Spurs. A timely break, and time for a recharge of batteries. World Cup I don`t give a fig about, but at least it will give Spurs players to regroup and then go again after the Xmas festivities.
I think we would have all taken going into this mini break, Spurs sitting in the top four and through to the last 16 knockout stages of the Champions League. Considering Spurs injuries to key players, Conte has done remarkably well to steer Spurs to where they are right now. Missing arguably Spurs best CB, Romero, one of their best strikers, Son, one of their best players Kulu, the back up striker Richarlison for lots of games. Conte has worked a minor miracle.
Sure we all know the defence in general is not up to scratch, but if that can be at least partly fixed in the January window, then Spurs can still have a very good season. Better to be up there now, than trying to catch up, like last season in my opinion. Have a bit of wriggle room to play with and none of the other so contenders for top four are exactly pulling up any trees, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United still trail Spurs, and I am not expecting Newcastle to last the pace, so top four again should be well within Spurs capabilities.
My only concern is with the World Cup finishing aroundabout Xmas time, and Spurs back in action aroundabout the 27th again, will all the world cup players be available? I really don`t want Spurs to be going into the games after Xmas having to use squad players, we know they are simply not up to it, whoever the opposition. And Spurs have lots of very winnable games just after Xmas going into the New Year, so would be a shame to be dropping silly points, because our players are not available after the World Cup.
Does any poster have a clue what will happen after the World Cup? Will players involved be expected to come straight back, or will they be given time off? I will be very annoyed if they are not straight back playing. Because most will have only played 3 or 4 world cup matches, and they would have been playing a lot more had football continued as per the norm in the Prem. This could be extremely disruptive to the Prem and other leagues across Europe, and indeed the world.
Anyway a very happy bunny on where Spurs are right now (defence apart), and here`s hoping Spurs can push on when football resumes after the World Cup.
COYS.
Well that`s if for a few weeks for
posted on 14/11/22
When you look at the quality of our squad compared to the teams from 1998 to 2006, it's so much weaker yet Southgate has got us to a semi and a final of the last two major tournaments. The criticism he gets for not taking the handbrake off is completely absurd. We've got such poor options at the back that he has to play with three and two holding to ensure our weaker players aren't exposed. It's worked so far so why come for him now? He's our most successful England manager since Alf Ramsey and he deserves more respect than he's getting.
Maybe if he'd gone for it against Italy we'd have come out winners but we might just as easily have been blown away by Italian counters. Surely he's owed some trust?
Oh, and before any of you remind me that Conte also plays a cautiously but I criticise him, it's different. We can change personnel at club level. Southgate has to work with what he's got.
posted on 14/11/22
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 47 minutes ago
When you look at the quality of our squad compared to the teams from 1998 to 2006, it's so much weaker yet Southgate has got us to a semi and a final of the last two major tournaments. The criticism he gets for not taking the handbrake off is completely absurd. We've got such poor options at the back that he has to play with three and two holding to ensure our weaker players aren't exposed. It's worked so far so why come for him now? He's our most successful England manager since Alf Ramsey and he deserves more respect than he's getting.
Maybe if he'd gone for it against Italy we'd have come out winners but we might just as easily have been blown away by Italian counters. Surely he's owed some trust?
Oh, and before any of you remind me that Conte also plays a cautiously but I criticise him, it's different. We can change personnel at club level. Southgate has to work with what he's got.
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You big up Southgate failures very well and we are 3rd in the league and not even halfway through the season yet. Our defence is on par with Englands.
Awful goal keepers. Dier lol, Harry Maguire/Sanchez. It's a mess.
Be consistent Fridge..
posted on 14/11/22
comment by LukaBrasi COYS (U22178)
posted 41 seconds ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 47 minutes ago
When you look at the quality of our squad compared to the teams from 1998 to 2006, it's so much weaker yet Southgate has got us to a semi and a final of the last two major tournaments. The criticism he gets for not taking the handbrake off is completely absurd. We've got such poor options at the back that he has to play with three and two holding to ensure our weaker players aren't exposed. It's worked so far so why come for him now? He's our most successful England manager since Alf Ramsey and he deserves more respect than he's getting.
Maybe if he'd gone for it against Italy we'd have come out winners but we might just as easily have been blown away by Italian counters. Surely he's owed some trust?
Oh, and before any of you remind me that Conte also plays a cautiously but I criticise him, it's different. We can change personnel at club level. Southgate has to work with what he's got.
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You big up Southgate failures very well and we are 3rd in the league and not even halfway through the season yet. Our defence is on par with Englands.
Awful goal keepers. Dier lol, Harry Maguire/Sanchez. It's a mess.
Be consistent Fridge..
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Nah, Fridge boy has got it in for Conte....It must that superglue Conte uses to keep his hair on
posted on 14/11/22
Fridge thinks Conte`s Spurs are boring, yet bigs up Southgate. You couldn`t make it up.
posted on 14/11/22
Spurs. A timely break, and time for a recharge of batteries.
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It's not a break! Just because you're not bothering with the World Cup doesn't mean our players aren't. It will be another draining round of fixtures with no break beforehand and little rest afterwards.
posted on 14/11/22
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 58 minutes ago
Fridge thinks Conte`s Spurs are boring, yet bigs up Southgate. You couldn`t make it up.
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Conte's had two windows to sort out problematic positions at the club but has chosen to spend in areas we're already strong in (Richy when Kane, Son and Kulu are starters, Bissouma who also warms the bench).
It doesn't matter what personnel Conte has, his system is always cautious and defensive first, even when he has the best teams in their respective leagues at his disposal. With Southgate you get the impression he's playing this way because he doesn't have a choice. It probably represents our best chance of doing well in a short, seven game tournament. I don't think it translates well in a league format.
Anyway, some of you lot are criticising Southgate for playing dull football but back Conte for doing the same thing. So really everyone is being a little contradictory.
posted on 14/11/22
comment by Brother (U20548)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
Spurs. A timely break, and time for a recharge of batteries.
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It's not a break! Just because you're not bothering with the World Cup doesn't mean our players aren't. It will be another draining round of fixtures with no break beforehand and little rest afterwards.
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Most of our players will only play three matches. Some will be sat on the bench. In a normal season, they would be playing another half a dozen Prem games up until Xmas. So will be easier.
posted on 14/11/22
Fridge has out done himself - stick with Southgate a man who has won nothing and been in charge for 4 years whilst holding us back, but ditch Conte who has won titles with 3 different sides and has us 4th and in the CL last 16.
Southgate has had a guy who will become Englands greatest ever goal scorer, top quality in midfield and a great array of wingbacks. He has also had the benfit of a home tournament and a World Cup run that saw us play zero elite sides.
Conte has had 2 transfer windows with t-Rex arms got us 4th last year and we’re still 4th now - Fridges verdict: he has to go
posted on 14/11/22
comment by Striketeam7 - the smartest person you know - Buy..Bellingham and another mid 20s Thiago type...lets just call him "frank" (U18109)
posted 2 hours, 42 minutes ago
Fridge has out done himself - stick with Southgate a man who has won nothing and been in charge for 4 years whilst holding us back, but ditch Conte who has won titles with 3 different sides and has us 4th and in the CL last 16.
Southgate has had a guy who will become Englands greatest ever goal scorer, top quality in midfield and a great array of wingbacks. He has also had the benfit of a home tournament and a World Cup run that saw us play zero elite sides.
Conte has had 2 transfer windows with t-Rex arms got us 4th last year and we’re still 4th now - Fridges verdict: he has to go
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Top quality in midfield? Rice, Philips and Henderson isn't quality. He had a quality striker and then semi decent forwards in Sterling, Saka, Foden etc and truly awful CBs.
posted on 14/11/22
"Does any poster have a clue what will happen after the World Cup?"
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Sandy.....I wish for just one thing........NO DAMNED INJURIES!