The Soccer/Football Thread

[zim]

Even if we just cut out the stupid cutesy stuff back to the keeper it'd be an improvement. We'll dominate and then get cute with it instead of clearing it and the other side will polish off the chance instead of putting it into the crossbar.

[PNGRaider37]

Even if we just cut out the stupid cutesy stuff back to the keeper it'd be an improvement. We'll dominate and then get cute with it instead of clearing it and the other side will polish off the chance instead of putting it into the crossbar.

Honestly mate. Not clinical enough.. Put those away you dont have to worry about having to mount a comeback.

[zim]

The Nunez post season compilation of clangs is going to be a couple of hours long

[PNGRaider37]

The Nunez post season compilation of clangs is going to be a couple of hours long

hates a tap in - only scores Worldies

[RedRaider]

Matilda's again beaten 1-0 by Canada.

[RedRaider]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

[PNGRaider37]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

Spursy.

[RedRaider]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

Spursy.

Losing England's best player in the off season certainly hurt in games like today. Imagine Harry Kane on the end of a good portion of those 27 opportunities. Ah well, not to be.

[PNGRaider37]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

Spursy.

Losing England's best player in the off season certainly hurt in games like today. Imagine Harry Kane on the end of a good portion of those 27 opportunities. Ah well, not to be.

Doesnt matter if you can't defend a lead. Like I said, Spursy. On track to be outside the top 4 by the new year as predicted.. LFC pulled one out today

[FuiFui BradBrad]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

Spursy.

Losing England's best player in the off season certainly hurt in games like today. Imagine Harry Kane on the end of a good portion of those 27 opportunities. Ah well, not to be.

Doesnt matter if you can't defend a lead. Like I said, Spursy. On track to be outside the top 4 by the new year as predicted.. LFC pulled one out today

To be fair, I don’t think anyone expected them to be in the top four during a rebuild year.

[RedRaider]

After taking an early lead thanks to a header from Romero, Spurs have been beaten 2-1 by West Ham. West Ham Keeper Fabianski making some brilliant saves. Spurs had 23 shots but only 7 were on target for a single goal. That is not good enough at this level. Ange will be looking at the January player window for Center backs and another midfield/forward to get some quality into those positions while he awaits the injured players return.

Spursy.

Losing England's best player in the off season certainly hurt in games like today. Imagine Harry Kane on the end of a good portion of those 27 opportunities. Ah well, not to be.

Doesnt matter if you can't defend a lead. Like I said, Spursy. On track to be outside the top 4 by the new year as predicted.. LFC pulled one out today

Spurs have really missed the injured van de ven at Centre Back. Since he has been injured they have not won a game. In the January player market they will be after at least one Centre Back. The 8 players currently unavailable due to injury have not done them any favors. Spurs play Newcastle tomorrow morning.

Your Liverpool side currently on top of the table PNGRaider. Well done to them.

[PNGRaider37]

Lots of football left to play

[RedRaider]

Ange Postecoglou Tottenham Hotspur have defeated Newcastle 4-1 this morning at home. Ange gave the players a rocket following the defeat at home against West Ham. He made some positional changes, moving Son to the left and Richarlison into the middle of the attack. Richarlison responded with 2 goals before he was subbed off. Udogie opened the scoring with Son setting him up to score. Son finished with Spurs fourth goal which was a penalty. He also had 2 assists for the goals to Udogie and first for Richarlison. Ange will not be happy with conceding a goal in extra time but being back in the winners circle is what counts. Having Sarr back from injury helped in the first half as he put on a masterful display on the right midfield.

Spurs next play Nottingham Forrest away this Saturday morning our time.

[RedRaider]

After 16 rounds of the Premier League the top six sides are:

1. Liverpool on 37 points
2. Arsenal on 36 points
3. Aston Villa on 35 points
4. Manchester City on 33 points
5. Tottenham Hotspur on 30 points
6. Manchester United on 27 points

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJ ... tc;st;fp;1;;;

[RedRaider]

I have included the table for last season 2022/23 for the purpose of comparison with how teams are tracking so far in season 2023/24. Without any doubt, after 16 rounds of the 38 round comp, the big improver is Liverpool up from 5th to 1st.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2022+to ... tc;st;fp;1;;;

[Lamenting Actions]

I have included the table for last season 2022/23 for the purpose of comparison with how teams are tracking so far in season 2023/24. Without any doubt, after 16 rounds of the 38 round comp, the big improver is Liverpool up from 5th to 1st.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2022+to ... tc;st;fp;1;;;

Everton have improved markedly so far since last season (despite the bizarre 10 point docking). It will be interesting to see what happens to Man City now.

[RedRaider]

I have included the table for last season 2022/23 for the purpose of comparison with how teams are tracking so far in season 2023/24. Without any doubt, after 16 rounds of the 38 round comp, the big improver is Liverpool up from 5th to 1st.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2022+to ... tc;st;fp;1;;;

Everton have improved markedly so far since last season (despite the bizarre 10 point docking). It will be interesting to see what happens to Man City now.

LA, If there is any consistency then Manchester City and Chelsea will both have points deducted for this season. Both had more breaches than Everton. To dock points from the reigning Premier League Champions is the correct action, but there will be a massive backlash and it will take courage to do it. The Independent Commission which made the decision on Everton is a three person panel made up of Alan Greenwood, Nick Igoe and David Phillips. Over to you, fellas.

[RedRaider]

Tottenham Hotspur have had a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forrest. Spurs finished with 10 players after having Bissouma sent off for the second time this year. In a rough match Forrest had 16 fouls and 2 yellow cards vs 11 fouls to Spurs but with 4 players yellow carded. Spurs lost Brennan Johnson in the first half to a head knock which saw his head split open.

[RedRaider]

After 17 rounds of the Premier League there is new leader, with Arsenal leap frogging Liverpool. Those two sides play each other on Xmas Eve. In other news Newcastle have overtaken Manchester United. Given their injury woes this is a good effort from Newcastle.

Arsenal - 39 points
Liverpool - 38 points
Aston Villa - 38 points
Manchester City - 34 points
Tottenham Hotspur - 33 points
Newcastle - 29 points
Manchester United - 28 points

[PNGRaider37]

Woke halfway through the LFC game but should have stayed asleep. What a bore. Another reason the inconsistent performances doesnt give me confidence for a title charge. This season is very unpredictable so far.

[PNGRaider37]

I have included the table for last season 2022/23 for the purpose of comparison with how teams are tracking so far in season 2023/24. Without any doubt, after 16 rounds of the 38 round comp, the big improver is Liverpool up from 5th to 1st.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2022+to ... tc;st;fp;1;;;

Everton have improved markedly so far since last season (despite the bizarre 10 point docking). It will be interesting to see what happens to Man City now.

LA, If there is any consistency then Manchester City and Chelsea will both have points deducted for this season. Both had more breaches than Everton. To dock points from the reigning Premier League Champions is the correct action, but there will be a massive backlash and it will take courage to do it. The Independent Commission which made the decision on Everton is a three person panel made up of Alan Greenwood, Nick Igoe and David Phillips. Over to you, fellas.

City are paying millions to lawyers to get them out of this. 10k an hour I hear. Money talks - they might get pounts deducted, might not. Earliest we find out is this time 2024 (next season)

[RedRaider]

Spurs have missed Harry Kane since he left for Bayern Munich in the off season, but he still shows the World his talent. This is amazing from half way.

[RedRaider]

But just so you don't think anyone else can do it in 2023, look at this effort from Inter Milan left back Federico Dimarco from the sideline near halfway.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=5 ... hQpbs,st:0

[RedRaider]

Spurs have won a very entertaining game against Everton 2-1. Romero had to go off with a hamstring injury at half time and that left no regular center backs available. The game was played at high intensity with Everton receiving 4 yellow cards compared to Tottenham 1 which was when Kulusevski fouled an Everton player and then foolishly kicked the ball away - that is dissent under the current rules and an automatic yellow card.

In other news Luton Town beat Newcastle 1-0. Arsenal play Liverpool later on today. The Manchester City v Brentford game was postponed due to the Club World Cup final yesterday which City won 4-0.

[RedRaider]

Arsenal and Liverpool have drawn 1-1. This leaves a very congested top of the ladder at the end of the 18th round (NB: Man City have a deferred game still to play but the date is yet to be determined).

1. Arsenal - 40 points
2. Liverpool - 39 points
3. Aston Villa - 39 points
4. Tottenham Hotspur - 36 points
5. Man City - 34 points
6. West Ham - 30 points
7. Newcastle - 29 points

[RedRaider]

For the first time ever a female has referee'd a Premier League match. Congratulations to Rebecca Welch. Come on NRL, get with the program, it's not like there are 8-10 male ref's of quality blocking their path.

https://sport.optus.com.au/news/premier ... ley-fulham

[zim]

‘Pioneer’ women to make NRL history as first solo referees: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... sey-badger

[PNGRaider37]

Joey Barton won't like this

[RedRaider]

Arguing about commentators?? Some you'll like and some you won't. If he doesn't like a commentator turn the sound down.

[RedRaider]

Spurs lose 4-2 to Brighton. Brighton have 2 penalties in their total. Shirt pulling of all things. At one point Brighton were ahead 4-0. On a brighter note, young 20 year old Argentine striker Veliz came on for Richarlison and scored his first goal for Spurs. Unfortunately Kulusevski has picked up a 5th yellow card of the season and will see him miss the next match against Bournemouth. Brighton commit 18 fouls to Spurs 6 but it is where the fouls occurred which mattered in this match.

An absolute imperative that Spurs recruit at least one and possibly 2 center backs in the January window.

[RedRaider]

West Ham have beaten Arsenal 2-0 to leave Liverpool as the clear leaders of the Premier League competition at the half way point of the season.

1. Liverpool - 42 points
2. Arsenal - 40 points
3. Aston Villa - 39 points
4. Manchester City - 37 points (plus a deferred game still to play)
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 36 points
6. West Ham - 33 points
7. Manchester United - 31 points

[PNGRaider37]

Spurs lose 4-2 to Brighton. Brighton have 2 penalties in their total. Shirt pulling of all things. At one point Brighton were ahead 4-0. On a brighter note, young 20 year old Argentine striker Veliz came on for Richarlison and scored his first goal for Spurs. Unfortunately Kulusevski has picked up a 5th yellow card of the season and will see him miss the next match against Bournemouth. Brighton commit 18 fouls to Spurs 6 but it is where the fouls occurred which mattered in this match.

An absolute imperative that Spurs recruit at least one and possibly 2 center backs in the January window.

Out of the Top 4 in NY as predicted.. centre backs wont make a difference if the team can't defend. That's down to the manager. Europa/Conference League a realistic target. Son will be gone for the Asian Cup, so they also lose their main goal threat for a month.

[RedRaider]

Spurs lose 4-2 to Brighton. Brighton have 2 penalties in their total. Shirt pulling of all things. At one point Brighton were ahead 4-0. On a brighter note, young 20 year old Argentine striker Veliz came on for Richarlison and scored his first goal for Spurs. Unfortunately Kulusevski has picked up a 5th yellow card of the season and will see him miss the next match against Bournemouth. Brighton commit 18 fouls to Spurs 6 but it is where the fouls occurred which mattered in this match.

An absolute imperative that Spurs recruit at least one and possibly 2 center backs in the January window.

Out of the Top 4 in NY as predicted.. centre backs wont make a difference if the team can't defend. That's down to the manager. Europa/Conference League a realistic target. Son will be gone for the Asian Cup, so they also lose their main goal threat for a month.

Having lost both center backs, Romero and Van de ven to hamstring injuries, they need center backs to boost the defence. Davies has gone OK but Royal is not suited to the role. Both are playing out of position and other options are injured.

Full marks to Liverpool at the half way point of the season to be leading the comp. The FA Cup matches begin in the first week of January so a higher workload for the players.

[PNGRaider37]

Ange copping a bit for his comments on VAR earlier in season (v LFC) compared to the last game loss. It's all good and we have to be "respectful to officials and get on with the game", when decisions benefit your own team Spursy

[RedRaider]

Copping it from who?? Ange did not bag the VAR. He said the tackle from Lewis Dunk on Kulusevski nearly cost him another player. If you look at the tackle in the link below it shows a studs up contact into the ankle and calf by Dunk on Kulusevski. That would be a send off in most matches no argument. Dunk's foot is no where near the ball and direct contact is made with the attacking player. Regardless of the shirts the players are wearing, do you reckon that's a red card PNGRaider?

Ange has said Spurs had a poor match and in particular the first half and he's right. But they came back with two late goals and that showed players were still looking for goals regardless of the score board.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/p ... d9c68046da