I think it came about because when Adebyoar came on as a sub at maybe 4-0 down he said to Bendtner "I'm only on because you're sh*t"

You beat me to it Tom. American Gooner, if you see this message: just because the Invincibles' record is safe, don't pack away the rubber sheets for another year just yet. There's an ever greater potential calamity that should be weighing on our bladders in the wee hours (if you'll excuse the pun): the prospect of Spurs actually winning something more significant than the Sun International Challenge Trophy this season.

I'm far less sanguine that Rich that there rest of their team is too mediocre for Spurs to be troublesome this year.

If we do it then we need to accept that they will all be cherry picked by bigger sides in a few years and we need to ensure we get huge money for them. I don't think it is necessary to go down a full project youth mode. But a quick look at the business model of Dortmund or even Leicester shows that good recruitment or young talent and selling at the right time can push a team on - we've got more money to invest than either of those so we could do what they do with an extra level added on top.
We've got to get some players who are sellable assets first, which will take a while because we are probably faced with losing most players we don't want for free or very low fees, we need to stop handing massive contracts to these players, make them earn it.

Hi Goonie,
Cohesion as a team is necessary. But, must allow for adjustments occasionally if it means getting ahead. Ah, the Tinkerman, what a league win that was.

Hi Decaf and tomc. I agree with both of you. To expand on my thoughts, with Liverpool missing van Dijk for the season (assuming he does) and Manchester City not looking great (I’m hoping the game is overtaking Guardiola as I still think managers have their peak years like players), I think it could be another surprise title winners season, like the season Leicester won it.

I think Tottenham are definitely one of the possible winners, as we are despite the moans about players here. The North London clubs aren’t the only possibilities by the way. There are others.

But to coin a phrase, I think it might be ‘up for grabs’.

I'd love to have him with Saliba and Gabriel in a back 3 but it won't happen. He'll end up at a big club.

We're a big club.

Greeting Bernard.
I've very glad that you are penciling us in as contenders. I'm also not ruling us out, although I think that Spurs look the more likely dark horses.

I take a different view to others here regarding Arteta's tinkering and our current indifferent form. In my view, it is entirely understandable. He really does need to be given the freedom and space to try to figure things out. Someone compared him with Ranieri 'the tinkerman'. This is interesting, considering what Ranieri subsequently achieved and how he did it. I'm confident Arteta will start picking a more settled side once he's figured out what that is. So I'm giving him another season of fairly uncritical support.

Greeting Bernard.
I've very glad that you are penciling us in as contenders. I'm also not ruling us out, although I think that Spurs look the more likely dark horses.

I take a different view to others here regarding Arteta's tinkering and our current indifferent form. In my view, it is entirely understandable. He really does need to be given the freedom and space to try to figure things out. Someone compared him with Ranieri 'the tinkerman'. This is interesting, considering what Ranieri subsequently achieved and how he did it. I'm confident Arteta will start picking a more settled side once he's figured out what that is. So I'm giving him another season of fairly uncritical support.

Me too he has shown he's a serious coach and he needs time. Regarding the line up changes, the fixture list is even more crowded this season and rotation is inevitable and necessary. Hope to see Nelson, Smith-Rowe (is he fit?), Runarsson, Saliba and possibly Balogun feature tomorrow against Dundalk.

Smith-Rowe (if as you say he's fit) and Balogun are two that we definitely need to have a look at. They can offer us something different.

Me too he has shown he's a serious coach and he needs time. Regarding the line up changes, the fixture list is even more crowded this season and rotation is inevitable and necessary. Hope to see Nelson, Smith-Rowe (is he fit?), Runarsson, Saliba and possibly Balogun feature tomorrow against Dundalk.

Hi bromley. I watched a programme called Sportscene. It’s a BBC programme of the Scottish Premier League highlights. A sort of BBC Scotland equivalent of the English BBC’s MOTD. I only bothered watching the highlights of the two matches featuring Rangers and Celtic last weekend. One of the games had a Balogun in one of the opposition teams, who were Livingston and Aberdeen. I assume it’s a different one, or has our Balogun gone to a Scottish club on loan?

Hi bromley. I watched a programme called Sportscene. It’s a BBC programme of the Scottish Premier League highlights. A sort of BBC Scotland equivalent of the English BBC’s MOTD. I only bothered watching the highlights of the two matches featuring Rangers and Celtic last weekend. One of the games had a Balogun in one of the opposition teams, who were Livingston and Aberdeen. I assume it’s a different one, or has our Balogun gone to a Scottish club on loan?

There's a Leon Balogun playing for Rangers, Bern. Big defender. Wiki says he's German.

Hold on....German.....plays for Rangers? Must be on your radar.

Thanks DHD. Was it Rangers? Thought it was the opposition facing either them or Celtic.

Elliptically related at best to the Baloguns, but Celtic have a player called Frimpong in their team. Young Dutch lad of Ghanaian heritage. Wing back, I think. I'm told by my Celtic mate that he's highly regarded.

The one wonderful thing about this season is that City and Liverpool don't look as invincible (no pun intended) as they have the last few seasons. One or both may end up running away from the rest of the league as they have done, but so far, the league is wide open. Great for fans of the league. There aren't any 3 point bankers as yet.

The one wonderful thing about this season is that City and Liverpool don't look as invincible (no pun intended) as they have the last few seasons. One or both may end up running away from the rest of the league as they have done, but so far, the league is wide open. Great for fans of the league. There aren't any 3 point bankers as yet.

From what we have seen so far I rate Spurs as the main challengers. The way Kane has turned provider adds a string to their bow, and once match fit, Bale will add to their already dangerous attacking options. Apart from that wobble against The Hammers they are OK at the back. And, horrible *%^@ that he is, they have a winning manager.

I agree Liverpool and City won't run away with it but I still think they'll be the top 2 and be a good 10 points ahead of the rest. There will be more surprise results but both of those teams are well established under their respective coaches and can cater for injuries better than the rest. I think they will both have a lot more 'easy wins' - particularly City when they get in their stride. If City can get Dias/Laporte as an established CB pairing they will be hard to stop. Liverpool need to buy a CB in Jan, It felt like they might be one short after letting Lovren go in the summer, now they have VVD out for the season.

From what we have seen so far I rate Spurs as the main challengers. The way Kane has turned provider adds a string to their bow, and once match fit, Bale will add to their already dangerous attacking options. Apart from that wobble against The Hammers they are OK at the back. And, horrible *%^@ that he is, they have a winning manager.

Hi Bern,
Emmanuel Frimpong. The "Dench" guy. May or may not be related to this Jeremie Frimpong at Celtic.

That's what I was worrying about. With 'that' front three, Jose's touch with the defence, and Ndombele looking like he might fulfill his potential ... However, if Kane gets injured its likely to go pear-shape.

Bit of a stretch that, Zed. Their Frimpong was born in Holland. Ours - Emmanuel - was born in Ghana but grew up on the Broadwater Estate in Tottenham, as did a number of our youth academy kids.

Tough place, the Broadwater. Tough kid, our Emmanuel. Just ask Nasri.

The Man Utd result is very surprising but they can look good one minute and then go back to looking rudderless.