Loving, hating Harry Redknapp
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 10:45AM Redknapp. He's like Marmite spread across your toast. Half of you would really like it and the other half would not be so keen and would much prefer jam as an alternative (not certain what jam is meant to be representative of at this time).
Happy with Harry? Staggered that I'm asking this question six games into the EPL. I'm going to humour all the discussion currently musing around on the various blogs and forums.
Obviously many of you are not or have never been (happy with Harry). Some of you are more supportive than others. Both sides have strong opinions. It's massively subjective for a number of reasons. It's the perception of the fans that adds (removes) credence to Redknapp's tenure. Half full, half empty ethics.
Quick history lesson then.
Harry came in and did a job. One that involved the resuscitation of the club as it slumped half-dead in the deepest darkest hole at the foot of the Prem. Mouth to mouth from the boat race of Harry, not a pretty sight. But it fixed the problems that needed fixing. He hugged a few players, got confidence on the up. There was no twitching, just a wide smile, a cheeky wink and a thumbs up. And we pulled ourselves to the upper regions. Miracle worker? Or making the most of a win-win situation? Levy master-stroke regardless. Because it was a risk that worked. Is that risk now punching above it's weight?
Here's the first subjective piece of the debate.
Harry got the players playing to an acceptable standard and on occasions out of their skin. That's it. He hasn't worked a miracle. He took over the botched up job Ramos left behind and got them to work for themselves and each other. A unit. To some, this is simply the result of decent management and not the by-product of the messiah. He didn't get us onto a new level. He got us back up to the level we were meant to be at and instilled some self-respect. Across the divide, it was more than just a rescue mission. He was seen to fulfil a duty that so many others couldn’t quite get their heads around. Not only did he fix confidence and resurrect the team, he took us further (CL) when many had argued he was not cut out for either job. Especially the latter one, with aiming and taking fourth.
Onwards onto the second subjective piece of the debate. What level are we meant to be at then? I ask this because some people see claiming fourth again as the be all and end all whilst others want even more and plenty understand and appreciate we might find ourselves just outside the CL places but as long as we challenge until the death, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
We have been inconsistent for years. Mediocre (see the 1990's). Previous modern day managers have all failed to match expectations. The Jol period was (is) the foundation we have managed to build on, be it that some of the structure collapsed when we hired a Spanish cowboy to finish the job. But there was no genuine push or challenge after 2006 that would suggest we had genuinely turned the corner. Flirted with the dream, with the ideals. Nothing more. Think of the pre-Jol era. Depressing. Jol got us back into the game, but then many cited at the time he had limitations. Wasn't good enough for the big occasion. Had to be replaced. Déjà vu, eh?
Harry is the first manager for a long time to truly get results for us. Statistically, his win ratio is unequalled (yes it's only been 2 years). We've looked the part on the field in terms of style and application (eventually) during the recovery of 2009 and the epic journey of 2010. 4th and CL football. The impossible dream achieved. Of course, the landscape of the domestic league is a very different place to what it was back in 2006. It's far more open now. Not to say that a manager should be marked down on points just because Liverpool are crap.
However, just because we finished 4th doesn't mean we should be resting on our laurels. And the argument is that in more capable hands, this team would be doing far better than it is at the moment.
Harry rebuilt a lot of the damaged parts. He gave Levy that quick fix of stability. But how long do you give someone to see if they can continue to build on the newly laid foundations? Is there a lack of patience because of the need to see instant and continuous results? Or should we attempt to remember how long it's taken for us to get here?
The divide is with the people that embrace time and those that want to travel through it at pace.
The third subjective piece would be the one that splits me at times. And actually forms part of the previous one.
I appreciate the challenge at hand. If we're going to progress we need to be ruthless. On the pitch and off it. Levy has a strategy, be it one that concerns redevelopment off the pitch. What he wants on it is consistency. What we need is something more than that. There is no point plodding along. But he's astute. He's already made statements about not over-extending ourselves.
And we all know that the Prem is looking like it might well birth a time-share on 4th spot between 2/3 clubs. Still, you would hope deep down the ambition is to destroy the other contenders and claim it for ourselves. Why just aim at the target when you can see it's bulls eye? But that's me the fan, wanting and needing, always that little bit more. He (Levy) knows that patience is a virtue and prefers to make sure it's a steady rise to the top. No cutting corners. No massive unnecessary risks. Although the risk here could be the lack of risks.
So how does this split me exactly and divide the rest of you?
Harry has his limitations. I questioned him, at times, last season in terms of tactical prowess but still he mastered some superb victories - high pressured victories - at the death of the season. He's not daft. And he has proved people wrong, time and time again. But is he good enough for the Champions League? Good enough to push the team and pioneer its evolution? Can he adapt at this stage in his career? Learn from mistakes? Change his ways if it means improving the team? Is he out of his depth? Is it even fair to be posing these questions when the true test of his skill has yet to begin?
Harry works best when Harry has to fix things. Although, this current problem (if that's what our current form is) is one made from the hands of Harry and not inherited. There's no hiding place or quickie catchphrase available to divert and deflect. Some believe we just got lucky last season. If that's luck, bottle it the f**k up.
So on the one hand, you have us stable and looking in the right direction, but on the other, if he's not going to be here long term then what else is he capable of bringing to the table? Some of us, they want that sacrifice. Club before loyalty to a servant.
The subjective piece here is whether we go ahead and sacrifice the present, to guarantee the future. It's a bit wishy-washy mainly because you can do something about the present in terms of changing things, but you can't predict what's ahead and how it will effect the progress of the past two seasons. This, ties back into what level we believe ourselves to sit at and also if Levy is willing to take another risk. The last risk was forced upon him. Some of you would rather see it being premeditated this time round rather than reactive because there's no other choice.
I know one thing for certain. Stability. It's imperative.
My gripe with everything I've covered is the complete lack of consistency with how we think it's all meant to work. There is plenty of drastic cut-throat fan opinion at the moment. And quite a bit of see no evil hear no evil going on too. So where do you stand on this?
We have stagnated if you review our low-key performances and lack of oomph six games in, if you take it from the second half of the City game to the present day. But it's not quite an implosion or an epic failure. We've had the good with the bad and been average overall. It's disappointing in terms of the standard of our football in comparison to what we know this team has achieved on the pitch. Disappointing we've dropped points to team we 'should' be beating. We are missing the vital traits of intensity and spirit. Disappointing we look over-stretched defensively. Missing Defoe too. And that pride thing that set us on our way back in the post-two points from eight games days. That has gone AWOL.
Panic will no doubt rear it's head if we fail to get out of this lazy slump in the next month. We might find ourselves struggling with confidence in a far more evident detrimental way. But next month hasn't happened yet. And as much as I would want us to be outstanding from the off, this is a first time experience for our squad and for Harry in terms of EPL and CL. There is some vital, urgent re-tuning to be had. He's a manager. It's his job to fix it up. We need to look the part in the league.
Harry now has to adapt tactically and motivationally to the challenges ahead and within this, the divide between both sets of opposing views might well close up a little. But in terms of support (personally) I'm nowhere near the state of mind that would have me calling for his head on a plate. I'll admit I'm wrong if it all goes full on pear shaped, but then last season I can remember plenty of near suicidal fans screaming message board abuse at how Harry was mucking up our season. There are some that are incapable of handling the pressures from one game to the next.
Perhaps a learning curve is not an acceptable reasoning tool. But considering we have not been here before, I'm not sure we have a choice other than to support the team and just wait and see. That isn't exactly a mind-blowing assessment of matters. But what else? What would the alternative be?
Do we have impossible expectations with no room for compassion and the memory of a goldfish in terms of the past? Or is it that compassion is no longer welcomed in this particular high-end arena we wish to stay in? Or is it far more simplistic than that. We're not world beaters but it's obvious we can be playing far better and it's obvious how. If it's the latter, can we perhaps wait until the 15th game before we start burning effigies.
The lack of a world class striker is the biggest negative for both manager and fans. The injuries, not the best in terms of preparation from one game to the next. We've lost key players. But it's football. You don't always buy the players you want and you don't always have all players available for selection.
I guess it goes back to the subjective matter of what you want from the team at this specific moment. Do you think we are under-achieving, this early in the season, and that it's not acceptable and that all the evidence points to it being a problem that can not be sorted long term? A fatal tumour that can not be operated on because our surgeon doesn't have the necessary tools and experience? Or do we simply need another mouth-to-mouth to save the day?
Overly dramatic, yes. Well all this just about sums up how fragmented and fickle we are as a collective.
As for myself. I can see what isn't working and expect to see improvements. I know I'm adding fuel to the fire by opening a platform for discussion. But it's the type of discussion that's unequivocally made in Tottenham. And let's not pretend it's not going on. It's a slice of the now. And we can refer back to this at the end of December and laugh (cry) about it.
So go ahead and burn the place down...
Reader Comments (113)
Ouji, it's my point of view and you can have yours. Hopefully spurs will finish 4th or higher but our main goal threat is out till xmas so I just hope the others start scoring.
But I'm afraid City and Arsenal are slightly stronger than last year as much as you don't want to accept that.
Thankfully Arsenal didn't buy a new keeper.
to dude: yes one game against wolves, you are right. but how manny games before this have he done nothing? wigan!!!!!??? it is not just me, others think so to. but as i said i would love to proven wrong.
Arsenal will drop a bundle of points. City might be dangerous if they decide to be more offensive and adventurous.
Let's not forget where we were when Harry took over, remember that and remember it well... A lot of this tactical awareness it all smoke and mirrors, something tabloid hacks like to prattle on about to fill up the page. All the best managers are mainly great man managers, Fergie, 'Special One', Wenger etc. How they man manage, is irrelevant really, as long as they get the best out their players and i feel Harry has shown that without doubt. The players know how to play the game, you train them, play to a system and they should to that as well as they can being pros. If not, you have a word etc. It's not Championship Manager where you can pause the game and spend 20 mins making a substitution and moving your players and formation around mid game!! I bet all these sports journos play it tho!! lol
yes we all remeber, how could we forget? but i feel like what he made spurs do was what i had expected all along. not a miracle. and now i feel we are standing still. he did not by any of the players we needed. and all he wanted was 3players, then we would challenge for the title. those 3 beeing joe cole, bellamy, and james. do somebody belive we would be good enough to win with those 3? i dont. i belive he need to consentrate about the epl. not just cl. and i do know about the injuries, yes it makes all harder. but havent we all heard that we now have a stronger squad than arsenal,ect,ect? we need to move forward. love to be proven wrong.
Anyway...it all starts with one of this debates. Then the season starts getting tougher, results go against us, fans start getting fed up with the emphasised long-ball-to-crouch tactic which never seems to succeed. Frustration in the stands. Fear and lack of confidence on the pitch. Jenas takes the captains armsband. Then...Boom!
Levy appears with the new "saviour" in October!
I have huge problems with HR and always have had. i think the dream start that he had was just achieving what should have been acheived and no more than that. I agree with an earlier post about the Sky interview. i didn't findit funny at all. Who does he think he is now?
My burning question is this - Who f***ed up the transfer window HR or DL ?
This was our golden opportunity to push on and not just cement 4th - but push into the 3 and above.
Woowlich Pikeys and Man U are there for the taking.
We got a reserve keeper and a wonderful midfield player (who we didn't really need)
We were crying out for 2 starting fullbacks / a centre half (not a washed up scummer) / and quality striker.
I have to admit to not liking HR and this does bias my views, but I fear that we are missing this huge opportunity because he just isn't up to the job of taking us to the next level.
We have picked up 4 points from 12 in the last 4 games. We should have picked up 12 points from 12. We were lucky to get 4.
Lets beat Twente and cement 2nd spot in the CL and then beat Villa to get our season going.
I would like to say 'in Arry i trust' but I find myself saying 'when's the court case'. COYS
Some of you seem to think it's easy. Cut Harry some slack and let him get on with it.
Ad, not sure anyone fucked up. We don't want to spend £20M+ on a single player. And the players we went for were either not available or went elsewhere. Question I want answered is where has our scouting system gone? No Modric or Berbatov type of signing available out there?
well comolli wasn't so bad then on the scouting front :)
isn't Boateng playing for Milan now?
didn't comoli sign Bale?
oh the irony..
Redknapp is a chancer. His stock was the highest it's ever been after last season. He thought that he was in with a chance of the England job but now knows that after Capello's reign, his stock won't be anywhere near it was in the closed season and won't get the chance again. He's pissed off with that and the fact that Levy wouldn't buy him a striker.
I don't think, even with a new striker, Redknapp knows enough about top level football to succeed. He sees himself on par with the likes of red nose and wenger and believes he deserves the same amount of respect. If I were Levy, I wouldn't give the bloke another penny to spend. This season was always going to be tougher than the last to get back in the top 4, but even with just 6 games gone, I see the top four now, being the top four come the end of the season and a closed shop from then on unless one of the clubs below (including us) get bought out by someone who is serious about challenging.
Like Torres at Liverpool (he'll be off soon), our best players will want to play in the CL and there will be plenty of clubs willing to give them the opportunity along with a sizeable pay rise. This was the season to really give it a go and to try to cement a top 4 place but I'd say it's already too late. In our easiest run of games this season had to offer, we've been lucky to pick up less than half the available points. That's nowhere near good enough with our players. It's not going to get much better once we start to play the better teams, especially when you consider our hapless 'strike force'. There is no real opportunity to build a team these days, ask O'Neil. Unless Man City completely under perform, the sharks will soon be circling.
Don't think many questioned Comolli's eye for a player. The problem he had that he was too arrogant to work with the manager to sign players we actually needed. Boetang was the perfect example. Jol asked for a DM and he signed KPB - WTF! He then asked for an experienced centre back and Comolli signs Kaboul. Both players suffered because they were not needed at the time, not because they were bad managers.
Until we have Defoe back or buy a world class 'complete' striker we have to go 4-4-2 cause its all we know. Away in europe i think its fine we go 4-5-1 with Crouch, but in the EPL its been proven by finishing 4th, 4-4-2 is the way. I'd like to see VDV tried as an out and out striker. half a yard and he's got clean shot on him. Think Hudd needs to step up tomorrow as well.
I am not going to worry just yet. We had 6 defenders out at WH so it was bound to be tricky, coupled with how badly we are missing Defoe, it’s not an ideal situation. Levy and Harry need to find a new striker in January. Everyone knows now that Keane is spent, and the Russian is half asleep. Crouch is Crouch. Won't be easy finding one though.
What has depressed me a bit is seeing Keane, JJ, Hutton back in the team ala 2008, we only need Chimbonda back now. It’s all very average and predictable to watch.
As people have said, Redknapp is an egotist, perhaps that's why he seems to be putting all the emphasis on the CL, it could be his only shot at it. I always look at it with perspective, 95 to 04 was dire, Jol gave us our Spurs back and now we are in the CL. I'm not complaining. I like Harry on the whole, but can understand why he annoys fans (post WH interview - far too jolly) so I expect people to get on his back if things don't go to plan. I for one will embrace the CL experience and just enjoy it for what it is, cos it don't happen often.
The only thing that matters this season finishing 4th and qualifying for CL again, coz if we don't Bale, VDV and Modric (at least) will be offski and we will be be on the re-buiding treadmil yet again.
4-4-2 is the formation that beat both scums and City to secure a top four finish, but let's not forget it's also the same formation that lost to Wolves twice, Stoke at home, Burnley away and a semi final to Portsmouth at Wembley.
If 4-4-2 is our only plan after 2 seasons in charge, then Redknapp should pack his bags now.
For all my public support, I reckon I'm 3 poor games away from going back to basics myself. Spooky circa 2005. Would be far more entertaining for you lot, and I sort of miss being called a cunt ten times a day.
Bale, VDV and Modric - if they are sold, then its over.
I don't see how anyone can accuse us of "standing still" or going backwards when its only 6 games into the season. It makes my laugh and cry at the same time how greedy people are and can't see the bigger picture. There is certainly going to be some very angry and frustrated spurs fans over the next few years when the money dries up a bit due to the stadium/training complex. But if we can remain consistent (higher than 7th) during that period the revenues we will generate from the new stadium will then give us the stability and financial muscle to push on proper. Has anyone noticed a common factor about the biggest teams in Europe.....large stadia and attendances. We have a fan base that will pack our new stadium even if we aren't in the CL.
Last year we certainly achieved the maximum we could out of the squad we had. Progress in my eyes would be to be 5th or 6th at the end of the season whilst giving a good account of ourselves in the CL. Overachieving would be 4th (or higher) and a good account of ourselves in the CL. I have no doubt we wouldn't even be talking about this had we not suffered the injuries we have so far this season. The loss of defoe has made the lack of a "lone" striker glaringly obvious and I think people should realise how much of an asset he is. Yes it would have been nice to get <enter great striker here>, but we don't want to be bent over on the price only for them to be a flop because they are unproven in the prem. Levy and Harry know what they are doing, despite what people may think. I think a lot of what harry says in the press is BS, a smoke screen if you will, and isn't even worth paying attention to. Its just another payday for him and the papers (The Sun) lap it up. I have faith, as I did last season and whilst you shouldn't be happy to settle, as thats not a winning mentality, we are always learning as players/managers/owners and eventually we will have the experience to really push on. This is all a necessary process in order to push on properly down the line. Unfortunately fickle fans are just too damn impatient. Anyone noticed that arsenal and man utd have had the same manager for years (after a very dodgy start in man u's case) and they have been rewarded for their patience. Real change manager every year almost and despite the embarrassment of riches (something we don't have) don't win the one competition they want to and are constantly falling further behind Barcelona. I wonder why?
Its time for a change in tact, I think levy knows this now (after all those years of chopping and changing managers proving fruitless) so unless his hand is forced (2 points from 8 games) get used to harry, because he will be around for a while......
The climate isn't quite right for you to go shit stirring Spooky because we are not in crisis just yet. Hopefully you wont have to revert back into character, although I do miss the letters to the chairman. Can you imagine if we fall into a mid-table tumbler? The internet would spawn thousands of spitting venom spooklites baying for blood.
I'm on my knees praying for a Harry turnaround.
Spurs 3 FC Twente 0
Even reading as an Arsenal fan this is a good article!
Alll the bleating reminds me of three years ago. Last time Jol got Arsenal in your sights you all got carried away and started overestimating the capabilities of your players. And when they inevitably didn't match your expectations Jol got the blame and was sacked. How did that work out?
I don't mean this as a slight on your players, but us and City have stronger squads. You need to look at it as Harry overachieving by getting you fourth. Saying 5th is realistic isn't loser talk, you have the 5th best squad. Expecting your squad to have the divine right to be in the top four is the attitude that sets your club back not the other way around. He's managing you very well and your alot of you are letting your impatience cloud your judgement, like when you got Jol got the sack.
Excellent analysis of the split most right-thinking and reasonable Spurs fans are feeling at the moment, Spooky. It certainly sums up my ambivalence about Harry.
One thing I'd highlight from this is the 'unknown' aspect of where we're at right now. Our form is nothing new - it's the Spurs those of us who have a few decades of support behind us recognise all too well. That sort of upper mid-table form, the win some, lose some form that never quite allows you to predict where we'll lose and where we'll win. It all depends on who shows on the day and who can, frankly, be arsed.
I wish it wasn't that way, God knows I did, but right now it is.
In the long-run, and looking at the bigger picture, we ARE in unchartered territory. The players, and the manager, AND the chairman. For those quick to criticise Levy for failing to have spent as we wanted him to on a striker, you can't blame him for pointing at what, near £60M worth of strikers and saying 'Do something with the ones you've got?' But yes, perhaps someone else would have gambled. Do I blame him for not? No, absolutely not.
For the rest of them, I don't think they know where they're going from one moment to the next. Harry's tactics seem off, but when do you last remember a manager whose tactics you always agreed with? I think he's learning, still, and you can't blame him for that. Find a winning manager, who's been there, and we'll all bitch that he's a mercenary.
I hate our current form right now, I hate the lack of passion, but the philosophical side of me, that which keeps me straight and avoids me throwing things at people whenever we lose, is prepared to just sit back and enjoy the ride, learn with Harry and learn with the players. None of us have been here before, so none of us can realistically know where we're going or how we'll get there. Expectations are pointless, because it's all a bit unknown.
Onwards and upwards, and God let's win tomorrow night.
Big Red Machine, that's probably the best post of the entire thread.
Dear Big Red Machine thanks for your post very good stuff. I think you will find that a lot of the posters on this forum are also gooners like yourself but ones with less sense and more of an axe to grind. The rest are Hammers.
One or two Spurs as well. I suspect.
Except for the part where their squad is so much better what whitout a real world class striker , goalie or back up defenders
Mmm sounds familiar that but i cant really put my finger on it :)
Apart from that i agree with your point , patience is a virtue in this and last year got our hopes up way to high, we want it all and we believe we are entitled to it after such a very long wait ...
Hahahaha! Chiv - you are a genius!!!
HOW DO YOU GET THE TIME TO WRITE ALL THIS STUFF? LOOK, ITS SIMPLE AND I'M GETTING FED UP OF SAYING THIS...BUT I'LL SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU ONE MORE TIME...GET RID OF THAT USELESS LUMP HUDDLESTONE. PROBLEM SOLVED! NOW...HOW EASY WAS THAT?
lol
Sheffspur, have to say your points are spot on. I was going to write something similar regarding the stadium etc but you've summed it up well there.
agree with big fish. Our problem this year so far, has been an ever changing defence. We need stability back there and desperately need Gomes and dawson back on the pitch.
Can't wait for the big game at the lane tomorrow, keep the faith fellas, arry has done a great job. Trust him.
COYS.
'Our problem this year so far, has been an ever changing defence'
Last time I checked it was still only one point for a 0-0 draw.
'Harry works best when Harry has to fix things. ' was a key point that jumped out at me.
Hmmmm...I hope not...Does it have to get even worse (It's not 2 from 8 is it?) before things even start ticking over in the right direction? I hope not.
Let's face it, some might say we haven't hit our best yet...I'd go further and say we haven't played a full 90 minutes thus far where we've been as assured as we were last season.
Does the problem lie therein? Are we better as underdogs? the under-achievers, Spurs: who 'always let you down' seem to fare better when that is the case....maybe too dramatic?
We ARE crippled by injuries, and not just injuries, but injuries in (dare I say it) KEY positions...Dawson (the lionheart) Gomes (the fuckstick who turned into the class GK he always should have been under Parks' tutleage) and Defoe (the 'flat track bully' who can only SCORE)...gawd knows we need goals! 6 in 6? (12 at the same stage last season)
Regarding Marmite (I like it actually...nah fuck it, I love it!) Arry has been saying some things recently I'd rather wish he hadn't (we all know them) but he's in an awful lot of credit for what he gave us...perhaps that's a BAD thing and I go back to the first quote...Did HE make it too rosy for himself and us? Did we over achieve too early? Probably... but you have to go with it don't you?
I'm not worrying at the moment...and this is new to me this concept...I guess I have to thank Arry and what our club has become for this feeling..in essence, that's probably the answer to the marmite question for me.
I learnt my lesson last season and will wait (fuck it, I can't do anything but wait and see really like everyone else)
But I'd like some more 'sweeteners' if it aint too much Arry yeah
Early doors y'all. Let's wait and see how it pans out. Personally I believe in giving Harry the benefit of the doubt for now. COYS! We're really a game away from getting our mojo back.
I can't ignore what HR has achieved, and achieved he has. But then this season, injuries aside, I am suprised by 3 things that make me wonder if he does have the next level (the level that juggles the UCL & Prem) in him.
1. Squad rotation. I base this on the lack of use of Niko more than anything, but really, I can't understand his lack of use.
2. Playing a lone forward. If we can all see 2m can't do it, why can't HR? It was a shambles on the weekend and yet there are no alternatives (that we bought) I see.
3. The RVdV & Sandro transfers. HR described RVdV as a gift from Levy and Sandro he'd never personally seen. On RVdV surely HR shoud be driving the types of players we need. Don't get me wrong, I think this is inspired although hardly (if you believe the way it unfolded) planned. and Sandro, bought sight unseen by the manager is OK for a player coming in as a punt for the future, but as an immediate inclusion as we all want him to be, surely there needs to be more input from HR.
Boil it down until only the essence is left, and I think HR has one wandering eye on the England job and the other on retirement. That's not to say he isn't right for the here and now, but as this season is slowly unfolding (please, please stay unfolding and not unravelling) I am starting to see HR more and then and there. Past tense.
To stick with the popular building analogy, HR did a great job clearing and leveling the plot. He even laid a pretty decent foundation. But is he a builder at this stage of his career? I'm not sure. My arse is firmly on the fence, but I am sure to jump one way or the other in about 4 weeks. possibly 4 days after Villa.
I say give him time. The logical thing to do is to wait till end of the season...if he fucks it, we'll have to swallow that bitter pill as a missed opportunity.
The team have been showing signs of that crisp passing, ball fondling skills in spurts thus far...its there. Modric and vDv, it WILL work. And once the rest tune in to the same wavelength, it'll be a joy to watch. But, for fucks sake, Jenas... Keano.. it aint working. It's only pulling back the team. Side passing, wayward finishing, simply not good enough for a team aspriring to run down the Sky 4foursome.
That said, its early days. I expect a Part 2 of this article sometime end of November as we'll have a good idea where the season will be heading to at that point.
COYS!
Hey where are the links to cheap viagra or penis enlargement?
To be honest, I think the players are as much to blame as anyone.
The number of niggling injuries we seem to be picking up points towards players not training or warming up/down properly. Either that or they're so engrossed in boot marketing that they don't actually look at the suitability of their boots.
Also, it seems that they aren't getting motivated for Premier League games, but save themselves for the Champions League. Again, question their mentality - most of them want to play in the CL, so don't want an injury the Saturday before. I think there are very few of our starting XI who offer 100% effort through a game at the moment.
There's no unity either, which I suppose, is the effect of the aforementioned injury issue.
However, take a look at the table after 6 games and we're actually fine. We're not down at the bottom, and no, we're also not in the top spot. But there is just 3 points separating us from that Champions League spot again. Granted, we've dropped silly points against weaker teams AGAIN, something that we should have looked at improving on this season. The real time to question Redknapp is when we play the likes of Arsenal, United, Chelsea & City. No-one gave us any hope last season against them and look what happened.
It would be worse if the weekend had gone according to standard form for the rest of the PL.
Maybe it's because we're no longer classed as the underdog!! Expectation this season is a lot higher, and justifiably so, whereas last year we were expected to hit just top 6.
Oh and it's our first CL proper group game at home tonight, yet there are still tickets on sale!!
Surely we should have sold out at least a week ago?!
If we can't sell out for a CL game, where's the justification for a stadium expansion?
Dr Oyvind - Harry said last week that VdV was on a list of players he submitted to Levy a few months back.
Lets all have a knee jerk,
Lets all have a knee jerk,
Come on you Spurs,
Come on you Spurs.
Walkerboy...we can't sell out for the CL because not that many people are really that interested in watching 3MP head the ball every 2 minutes. Our CL approach is a bit disgusting to be honest.
On a different note. SUAREZ! Wow! Watched him yesterday vs. Milan. What...what a player! He was the true answer to our summer window question. Imagine if we had done the simple think; Sold Keane(5m), Pav (6m), Crouch(9m to Liverpool's American idiots), Jenas(4m), Hutton(4m), Bentley (5m...sorry, its time to cut our losses). thats a cool 33million on players who really suck. That would have got us Suarez(15m) and Dzeko(18m) and we would be filling that stadium on every occasion to watch the re-emergence of the Spurs.
I don't believe Jenas, Hutton and Crouch are really worth it, be it CL or Carling Cup, because even if we win it 95% sure to be another boring and ugly 3MP header that brings more ridicule than glory to us.
That leaves us with 3 strikers and who is to say its so easy to sell those players? Most teams probably weren't interested in half of them, even for the prices you've quoted (not to mention their wages). Plus Suarez and Dzeko have to want to play for spurs, who says they do? Then you have wage demands. Unfortunately this isn't championship manager and its not that straight forward.
i was glad the squad wasn't dismantled in the summer but not signing a world class striker is proving a huge mistake in defoe's absence. crouch needs a strike partner and pav doesn't work hard enough and lacks pace. keano could of done it in his prime but sadly thats over. you've got to think there will be a considerable war chest in january. set up some sales now- keane, bentley and pav maybe. players will go out on loan with a view to buy.
Who decided in the summer that Spurs did not need to invest in the strikers ???
i think there was the plan to get a striker, but levy wouldn't comprimise the sale value of the others. In fairness our strikers are adequate, just not top drawer - any of them, except an on form defoe.
We tried for a striker, more than one, in the summer. If it doesn't come off there's little we can do.
The wages arguments is a real nonsense, is'nt it? Getting rid of Jenas and Keane - who both earn close to 60k a week - does free up 120k a week to pay a good worth-it player. There's no use having 10players who dont play, or who are just plain useless, on 50k a week if our intention is to save on wages. A lean squad of quality players should see us spend almost exactly what we spend now even if we increase our wage limit to 100k a week. Just think about it, the money spent on Bentley every week? Thats money down the drain right there.
We need a striker that spells fear to opposition defences and makes them sit back. Not the tallest man in the guiness book of footballers who scores 6 goals in every 50 games he starts.
I think we need a little perspective here. We aren't in crisis. At least not yet.
Look around the EPL and compare our woes to some other teams who seem to be sinking.
This is why people think we're c*nts
You are right Ronnie. Our biggest problem is the expensive dead-weight that we can't seem to jettison.