Two questions that seem to frequently cross my mind when it comes to Spurs this season...Are things as bad as they seem? And if so where did it all go wrong?
With regard to the first question, it really depends on what your expectations were for this season..if your expectation was that we would win the league, or at least come close and win a cup (given all the players we signed in the summer) then yes, by that standard we have indeed had a poor season. However if you only expected a slight improvement on last season, then we could still yet achieve that, which given all the turmoil would be impressive.
The Chelsea result in itself was not in any way an indicator of how good, or how bad we are this season, after all its been over 20 years since we went there and got a victory. It also wasn't especially important given the fact that Arsenal play them after they play us, so assuming Chelsea turn them over as well, we can consider the result a dead rubber in respect to us trying to stay in touch with 4th spot.
I guess for me what has been the biggest concern this year has been the too frequent capitulation, especially against the teams above us and has been the sign for me the team is in trouble and there must be unrest in dressing room. The uncertainty of Tim still being there come the end of the season has also got to be a factor and has definitely contributed to players thinking about a new club.
I don't totally blame the team though, they have gone from a gung-ho style under Harry, to strict discipline under AVB, to somewhere in the middle under Tim. Also since Tim has took over there has been very little consistency in formation, tactics or starting line up. Whilst I think it is good to have competition for places and squad rotation it has all gone a bit too far for me. The players all too often look like strangers that have never played together before. Add to that 7 new players that are trying to integrate into the team and it's no wonder we are in the state we are.
I also think that too often we set up to counter the opposition, rather than force our style on the game and make them counter us.
I think that was one of the main differences to last season. Last season we had Bale and no matter who we played, they always came set up to counter his threat. This season that fear is not there.
However it's not all doom and gloom, we are still in with a chance of a cup (although we will need to play better). Personally for me this should be our priority, possibly more realistic now than 4th.
We also need to get Eriksson fit (in my opinion the standout buy of the summer) and we should now build the team around him.
We also need to win our next two games, if we do, then we can still salvage something from this season, if we don't then Daniel Levy might as well start planning for next year now, which given some of the media reports he possibly has.
I just hope he learns from this season, otherwise the time under Harry might remain the high water mark of recent times and a return to mid table mediocrity a real possibility...but we're not there yet! So COYS!!
Are things as bad as they seem?
posted on 11/3/14
We're a team with absolutely no identity at the moment. I think we just need a couple of players to get that back. We'll never be world beaters but with a good CB to lead the team and a CM with a bit of grit I reckon we'd be a different team.
posted on 11/3/14
Oh hi M <doh<
And to answer question no
posted on 11/3/14
Spurs are in a good position. You have the players to maintain a good league position even with key departures, with a couple of talented young players which will really improve over the next few years and the means to get some good players in soon.
After spending the money you did its not been the best season, but a good manager and a couple of decent signings and you'll take leaps and bounds forward.
posted on 11/3/14
We are the best team outside the top 4 but on the other hand we are miles from any of the top 4 and miss a player that makes things happen and a left back because with Naughton we are playing with 10 players!
No grit
posted on 11/3/14
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posted on 11/3/14
Things aren't terrible and if you compare with previous seasons we are on a par points wise and still in the Europa.
Things seem worse because our weaknesses are very evident and we keep seeing the same failings over and over.
Things also seem worse because the top 4 have all gained so many points. This time last year we were 3rd with 54 points. Now with 1 point less we're effectively 6-9 points out of the top 4.
We have the basis of an excellent squad but it has been badly mismanaged this season. Next season is the time to judge new signings...look at Modric he was ok in season 1 but got better and better.
I would have much preferred to have given time to AVB to address the issues we had, because it is continuity that helps as much as anything. It is a learning process and you have to give players/managers a chance to learn from mistakes. With Sherwood the inevitable boost the camp gets from a new man has worn off and the same of failings are there BUT we have a very decent squad, just lacking a bit of quality in a couple areas...and a decent manager.
My advice, write this season off.....hope Levy makes the right managerial choice in the summer and go from there!
posted on 11/3/14
its not so much our league positoin thats affected...we basically where we shld be all things considered...
whats making it look worse isd a regular T4 side have slid even more than us....which shlda opened the door for us....and 'pool have come out of nowhere so to speak to blaze past us....(fiar play to 'em)
and of course all the fackin' dickin's we've had......
posted on 11/3/14
sorry....bit scrambled that.......in a rush....
posted on 11/3/14
We're still in the midst of a Bale comedown.. a scattergun transfer policy that didn't improve the defence hasn't helped.
I predicted fifth at the start of the season so on paper it's not so bad.. in reality the gap between the sides at the top and bottom has got wider and we've been thrashed by pretty much everyone in the top 4.
If it wasn't for agent Moyes Levy would be under a lot more pressure than he is now.
posted on 11/3/14
I also predicted 5th at the start of the season so the position isn't the issue for me, it's the dire performances when we scrape a narrow win and the regular fackin we're getting from the teams above us, teams that we have been getting results against in recent seasons.