Yes I said it, optimism. For the first time in a long time I feel really good about Spurs and where they are going. I can't remember the last time I actually wasn't worried when we go behind and felt we could pull it back. For me there are a few reasons for this change in fortunes.
Fitness
Now clearly the Poch regime of double training sessions is working and we are starting to reap the benefits. We keep on pushing until the last minute and definitely seem to hold the edge over other teams fitness wise.
Weeding out the "bad eggs"
You know who I am talking about, Ade, Kaboul, Capoue ect, players that according to reports were throwing a hissy fit over the increased training and not willing to pull their weight. Also getting shot of BAE. The fact that these players are nowhere near our first team speaks volumes as to the negative effect these lot had on the team.
Improving players
This has been a major factor in our good form lately. Mason, Bentaleb, Kane, Chadli and even more impressive in our last few games Dembele and Rose. I hold my hands up over the latter two especially Rose who has had some pretty solid games recently.
Attitude
This is obviously linked to weeding out the bad eggs for me but also the attitude shown by our players on the pitch. Even yesterday at Anfield our heads never went down and we kept on fighting.
And finally, the most important factor:
Harry Kane
Yes he has improved beyond compare and is smashing in goals left right and centre but for me it isn't this that makes him so valuable to us. It is the passion he brings to the pitch, he gives 110% and clearly has a great love for the club. This is rubbing off on the other players and is a joy to see. Bear in mind that he was apparently the player who spoke up against the bad eggs when they made their feelings felt and wasn't impressed at all by his so called fellow professionals attitude. Simply worth his weight in gold.
So that's my two bits, looking forward to the rest of the season.
What is this I feel? Optimism?
posted on 11/2/15
Feel exactly the same. I won't even be too disappointed if we don't get top 4 this season - the first XI is an incredibly young team and the inexperience alone might cost us in the end. But if we keep up the rate of improvement we've seen from the start of the season up to this point going forward, we have a lot to look forward to.
It'll be interesting to see what Poch does transfer wise in the summer.
posted on 11/2/15
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posted on 11/2/15
comment by Galv: J the Jedi: Luke Whystalker (U10415)
posted 9 minutes ago
Of course this is Spurs and could (and probably will) go titttts up at some point...arbiters of our own downfall etc, but hopefully THIS TIME DANIEL........see how it goes....see what he has already done to the kids that cost you or Baldininothing......and support him when he identifies targets that he knows he can work with in the same way.
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...and simply refuse to sell our top players. We have seen that money in the bank or a job lot of new talent from the continent and beyond, however well scouted, will always take us a step backwards.
You just have to look at Di Maria and Ozil. +£100m worth of players from very successful season in Spain....have they lived up to their price tags and reputations?
posted on 11/2/15
The only pressure re: top 4 is the ability to keep players. I'd happily pass up CL if it means we keep the key players together and build in selected areas and progress again next season.
Without CL players will always be looking for a way out - Lloris, Vertonghen, Eriksen. I fully expect all of them to be wanting a CL club next season.
posted on 11/2/15
comment by Galv: J the Jedi: Luke Whystalker (U10415)
posted 4 minutes ago
His subs still baffle me.......but hopefully in time he wont have to look round and see sheit like Paulinho on the bench.
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This has to be a big issue for him. He has a starting XI he likes but when he has to replace a player who constantly busts his nut with Ryan Mason with a passenger like Paulinho the subs are always going to look a bit off.
posted on 11/2/15
Can only echo Galv and Messiah's comments really.. it's great to see the team fighting fit and fighting for each other.
We've got a talented bunch of young players and a coach that has got them pulling in the same direction and playing attacking football. Credit has to go to Levy for getting the right man in for our squad, the pressing game that took so long to materialise is now putting the best in the league to the test.
Long may it continue COYS
posted on 11/2/15
Bales
good article Paxton
Passion and belief are what Poch seems to have put into these players, I like the way we play and I like the way it looks. Not only that, it seems to have come at a time that the investment in the training facilities has started paying dividends, with the youth players we are bringing through. Like you, I am also really impressed with Dembele of late, He is like a new signing.
posted on 11/2/15
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posted on 11/2/15
The futures bright, the futures Lilywhite
posted on 12/2/15
I don't think it will go titsup this time. Spurs playing bloody good football. Good young manager with a good young squad, aot like us right now. Brilliant game last weekend, could have gone either way.