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SwellWines

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An ex-chef & wine industry veteran with many miles on the tires ever striving to eat well, laugh often & enjoy swell wines! (& oh yeah, dogs!)

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SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs one day SOON!!! 💯💪
And plaudits to you for hosting this group! Thank you!
👏👏👏

hallenbeck, to spurs

Underrated.

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs His youth shows in that he will almost always defer & pass/assist rather than shoot. The confidence will come.

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@hallenbeck @paulk_ @chrisbegley @beingreal @spurs At present, I see his best value as a super sub. When he starts, he tends to go missing. It will be interesting to see if they bring in a more left or right-sided winger. I think it may be the latter with Deki shifting to the middle & Son starting on left with a new 9 up front. We’ll see.

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@hallenbeck @spurs All in all though, a season to build upon. Now for the summer window!

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Is this formation right? Deki up front?

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs Certainly looks that way. I like it, more speed on the wings & muscle in the middle. Deki has had a number of chances.

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@hallenbeck @spurs While I would ultimately defer to the powers that be, I have always stated that Spurs need to add size to the squad. A bunch of small, fast, twitchy players will not take to the summit. Size & aerial ability are needed in front of both goals & Gimenez doesn’t provide either. Combine that with the added cost to acquire him & that inevitably translates to less spent on other areas of need. I hope our visions will align.

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@hallenbeck @spurs True regarding height, but to me size encompasses height plus weight. Guirassy is 30 lbs (11+ kg?) heavier in addition to being 5 cm taller which indicates that he can be much more of a force in the box, especially during set pieces. I hope Lange has a similar viewpoint. 🤞

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@hallenbeck @spurs
POS- VdV because without his recovery pace, season could have gone south fast.
GOS- Deki’s winner against Sheffield saving a bad result.
UH- Udogie as now seeing how he’s missed.
SOS- VdV. See above
MIP- Porro. Forget didn’t start gm1 for defensive deficiencies.
YPOS- Udogie. See above.
GOS- 3-3 at City. Amazing considering who played.

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@hallenbeck @lastwordonsport @paulk_ @spurs Like any business, I am sure that Munn has a (net) budget with which to work. It will be up to him to manage the outgoings to help fund the additions. I expect this to be done in conjunction with Lange & Postecoglou. Other than setting the budget, Levy will be essentially hands off.

hallenbeck, to spurs

[football.london] James Maddison explains how Tottenham surprised Man City and praises one of Guardiola's stars

https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/james-maddison-explains-how-tottenham-29177844

> The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been speaking about the Premier League defeat to Manchester City and his own form and fitness

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs I think Mount Postecoglou became active 48 hours before the match (as indicated) by all the questions about letting City win. I read that even some staff at N17 supported the notion. So when that fan at the match kept yelling at him, the volcano erupted & kept spewing into the media sessions after the match.
So, I think it’s being a bit over analyzed. With the number of losses & frequency of fixtures, he’s prickly & it’s what happens when you poke the bear. 😁

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@hallenbeck @spurs Parting words???

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@hallenbeck @paulk_ @spurs Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention (innovation).

hallenbeck, to spurs

Article from Charlie. Of interest to and fans, too.

"Yes, laughing at your rivals has always been a big part of being a football supporter, but it becomes a problem when that’s pretty much the only part of being a football supporter."

Because financial cheating.

The has suffered because of clubs with dodgy finances. It has tainted the competition. City should be everyone's archest rivals, but they aren't. Why?

Unpaywalled: https://archive.ph/3Epip

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@CoolerPseudonym @beingreal @hallenbeck @spurs Perhaps they can format a MLB type soft cap, i.e. you can exceed the threshold, but you will be taxed if you do. The more you exceed, the higher the tax. Taxes also increase for serial offenders. Taxes collected are generally distributed to the poorer/smaller clubs.

hallenbeck, to spurs

Today is a day for which, as a @spurs fan, the word AMBIVALENT was invented.

Embrace it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/wBm3GwsRd8l9p4qDB4Hvq9/why-it-s-strong-to-be-ambivalent

@spurs

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@hallenbeck @spurs I find it interesting that PL2 have now gone to a playoff system but not here. If there were playoffs at the end of the season, even just the top 4 clubs, everyone would be rooting for Spurs to win today & finishing in the top 4 would mean a lot more than just getting In Championship. It means you have a shot at winning the PL title. 🏆

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs There should never be a scenario in sport where you want your team to lose.

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@hallenbeck @spurs I have trouble finding PL fans, let alone Arsenal (I do have a friend in town who follows Liverpool). What bothers me are the media pundits who are open Arsenal supporters. It shows a lack of professionalism & class. I used to like Thierry Henry, but no longer. Ian Wright says it would be "so Spursy" to beat City. It's nauseating!

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@hallenbeck @spurs How sweet will it be for City to win this year & Spurs win next, leaving Arsenal as the bridesmaid for 3 years in a row? I am sniggering just thinking about it!

hallenbeck, to spurs

Some detail on our 9 search this summer, as reported by @pokeefe1. I'll aggregate some dataviz together on these when I get a chance.

Update: added a combined image of @NathanAClark's radar graphs.

Update 2: added a text summary of each player:

https://rentry.co/tottenham_9s_2024

[Note, I used Microsoft Copilot to research and generate the summaries; sources it drew from are cited.]

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @pokeefe1 @spurs @NathanAClark Guirassy looks best & he’s got more size, which is important, but not young.

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@hallenbeck @spurs Perhaps a Guirassy 3 year bridge until Veliz, Scarlett, Hall, etc. are ready is the way to go (especially if only 40m euros). Then add Bakayoko, Ederson, Buongiorno & Walker-Peters. Bergvall will also come in. Move Deki inside to share 10 with Madders. Keep either Solomon or Werner. Spurs would be very dangerous!

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@hallenbeck @spurs Absolutely, he's like Sarr's bigger, older brother. What impressed me most in the video (other than his aerial mastery) was when he was in the box with the ball at his feet & essentially holding off 3 defenders to lay off a beautiful assist. I will repeat, Spurs need to add size to the squad & Guirassy fits the bill!

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@CoolerPseudonym @Phreba @spurs @Jfrites That's basically how I look at it. Go toe to toe with City for the whole match, be tied at the end of 90 & get Arsenal fans all hopeful. Then get nicked in added time & burst their balloon. 😂

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@CoolerPseudonym @Phreba @spurs @Jfrites And, just to stick the knife in a little further, the City goal in added time is the result of a penalty given by VAR. 😂

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@hallenbeck @spurs we are always running behind across the pond. 😜

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@hallenbeck @spurs Wish he was a tad younger, but looks dynamic!

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@hallenbeck @spurs Whoops!
I guess I was looking at Tiémoué Bakayoko. 🙃
(29)

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@paulk_ @hallenbeck @spurs Nico is reportedly making €200,000 per week & will want more to move.

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@paulk_ @spurs I thought Bissouma had a good game, collecting the ball & moving it out of the back third. Fortunately he had less defending to do. Sarr was less impactful, though I would like to see a close replay of when he was taken down in the box right before the half. To me, that cancels out all of Burnley’s protestations.

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@hallenbeck @paulk_ @spurs Someone please explain to me how Spurs can drop 8 in a ranking & end up 6th. 🤔🤯 8 in a rating I can understand, though I can’t remember when they were deserving of a 96 rating.

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@hallenbeck @paulk_ @spurs oh, I get it. Global ranking.

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@hallenbeck @paulk_ @spurs Brennan reminds me of my young dog, full of energy but not channeled. Both are eager to learn though & when it clicks, it will be great!

hallenbeck, to spurs

starting XI. Skipp is in at LB as expected.

Richarlison out. Made of biscuits that boy. Hope we can cash in and get someone less injury prone.

@spurs

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@hallenbeck @spurs OK! Please, let’s score early & force them out of the low block. Easy & comfortable, not waiting all match for a Porro screamer. 🙏🏻

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Tottenham tipped to sign 'the next elite No.9' as bargain €20m bid could land explosive attacker - TEAMtalkTottenham tipped to sign 'the next elite No.9' as bargain €20m bid could land explosive attacker - TEAMtalk
https://apple.news/A3vhn4_tCQdKLA4EP7wZnCw
@spurs
Now this is the type of 9 I want Spurs to get! Only 17 & already 6’1” & 169 lbs. DO IT!

paulk_, to spurs
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This is interesting: Son and Richarlison come out on top in CIES Football Observatory Weekly ranking of Defensive work by attacking players (wingers and centre forwards) in 30 leagues around the world. @spurs

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@paulk_ @spurs Hmmm, in looking at that list, Jonathan David's name pops out, so I just watched a video of him. Strong with either foot & can use his head. Somewhat similar to Son, but maybe a tad better with the ball at his feet. I wish he was a bit bigger, but he was a name once mentioned frequently that has been mostly quiet recently. A possibility at 9??? 🤔

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@paulk_ @spurs Also interesting is Adebayo. Like a tall version of Richy, lethal with his head. 🤔

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@paulk_ @spurs I’m curious where Veliz’s stats are from. He’s somewhat similar to Adebayo, but younger & not as polished? If Veliz is ready, by all means integrate him into the squad, but if he’s going out on loan, maybe Adebayo would be a good get?

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@svarogbg1 @paulk_ @spurs Mostly I was commenting on those players who showed the good defensive metrics, but certainly with his feet, Zirkzee looks great, but interestingly for someone as tall as he is, he doesn’t seem to use his head.

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@hallenbeck @spurs I can’t say that I have watched a lot of Isak, but he looked great against Spurs. It’s tough because 9s are pricey. I have watched videos of Gundmundsson & have been impressed. I am skeptical of anyone from the Netherlands. Perhaps the answer is keep Richy & the kids, but injury time lost worries me. It’s what makes the upcoming summer window so interesting!

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@hallenbeck @spurs Yes, understood, but while maybe 80% of goals from a 9 are one touch, there is still that other 20% & from my eye test, here Richy fails badly. If he needs to do more than a touch, most often he loses the ball.

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs Having just watched a video of all Isak’s goals this season, he is far superior to Richy. How much he’d cost is the real issue.

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs I am not entirely convinced either as it is easy to look great when any player’s best moments are spliced together. His lack of assists is worrying, don’t know how well he can press & spending 6 figures for any player is anathema to me, if that is what it will take. Still, he is lethal…

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs There is a part of me that likes Toney, too, especially at £40m. Richy can stay at that price, though I’m not sure if he’d be a cancer in the locker room.

hallenbeck, to spurs

The quality of this goal got a bit lost in the hubbub, but worth a bit of appreciation.

That ball from Bissouma, tho. 🤍

@spurs

video/mp4

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @spurs A 6 is the most important get for Spurs, but that does not mean Biss should be shipped out. If a good offer comes in, OK, but he has quality. Though what annoys me are the cards & fouls in bad areas due to not hustling enough to be in a good position to nick a ball cleanly. Perhaps he can learn from Romero how to clean up his game.

paulk_, to spurs
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Tosin Adarabioyo has turned down an offer from Spurs. (Source: Paul O’Keefe) @spurs

SwellWines,
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@paulk_ @spurs And not for the first time. There are plenty of good players & like Ange, I want players who WANT to play for . Not Gallagher, not Adarabioyo. He's welcome to go to France if that's where he wants to play.

svarogbg1, to spurs
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What's your opinion on this player Joshua Orobosa Zirkzee from Bologna ? He looks more capable of beating opponent than Richarlison to me. Price seems to be 60. Saudis are interested in Richarlison. I know what I would do if this Zirkzee guy has pace.

@spurs

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @svarogbg1 @spurs Listing stats Per 90 Minutes can be very deceptive as it doesn't take into account the extremely important minutes lost to injury. If there is any possibility to get Isak, it should be done. Otherwise, I will trust Paratici & players from Serie A (they are top quotient Euro league). Recent history shows they adapt well & quickly. Then get best players possible to satisfy homegrown (& preferably not Gallagher).

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @svarogbg1 @spurs But my point is that you have to take into account minutes lost to injury. A player's best ability is availability.

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @svarogbg1 @spurs I would be fine with a rotation if it works budget wise. After watching his video, I’ve become enamored with Adebayo. Tall, great defensively & with his head & homegrown! Size matters & Spurs need it!

SwellWines,
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@hallenbeck @svarogbg1 @spurs He's 26, not a youngster, but not old either AND perhaps most importantly, with his aerial dominance, could be a quick fix to our defensive set piece frailties!

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@hallenbeck @svarogbg1 @spurs The more I see of Adebayo, the more I think Spurs must get him, especially if Luton is relegated. At 6' 4" & 197 lbs defenders just bounce off him. His footwork is adequate, but he is unstoppable in the air.

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