Negative
Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 10:02PM Spurs 1 City 5
Two games, zero points, seven goals against. We are simply not good enough to compete for the top four this season because Levy will not spend big and from the looks of it is hardly seeing eye-to-eye with Harry Redknapp if you take note of Harry's constant whining to the media and anyone else who will listen. Moaning and complaining about everything and never taking responsibility.
We were shocking. Midfield was weak, Bale disappointing and Crouch completely redundant. van der Vaart's inclusion forces Redknapp to play the one man upfront and yet still manages to select the wrong man. Was he making a point playing Crouch there what with Stoke interested in the player? Was he hoping Peter would pick up a knock or score a brace - just to prove a point? Arrogance from the manager, especially with his weak centre-midfield pairing. Another point being made there? Levy holding back on Parker? Sort it out the pair of you, ffs.
Post-match Harry complained about it being the worst pre-season ever and that we've been distracted by the Modric transfer saga. Hey Harry, guess what...along with Sky Sports you're the one that's keeps that saga running, constantly talking up scenarios about what ifs and Luka's mindset and Chelsea. Every time you open your mouth, its another headline birthed and yet more unnecessary coverage of this protracted transfer. It's the worst pre-season ever. After two defeats. No trouble or complaints before. Just post 5-1 spanking. Nice work Harry, insightful.
Does Levy not talk to Redknapp? Does he not outline company policy and ask for his manager to echo the chairman's stance? Why are there so many contradictions? Why the constant commentary and soundbiting? Why the blame game?
If there are problems with transfer targets because we are aiming too high or do not have the money or simply because Levy does not want to spend big (for whatever reason) then there is clearly a relationship break-down if Redknapp continues to use the lack of activity as a reason for the troubles we've had on the pitch. Even though I question the fact that the set of players are the same set that gained us CL qualification. Lost your mojo Harry? Been found out? Everyone bored of you?
Saying that Modric came to him two hours before kick-off to state he did not want to play is completely leftfield of what we were told the other day that the player had cleared things up with the Levy and was available. What possible good will it do if the player remains at the club past the transfer window closing? Redknapp leaves you wondering if Levy is actually considering selling the player or wanted the player sold much earlier. Its the perfect advert for miscommunication.
Modric plays, he gets subbed...we have ourselves a scapegoat. It's all Luka's fault. If the players head is still not right, then wait until AFTER the window shuts, then stick him in the team. Or was this simply about him making sure he gets to go off on International break with his country?
Luka did not exactly look disinterested. He looked frustrated at times, which is usually someone playing with professionalism and pride. But no, the 5-1 is basically down to the fact that our really decent squad of players are suddenly playing like ketmaine induced rabbits because we've not brought in a crate of nice fresh carrots. Sure, we are missing players. But come on, at the very least show some tactical nous. Inspire the team. Same goes for the ones pulling on the shirt. Where is the love for the shirt?
Scott Parker can't sign quick enough. Hate myself for saying that. Joey Barton would have got us a grip today also. No leadership and a distinct lack of belief with the additional bonus (ha!) of a manager more interested in deflecting attention away from his misgivings and tagging our on field hiccups with off field story arcs.
If we don't sign a few more players to sort out the current issues we have then we're in trouble of finishing 5th or 6th. But that might be the position that equates to our standard. The standard being one that has been crafted out of mismanagement by chairman and manager.
The chairman, too stubborn to act quickly, accepting the consequences more easily and the paying punters. The manager far too interested in his own agenda and brand name to really care about 'them' Tottenham.
Best we accept ourselves to be good enough for Europa League and nothing more. Less chance of being dissatisfied then.
Reader Comments (11)
Luka didn't wear our shirt with pride today. Time to sell?
Not so sure that's the answer.
prior to today had never gone along with harry out but listening to interview i have turned....worst pre season...fed up with gossip harry...then shut your mouth or back the chairman......didnt have any tacklers to pick in cm...then look at livermore/jj harry.......were exposed cos we play two wingers....well dont pick luxury item rafa which adds to the non tacklers harry then....man city are better than barcelona are they harry....that will make our players feel they can win......you pick the team and the system harry stop playing the blame game - i aint got a problem losing to the millionaires of man city cos yes harry they have spent millions and millions - but hows about when we lose to stokes/wigans and you wheel out no easy games etc....they would die for our squad....anyway rant over feel better for it..love to all and please try to stay more positive than i have managed this evening......
ONLY PLAYED 2 GAMES!!!
the first against a very good united side at old trafford (fitness was certainly an issue)
secondly against nearly 200,000000 quids worth of talent with over £100,000000 of talent on the bench, while our team consisted of a makeshift midfield far removed from redknapps first choice.
get a grip... & reassess the situation in the new year eh??
We're all frustrated. It's never been easy being a Spurs fan, but it seems harder than ever now because we (for once) were close to sorting things out. The problem is not Levy - I know everyone will say he's a business man, but he has our long term future to protect (and hence by default make the assets stronger and worth more).
The biggest issue is Harry. Everyone knows the true Harry. He doesn't care about the club - never has. Levy's inactivity in a big way is due to the fact that he knows Harry is leaving. All new players on 'one year contracts' - when you think about this it becomes clear. Harry is going - They're both thinking that buying some temporary patches will be enough to fluke 4th, then the real spending will start the following season with a new manager. I'm still annoyed about him calling us stupid.
Harry, if he's not careful, will have a worse start than the famous one he 'rescued' us from.
Newsflash: This is not 1960 - none of the players care who they play for.
As for Modric, we could sell him and then what... use the 30 million to fail to buy a better player? Let him just sit on the bench and fine him if he refuses to play.
Love it. This is top draw satire mate. Shows that some of the sane yids do have access to the internet ;)
Wonder if it says anything about my psyche that of the three articles I chose to post on the "Negative" one...nah!
A lot of the problems today came from poor tactics. Spurs cannot afford to play Modric , Krancjar and VDV in the same side. Simply no protection for the back four. City were allowed to play in front of the back four with no challenge. Yes we miss Sandro but is Bassong unfit or even the much maligned Jenas? For all his faults Defoe brought some life to the forwards and as did Livermore in mid-field. Modric maybe not fully fit but really looked disinterested---Chelsea should be made to answer for what they have done this close season.
I've met some tight fisted yids in my time, but that creep Levy is the king of them all! He's so arrogant, that he won't even communicate with 'arry, & leaves him in the dark all the time, after all that he's achieved from nothing. Can we not transfer Levy before the closing of transfers!! Billy
adybore must be thinking he has not made a step up this time after today! lol
rednap just discusts me at the mo, cant even address us fans and help us out with some words of encouragement, just waves the white flag before every game!..and during it seems.
i would have to agree with a previous post. all old boys on short contracts coming in. luka being told to hang in there even though he wants out. harry is on his way next year, this is his last season and he has 1 eye on the england job. i feel for levy. he is working hard at our stadium, taking alot of criticism on the way. a few months back we were being bullied by harringay council, now the mayor of london is begging us to stay! silver lining from the riots, but levy was hanging out for this and well done too!
get of levy's back everyone, his ands are tied with this happy cockney, that has never got on with any chairman in his history as a manager.
forget this season 2 games in aye? f...ing great!!!
harry goes, who comes in? :O( looking grim guys...dont panic. just remember it could be worse...... we could be arsenal...... (teary eyed snigger)
The problem is as such, we will not compete for a Champions League place because we are not owned by a mega-billionaire. The current way football around the world is run caters only to clubs that are willing to out-spend each other. Our ownership is sensible in keeping a wage structure and trying to get a new ground built. The top players will only go to the clubs that pay top money, so telling Levy to "splash the cash" is unrealistic because we will not offer the kind of salaries top players are looking for. We will see what happens when the fair play rules come in but being as it is in the interest of UEFA and FIFA to have the rich mega-clubs I doubt much will change. Unfortunately, unless a salary cap is put in the top 3-4 will always be the top 3-4 because they spend the most money. I agree that Harry should try to keep his mouth shut but really I can't blame the chairman or Harry for Spurs not winning titles, cups and Champions League spots because financially we cannot compete.
modric can f**k off to chelsea if they want him that bad. for all his "talent" he cant score goals and does not get nowhere near as many assists as he should. certainly not worth 40 mil so snap their hand off. a game like today was when a player like scott parker was needed in midfield, how can modric and kranjcar play together in CM when they cant put a tackle in between them??? secondly, how about harry stop sucking man city off at every opportunity and stop making excuses about our inevitable failings before they have even happened. not seen such a piss poor performance as today for a long time..............then i watched man u v arse...............LOL