EPL 2023/2024
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Arsenal win the community shield with a bit of luck. Yay. I think the back line of Saliba, White and Timber with Gabriel and Kiwior fighting for the other central position is good. Zinchenko for me can play against teams where we don't have to be so defensive minded because if you are a left back your primary duties are defending, despite inverting. What we lack is what we added in Rice but we need more. Another Black guy with speed who eats up ground. When you look at Viera, EMR and Gorginho replacing in big games they are underwhelming. Another Fofana/Touchameni type needed in my mind. Need also to be able to attack through the middle as we are predictable out wide. Not sure what the solution is there.
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Bournemouth will go into this season with confidence and a goal of a finish in the top half (Europe a bridge too far) A new manager has the team fitter and asking them for a change in style for a high press. I saw more attempts on goal in the highlights in the FC Lorient match than many previous matches last year.
However I don't think we have the squad for this yet, nor the depth. We have made some good signings and are likely snag a couple more in this window. We do have a couple of key players with injuries right now too and we still don't have adequate cover for Lerma. I don't think our backs especially are ready to cover for a high press either, meaning we are likely to concede a few.
I expect to see more goals from us this season but unless we can keep a few out, will have a poor defensive record like last year.
My bold prediction is not relegated, but not far off for Iraola
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@broughie It looks like Arteta will change up his midfield depending on the quality of the opposition and whether the team has most of the possession, or not. In the Community Shield against Man City playing both Partey and Rice provides more protection for the back four. Against teams where Arsenal should control the ball I expect Rice will move into the 8 position (replacing Xhaka) and play higher up the field. Havertz got himself into good positions and should have converted at least one of those two chances.
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Lopetegui apparently gone for Wolves and Gary ONeil hired..not bad.. just before opening weekend lol
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And a few days before kick off it looks like Harry Maguire to West Ham and Bournemouth had offer accepted going through medical with Alex Scott.
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Had a good chat about Kane with my colleague (22 yr Spurs season ticket) today. In a nutshell:
Kane knows that Levy puts cash above everything, and there is no way that ****** **** will let him go on a free, so he has to get a price for him know. He knows, we know it, Kane knows it. He's gotta go & Son won't be far behind. Thats why we hate him, and want him out. Got no interest in the success of the club and what the fans think, all about money.
I pointed out to him that the stadium, Levy's main achievement, puts them in the top tier of clubs. His response:
Take me back to the lane mid table, team of fighters and passionate fans any day.
Interesting times ahead for Spurs.
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@bayimports said in EPL 2023/2024:
And a few days before kick off it looks like Harry Maguire to West Ham and Bournemouth had offer accepted going through medical with Alex Scott.
Good window for us from the bottom of the table, secured Alex Scott and stole Max Aarons from under Leeds nose at the last minute. Aarons likely to start this weekend given we have Adams and Fredericks both on injured list. Given Tav also out for a good 6 weeks and rumour Traore might have have an injury, Scott a chance of playing too. EDIT: No chance still injured lol
Could mean we have 2 players starting at the age of 19 and a centre back at 20
Brooks looks fit and ready to go, so great comeback story for him
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@Bovidae said in EPL 2023/2024:
Kane has to make the decision now. Is he more interested in the EPL goal-scoring record or actually winning something?
He's only 30 - surely he can come back and have a crack at the goal scoring record in a couple of years.
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He needs about 50 goals to get it. That's probably 3 seasons, maybe 4, maybe two depending on who signs him and his role in the side and how long he spends in Europe. So if he spends the next three years at Bayern trying to get a champions league title and then comes back to the EPL he'd need to play to about 35. Sounds realistic to me.
I guess if he stays he has a chance to push that record up past 300 and have a decent chance of holding the record for a good length of time.
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seen a bit of chat that Arsenal are primed to win the Prem league because they came 2nd last year, and City just have to drop off at some point.
It's not a bad story, certainly as good as any preseason prediction. The problem is they have to buck a trend.
Since City started this little run of owning the league in the 2018 season, they've won 5 of the 6 titles. Liverpool came 2nd in 2019 and went on to win in 2020. And that is by far the exception
In 2018 Man U came 2nd. In 2019 they finished 15 points worse to not even make top 4
In 2021 Man U came 2nd. In 2022 they finished 16 points worse to not make the top 4
In 2022 Liverpool came 2nd. In 2023 they finished 25 points worse to not make the top 4Hell, even the title winning Liverpool side of 2020 finished 30 points worse in 2021 to come 3rd.
Trying to keep up with this City team has proven so sapping that teams can't keep it up for seasons at a time. Arsenal are going to have to buck a trend. They've signed some guys, and on paper should be better. But just backing up and improving the next season is no given.
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More twists.
Harry Kane has received an offer to join a rival club which could derail Bayern Munich’s bid to sign the striker, according to reports in Germany.
Bayern Munich reportedly had a bid worth over €100 million accepted by Tottenham earlier on Thursday, but now German newspaper Bild claims Kane has received a “much better” offer from a mystery club to join on a free transfer next year when his contract expires.
The report states the proposal has come "at short notice", adding: “As is well known, Paris Saint-Germain is looking for a top-class replacement for (Kylian) Mbappe. Chelsea and Manchester United cannot be ruled out either.”
In its report, The Sun says that Kane is having doubts about "uprooting" his family and could turn his back on the German giants. -
@Bovidae said in EPL 2023/2024:
More twists.
Harry Kane has received an offer to join a rival club which could derail Bayern Munich’s bid to sign the striker, according to reports in Germany.
Bayern Munich reportedly had a bid worth over €100 million accepted by Tottenham earlier on Thursday, but now German newspaper Bild claims Kane has received a “much better” offer from a mystery club to join on a free transfer next year when his contract expires.
The report states the proposal has come "at short notice", adding: “As is well known, Paris Saint-Germain is looking for a top-class replacement for (Kylian) Mbappe. Chelsea and Manchester United cannot be ruled out either.”
In its report, The Sun says that Kane is having doubts about "uprooting" his family and could turn his back on the German giants."Stay at the Lane Harry, and become immortal"
