Football Thread 16/17- Cheick Tiote R.I.P.

[Dowbocop]

This year it's been Tottenham firing on all cylinders versus an Arsenal side in disarray since Christmas. There's no doubt Spurs have performed better than us this year, but there's also no doubt that Arsenal have massively underperformed. Champions League aside, has anything actually gone wrong for Spurs this season?

It's almost like Spurs are a sports car running at top gear, and we're a supercar stuck in third. All it takes is Spurs tanking at Wembley for a part of next season and Arsenal playing anywhere near our true level we'll be back on top.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

This year it's been Tottenham firing on all cylinders versus an Arsenal side in disarray since Christmas. There's no doubt Spurs have performed better than us this year, but there's also no doubt that Arsenal have massively underperformed. Champions League aside, has anything actually gone wrong for Spurs this season?

It's almost like Spurs are a sports car running at top gear, and we're a supercar stuck in third. All it takes is Spurs tanking at Wembley for a part of next season and Arsenal playing anywhere near our true level we'll be back on top.

I fear this is what will happen. You know with the longer grass and that.

Spurs have had a few injuries but aside from Kane they've been in positions where we've had adequate cover particularly in defence. Walker, Rose, Vertonghen and Alderwield have all had periods out, some at the same time. Rose is currently our biggest lose, he's been out for a good few months now. In general though i don't think we've been any where as bad injury wise as recent seasons.

[PaperMacheMario]

All I know is we wouldn't be having this discussion if you weren't an Arsenal fan. As others have said, it didn't look like Fuchs thought "strawberry float THIS, let's launch it at him because we're losing and I'm pissed off, hope it breaks the dickhead's neck." It was more "this guy is blatantly in my way and not moving, if I throw it at him maybe the ref will get the message."

I didn't realise Fuchs was already on a booking, so perhaps there is a case for him deserving a second yellow. Why do you not think Sanchez deserved a red though? One for time-wasting and one for simulation, right?

You don't know what I'd say in another situation though, do you? I like to think I'm pretty fair. I know for a fact I've said some of our players have been very lucky to avoid punishment for other things in the past. I make no apologies for partisanship, but I don't think what I'm saying is unreasonable either.

Nobody has a sly kick out or grabs a player's throat wanting to Alf Inge Haaland them, but it doesn't matter. They've ceased playing the game and have reacted violently to another player. Their conduct is violent.

I would say that it wasn't simulation, what with the obvious contact followed by the evidence of bodily harm after the match.

Edit: Poncho knows the score.

I wasn't arguing that it wasn't intentional, more the manner in which he did it. Also, the ball didn't touch Sanchez's face at all. Seemed to strike him on the shoulder. So holding his face - after a reasonable delay, as well - kind of was simulation. Not one that is often punished, admittedly.

I don't actually think you're being unreasonable, I just think we're seeing it differently. Having watched it again, I do think Fuchs should have received a second booking. I just don't think it was necessarily a straight red.

[Poncho]

I wasn't arguing that it wasn't intentional, more the manner in which he did it. Also, the ball didn't touch Sanchez's face at all. Seemed to strike him on the shoulder. So holding his face - after a reasonable delay, as well - kind of was simulation. Not one that is often punished, admittedly.

The fat lip developing soon after the ball hits him suggests it probably did hit him in the face.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

I wasn't arguing that it wasn't intentional, more the manner in which he did it. Also, the ball didn't touch Sanchez's face at all. Seemed to strike him on the shoulder. So holding his face - after a reasonable delay, as well - kind of was simulation. Not one that is often punished, admittedly.

The fat lip developing soon after the ball hits him suggests it probably did hit him in the face.

I think he bit his lip when he flinched.

[Poncho]

That's some dedicated cheating.

[Moggy]

In shocking, unexpected news, Spurs have announced that they will play all their home games at Wembley next season.

Spurs never win at Wembley. Looks like the "has the power in north London shifted" question will be answered when Spurs get relegated next season.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

That's some dedicated cheating.

I'm not saying he bit his lip on purpose. I'm defending him in a sense that he probably bit his lip when he flinched. I've done that loads, bit my lip or tongue when i thought i was going to get hit in the face in various sports. From repeatedly looking at it in slow motion it doesn't appear to me that the ball hits him in the face. It looks like it strikes the top of his shoulder/back and bounces off away from him.

[Poncho]

That's some dedicated cheating.

I'm not saying he bit his lip on purpose. I'm defending him in a sense that he probably bit his lip when he flinched. I've done that loads, bit my lip or tongue when i thought i was going to get hit in the face in various sports. From repeatedly looking at it in slow motion it doesn't appear to me that the ball hits him in the face. It looks like it strikes the top of his shoulder/back and bounces off away from him.

I know, I know. I wasn't being serious.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

That's some dedicated cheating.

I'm not saying he bit his lip on purpose. I'm defending him in a sense that he probably bit his lip when he flinched. I've done that loads, bit my lip or tongue when i thought i was going to get hit in the face in various sports. From repeatedly looking at it in slow motion it doesn't appear to me that the ball hits him in the face. It looks like it strikes the top of his shoulder/back and bounces off away from him.

I know, I know. I wasn't being serious.

I know it's hard when I can't see your face.

[Dowbocop]

I know it's hard when I can't see your face.

[Oblomov Boblomov]

Rangers just gave away one of the most stupid penalties I've seen for a while.

Edit - fans, stewards and police on the pitch already (7th minute)

[SEP]

strawberry float Moyes, strawberry float Ellis Short, and strawberry float the lazy strawberry floaters on the pitch. And no doubt goodbye to Defoe and Pickford, who deserve far better than to be dragged down with those banana splits.

[PuppetBoy]

I wish Moyes would have the decency to resign. I know it's a tough job, but we've been utterly pathetic under him all season.

[PES Fan]

I wish Moyes would have the decency to resign. I know it's a tough job, but we've been utterly pathetic under him all season.

He won't. Love how the blame lies collectively.

Marco Silva had a tough job too. He lost his best two players in January but he didn't go around signing ex Everton shite.

Said it before, but Sunderland wouldn't be in this position if Big Sam was in charge. But Moysies friends in the media won't blame him.

[PuppetBoy]

All this because Hodgson couldn't beat bloody Iceland.

[Mafro]

twitter.com/FYPFanzine/status/858378779139485697

[Benzin]

Classic Palace

[bear]

If Swansea don't get anything from their match tomorrow then I think they're down.Big ask though.

[Dowbocop]

This year it's been Tottenham firing on all cylinders versus an Arsenal side in disarray since Christmas. There's no doubt Spurs have performed better than us this year, but there's also no doubt that Arsenal have massively underperformed. Champions League aside, has anything actually gone wrong for Spurs this season?

It's almost like Spurs are a sports car running at top gear, and we're a supercar stuck in third. All it takes is Spurs tanking at Wembley for a part of next season and Arsenal playing anywhere near our true level we'll be back on top.

I fear this is what will happen. You know with the longer grass and that.

Spurs have had a few injuries but aside from Kane they've been in positions where we've had adequate cover particularly in defence. Walker, Rose, Vertonghen and Alderwield have all had periods out, some at the same time. Rose is currently our biggest lose, he's been out for a good few months now. In general though i don't think we've been any where as bad injury wise as recent seasons.

We've lost Cazorla for most of the past two seasons and that's basically been it for a stable and coherent midfield. Alongside Xhaka missing 7 games due to suspension it makes it very difficult to make things work. It feels like every season we buy a good midfielder, but none of them fit together. Wilshere was an absolute fool to go to Bournemouth because he could be undroppable now.

The last few seasons I've been pretty happy with the squad going into the summer, but this time we've got some big decisions to get right.