Tottenham Hotspur 20/21: José se foi.

SeoulSoxFan

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A Scud Away from Hell
Oh, look - another absolutely insane VAR/PK controversy. I get that it was called to the letter of the law but things are really getting out of hand.

Also, Son hit a post, a crossbar, curiously got swapped out at the half and the word is that he hurt his hamstring. He'll be out for a while per JM. A terrible day for the Spurs.
 

Kliq

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I made the mistake of recording the game and watching it later this morning. Should have just looked at the score when I woke up. Awful finish to a game Spurs absolutely should have won.
 

Zososoxfan

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Jimy Hendrix

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I have no problem with this. Fuck the Carabao Cup money grab right in the ear. No FA needs their clubs playing in 4 competitions. I've come around on the FA Cup and have begun to enjoy it's charming wonky-ness, but the Carabao Cup strikes me as aggressively stupid.
In a normal year, it's dumb but within the range of "shrug, fine".

In this pandemic year, with the incredible fixture congestion and the lower league teams not able to afford responsible Covid testing apparently, it is irresponsible bordering on criminal to play it.
 

Kliq

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View attachment 34469

The penalty is worth .74 xG, so, yeah, this was a shellacking that turned it into a draw due to some great goalkeeping and the bogus penalty.
Yeah, Spurs getting unlucky on a few great chances in the first half made the last-second "hand ball" even more aggravating. Son hit the post twice, I think Kane was denied twice from close range due to great stops by Darlow. Lucas' goal was actually one of the worst hit shots of the game for Tottenham, but he simply couldn't miss from that range.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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In a normal year, it's dumb but within the range of "shrug, fine".

In this pandemic year, with the incredible fixture congestion and the lower league teams not able to afford responsible Covid testing apparently, it is irresponsible bordering on criminal to play it.
The Carabao Cup is fundamental to the financial stability of the EFL and the clubs in its three divisions. Rights to broadcast these cup games is like 2/3 of the broadcast revenue that Sky Sports pays to the EFL. These smaller clubs are in really bad shape financially due to Covid and cancelling the Carabao Cup or having Premier League sides withdraw completely for a year (which would lead Sky to seek a huge rebate) would be absolutely devastating. For Premier League sides, it would be irresponsible bordering on criminal not to play it.

Spurs are playing at home and only need a draw to get to penalties, which anybody could win. You have enough depth that it seems completely feasible to play a heavily rotated side that is still comprised of first team players and give yourselves a puncher's chance of advancing. That is what most of the other big clubs have been doing in the competition anyway.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The Carabao Cup is fundamental to the financial stability of the EFL and the clubs in its three divisions. Rights to broadcast these cup games is like 2/3 of the broadcast revenue that Sky Sports pays to the EFL. These smaller clubs are in really bad shape financially due to Covid and cancelling the Carabao Cup or having Premier League sides withdraw completely for a year (which would lead Sky to seek a huge rebate) would be absolutely devastating. For Premier League sides, it would be irresponsible bordering on criminal not to play it.

Spurs are playing at home and only need a draw to get to penalties, which anybody could win. You have enough depth that it seems completely feasible to play a heavily rotated side that is still comprised of first team players and give yourselves a puncher's chance of advancing. That is what most of the other big clubs have been doing in the competition anyway.
Wow, I did not know that. That also seems insane to me, are the broadcast deals for the actual EFL leagues so bad that they are vastly dwarfed by this cup most people regard as not that meaningful? Is this a case of lower league football being unsalable internationally in a way that a cup that eventually features EPL sides is not, or is this England's archaic blackout laws hurting their domestic TV deals?

Regardless of the why, I think both of the things we said are true. Nothing you said about the finances makes anything I said about the fixture congestion and how it will injure players untrue.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Wow, I did not know that. That also seems insane to me, are the broadcast deals for the actual EFL leagues so bad that they are vastly dwarfed by this cup most people regard as not that meaningful? Is this a case of lower league football being unsalable internationally in a way that a cup that eventually features EPL sides is not, or is this England's archaic blackout laws hurting their domestic TV deals?

Regardless of the why, I think both of the things we said are true. Nothing you said about the finances makes anything I said about the fixture congestion and how it will injure players untrue.
As I understand it, lower league football just doesn't have a big TV audience, certainly internationally but even domestically. The Championship will probably still attract decent numbers but League 1 and League 2 just aren't going to move the dial much. So much of the TV audience probably involves neutrals for any given match and as you get away from the Premier League I just don't think the neutral audience is very large. Not sure about how blackout regs play into this but that could be part of it too.

I definitely agree with your general point about this year having an insane and irresponsible level of fixture congestion. Its going to be a massive grind, especially for clubs who are playing in Europe and have a lot of internationals.
 

Zososoxfan

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The Carabao Cup is fundamental to the financial stability of the EFL and the clubs in its three divisions. Rights to broadcast these cup games is like 2/3 of the broadcast revenue that Sky Sports pays to the EFL. These smaller clubs are in really bad shape financially due to Covid and cancelling the Carabao Cup or having Premier League sides withdraw completely for a year (which would lead Sky to seek a huge rebate) would be absolutely devastating. For Premier League sides, it would be irresponsible bordering on criminal not to play it.

Spurs are playing at home and only need a draw to get to penalties, which anybody could win. You have enough depth that it seems completely feasible to play a heavily rotated side that is still comprised of first team players and give yourselves a puncher's chance of advancing. That is what most of the other big clubs have been doing in the competition anyway.
I understand this, but I don't particularly care if some Englishmen want to play football and are getting paid less as a result. If there are jobs on the line I'll certainly care more, but the truth about sport is the public only cares about the highest levels. I don't see a particularly big reason to subsidize that and jeopardize the elite players who are put at risk with an already congested fixture list.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I understand this, but I don't particularly care if some Englishmen want to play football and are getting paid less as a result. If there are jobs on the line I'll certainly care more, but the truth about sport is the public only cares about the highest levels. I don't see a particularly big reason to subsidize that and jeopardize the elite players who are put at risk with an already congested fixture list.
It's not just some Englishmen who want to play football, its also all the die hard supporters of those smaller clubs, the people who work for those clubs, etc. The mass audience viewing public may only care about the highest levels but smaller clubs are integral parts of many communities and the pyramid structure is fundamental to the culture and operation of football in general. Big clubs reap enough rewards from the system already, at least they can do the bare minimum to help keep everybody else afloat by continuing to participate in the competition. If they want to play a rotated side, they can go ahead.
 

Zososoxfan

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It's not just some Englishmen who want to play football, its also all the die hard supporters of those smaller clubs, the people who work for those clubs, etc. The mass audience viewing public may only care about the highest levels but smaller clubs are integral parts of many communities and the pyramid structure is fundamental to the culture and operation of football in general. Big clubs reap enough rewards from the system already, at least they can do the bare minimum to help keep everybody else afloat by continuing to participate in the competition. If they want to play a rotated side, they can go ahead.
No argument with any of this in principle, although it begs the question of how bad are the non-Prem sides getting screwed by the FA Cup. In other words, why is there a need to support the EFL as a response to the FA/Prem?
 

Mugsy's Jock

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Reguilon's entry pass was beautifully timed with tons of touch. Was an easy one for Lamela to put away.
 

Kliq

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Dier about to slip on this PK when he has some toilet paper stuck to his boot.
 

cromulence

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Dier about to slip on this PK when he has some toilet paper stuck to his boot.
I hate to go here but...do we think he really wiped? Maybe just a quick one so it's not a total disaster, but that seems like a situation where he may not have had the luxury of getting nice and clean.
 

Kliq

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That won't help Mason Mount's standing in the eyes of Chelsea fans.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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HA.

Awesome.

Sergio is FAST.
He's prime Kyle Walker fast, but appears to be able to pick a hell of a lot more of a pass.

I'd like a smaller percentage of his defense to be based on sliding though, hopefully that was just debut jitters.
 

DJnVa

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On the goal he had the original giveaway so probably trying to do too much plus first game jitters as you mentioned.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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That was thrilling and gritty. What a match. So proud of Spurs and dare I say Jose is un-"Spursy"?
Another strong 90 for Tanguy. Even with a half time boot switch (yellow to black).
 

Tangled Up In Red

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The one reaction I was immediately looking for above was (seemingly introvert) Tanguy's, but he's hidden behind Dier. Didn't see him in the hug pile after Lamela's goal, either.
I'd love to see more personal joy on the pitch from him, but not sure that's who he is.
 

DJnVa

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The one reaction I was immediately looking for above was (seemingly introvert) Tanguy's, but he's hidden behind Dier. Didn't see him in the hug pile after Lamela's goal, either.
I'd love to see more personal joy on the pitch from him, but not sure that's who he is.






 

67YAZ

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Holy shit. He’s in fast forward.

Last season Liverpool packed everyone in the middle of the pitch against Spurs and dared any wide attackers to have a go. What, another shit cross from Aurrier? Son to keep the ball way over by the corner flag? All good.

Doherty is an upgrade on one side, and goddamn if speed like that isn’t a threat on the other.

Edit: totally forgot about that Bale character, too. Has he got any pace left, you think?
 

SeoulSoxFan

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A Scud Away from Hell
LOL, that was so much fun to watch. Reguilon looks unbelievable in just one match.

Grittiest win since the 3-2 thriller vs Ajax, although obviously in a much less important stage.
 

Zososoxfan

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He's Jordi Alba back when Jordi Alba was a top 3-5 LB globally. He looks great in a Spurs kit. Hoj also looks like he's no stranger to fights in alleys--clear why Mou identified him. I've been a bit underwhelmed by Doherty so far, but I hope and think he will grow into the role nicely. Let's get us a backup striker and it's a beautiful transfer window, Skriniar would be a cherry on top.
 

DJnVa

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More on SERGIO!

https://theathletic.com/2103361/2020/09/30/sergio-reguilon-tottenham-hotspur-debut-jose-mourinho/?source=user_shared_article
When was the moment you fell in love with Sergio Reguilon last night?

Was it when he hared back into his own half and dispossessed Callum Hudson-Odoi with a perfectly-timed slide tackle? Perhaps when he set up Erik Lamela’s much-deserved equaliser? Or maybe when he outsprinted the rest of the Spurs players to reach Hugo Lloris first and jump into his captain’s arms after Mason Mount missed the decisive penalty.
 

Zososoxfan

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No idea if he's any good, but at least it's an option! More than we could say last year. 25 year old Brazilian lefty, who's about 6'2''-6'3'' (190cm).

Last year in Liga NOS (Portugal), Carlos had 18 goals and 8 assists in 32 matches. Also had 5 goals and 5 assists in 7 matches (!) in the Taca de Portugal Placard (assuming this is the Portuguese Cup). He also had a goal in the UCL against RB Leipzig, but didn't play much in either UCL or UEL campaign. Despite this, he actually led all strikers in minutes at Benfica. Quickly looking at the club's profile, it seems like they typically use a 2 striker formation, but sprinkle in some 4231 there. Despite those good domestic goal numbers, he was actually second across all competitions in goals to RMF Pizzi.

The little I've gathered so far on him indicates that he's a finisher type striker like Augero or Icardi--i.e. not a great passer or technical player to help in build up, but there to finish off chances with solid consistency. Obviously not as good as those guys. Definitely has great positioning instincts in the box, can fire home with the left, able to beat the keeper 1v1, and able to get headers off in crowded areas and score.

Mou must have some serious connections at Benfica since that's where Gedson came from and that's where Jan ended up. N.B. German DMF Julian Weigl also plays there, just sayin'. Levy absolutely crushing it in this transfer window.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSBKGyCBge4&feature=youtu.be
 

coremiller

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I wonder if this is a Mendes deal.

Vincius had 1.22 NPG+A/90 in the league last year, a great rate, by far the best in the Portuguese league last season. FBRef does not have xG data for the Portuguese league. While he played 32 matches, he only started 19, and so he accomplished his production in only 1,777 league minutes. He has some experience as a sub (13 sub appearances last season), which is good because a lot of his usage at Spurs is likely to be as a sub.