Club watch

Only Rose, Winks and Kane in the England squad, that's better. Walker dropped is a shock. Trippier replacing him.

 

The congested areas is definitely an issue and that's something Poch really needs to sort. I get that when Kane was injured, both Lucas and Son took over a more central role at stages but they must realise that when Kane's fit, the central area is his playground and no one else's. Having said that, the lack of creativity coming from FBs or CMs means that the wing forwards are probably moving more centrally with the aim to make something happen, IE bit of skill and a through ball assist or getting off a shot on goal themselves but all they end up doing is packing the middle and making it easy for the opposition to defend. We've just become so seemingly brainless on the pitch it's painful to watch.

 

I agree with that - Liverpool last year would be the prototype of a team with little creativity from midfield but a front 3 with fantastic movement that managed to still create opportunities. Plus their FBs of course. Clearly they were coached exceptionally well in that system, as much as it pains me to admit that that clown Klopp managed to do it.

Poch needs to define their roles better if he plays Son and Moura together with Kane but if he does that then one of Dele or Eriksen probably has to miss out if we also assume that NDombele and Sissoko/Winks play as well, and that’s not even thinking about GLC. The squad is in better shape but it’s still a bit of a minefield when it comes to that advanced midfield and forwards area.

 

Yeah I said on the Prem board the other day that I can't help but be envious of Pool at the moment. Playing some really good football and everyone fits the system to a tee. Klopp's nailed it there, he's a dickhead but he seems to know his stuff.

I'm struggling to see what it is we're trying to do. If I could see a direction I wouldn't mind a few stuttering performances but it just feels like we're bereft of ideas, I think a part of that is due to missing creativity, both from deep and where Eriksen (or Gio) will play but it's just stale. Team selections and tactics have just been all over the place.

 

Gwaaaarn Tripps! Buzzing for him. From what I've read the Atleti fans are already taking a liking to him, had a feeling La Liga would suit his style, hit a blinding assist on his debut and has helped keep clean sheets in both games.

 

I can understand picking Wan-Bissaka and Alexander-Arnold, as Southgate should be looking to the future and building towards that.
Can't really see the logic in leaving out Walker for Trippier, though. Why pick three right-backs, anyway?
Wouldn't be surprised if Walker considers his international future soon, to be honest.

 

Walker-Peters basically wasted a couple of seasons in this position.

 

Hopefully because the club has decided that getting revenues from any betting business is not :

1. necessary
2. desirable (given the state of things in N17/N18 betting wise)

rather than some commercial altercation with or imminent PR sh*t storm involving that firm.

 

I'll hand this one over to The Times

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham football clubs are being warned by Britain’s gambling regulator that they risk prosecution and millions of pounds in fines if they continue to promote their global betting partner 1xBet.

The Russian firm is no longer licensed to operate in Britain after an investigation last month by The Sunday Times.

 

The latter it is then (sadly) .

 

From what I can dig up (without having to pay for it) there were issues with 1xBet's website, namely
i.) They posted videos of bloodsports such as cockfighting
ii.) Their front page was plastered with ads for Pornhub Casino
iii.) Their website hosted illegal streams for Premier League matches

...although I get the feeling that the third one is the only one that those in power take issue with

 

Troy Parrott is on the A-List
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2020/clubs/club=1652/squad/

 

Some notable absentees don't have to be registered, before anyone's too alarmed.
Foyth, Skipp, etc. qualify for the B list.

 

Since I'm not currently on a train, the A-List in full

Goalkeepers
Paolo Gazzaniga
Hugo Lloris

Defenders
Toby Alderweireld
Serge Aurier
Ben Davies
Danny Rose
Davinson Sanchez
Jan Vertonghen
Kyle Walker-Peters

Midfielders
Dele Alli
Eric Dier
Christian Eriksen
Erik Lamela
Giovani Lo Celso
Lucas Moura
Tanguy Ndombele
Ryan Sessegnon
Moussa Sissoko
Heung-min Son
Victor Wanyama
Harry Winks

Strikers
Harry Kane
Troy Parrott

 

I'm loving that list of midfielders....maybe a bit short at either end of the pitch, though?

 

I do feel that Moura should be listed as a forward and probably Sonny too

 

Football Insider claim that Troy Parrott will make his first Spurs start against Colchester in three weeks' time

Considering it's Football BSider, expect Lucas to start as the lone frontman...

 

Seems unlikely. Might be on the bench. Son might get the nod, though.