2024/2025 English Premier League Thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Ange must be getting fired now

I ask for so little, just for Liverpool to win the League and the Champions' League in the same season that Everton get relegated.

Is that so much to ask for??

But Spurs are throwing a wrench into the works! How can Everton get relegated when Spurs are just....showing Hoover how sucking is done!

[Barnet Flame]

As much as I hate Spurs, that would genuinely be a shame. Ange has always struck me as someone, I’d love to have a pint with. He just seems to be a really good guy and personally, I wouldn’t wish it on him.

There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that Ange isn’t just a good guy, he has been successful in the past.

There is even more evidence, that the problems at Tottenham lie elsewhere.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

As much as I hate Spurs, that would genuinely be a shame. Ange has always struck me as someone, I’d love to have a pint with. He just seems to be a really good guy and personally, I wouldn’t wish it on him.

There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that Ange isn’t just a good guy, he has been successful in the past.

There is even more evidence, that the problems at Tottenham lie elsewhere.

I think Ange is falling into what I consider 'The Pep Trap.'

He's not alone, lots of managers do. They generate an ethos and a style and then adhere to it religiously.

But the thing is, rarely does a manager have the ability to mold a team 100% to their particular style and, even if they do other teams are going to adapt and coaches need ancillary strategies for when that happens.

I call it 'The Pep Trap' because I think he's the only manager that has only ever operated with top players and no budgetary constraints. No one else gets that. He doesnt really have to adapt, whatever he wants is always given.

Managers have to do the best they can with what they have. If you dont have the horses to play your style? Adapt! Adapt or die.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

As much as I hate Spurs, that would genuinely be a shame. Ange has always struck me as someone, I’d love to have a pint with. He just seems to be a really good guy and personally, I wouldn’t wish it on him.

There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that Ange isn’t just a good guy, he has been successful in the past.

There is even more evidence, that the problems at Tottenham lie elsewhere.

You're looking at it all wrong.

If you like him, let him get as far away from Spurs as possible.
He'll land a new job, be successful there, and then when you have a pint with him, you can both laugh at Spurs!

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

As much as I hate Spurs, that would genuinely be a shame. Ange has always struck me as someone, I’d love to have a pint with. He just seems to be a really good guy and personally, I wouldn’t wish it on him.

There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate that Ange isn’t just a good guy, he has been successful in the past.

There is even more evidence, that the problems at Tottenham lie elsewhere.

Well the problem is the ownership. We literally pay Levy more than any other chairman in the league and we also have the absolute lowest wage bill in the league. It’s on clear display this month, as the team is desperate for help. We’ve been playing teenagers, sometimes out of position, and players are playing hurt because we have no other bodies. And what have we done? Signed a goalie and other wise just tried to muscle through. It’s completely and utterly ridiculous.

And sure, maybe Ange shares some blame. Maybe he could’ve been more flexible with his system earlier this season. But the truth is, he’s been hung out to dry here. I don’t know what manager would be getting amazing results with the tools he has to work with. And today was a great example. We have a 1-0 lead at home against a team that hasn’t won in forever and can’t score. We give away two goals in about 5/6 minutes to start the second half. Some would say that those were brain dead plays, and that kind of makes sense. But you know what it could well be, is fatigue. I’ve been there. You’re so tired and rundown, and you make dumb mistakes on the pitch.

Anyway. Ange is almost surely getting sacked. As soon as I saw the banners at the game today, and the very loud “we want Levy out” chants, I feel like I know what’s coming. Daniel Levy can’t stand that and it hurts him personally. He’s not investing in the team (they care about real estate and commercial development), so there’s only one thing he can do to try to turn the ship. He’s sacks Ange and god knows who comes in as a caretaker. Hopefully not Ryan Mason, but he’d be cheap. Maybe Benitez? Who knows how long that oil and water relationship goes. I’m not sure who would be willing though. We all know it’s an 18-24 month position, rinse and repeat. Always repeat.

And finally, I think Ange is awesome. He’s a good dude with a good attitude, and in today’s presser he made mention of how much the players should be lauded. I’d imagine those guys love him, and despite the fact it’s not working out, I can see why they’re still playing for him and haven’t just downed their tools.

[MegaErtz]

Lowest wage bill in the league? They have the seventh highest wage bill, at about 117 million pounds per year.
https://www.spotrac.com/epl/tottenha...ap/_/year/2024

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

Lowest wage bill in the league? They have the seventh highest wage bill, at about 117 million pounds per year.
https://www.spotrac.com/epl/tottenha...ap/_/year/2024

I was looking at this as a percentage of revenue, and it’s literally dead last. To me that makes more sense, because some clubs shouldn’t be spending as many dollars. Spurs could, and just won’t.

[MegaErtz]

That's an extremely narrow interpretation of the wage bill. I think a more accurate way to look at things would be to take into account total transfer and wages outlay, including agent fees and bonuses paid. Just off the top of my head, Spurs spent £65m on Solanke, £40m on Archie Gray, £8.5m on Bergvall, £25m on Odobert, and £12.5m on this new goalkeeper they brought in a couple of weeks ago. They're also spending huge money on Werner's wages to have him on loan.

Meanwhile Liverpool brought in Chiesa for £10m and sold Fabio Carvalho for £20m, Bobby Clarks for £10m, and Van Den Berg for £20m. A bit hard to argue that Spurs are being cheap when Liverpool's revenue is only about 13% higher. Levy is spending money for sure, just on the wrong players.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

That's an extremely narrow interpretation of the wage bill. I think a more accurate way to look at things would be to take into account total transfer and wages outlay, including agent fees and bonuses paid. Just off the top of my head, Spurs spent £65m on Solanke, £40m on Archie Gray, £8.5m on Bergvall, £25m on Odobert, and £12.5m on this new goalkeeper they brought in a couple of weeks ago. They're also spending huge money on Werner's wages to have him on loan.

Meanwhile Liverpool brought in Chiesa for £10m and sold Fabio Carvalho for £20m, Bobby Clarks for £10m, and Van Den Berg for £20m. A bit hard to argue that Spurs are being cheap when Liverpool's revenue is only about 13% higher. Levy is spending money for sure, just on the wrong players.

It’s the right way to view this though (wages as a percentage of revenue) because it evens the playing field in terms of the size of the operation.

And yes, over the past two summers we’ve spent some money, but let’s not forget they also sold Kane for £100m and he was an academy player. So first of all, they had to replace him and second, that drives the net spend down significantly. And the other issue is that they’ve spent money on a lot of young and unproven players. At this point those kids are getting a trial by fire and it might work out, but it’s hard to look at purchases like Yang, Bergvall and Kinsky and say “see, they’re backing the manager”. Sure, they’re warm bodies and might be awesome, buts that what…£30m? In today’s world, that’s a pittance. Even Odobert was cheap by today’s standards.

But here we are 3 weeks into the window with an enormous injury issue and there is nothing. No reinforcements and just hopes that these guys heal up and come back to make an impact.

[Locke]

Ange Postecoglou is expected to be given the chance to save his job amid mounting calls for Tottenham to sack the 59-year-old, sources have told ESPN.

Spurs were booed off after losing 2-1 at home to Leicester City on Sunday, a result which leaves them languishing in 15th place in the Premier League.

Tottenham have won just one of their past 11 league matches and during their latest defeat, many fans turned their anger on Daniel Levy with some holding up a banner which read "24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy" in reference to his record as chairman.

https://global.espn.com/football/sto...-calls-sources

Looks like they're going to stick with Ange ball...or...isn't 'Full support for the Manager' usually the Kiss of Death?

[Locke]

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital in his team than Marcus Rashford unless the out-of-favor forward starts to "give the maximum every day in training and in life."

https://global.espn.com/football/sto...rashford-again

Oof....thats a bit of an indictment.

[rich76]

Just popped on here to say hello to anyone who might remember me from years ago. It's been over 5 years since I even posted anything on this forum, but I am still alive!

It's almost 10 years since AFC Bournemouth were promoted to the big time, and barring a couple of years in the Championship we've deserved our place in the Premier League.

I hope you're all enjoying our new brand of rock and roll football! This season has been an utter whirlwind.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rich76

Just popped on here to say hello to anyone who might remember me from years ago. It's been over 5 years since I even posted anything on this forum, but I am still alive!

It's almost 10 years since AFC Bournemouth were promoted to the big time, and barring a couple of years in the Championship we've deserved our place in the Premier League.

I hope you're all enjoying our new brand of rock and roll football! This season has been an utter whirlwind.

Hey!! You stole that from us!

But congratulations all the same! Nobody can call Bournemouth boring!

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

https://global.espn.com/football/sto...rashford-again

Oof....thats a bit of an indictment.

Amorim is a breath of fresh air, honestly. He isn't hiding behind excuses like past managers, and he isn't afraid to speak the brutal truth. I like it. Some might question him being blunt like that, but Rashford hasn't put in the effort for years now and immediately yapped about being "ready for a new challenge" once Amorim questioned his work ethic. This country club atmosphere that has infested this club needs to be rooted out ASAP.

And even though it's been a bit under the radar with all the Rashford stuff, it's also notable that Amorim has effectively axed Casemiro as well. He's made the match squads, but he hasn't played a single minute in January ... all those minutes have gone to Toby Collyer.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by rich76

Just popped on here to say hello to anyone who might remember me from years ago. It's been over 5 years since I even posted anything on this forum, but I am still alive!

It's almost 10 years since AFC Bournemouth were promoted to the big time, and barring a couple of years in the Championship we've deserved our place in the Premier League.

I hope you're all enjoying our new brand of rock and roll football! This season has been an utter whirlwind.

I remember you and plenty of Spurs fans are hoping that we sack our manager and steal yours!

[Locke]

Former Premier League referee David Coote apologised for the actions that led to his sacking last month by England referees' body PGMOL, saying that the pressure of the job and fear of abuse due to his sexuality triggered his behaviour.

"I want to apologise to anybody who I've offended by my actions. You can tell by the video I wasn't sober," Coote told The Sun in an interview released on Monday. "I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult.

"My sexuality isn't the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I'm not telling an authentic story if I don't say that I'm gay, and that I've had real struggles dealing with hiding that.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...ote-apologises



Is he trying to get his job back?

[Locke]

Sources have also told ESPN that United will listen to loan offers for Casemiro before Monday's deadline. The Brazil international has started just one of the last 11 games and has been an unused substitute in the last six matches.

His last appearance was in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Dec. 30. Roma have expressed interest in signing the 32-year-old until the end of the season.

Sources have told ESPN that United are willing to pay a portion of Casemiro's wages -- more than £300k-a-week -- to make the move happen.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...u-deal-sources

You heard that right...Casemiro is on £300k-a-week to sit on the bench...how long is that contract?

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Locke

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...ote-apologises



Is he trying to get his job back?

An interview with The Sun isn’t exactly a great way to get back on Liverpool fans’ good side.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

An interview with The Sun isn’t exactly a great way to get back on Liverpool fans’ good side.

Very true, good point, but I dont think its Liverpool fans he needs to suck up to.

Well being a Ref who is drunk and coked out of his mind isn't exactly 'Resume Building' material either.

[Slava]

Well, we've now lost Maddison for 3 weeks. Let's see if you can guess how excited I am to see the second leg of the League Cup match played at Anfield with a cocky Liverpool supporter. Spurs are cursed.