Are Tottenham Title Contenders?

[Legacy]

That long ball stat is a joke. The only players we have who consistently play long balls are Dawson and Assou-Ekotto. Dawson's not even playing and Benni has dropped the long balls considerably this season.

The closest Modric gets to playing a long ball is when he picks up the ball around the centre circle and plays a defence cutting ~25 yard pass for Bale/Benni/Walker/Lennon to run on to. No way in hell should that be considered a long ball.

 

[piedpiper]

Too early to say, see how things look in Feburary, a lot depends on staying injury free.

fully agree with you on that. were Parker or Adebayor to get injured for an extended period then we would quickly drop out of that bracket. so no we are not in it, come March and we are still 6 points adrift then yes. it is still too early in the season. in seasons past we have seen arsenal in contentionabout now and they quickly came unstuck by february.

 

[Super Tottenham]

I am glad its Modric who hits the most long passes as he is the best at doing it.

 

[Kendall]

No.

 

[StartingPrice]

Too early to say, see how things look in Feburary, a lot depends on staying injury free.

No.

:rofl:

Oh, K, you kill me.

Citeh are in a title race.
United are in a title race.
Chelsea are in a title race.
ArseScum are in a title race.

Can you spot the conspicuous absentee ? :hump:

I would draw a distinction between being in a title race (which begins in August), and being genuine contenders. I agree that it is maybe too early to say definitively that we are title contenders, but we are certainly in a title race right here, right now - we could drop out of it, teams drop out of, and force themselves back into, the title race all the time, but we are in a title race right now.

 

[Kendall]

I don't really care what you find funny mate, we have massive faults that means, IMO, we are not title contenders, but simply top 4 contenders. Finishing 3rd would be a massive achievement. We're not winning the league, I can tell that not just from the first 13 games of the PL season, but also the shape of our squad/fringe players, most of whom look unfit, unhappy or both.

I don't think Arsenal are in the title race at all and Chelsea would have to play out of their skins to be back in it. I think it's between two teams. One has the best squad by a mile and one has the best manager and club ethos.

I know Spurs fans love to get hyped up, but I'll say now, there is no way we're contenders for the league. We will be in the 4th/3rd place scrap.

 

[StartingPrice]

I don't really care what you find funny mate, we have massive faults that means, IMO, we are not title contenders, but simply top 4 contenders. Finishing 3rd would be a massive achievement. We're not winning the league, I can tell that not just from the first 13 games of the PL season, but also the shape of our squad/fringe players, most of whom look unfit, unhappy or both.

I don't think Arsenal are in the title race at all and Chelsea would have to play out of their skins to be back in it. I think it's between two teams. One has the best squad by a mile and one has the best manager and club ethos.

I know Spurs fans love to get hyped up, but I'll say now, there is no way we're contenders for the league. We will be in the 4th/3rd place scrap.

1) I am glad to see being down under has improved your sense of humour and mood :-|

2) I wasn't laughing because your opinion is ridiculous, I was actually laughing because of the matter-of-fact way you said 'no', in contradistinction to so many others on here - in a positive way (even if I don't agree with you) :-|

3) I don't really care what you find funny, either :razz:

4) I disagree with your analysis of our team/squad completely :-|

5) I am glad your showed acute understanding of my distinction between being in a title race and being title contenders. It is a fact that we are in a title race at present, we could drop out of it at any time, and you clearly believe with absolute conviction that we will - but that is different to saying we are not in a title race right now - because we are. Based on league position, current form, squad quality and squad potential I believe we have a chance of staying in the title race (as opposed to stating emphatically that we are title contenders - which I have not done) :-|

6) I repeat, I will wait until the end of February before I even consider claiming we are title contenders - this seems an eminently more sensible approach than the one you take, because if we maintain our form you flat and factual claims are going to look absurdly premature :-|

 

[millhouse]

No

 

[Kendall]

Surely if we're in a league format and only 13/14 games have been played so far, then everyone is in the title race?

It's all about opinions, but I wouldn't say Newcastle were in the race for 4th, just because of where they are now. I evaluate based on the team, performances so far, whole squad and actual fixtures played.

I think City will pull away from everyone with relative ease. United will continue to grind out wins and rediscover some of their early promise this season and we will scrap with Chelsea and the Goons for the other two spots.

I just do not think we have what it takes to be contenders. Thats what the thread is asking me. Not if we're in a race... because we all are.

 

[mpickard2087]

Its too early to say, the signs are looking promising at present, ask again in Feb/March time though.

 

[Mullers]

:rofl:

Oh, K, you kill me.

Citeh are in a title race.
United are in a title race.
Chelsea are in a title race.
ArseScum are in a title race.

Can you spot the conspicuous absentee ? :hump:

Liverpool? :lol:

I would draw a distinction between being in a title race (which begins in August), and being genuine contenders. I agree that it is maybe too early to say definitively that we are title contenders, but we are certainly in a title race right here, right now - we could drop out of it, teams drop out of, and force themselves back into, the title race all the time, but we are in a title race right now.

So Newcastle are also in title race then? They have the same number of points as Arsenal.

 

[haxman]

And still this rumbles on......

Yes we are, but we're outsiders, due to inexperience of being in title contention, compared to the usual suspects.

Nice to see we're still being underestimated by other clubs fans on Soccer Saturday. Better that way.

 

[Lanh]

I'd love for us to do it.

In other news the U18's have just beaten Cardiff 2-0.

 

[StartingPrice]

Surely if we're in a league format and only 13/14 games have been played so far, then everyone is in the title race?

It's all about opinions, but I wouldn't say Newcastle were in the race for 4th, just because of where they are now. I evaluate based on the team, performances so far, whole squad and actual fixtures played.

I think City will pull away from everyone with relative ease. United will continue to grind out wins and rediscover some of their early promise this season and we will scrap with Chelsea and the Goons for the other two spots.

I just do not think we have what it takes to be contenders. Thats what the thread is asking me. Not if we're in a race... because we all are.

Kendall, this has been discussed at length (that should surprise you :grin in another thread. I have a very clear view of what the title race is, and when it starts. You may not agree with it, but there it is.
The title race starts in August and on the opening day, technically, all clubs are in it. Obviously this is tempered by team/squad ability and potential, though not by league position (as it is alphabetical), and form (becuase no-one has any). So, in August, we can, effectively, exclude quite a few teams form the title race, and accept that others have very limited chances. Before this season started, and after the first two games, the gneral view (based on punditry and betting odds) where that United, Citeh, Cheslea, ArseScum and Liverpool rofl were in a title race, with us as wide outsiders...but that it would probably come down to United, Citeh and Chelsea. Personally, I totally disagreed with that, and felt that Liverpool and ArseScum should be way out where we were, as outsiders, and that we should be in closer to where (Liverpool were 10-1...funnily enough, now we are 12-1, and Liverpool are out to 50-1, where we were).
As the season progresses, the title race narrows down to clubs at the top, and is based on league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential. Obviously, it would be absurd to say that Newcastle, to take one example, just absolutely could not be in a title race, if they were in 2nd with one game to go, two points behind the first placed team. But, based on their position, currently Newcastle are five points behind us, and 12 behind Citeh (and we have a game in hand on them), form (lost two and drew one of last three/six if you prefer), squad quality (I believe their squad is the weakest of the current top six, and fixtures had until the last three games, sic., been kind to them), and potential (they don't really have money to spend, and had been at about the best they could be, but are now losing important players to injury), I belive they will get weaker, not stringer, have pushed their potential, and will ultimately be in a fight for the Europa (at best) - I said that about a month ago in the appropriate thread - and time seems to be proving that to be correct.
And that is where we are, at present: we are still in the title race, as it narrows down - even if we aren't favorites. In terms of league position, we are third, and a game-in-hand win away from second. In terms of form, we currently have officially the bet form in the league. In regard to quality of team/squad, I believe we have a first team that can compete with anyone (the sole problem being we could do with another striker for when we play Citeh), and squad (I have argued elsewhere that our squad is better than some SCers seem to believe). In terms of potential, I believe we are actually improving, as we gain confidence and experience, and players become integrated into the squad, and return from injury; and I believe we will be able to buy/sell in January, and emerge better, just as we did in the Summer. So, in terms of league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential, I believe we are in a title race, and can stay in one indefinitely.
Undoubtedly, it will take some good fortune to stay in that race - :think: such as, for instance, Vidic being out for the season. And that is a long way from saying we are title contenders - I wil wait until the end of February before I am prepared to say that definitively, or not. But, yeah, by my way of defining a 'title race' and analysiing our current position andpotential, we are in a title race.

Liverpool? :lol:


So Newcastle are also in title race then? They have the same number of points as Arsenal.

Smart arse :shake:

See above, I have said exactly how I see this, elsewhere, as well. Yes, Newcastle are in the title race, but their current league position is inferior to ours, their form is inferior, and they do not have the team/squad depth or potential to sustain their position IMHO, whereas we are higher than them (with a game in hand), our form is the best in the league (bar none), and we have the team/squad quality and potential for us to have a good chance of sustaining our position.

 

[Kendall]

Kendall, this has been discussed at length (that should surprise you :grin in another thread. I have a very clear view of what the title race is, and when it starts. You may not agree with it, but there it is.
The title race starts in August and on the opening day, technically, all clubs are in it. Obviously this is tempered by team/squad ability and potential, though not by league position (as it is alphabetical), and form (becuase no-one has any). So, in August, we can, effectively, exclude quite a few teams form the title race, and accept that others have very limited chances. Before this season started, and after the first two games, the gneral view (based on punditry and betting odds) where that United, Citeh, Cheslea, ArseScum and Liverpool rofl were in a title race, with us as wide outsiders...but that it would probably come down to United, Citeh and Chelsea. Personally, I totally disagreed with that, and felt that Liverpool and ArseScum should be way out where we were, as outsiders, and that we should be in closer to where (Liverpool were 10-1...funnily enough, now we are 12-1, and Liverpool are out to 50-1, where we were).
As the season progresses, the title race narrows down to clubs at the top, and is based on league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential. Obviously, it would be absurd to say that Newcastle, to take one example, just absolutely could not be in a title race, if they were in 2nd with one game to go, two points behind the first placed team. But, based on their position, currently Newcastle are five points behind us, and 12 behind Citeh (and we have a game in hand on them), form (lost two and drew one of last three/six if you prefer), squad quality (I believe their squad is the weakest of the current top six, and fixtures had until the last three games, sic., been kind to them), and potential (they don't really have money to spend, and had been at about the best they could be, but are now losing important players to injury), I belive they will get weaker, not stringer, have pushed their potential, and will ultimately be in a fight for the Europa (at best) - I said that about a month ago in the appropriate thread - and time seems to be proving that to be correct.
And that is where we are, at present: we are still in the title race, as it narrows down - even if we aren't favorites. In terms of league position, we are third, and a game-in-hand win away from second. In terms of form, we currently have officially the bet form in the league. In regard to quality of team/squad, I believe we have a first team that can compete with anyone (the sole problem being we could do with another striker for when we play Citeh), and squad (I have argued elsewhere that our squad is better than some SCers seem to believe). In terms of potential, I believe we are actually improving, as we gain confidence and experience, and players become integrated into the squad, and return from injury; and I believe we will be able to buy/sell in January, and emerge better, just as we did in the Summer. So, in terms of league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential, I believe we are in a title race, and can stay in one indefinitely.
Undoubtedly, it will take some good fortune to stay in that race - :think: such as, for instance, Vidic being out for the season. And that is a long way from saying we are title contenders - I wil wait until the end of February before I am prepared to say that definitively, or not. But, yeah, by my way of defining a 'title race' and analysiing our current position andpotential, we are in a title race.

Jesus wept :lol:

Say title race one more time, go on, say it!

The thread says title contenders. I don't think we are and (due to your promting) I've given my reasoning as to why. :lol: Big deal.

 

[Mullers]

Kendall, this has been discussed at length (that should surprise you :grin in another thread. I have a very clear view of what the title race is, and when it starts. You may not agree with it, but there it is.
The title race starts in August and on the opening day, technically, all clubs are in it. Obviously this is tempered by team/squad ability and potential, though not by league position (as it is alphabetical), and form (becuase no-one has any). So, in August, we can, effectively, exclude quite a few teams form the title race, and accept that others have very limited chances. Before this season started, and after the first two games, the gneral view (based on punditry and betting odds) where that United, Citeh, Cheslea, ArseScum and Liverpool rofl were in a title race, with us as wide outsiders...but that it would probably come down to United, Citeh and Chelsea. Personally, I totally disagreed with that, and felt that Liverpool and ArseScum should be way out where we were, as outsiders, and that we should be in closer to where (Liverpool were 10-1...funnily enough, now we are 12-1, and Liverpool are out to 50-1, where we were).
As the season progresses, the title race narrows down to clubs at the top, and is based on league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential. Obviously, it would be absurd to say that Newcastle, to take one example, just absolutely could not be in a title race, if they were in 2nd with one game to go, two points behind the first placed team. But, based on their position, currently Newcastle are five points behind us, and 12 behind Citeh (and we have a game in hand on them), form (lost two and drew one of last three/six if you prefer), squad quality (I believe their squad is the weakest of the current top six, and fixtures had until the last three games, sic., been kind to them), and potential (they don't really have money to spend, and had been at about the best they could be, but are now losing important players to injury), I belive they will get weaker, not stringer, have pushed their potential, and will ultimately be in a fight for the Europa (at best) - I said that about a month ago in the appropriate thread - and time seems to be proving that to be correct.
And that is where we are, at present: we are still in the title race, as it narrows down - even if we aren't favorites. In terms of league position, we are third, and a game-in-hand win away from second. In terms of form, we currently have officially the bet form in the league. In regard to quality of team/squad, I believe we have a first team that can compete with anyone (the sole problem being we could do with another striker for when we play Citeh), and squad (I have argued elsewhere that our squad is better than some SCers seem to believe). In terms of potential, I believe we are actually improving, as we gain confidence and experience, and players become integrated into the squad, and return from injury; and I believe we will be able to buy/sell in January, and emerge better, just as we did in the Summer. So, in terms of league position, current form, team/squad quality and potential, I believe we are in a title race, and can stay in one indefinitely.
Undoubtedly, it will take some good fortune to stay in that race - :think: such as, for instance, Vidic being out for the season. And that is a long way from saying we are title contenders - I wil wait until the end of February before I am prepared to say that definitively, or not. But, yeah, by my way of defining a 'title race' and analysiing our current position andpotential, we are in a title race.

Dude I am the last person to point out grammar and that kind of stuff but...I am begging you please, please put some paragraphs, my poor eyes.Eek

Smart arse :shake:

See above, I have said exactly how I see this, elsewhere, as well. Yes, Newcastle are in the title race, but their current league position is inferior to ours, their form is inferior, and they do not have the team/squad depth or potential to sustain their position IMHO, whereas we are higher than them (with a game in hand), our form is the best in the league (bar none), and we have the team/squad quality and potential for us to have a good chance of sustaining our position.

Squad quality, nope. They lost to Man city and Chelsea two teams anyone in the league could lose against.

 

[StartingPrice]

Jesus wept :lol:

Say title race one more time, go on, say it!

The thread says title contenders. I don't think we are and (due to your promting) I've given my reasoning as to why. :lol: Big deal.

Yes, the title does say title contenders - I made it clear, several times, that I was not anywhere saying we are title contenders as it is way too soon, but that we are in a TITLE RACE - you took it from there and poo-pooed the notion, which is why I answered in depth explaining just why we are in a TITLE RACE. Go on, go back and check your own post...I dare you :wink:

Big deal:shrug:

 

[Kendall]

Just checked the posts. I write 'No' and then you start bleating about the title race and how you define it as different to title contenders....

I don't give a rats arse about your definitions, I was just responding to the thread title. Why you insist on going on about 'title race' under your own definition, I have no bloody idea. I just think you forgot your medication.

 

[StartingPrice]

Surely if we're in a league format and only 13/14 games have been played so far, then everyone is in the title race?

It's all about opinions, but I wouldn't say Newcastle were in the race for 4th, just because of where they are now. I evaluate based on the team, performances so far, whole squad and actual fixtures played.

I think City will pull away from everyone with relative ease. United will continue to grind out wins and rediscover some of their early promise this season and we will scrap with Chelsea and the Goons for the other two spots.

I just do not think we have what it takes to be contenders. Thats what the thread is asking me. Not if we're in a race... because we all are.

Discussion of TITLE RACE (together with specific usage of term)...as opposed to title contenders, which we will onkly be able to discuss effectively around the start of May.

Just checked the posts. I write 'No' and then you start bleating about the title race and how you define it as different to title contenders....

I don't give a rats arse about your definitions, I was just responding to the thread title. Why you insist on going on about 'title race' under your own definition, I have no bloody idea. I just think you forgot your medication.

I may have forgotton take my medication...but at least there is a medical definition for my condition...yours is beyond definition and beyond the aid of medications or medical practitioners :razz:

 

[Kendall]

Discussion of TITLE RACE (together with specific usage of term)...as opposed to title contenders, which we will onkly be able to discuss effectively around the start of May.



I may have forgotton take my medication...but at least there is a medical definition for my condition...yours is beyond definition and beyond the aid of medications or medical practitioners :razz:

Err that post was after you gave me a run down of the fact that you reckon we're in a title 'race' but not necessarily title 'contenders'.

I didn't mention it first SP - you did. Then you started getting excited over definitions, for no good reason.