leffe186

Our goal difference is +46. Man U have scored 46 in total. Tougher games coming up though.

Are we in a parallel universe now? Feels like we've swapped places with Serie A.

35 seconds I make that.

I disagree that he should be up for the main award. I think Alli's performances this year have been a good illustration of how I see the difference between POTY and Young POTY. His all-round play has been hit and miss but he's come up with big moments time and time again, which is what I would expect form Young POTY. Somebody who's still learning the game, but is making a huge impact anyway. I'd be tempted to say the same about Kane, but I don't like giving Young POTY to somebody who has already had two full seasons as a Premier League starter. Ditto Lukaku and Sterling. I still don't like having players nominated for both awards. Can't argue too much about the POTY candidates, although I'm not convinced by Zlatan. Maybe I just haven't watched enough Man U this year to make a call. I'd have Alderweireld in POTY ahead of Kane too, frankly.

Just checked. They signed an absolute shit-ton of players. As you were .

I dunno KI. You're saying it's more realistic that you will retain 14 players (so probably needing to buy at least 10) and sell/release 14 others? Seems a bit insane. What are the comparable numbers for a team like, say, Boro last year?

It would mainly be wonderful because it would reinforce that they are a disaster area behind the scenes.

https://streamable.com/i83mh

Sakho has made a massive difference.

Mind you, we play at Selhurst Park in an evening kickoff soon, and that could be a hell of an atmosphere. Fair play to them, will be tough.

Somebody said Walcott was captain. Can that possibly be true?

They spent an absolute s***-ton this summer on Xhaka, Mustafi & Perez. Their wage bill is very similar to the clubs you mention. Spending the money is really not their problem any more, it's the decision-making both behind the scenes and in the dugout. The number of players they have going out of contract soon is frightening. Something very weird has been going on. One summer doesn't make up for all of the summers where they didn't spend, they had to spend that sort of money last summer as they will have to this summer as this is where the bar has now been set. Out of the 3 signings you mention only Mustafi appears not to be a mistake with the other two being questionable at best. Clearly many things are wrong at Arsenal but I don't think it's all down to Wenger personally. But then again everyone at Arsenal are far too scared to come out and tell the fans hey we are actually perfectly happy with getting in the champions league and actually have no intentions of spending the required funds to compete for the league. Arsenal haven't been the same since David Dein left. Absolutely, and there is clearly trouble behind the scenes. Their youth program has had issues and (like everyone) has been overwhelmed by Man City and Chelsea buying everyone. Their choice of incoming players has been erratic. And yet, they have maintained an extremely high wage bill and a net transfer spend that is (I believe) behind only Man U & Man C. It's not all down to Wenger, but it's also not all down to not spending money.

They spent an absolute shit-ton this summer on Xhaka, Mustafi & Perez. Their wage bill is very similar to the clubs you mention. Spending the money is really not their problem any more, it's the decision-making both behind the scenes and in the dugout. The number of players they have going out of contract soon is frightening. Something very weird has been going on.

Naah. They still generate tons of cash. All they need is a decent new manager and a year or two rebuilding.

My biggest worry is that it's games like this that make it more likely that Wenger will go. I was hoping that they'd paper over the cracks a bit before the end of the season. Mind you, I hope they play like this against us. I still fully expect them to win that game.

Just because...a couple of pre-match comments from the Arse: But on the other hand:

Hasn't he already signed one for next year? Genuine question.

That Arsenal team really isn't great (daring statement I know).

Yes and no. Sissoko was a bizarre decision (still wondering if it was to do with taxes given our huge profit this year) but Wanyama has been a massive success. I genuinely believe that Janssen has the potential to be an excellent buy - the guy is only 22. GKN is younger still, but hasn't really shown a lot. I suppose the concern with Zaha is workrate, but there's an argument that he's exactly the kind of player we are missing. The trouble is - as always - that we can't even come close to matching the wages that the big guys dole out. I believe Ashley Young is being paid more than any Spurs player, and nearly double the wages of most of our first team, let alone our squad players. I would argue that Alexis Sanchez would score 30 goals a season in our team - he's just about perfect for us - but we simply can't afford the wages for players like that. We end up taking punts on players like N'jie, N'Koudou, Chadli, Son etc etc and just have to hope that enough of them work out. Next season will be interesting. A few of your players initially started slow and are now mainstays in the team. For instance, Dembele. He came in with a lot of hype as he was really good with Fulham but IMO failed to deliver in his first few seasons. And a lot of Spurs players regard him as the best player in the team on a technical level. Now look at him, he's a key part of the team. I really like Pochettino because he persists with his players. Hell, even Sissoko could step up next season. The Mail tried to stir it up at one point: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3279002/Mousa-Dembele-wants-talks-Mauricio-Pochettino-Tottenham-role-man-match-display-against-Liverpool.html Poch has a bit of previous with this - he's not afraid to call out a player from time to time in what is clearly a deliberate approach. Janssen too: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/17/tottenham-harry-kane-return-injury It's going to be interesting to see what he does with Sissoko .

Their wages are a smaller percentage of revenue than just about any other club. Doesn't make me any less amazed that we're competing at the same level despite the huge wage differential.

Liverpool still running away with the Lolro Premier League - unbeaten all season: http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Mark_Lawrenson_Predictions_2016-17.html

Yes and no. Sissoko was a bizarre decision (still wondering if it was to do with taxes given our huge profit this year) but Wanyama has been a massive success. I genuinely believe that Janssen has the potential to be an excellent buy - the guy is only 22. GKN is younger still, but hasn't really shown a lot. I suppose the concern with Zaha is workrate, but there's an argument that he's exactly the kind of player we are missing. The trouble is - as always - that we can't even come close to matching the wages that the big guys dole out. I believe Ashley Young is being paid more than any Spurs player, and nearly double the wages of most of our first team, let alone our squad players. I would argue that Alexis Sanchez would score 30 goals a season in our team - he's just about perfect for us - but we simply can't afford the wages for players like that. We end up taking punts on players like N'jie, N'Koudou, Chadli, Son etc etc and just have to hope that enough of them work out.

Saw that earlier and had the same reaction. He's not even that good. Also didn't realise they pay Ashley Young £120k a week The difference between the salaries we pay and those of Man U, Man C, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Liverpool, is still shocking.

Anther disaster area. My Jonah-dom has been magnificent so far though, might switch to Man U and Arsenal players to get some injuries going.