Going into the final round of fixtures, I think there's a 75% chance we'll finish 5th, and a 25% chance we'll finish 4th. If we finish 5th, what will be your view of our season? I think there'll be 2 camps, the first being:
"Spurs have regressed, we should have kept Harry, as our league placing is 1 position below last season"
or (and assuming we beat Sunderland);
"Spurs have progressed, AVB has improved our side as our points tally is greater than last season" (and in fact, a club record).
Though there is some sort of argument to say we were better off under Harry, I think it would be incredibly harsh to claim AVB has done anything other than good things for our club.
Like any new manager, he has encountered problems - we have a poor defence, we lack genuine playmakers, and our striker situation remains fragile. He sometimes picks the wrong starting XI, he is yet to install the fluid, attacking style of play we all crave, and we also can't keep a clean sheet.
However, the points tally speaks for itself - 72 points will be an amazing haul, especially when you consider the injuries, lack of squad options and genuine lack of world class talent in our squad. Compare our defence and midfield to Chelsea and it's amazing to think we're within touching distance.
He has given us a resilience I've never seen before - we have a fantastic away record, and we've comeback from losing positions more than any other team.
Clearly the foundations are set. Not being in the CL next season isn't a disaster as we're still in a fantastic poistion to build from what we've seen this season (providing Bale stays - which I'm sure he will). Our squad is young, we are an attractive proposition to many top players in world football, and with a coach with a vision, which I belive AVB has, I think next season should garner more points, giving us an even stronger chance of CL footie.
Thoughts on Season
posted on 16/5/13
The coach has to have some input.
Identifying in which positions players are needed, suggesting targets, picking preferences from any lists the scouts produce.
posted on 16/5/13
I do not expect managers to have encyclopedic knowledge of who is available for what position and at what price range.
What you call "shrewd signings" are a reflection of the scouting network. Which at Spurs has been a shambles in recent times.
posted on 16/5/13
RDBD.. any of the youngsters ready for next season ?
posted on 16/5/13
"any of the youngsters ready for next season ?"
Is Weare "grooming" ??
Some of us think Ceballos is ready.
A decision will have to be made on Obika (squad, PL loan, or gone) .
The rest of the best of the U21s are probably looking at loan outs.
posted on 16/5/13
comment by The RDBD (demoted to supporting the team manag... (U1062)
posted 47 minutes ago
I do not expect managers to have encyclopedic knowledge of who is available for what position and at what price range.
What you call "shrewd signings" are a reflection of the scouting network. Which at Spurs has been a shambles in recent times.
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Well he has managed in two countries in the last 4 seasons, has competed in European competition for three of them, and has had a 3 month sabbatical in which he watched lots of football in various countries.
I don't expect he will know everything about every player, but as a supposed avid student of the game you'd expect he'd have a bit of insight to give.
I'd be surprised if any coach knows the price range of players. However, I think every man and his hog knows you generally get more value when shopping abroad rather than from the PL.
posted on 16/5/13
"I don't expect he will know everything about every player, but as a supposed avid student of the game you'd expect he'd have a bit of insight to give."
Yes.
But again with Spurs it finally comes down to money.
posted on 16/5/13
We aren't paupers. Not top-end for sure, but comfortably within the 2nd tier in terms of fees/wages.
As such, any players at a club lower down the pecking order (or indeed in the same tier) should be fair game in terms of us buying
posted on 16/5/13
"As such, any players at a club lower down the pecking order (or indeed in the same tier) should be fair game in terms of us buying"
Just want a scouting network again that at least gets the likes of Berbatoss and Modric on the radar quite early.
posted on 16/5/13
Said before I wouldn't be averse to a proper DoF being brought in.
To be put off it in principle just by Comolli is like being put off films if you've only watched Fast and Furious
posted on 16/5/13
To me the lines of communication and responsibilities look so simple on paper. Getting the actual scouts out and about is another story.
The only issue for me is how do you pay a DoF ??
On actual results (the talent acquired thru his efforts) ??