Thomas Frank - Head Coach

[Baleforce]

As regards February, we do have some tough fixtures but we only have four of them....

Saudi Sportswashing Machine have 9 games between now and the end of February... Some tough league games, 2nd leg of league cup semi against Emirates Marketing Project, away to Villa in FA Cup and now two Champions League play off games....

Surely, we can manage to summon up enough energy to beat them....

COYS.

Yeah, being out of the cups is a godsend.

 

[clownfoot]

It’s a shame we won’t play again Europe for a few weeks. I’m quite enjoying the routine of 4 days of optimism followed by 3 days of pessimism on here

 

[Lemonade Money]

It’s a shame we won’t play again Europe for a few weeks. I’m quite enjoying the routine of 4 days of optimism followed by 3 days of pessimism on here

You are in the minority. Drama queens want 7 days of pessimism.

 

[fernadez]

He never really looks fully engaged to me, but perhaps that's just how he is. I'd say I need to see more from him before I'd be overjoyed with our acquiring his services on a permanent basis, though.

Well done to all concerned for finishing in the top 8, but that doesn't really tell us anything we didn't already know, which is that the quality of opposition in any European competition, outside of a notable handful of clubs, is below that of most of the Premier League (in many cases, it appears, quite a way below).

Again I will say that it's not the quality that is below, it's just a completely different style of football being played to the League. Much less concerned with physical attributes then domestic football is.

 

[braineclipse]

Again I will say that it's not the quality that is below, it's just a completely different style of football being played to the League. Much less concerned with physical attributes then domestic football is.

Depends what one means by quality?

Perhaps also a point that while teams in the PL will struggle with the physicality of some opponents teams in the PL are much more used to coming up against that. Teams from other leagues aren't and adjusting to that takes more than a game or two.

In our case some of it is also just coincidence. Both Villarreal and Monaco we got good results, but without looking like the better team. Bodø Glimt too easily Could have beaten us.

 

[Gazza Dazzla]

Depends what one means by quality?

Perhaps also a point that while teams in the PL will struggle with the physicality of some opponents teams in the PL are much more used to coming up against that. Teams from other leagues aren't and adjusting to that takes more than a game or two.

In our case some of it is also just coincidence. Both Villarreal and Monaco we got good results, but without looking like the better team. Bodø Glimt too easily Could have beaten us.

We were battered by Bodo and Monaco, but I thought the Villarreal game was pretty even.

 

[braineclipse]

We were battered by Bodo and Monaco, but I thought the Villarreal game was pretty even.

Yeah, that was pretty much my impression too. We got 5 points from those games. So with us as an example of PL domination in Europe looking just at the table/results is somewhat misleading. Haven't seen any of the games with other English teams so no idea if they've been more convincing.

 

[fernadez]

Exactly

In a technical v technical conversation there isn't anything that is putting the Premier League over other leagues.

Physical attributes is another discussion entirely, both in players and in terms of what officials are prepared to allow. We benefit from getting (correct) calls made that would never be given in the league.

 

[Muttley]

Exactly

In a technical v technical conversation there isn't anything that is putting the Premier League over other leagues.

Physical attributes is another discussion entirely, both in players and in terms of what officials are prepared to allow. We benefit from getting (correct) calls made that would never be given in the league.

I know there is multiple root causes but the focus on the officials is spot on for me. The clubs mould their tactics to what the officials allow. I genuinely thought Mike Riley was an awful leader of PGMOL. He instilled the untouchable arrogance into that team. Howard Webb has now come along and set the bar lower. PGMOL even made statements a couple of seasons back that more physical play would not result in free-kicks. I mean, who cares about the laws of the game if you can just do what you want as a referee? PGMOL have been very damaging to the entertainment value of the PL in my opinion.

I want Webb sacked now so we can get a fresh pair of eyes that will look at how they deliver officiating and tackle the untouchable arrogance we get from that organisation. They need reminding who pays their salary.

 

[fernadez]

I know there is multiple root causes but the focus on the officials is spot on for me. The clubs mould their tactics to what the officials allow. I genuinely thought Mike Riley was an awful leader of PGMOL. He instilled the untouchable arrogance into that team. Howard Webb has now come along and set the bar lower. PGMOL even made statements a couple of seasons back that more physical play would not result in free-kicks. I mean, who cares about the laws of the game if you can just do what you want as a referee? PGMOL have been very damaging to the entertainment value of the PL in my opinion.

I want Webb sacked now so we can get a fresh pair of eyes that will look at how they deliver officiating and tackle the untouchable arrogance we get from that organisation. They need reminding who pays their salary.

That fact that football hasn't looked at rugby and stolen the way they officiate games, tells you all you need to know about what is important.

 

[Raziel]

That fact that football hasn't looked at rugby and stolen the way they officiate games, tells you all you need to know about what is important.

Rugby, Cricket, Tennis all have things that can be used in a VAR type world.

But fans/media are complicit, ex players and fans who let their bias mean certain teams/players get away with brick (you could have a thesis on ref decisions of Romero vs. VVD as example), instead of focusing all bad decisions are bad decisions regardless of who for/against and consistency should be the #1 requirement.

Frank like other Spurs managers in the past lets way too much slide, he should constantly be talking about protecting Xavi as example (the CL vs. PL protection is noticeable)

 

[Raziel]

Thomas Frank on the transfer window: "The fans just want the best for the club like I do, the owners and everyone in the club. It's fair to say though that the transfer window is not like Football Manager."​