The Football.....

[Hugh Manatee]

Does anyone know which league Torquay United are playing in now? The BBC website doesn't go down that low.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Does anyone know which league Torquay United are playing in now? The BBC website doesn't go down that low.

They're in the National League South. Two steps away from the Football League. Only 2,but such big steps!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

The Scottish league action starts tomorrow

 

[AndyRM]

Was good to see Bobby Williamson do the half time draw at Rugby Park, it's not long since he got the all clear from cancer. A Killie legend.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Chelsea vs City in the Tinpot Community Shield.

(Not a reference to our illustrious CC member @Tin Pot )

I don't think we'll win as City are a slick, well oiled machine coming off the back of a stupendous season whereas we are in transition, to coin a phrase.

I'll be happy to see us starting to modify our game with more high pressing and attacking intent as we switch from Conte's 3-4-3 (morphing to 5-2-3) to Sarri's 4-3-3.

Wouldn't be happy with a good hiding though.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Perfect start to the season

 

[flake99please]

Wouldn't be happy with a good hiding though.

A 2-0 loss flattered Chelsea imo.

They were pretty toothless in attack

 

[SpokeyDokey]

A 2-0 loss flattered Chelsea imo.

They were pretty toothless in attack

Yes, the gulf showed. They had a few missing as did we but they have a better squad to fill in with so we were probably running 'lighter'.

As I said I didn't expect anything but it gives a glimpse of the size of the gap we need to close down over the next couple of seasons.

Our defence really struggled with the switch to 4 at the back - will take a while to get that operating slickly although the problem may be that some of our players may well turn out to be square pegs in round holes in the new system.

Luiz was rusty although he's not played for almost a whole season. Azpi struggles as a Fullback. Rudiger, despite playing in the WC looked rusty. Alonso seemed to not know whether he should stay back or go forward.

Still, Sarri has only just arrived so we'll have to wait to see how things progress as the season unscrolls.

Will be happy enough with a top 4 finish this season esp' if the season end sees us going well.

 

[AndyRM]

West Brom's new mascot is a boiler. Partick Whistle must be gutted they no longer have the weirdest one.

 

[smutchin]

Still, Sarri has only just arrived so we'll have to wait to see how things progress as the season unscrolls.

He has the right approach, at least. The question is whether he will have the players... Looks like Courtois is on his way out, which will be a big loss and a hard player to replace. They really need to do everything they can to hold on to Willian and Hazard.

Still, at least they've made one fairly significant new signing this summer, unlike Spurs - what's that all about? Prudent belt-tightening because of the costs of the new stadium, or do they actually think they've already got a good enough squad? Any Spurs fans in the house want to comment?

 

[rich p]

He has the right approach, at least. The question is whether he will have the players... Looks like Courtois is on his way out, which will be a big loss and a hard player to replace. They really need to do everything they can to hold on to Willian and Hazard.

Still, at least they've made one fairly significant new signing this summer, unlike Spurs - what's that all about? Prudent belt-tightening because of the costs of the new stadium, or do they actually think they've already got a good enough squad? Any Spurs fans in the house want to comment?

The Spurs squad looked a bit thin to my eyes last year so I too find it odd.
Especially since they are allegedly open to offers for Dembele, Alderweireld and Rose.

 

[Dayvo]

Still, at least they've made one fairly significant new signing this summer, unlike Spurs - what's that all about? Prudent belt-tightening because of the costs of the new stadium, or do they actually think they've already got a good enough squad? Any Spurs fans in the house want to comment?

I have no knowledge of any near-future purchases that Pochettino may be interested in. It wouldn't surprise me if he goes for two-three signings right before the deadline at the end of August once the other European leagues start and sees which players are surplus or out of favour.

Tottenham have a good squad but not good enough to win the Premier League this year: and those (imagined) two-three signings (I suspect might happen) will probably be super-potential youngsters in Germany/Belgium/Holland or in his native Argentina.

I don't think the cost involved with the new stadium will curtail big purchases: Daniel Levy knows that success leads to BIG profits and being in the Champions League again isn't enough. They have to win it - and new signings will go a long way to achieving that.

I hope.

 

[smutchin]

It wouldn't surprise me if he goes for two-three signings right before the deadline at the end of August

The Premier League transfer deadline is this Thursday, isn't it? I know the window closes at the end of August for the rest of Europe - will Premier League clubs still be able to do deals with European clubs after this Thursday?

 

[Dayvo]

The Premier League transfer deadline is this Thursday, isn't it? I know the window closes at the end of August for the rest of Europe - will Premier League clubs still be able to do deals with European clubs after this Thursday?

You are indeed correct. The clubs voted to bring the date forward, but it seems to be backfiring.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ret-voting-early-transfer-window-closure.html

Apologies for the Mail link, but Charles Sale is an old cricket team mate of mine from the mid 1970s.

 

[smutchin]

I like the principle behind closing the window early but doing it in a World Cup year probably wasn't the brightest idea.