Promised land...it's up ahead
Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 9:59PM Consistency. It's the most important, vital factor of our journey to the promised land. And by promised land, I am not referring to the Champions League Group Stages. For that will hopefully be our quite frequent seasoned holiday from our domestic plights and challenges. The promised land I'm referring to is the level that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United bask in. I'm talking elite here. I'm talking certified bona fide Sky Sports Top 4. I do not believe that the EPL is about to structurally alter itself into a far more open league. This, what we have at this present moment regarding Premier League hierarchy, is nothing more than a transitional period. Over the next two/three seasons a new elite will be birthed from the ashes of the old one.
Quite frankly this is the promised land, because once the doors shut, 5th spot and below will return to the dark days watching four clubs dominating and the rest of the chasing pack so far behind that they'll have to squint using binoculars to see them.
The Champions League adventure we wish to have this season is, make no mistake about it, important to our stature and will force others to take note and pay respect. But it has to be earnt, and we have but 90 minutes to do so. If we do, which I believe we will, then even more focus and consistency will be required to guide us through our domestic season to claim another place in amongst the elite next season.
And as for the domestic season, Chelsea and Utd will not fall out of their thrones in the heavens. Arsenal are a curious creature. Proud they don't spend extravagantly on players (apart from untold millions upon millions on player wages). Although many of their fans would point out that if the money was available for them to buy big, they'd be able to perhaps fix one or two positional headaches. But alas, their debt is a far more important objective. It's something to behold, their philosophy, to be one or two steps ahead of everyone else in the league, apart from the top two sides without the necessity of splashing the cash. But it's not going to be enough unless they do something drastic and do it soon. The fallacy? Their youth policy. And empty trophy cabinet. Wenger's commitment to his beliefs should be admired, but in these modern times, it's not enough. Which suits me just fine.
Liverpool, Manchester City. The other two contenders. I will discount both Everton and Villa, and let you work out the reasons, such is their obviousity. I wouldn't say anyone else has the foundations to throw down the gauntlet.
We do. But it's not quite the full package. The right parts are there and the desire and belief components still require a touch of fine tuning. The question is, we discovered a new level last season, can we find a new one this season? Can we take that extra step because the risk of achieving the same performance overall this season, as last, might not be enough if the likes of City or Liverpool perform better than they did. Which they might well do. But they, in my opinion, should not be the ones to concern ourselves with. We need to aim for something, someone of genuine consistency.
I am a keen admirer of Levy and completely back him for not wanting to go down the road of offering players ridiculous wages. Speculate to accumulate you might say. We'd done plenty of that investing in players like Modric and now Sandro. Redknapp made a mockery of previous Spurs landlords, quickly resolving the issues and moulding the team into one that could damage the aspirations of others. We have the players, the balance and the teams above us historically are very much now in our sights, without the need of binoculars.
Consistency. This team has to grow, learn from mistakes and continue to blossom. But has to do so quickly and therefore take risks. So perhaps on this occasion, Levy should look to sign whomever Harry requires as long as the investment is one of quantifiable merits. Gallas? You might think its wrong for a number of rather obvious reasons. But this will be master-stroke. Not of the same quality he was say 4 or so years ago but still enough about him to provide ample experience when required. As for his tears and tantrums, playing in red and white is enough to break anyone.
A tweak here, a tweak there. No need to unbalance the Facere.
City will buy their way into the Top 4. Which means Arsenal are the favourites for the other position. They are the ones of genuine consistency. They are the team we aim for. They might not win silverware, but they finish top 4 each and every season and never truly look like losing out, even when they supposedly struggle. Meaning this:
Finish above Arsenal, and our job will be done. Finish above Arsenal twice and so forth, you do the math. One cycle ends, another begins. There is no guarantee finishing above Liverpool would result in the same thing.
The attitude can only be do or die. It's us or them.
by guest-blogger schrodinger's cat
Reader Comments (19)
Great article, we should be aiming high. Don't agree with one thing though. Gallas. Disruptive and spent can't see him doing anything at the back, not at 33 years of age. Would rather have the one knee of King and the inexperience of Bassong and Dawsons lapses than Gallas.
Very top post. I disagree on Gallas but otherwise you make excellent points.
Spot on with the attitude the club should take because what we should be doing is planning and aiming to achieve more than rival clubs otherwise we'll be left behind. Easier said than done. City will be a threat because you can't fail if you spend in that manner. People might disagree but they will buy the title. Biggest threat is them. Not Liverpool who I think will be ordinary in comparison to 10-15 years ago. Arsenal have stuck around a long time now without actually dominating, but doing enough in spurts and it irks me they are still there or there abouts.
Gallas, the big French sulk, arrogant and egotistic. Thanks but no thanks.
Gallas is exactly what is needed right now. Experience, talent and goals...no more disruptive than bellamy would have been and a point to prove. Excellent move.
Unfortunately, in order to achieve the world domination we crave (or at least regular top3 preferably) we need to improve several other positions. RB for a start...maybe Walker or Naughton can fill that role but someone needs to replace flatfoot.
In CM Modric and Hudd have their merits but they both seem to go missing at the same time in games and neither make much of a contribution to our goal tally so we need another top class CM....Maybe Sandro, but who really knows and he doesn't appear to be a goal-scorer. A pacy LW is neede assuming Bale will play LB where he is more effective bringing the ball from deep than he is waiting for the ball which never arrives when further forward.
Finally, someone who can find the back of the net a la Klinsmann, Chivers, Greaves the like of which has not been seen at the Lane this century....Berbatov is not fit to lace the boots of those already mentioned neither is Keane.
Given those additions (including Gallas) we can shoot for the stars but without them we are going to struggle.
Incidentally, an excellent post by Gilzeanisking on the Vital site states that there is no wages cap at Spurs other than the demand to keep the ratio of salary expenditure to operating costs to at or below 55% so that if we sold 2 players who earn 55K pw then we could pay a new recruit 100K pw, but because the likes of Jenas etc are on such good terms at Spurs they won't move for less than they are earning now so are difficult to shift.
I won't be going to the Lane if Gallas signs while he's there. Stupid? Ridiculous? No. My decision. Redknapps got this wrong and I really don't think he thinks much of us fans with a signing like this. Surely in the whole wide world theres a better player than Gallas to sign?? Redknapps wrong to bring in an ex Goon. If Redknapp gets this signing wrong I think it will be curtains for him. Spurs board may well be liking this move as I understand they're slit in agreement to his appointment..
Looks like Gallas is going to split the fans.
I view him as Ex Chavski rather than L'Arse and reckon he could do a job for us.
Rather sign him on a free than Upson for £10 mill and who else is there ?
I think people are blinded by the 9 points we picked up against Arse, Chelsea and City at the end of last season. Did we really move onto another level? Zero points against Wolves, home defeat to Stoke, home draw to Hull and points thrown away at Everton, Sunderland and Villa. Is that the form of a team hoping to challenge Man U and Chelsea?
We need a proven top quality forward that can score goals against teams that sit deep and are happy for a draw, until this issue is addressed I cannot see us challenging for the top 4 again this season. Defoe as much as we love him isn't the answer and neither is Pav.
Sorry to sound down beat, but we need a reality check, can anyone seriously see Man U, Chelsea or Arse having the problems we did with the teams listed above. Last season proved we are just to inconsistant and got lucky at the end.
We are better than what people think we are but we need that usual cliche winning mentality..Gallas is perfect, just like Naybet was, King will tell you how much Naybet made difference in his career,Gallas is not a sulk, he gets pissed off when his team mates not pulling their weight..That was the case at Birmingham, he got the hump when his defensive partner messed it up with silly errors..at the time they were title contenders..
Grow up Gallas haters. He's a pro. We need another defender. This is a free. You would have to be a one eyed gay retard not to see its a good deal. Bloody retards!
gallas will be excellent, a leader which we lack, a winner, which we lack, pace at the back (still quicker than all our centre halves), bring it on. I like to win at all costs, fed up with us being nearly men, now is our time my fellow yids, time to grin and bear it, let's not cut our nose of to spite our face, trust in harry, he's done okay so far! If it's Gallas so be it
Did anyone see Rednapps comments about the three signings today, "been there done that, experienced" were his comments. He said he was after 5 to start then 4 once cole went to Liverpool, I assume Bellamy was the other, any takers on who he means?? Gallas would fit as one, Scott Parker another (has he really been there done it??) and ..... It has to be a striker doesn't it? Fabiano...his comments are confusing and tend not to fit to all and sundry were linked with, so maybe now milners sold, Hutton jenas and keane linked away we may see a spree after weds return leg. If so I think we may get one surprise maybe?
"For that will hopefully be our quite frequent seasoned holiday from our domestic plights and challenges."
I thought you was at the wine there Spook but seeing as it's a guest star, one whom of which, takes great care in his pauses, and his inclusion of quantifying elements, should, with the right attitude, in God We Trust, look to the future, as long as Harry gets to buy Fabiano, consdering, considering all things, considering all things equal.
Didn't realize that Samuel Beckett was a A) a Spurs supporter. B) a Football Blogger C) Alive.
Mmm.. Not bad. I've been down the pub too.
If Gallas scores the wining goal against Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U, you'll all be praising the decision. If we fail to get Champions League this season, go on a poor run etc etc, you can blame him. Either way, you can't lose. Give the guy a chance. You hate him cos he's good. You hated Bellamy for the same reasons. There attitude may not be appealing but if Ledley had the same attitude you'd ignore and say "he's a born winner"
Simple fact isbwe need an experienced centre back.....and quick. Gallas is experienced, has pace, scores goals and by the sounds of it wants to play for the club I love. I'm big enough to forgive and forget......and think of the fun of his goal against the gooners knocking them out of champions league position
Gallas having medical tomorrow/today depending on when u read this
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/08/19/2078589/former-arsenal-captain-william-gallas-to-have-medical-at
thoughts? now it looks like it's gonna happen.
I'm not completely against Gallas signing with Spurs. Then again I like trouble makers as long as someone knows how to hold the leash and guide them properly. Harry can pull it off. Scum are going to be fuming at Gallas if he does sign... oh the thought.
Absolutely no problem with singing Gallas just becuase he played for Arsenal, my only concern is whether his "legs have gone" a bit as he was a decreasing influence
Firstly Gallas will be just what we need to fill in for Ledley theo one thing we lack is bollocks when thing go wrong we have no fist clengers and shouters he will give us both. He will also teach Big Tom how to stick up for himself and a few others how to head a goal. If Woodgate was fit then we all no this would not happen so lets enjoy is vast experinace and he may just bring the secret of how these teams play with a high tempo for 90 mins plus no one believes me he will tell Harry and the boys How YB Run an extra five miles than Spurs yet only had 62 percent of the ball this alone will be good enough for me and stop me from shiting myself when we play teams on paper and form who are crap but look like Barcelona on the field plastic or no Plastic .He may just save us from another energised performance because make no bones about it them extra five miles they ran will be in evident s again and we need to match it or like Fenabache we will fall foul of high Tempo pressing for the whole game . One other thing his Gomes needs to stop coming of his line this was Robbos big fault all the goals he has concede he has bean of is line near the six yard line leaving a big gap behind him with his long arms he is better on his line where he was last year .coys