Harry and England
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 2:47PM In the aftermath of the England game the other night (did you watch it? lol if you did) one or two Spurs fans are looking just a little too far ahead into the future and are asking the question:
Harry for England? The actual message board question was 'Replacement for Harry?'. International break is over, right? Almost. Last word on it, I promise.
I'll ignore the 'who would replace him?' variation because that would be ridiculously premature and arguably redundant. And tbh, we won't be replacing him when/if it happens. We'll be upgrading. I would hope.
Going back to 'Harry for England' I'm going to go ahead and briefly cover this because it's Harry and he's our manager, rather than caring about the international scene (I'll do my best to humour that part).
England then. Pressure on Fabio, lack of viable English managerial options - it's an obvious conclusion being made by the bored - be it one that we shouldn't really be discussing or considering. Because the gaffer and ourselves have plenty to be concentrating on. Although some would say Harry is flirting so much with the idea of leading the Three Lions, that he's already got one eye on it, and thus, there's a very subtle degradation of focus on THFC. Not sure I quite believe that (stretching it a little).
Personally think the (England) pool of players we have isn't that great in terms of balance. We should just sacrifice the next 2/3 years and try and bring the yoof (some of which is excellent) through and build a new foundation. But there's time for that in football management games. Dropping players that the media want you to play even though for example the player(s) might be completely out of form and at the same time humiliated on the front pages is oh so quintessentially English. There's that and the fact that although our yoof is excellent - there are gaps in other prominent areas in the squad. Take the forward positions. We called up Kevin Davies. I rest my case.
So, for the sake of argument, let's just pretend the question was pertinent to the present. Harry - viable option or not?
If the FA had bollocks, perhaps, but take a look to the recent past. They never gave it to Big Sam (thank ****) because he would have been far too vocal and probably would have wanted to dismantle and rebuild the England set-up from top to bottom. Which is probably what needs to be done, just not with someone who introduces American Football tactics in the opposition box. Instead they went with the safe yes man choice of Steve McClaren. A man so scared of getting wet he used an over-sized umbrella to mug himself into the next century with. Fabio then followed and even one of the best modern day club managers - a man who has won everything domestically - is struggling with this poisoned chalice.
Harry has a reputation. Supposedly, allegedly, and all that. The press love him right? Sure they do, what with his infinite amount of sound-bites and his column in The Sun. And the fact he's not too shabby with the love-hugs and man management skills. But they would jump all over allegations and investigations because that's what they do and I reckon the FA would not want to risk the gutter press going all out to f*** them over. Unless there's been a clear-out of the Jurassic mentality possessed by the FA dinosaurs of old, with plenty of daring new-blooded hopefuls. I can't see a change this significant. Would be pleasantly shocked if I was wrong.
We've gone with a foreign manager (again) because we have no faith in the English ones. That's as daring as they've got thus far.
I guess it comes down to this: Is there another Englishman who could do the job?
There was something on Football Weekly (James Richardson's splendid podcast) this past Monday that cited (German I think) players who went on the lash at a club opening a few days before an International/club match - and over here in Blightly, the press were calling Hart a disgrace for getting pissed 7 days before last nights game. The footballers who went to the club opening - not so much a single word printed about it. Completely irrelevant to the media and the people. Just not important.
We're all guilty of the same head-shaking when we see our players roll out of a club smashed out their faces. The tabloids have turned it into an art-form. I can already see the NOTW gearing up for another one of their under-cover operations.
So does Harry want it?
Of course he does. He's said as much. It's no big secret. And if the media left him to manage, then perfecto. But that's just not going to happen. In fact, he's said it to people who have been quite happy to share said information (okay, so I've heard it second hand, and it's bordering on ITK...so let's not dwell too much on this because it will take me months to wash off the dirt).
And telling everyone, be it directly or otherwise, endears himself to all that believe that he would do a grand job. You want something and tell people you want it when you know deep down there's no chance of getting it. The association made between Harry and the job is enough to feed his ego and keep us all talking. And that might be the only thing he's interested in.
I'm hoping all this it put to bed and he just concentrates on defining his legacy at club football by continuing our charge into an anchored Top 4 position for Spurs. More importantly, it's about leaving the club in a solid state so the hand-over is seamless when he does step down for whatever reason. No more transitional seasons please.
The only thing I'm interested in is Tottenham. Levy might be thinking contingency plans, but I'd hazard a wee guess that the Jan transfer window for a top class striker is weighing on his mind far more than tittle tattle message board discussions and tabloid gossip.
Okay, well that's it re: England. I'm done with it now.
Roll on Fulham.
Reader Comments (43)
As you rightly say Spooky, England, done with it now, roll on Fulham.
However, can I bring something to your beady eyed attention, it appears that the Inter-Spurs game isn't on (our) telly. Satanta Ireland is all I can find.
I don't support England anyway, not since those bastards dropped Greavesie for some twatt called Hunt!!!
Bring on the fulham game followed by inter....... F--- internatinal football.
Can't wait ! COYS
The Inter Vs Spurs game is on ITV1 mate.
Well I think England could do a lot worse than Harry. The scary--although predictable thing--is we are starting the same discussion that went on after the debacle of the World Cup. Capello should have gone and been replaced with an English manager--Hodgson would have had everyones support.
The real problem is the FA, and until that is dealt with by a real cleanout England will never win a trophy.
I'm Manx, what is International Football? We don't have an of that.
COYS, 3 points at Fulham please.....no injuries and bring on Inter!
Bloody England, honestly, who gives a monkeys?! International breaks are so tedious.
The Inter Vs Spurs game is on ITV1 mate.
Cheers for that
Inter v SPURS is on Al Jazeera Sport +5, so you won't need the AJS card, you can watch it through QTEL Mosaic.
Harry for England? In his old head, that's as far as it will ever go. They (the Football Association) would never appoint him. Not a chance. Not a chance (repeated for effect).
(Cos we dont all live on the little island north of France - SPURS is a worldwide phenomenon!)
Harry will not get offered the post he is to old and to old school. It's about time we stop blaming the manager and look closely at the players themselves.
Who do see taking over from Harry when he does retire? Clive Allen, Chrissy Hughton, Or could we be the fisrt cluv to have a woman at the helm, and why not? I am sure I could get the best out of the boys
HH
x
HH, It has to be you!
The only advantage of the international break is that Keane now knows he needs to leave otherwise he will loose his Ireland place and Krancy is now on fire! Get him in the starting line-up against fulham please!
We have a group of players, half of which should never play for England again, the rest either over-rated or not half as good as we (fans, the media, the world) think they are.
We are doomed. Doomed I tells ya.
If some our supporters honestly believe Harry will leave us for the England job, they need their heads checking.
For anyone who remembers or has read 'The Glory Game'
RIP Eddie Baily
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/eddie-baily-131010.html?
@ Don
Elaborate?
Like Spooky says England would not look at Harry as a serious choice. They never gave it to Clough, arguably the greatest English manager ever, and although its 2010 I don't think the mentality of the people involved in our game especially at FA level, has changed a bit. Don't even think it would be a disaster if Redknapp left in a year or two years, not if we continue to get better and challenge. What with Harrys age would like to see someone take over the helm possibly under Harry as his number two initially.
Best point made: "And tbh, we won't be replacing him when/if it happens. We'll be upgrading. I would hope."
Does anyone know what Chewbacca's jersey number will be?
She gets around that Horny Helen. All has been quiet on the western front recently.
Horny Helen. HH.
Interesting.
Sherwood is the future according to Redknapp.
Gross has been sacked. Reckon we should get him on a pre-contract.
Committing themselves to appointing an English manager in advance is like saying that you are going to have cornflakes for your next meal whatever time of day it is.
Well I think so.
Hodgson, Curbishley Harry, Sam, or Mourinho.
That's a hard one Helen.
Harry won't get it for all the reasons above and probably some that are still in the woodwork.
More relevant for us is who replaces Harry in a couple of years time.
Just a quick one, but there are 2 people who i would like to see given the job and who i think would be great. The first would be martin o neill, and i have wanted him as it as far back as the end of the sven era. Too late to give him a try? Hed command the respect of the players and most importantly could communicate with them. The other alternative would be our very own jurgen klinsmann, who loves an attacking style of football and would add flair to the national team as well. What are your thoughts?
@ Don
So basically England wouldnt approach him
but.............
Thats not the same as saying he wouldnt leave us for England
There is a difference
(I get your point though and basically agree)
Harry looks after number one. He's done enough at Spurs to turn his back on us in a second and feel validated for it. England wont come knocking but also believe this will be his last club job.
Spooky the scary one we cant leave the England fiasco alone just yet . The reason Being a Spurs fan i feel disgusted with the way Peter Crouch has bean treated by the media with Lennon and Huddlestone missing he was left with Barry Young Gerrard Rooney who gave some quality balls the problem they all went to Montenegro players. Since Harry threw his hat in the ring Capello has overlooked Huddlestone and he picks City Cammels who shit all over the pitch except Johnson who his like Lennon two years ago no end ball . So how did they expect Crouch to have a great game he missed one chance Rooney was rubbish and Gerrard yet Crouch got the blame . Huddlestone would have used the wingers with quick passes over the top of there defence not like Barry who gave the ball to Young and Johnstone with two men to beat , while City Cappello and Mancini are fucking England up we all should finish with England till Hoddle takes over a more mature man and coach then Huddlestone will play and Help England win . Fulham will be hard to beat but i expect Hudds to take it out on Fulham and help us win 3-0
3-0? You on the drugs again there DAV?
Yeah you on the ehperdrine again Dav... Where do you get all that energy from...
Viagra my fellow Cockerels is where i get my energy stiffens the lungs . Fulham thins will Huff and Puff but Danny smurphy and Anorexia Davies will get losing pay . The reason Blackpool have ruined the ephedrine by Beating the once proud Duracell Bunnies . This sent Therumourman into overdrive and the Bristol Yokel was embarrassed when he was questioned by Ukad who asked why one of his fittest players had a stroke he said they all work for each other he was just unlucky .Lads don't confuse me with Therumourman he his my cousin and he has retired thank god . Anyway energy has died because its deadly .he thanks you for your support and kind words your right 3-0 does smack of drugs so i will amend it to 4-1 Coys i luv em
NESV take over Liverpool, results don't improve. Hodgeson gets sacked as does Capello. The FA get their Englishman.
Simples!
Dav's fucking mental. And he's the rumourman too.
Liverpool still in the fucked column. Yanks used a Texas court to block it. No idea how though.
Plus kuyt is crocked. Great week for them so far.
The Chilean miners, when released from hospital, are flying to Liverpool to advise woy hodgson on how to get out of a hole by Xmas.
@Tomtraubert, just a guess, but I imagine that the Henry group and RBS do business in Texas and that would give a Texas court jurisdiction over them. Hicks might not be going away for a while yet.
It also looks like Kop Holdings, through which Hicks and Gillette own Liverpool, is a corporation registered in Texas. It would be interesting if this is settled in some redneck Dallas court.
I think Harry would be great pick for E, and he will gladly accept it, if offered. He is the old school knuckle, and he still thinks the world of E. Most if not all E managers relish this job, because it represents the pinnacle of all football managerial jobs. They look at it as an honor for all they did and a special privilege. I wish Harry is next in line for this job. He’d have the ultimate bragging rights for the rest of his life.
Some people would not want him to go, and I appreciate that, but that support will quickly disappear like a fart on the wind if we lose couple games in a row. The best for everyone is to leave on a high, rather than been shown the door. Recent example is Raffa Benitez. He knew that he bankrupted Reds and left them with a dysfunctional team. Now everyone is pissed on Hogs but still think highly of the crook Raffa. Go figure.
My bad, I just looked at the complaint and Hicks' holding company is registered in Delaware but it's place business is in Texas.
Give Redknapp the England Job. He just pointed out that all England need is Crouch and Long-ball! And all will be o.k. He knows his England football stuff this guy!
If thats what it takes to protect Spurs from Crouch and Long-ball, so be it. Give him the damn job.
Spot on Beetle , i kinda feel sorry for old Roy , dont give a damn about the scouse but Hodgson is one of the last great gentlemen in the modern game and his stint in the cesspool will destroy all that
I reckon we will see him shouting at the opponents and complaining about conspiricies before 2010 is over ... He is dancing with the devil
And what's up with all the spammers lately ? Spooky is doing overtime trying to keep this bog clean ...
Watching England and even thinking about the team is too painful. Rooney is the football equivalent of blue balls in motion.
Bring on the Cottagers
This bog clean?
Steady there Belgian. I know the site hasn't got bells and whistles blowing out of its arse, but bog?
I'm hurt.
haha dammit , what a typo ... well sorry for hurting your feelings then, seems like i'll have to make up for something yet again.
Could use it as a banner , DML the cleanest bog in london.