Football Focus

[????]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Can't believe Liverpool lost today, I checked

> the

> > score on 83 minutes and it was still 2-1, so I

> > thought to myself "hope we don't conceed and

> > equaliser". Couldn't believe it when I looked

> 15

> > minutes later.

> >

> > And none of the other results went how I'd have

> > liked either.

>

> That match was a tribute to the influence of

> Victor Wanyama who came on at half time.

> Apparently Liverpool were controlling the midfield

> first half.

He (klopp) also bought on Skirtel at half time for his first competitive match for a while, which didn't work out

[Seabag]

Closer to home, Hilly Fielders U12's beat Orpinton in yellow shirts (or whatever they are called) 3-1

Well done to the boys, it was a great come back from 1 nil down at half time, with Seabag JNR scoring the leveller (it was a corker) and helping the team win in good spirit

I seem to get more joy at these games than anything I see on TV

Well played the Arsenal tho

[Alan Medic]

titch juicy Wrote:

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> I think it has a lot to do with the way Klopp

> wants them playing; high tempo gegenpress and them

> not being fit enough to do so for 90 mins.

>

> With a full pre-season and his own playing staff,

> I imagine next season Liverpool will be better for

> 90 mins.

May have just as much to do as them having played on Thursday night as LVG pointed out.

[titch juicy]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> titch juicy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I think it has a lot to do with the way Klopp

> > wants them playing; high tempo gegenpress and

> them

> > not being fit enough to do so for 90 mins.

> >

> > With a full pre-season and his own playing

> staff,

> > I imagine next season Liverpool will be better

> for

> > 90 mins.

>

> May have just as much to do as them having played

> on Thursday night as LVG pointed out.

Spurs played on Thursday night and were given much more of a run around than Liverpool, yet we had no trouble over 90 mins. And yes, a couple of key players were rested but the majority played (Lloris, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose for 80 mins, Alli, Dier, Lamela).

[red devil]

Spurs have had plenty of off days on a Sunday following a Thursday game. I thought the general consensus was that no team likes the Thursday - Sunday schedule, it's the main reason why the Europa League is so unpopular...

[titch juicy]

I think the main reason the Europa League is so unpopular is getting very little financial reward for such a punishing schedule. It's slightly more popular now that a CL place goes to the winner.

But I don't see the difference between playing weds/sat and thurs/sun.

And for leagues games following Europa league games this season, Spurs record is Won 5, Drawn 3, Lost 1.

[red devil]

As you've been in it so often, you've obviously got used to it...

[titch juicy]

Haha!

[titch juicy]

Spursday Nights will never be the same again.

[Otta]

Give it a year and I'm sure they'll be back ;-)

[????]

I think Spurs are going to be Champions.....and am tempted to put some more money on top of my existing bet

[Otta]

Much as I want Leicester to get over the line, I have had a nasty feeling you're right.

[red devil]

Leicester's fixtures...

Leicester v Southampton - 1pt

Sunderland v Leicester - 1pt

Leicester v West Ham - 1pt

Leicester v Swansea - 3pts

Man Utd v Leicester - 1pt

Leicester v Everton - 3pts

Chelsea v Leicester - 1pt

Total 66 + 11 = 77pts

Spurs's fixtures...

Liverpool v Tottenham - 1pt

Tottenham v Man Utd - 1pt

Stoke v Tottenham - 3pts

Tottenham v West Brom - 3pts

Chelsea v Tottenham - 1pt

Tottenham v Southampton - 3pts

Newcastle v Tottenham - 3pts

Total 61 + 15 = 76pts

Leicester Champions!...

[earlydoors]

Leicester have been superb but I wonder how they will respond if they go behind in one of their remaining fixtures, or lose?

Spurs looked utterly nerveless yesterday and full of youthful verve and enthusiasm, and there was a lot of pressure on them.

I think if Leicester lose one they could

do a Liverpool from a couple of seasons ago and crumble.

[????]

red devil Wrote:

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> Leicester's fixtures...

>

> Leicester v Southampton - 1pt

> Sunderland v Leicester - 1pt

> Leicester v West Ham - 1pt

> Leicester v Swansea - 3pts

> Man Utd v Leicester - 1pt

> Leicester v Everton - 3pts

> Chelsea v Leicester - 1pt

>

> Total 66 + 11 = 77pts

>

>

> Spurs's fixtures...

>

> Liverpool v Tottenham - 1pt

> Tottenham v Man Utd - 1pt

> Stoke v Tottenham - 3pts

> Tottenham v West Brom - 3pts

> Chelsea v Tottenham - 1pt

> Tottenham v Southampton - 3pts

> Newcastle v Tottenham - 3pts

>

> Total 61 + 15 = 76pts

>

>

> Leicester Champions!...

I think Spurs will get at least one win out of Liverpool You lot and Chelsea though RD

[Jah Lush]

I'm saying nothing but I hope you're right Quids. .

BBC's lowdown on Poch. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35739244

[Otta]

Thing is, if Leicester win it, it will be an absolutely amazing achievement.

If spurs win it, it'll be because the top teams had a bad year ;-)

[Jah Lush]

Feck off!

[earlydoors]

I think Spurs are the best team in the league this season. They have scored more goals and conceded less then anyone else.

They have the most balanced squad, and as a young squad they can potentially improve.

As magnificent as Leicester are, they are playing well above capacity.

Obviously if Leicester win the league then they will have been the best team, but at this point of the season that's how I assess it. Spurs drew far too many games in the first half of the season and it could cost them.

[????]

If West Ham had had Payet fit all season we'd be in the mix I reckon

[earlydoors]

Fair point....and Carroll as he has affected games when he has come on as sub.

Payet's no spring chicken and I think he's had a slightly 'troubled' career thus far.

Not a criticism, but I wonder if he will be as effective next season as there seems to be a suggestion that he can blow a bit hot and cold.

[red devil]

???? Wrote:

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> I think Spurs will get at least one win out of

> Liverpool You lot and Chelsea though RD

You're probably right and it will probably be against us!

I did those predictions in isolation, they don't take into account momentum, if Spurs do the close the gap to 3 points after 3 games, then the nerves might really kick in for Leicester...

[JohnL]

earlydoors Wrote:

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> I think Spurs are the best team in the league this

> season. They have scored more goals and conceded

> less then anyone else.

> They have the most balanced squad, and as a young

> squad they can potentially improve.

> As magnificent as Leicester are, they are playing

> well above capacity.

> Obviously if Leicester win the league then they

> will have been the best team, but at this point of

> the season that's how I assess it. Spurs drew far

> too many games in the first half of the season and

> it could cost them.

But the 'well above capacity' doesn't see any sign of

falling to 'capacity'

[earlydoors]

I'm a died in the wool Spurs fan so a bit biased, but I'm also realistic about us as a team. I have been waiting for us to do a 'Spursy' all season, but it hasn't happened yet.

I almost think Spurs being second gives them a better chance of winning the league as the pressure is all on Leicester at the moment.

A lot of people say that Leicester winning the league would be better for English football, and it's hard to argue with that. But I think Spurs winning would be just as good for English football because of all the young English players they have in the team.

[titch juicy]

Yep, either side winning it will be good.

If this season's shown us anything it's that hungry, young, sensibly paid players, pulling in the same direction under a manager that knows how to bring the best out of them (Leicester, Tottenham, West Ham), seems to be preferable to overpaid mercenaries that don't care greatly and know they'll get their ?200k a week regardless of how they play (City, United, Chelsea).