sign a quality goalscorer and another good centre back in January they could well stay up around the top 6.

[DigitalTron]

September 17, 2006

Blackburn 4-2 Mancester City
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
West Ham 0-2 Newcastle

At the moment, our direct competition table looks like this:

Newcastle: +2
Spurs: 0
Liverpoool: 0
Blackburn: 0
Arsenal: -2*

*Arsenal's game at Manchester United is later today.

Inexplicably, Spurs are still in the thick of things. Sure, all of these dropped points to mid and lower table teams will eventually bite us in the arse, but we're still in contention now.

Next week against Liverpool. I couldn't possibly think of a better time to play Liverpool really. When both clubs are hitting on all cylinders, they're extremely difficult to beat. A draw is a good result. And if we lose ... well what's new. :( But, if we manage to win, maybe t his can be the catalyst to spur (pun intended) us onto performing the way we're capable of performing.

I can't believe Spurs results, but the fact that we're still in contention is even more mind boggling.

-Digital

[THFC1]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5360700.stm

I can't be bothered to do a new thread about it so i'll put it in here.

The BBC's Panorama programme about bungs in football.

Sam Allardyce was the one mostly named.

Harry Redknapp was also filmed talking about signing Andy Todd from Blackburn with Todd's agent.

And Chelsea is also involved, Frank Arnesen was filmed talking to a agent of a Middlesbrough youngster 15 year old Nathan Porritt, Arnesen was filmed talking about the youngsters role in the youth team and how much he would be paid. All this was done without Middlesbrough's knowledge, but i don't think they would need consent as he was only 15 and would not have signed professional forms.