Harry. Spurs. Knee-jerk here.
Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:16PM The catalyst for this seasons epic blip is not the moment Fabio lost/quit his job as England manager. It's the moment our manager refused to draw a line under it. Redknapp should have come straight out and stated "I'm not interested in anything other than Spurs. Don't ask me about it, please respect Tottenham and the job I'm being paid to do". Even if he is interested in it, that's what the summer is for. No such luck. Did anyone expect it to pan out any differently?
Instead he whored himself like he always does. Focus is lost. Respect is lost. Court case probably rattled him a fair bit too. It's been discussed before, we all know this. It masks other issues at play relating to lack of decisiveness with selections. Actually no it doesn't, we can see them as well. It's all rather blatant and obvious. There's also the fragile mindset of our players that saw them so easily effected by it. Collectively, motivation is easy if everyone is on form, its more tricky if only a select amount of players give a s**t all season long. Lack of rotation, strange line-ups and a hefty sack of inconsistent soundbites...whatever happened to back to basics?
I don't know, perhaps it's too soon after the game to discuss all this. Usually when things are going well we all lap it up (fans and manager alike) and when things are not going well we react accordingly and criticise. Which is well within our rights to do so (as long as we attempt to retain some level of balance). Most of us don't, which more or less matches up to the way Harry handles it. Ironic that we are as fickle and reactionary to what is going on at the time and what best suits us - much like our much maligned manager. But then that's what we are meant to do. We want the best for our club, within the constraints of what we possess. Although every person will have a varying perception to the next person.
We're underachieving. That's my perception. In the past when we claimed we were underachieving it was misguided because the reality was we did not have the team to truly compete. We do now (be it one for the short term not the long term) and we're half way to ballsing it up. We can't have one of the best sides pound for pound in the country one minute and then claim we're over-rated the next. We're good enough. We are desperately letting ourselves down. That's more than perception (IMO), it's just another harsh reality.
There's nothing wrong in recognising the lack of leadership. The formation, selection and tactics against Arsenal, Man Utd, Everton and Norwich (Chelsea in the cup included) during this blip are pretty damning. Distinct lack of mental and positional preparation.
We've also muddled through all three cup competitions (Carling cup and Europe hardly bothered at all) with the league always the priority and yet somehow we've managed to surrender momentum in the only competition we've taken seriously.
The players are equally accountable. Far too many have switched off. Still it's better to be competing (and throwing it away) than it is to be sat dead in mid-table, right? Right? Someone? Anyone?
Five games left to make this article look stupid.
Reader Comments (78)
Samba plays for Anzhi Makhachkala not Blackburn we missed that boat in January.
Oh, it's all gone quiet over there...
I am a lady Spurs supporter and a great fan of this website. I appreciate the intelligence and insights normally shown. When I am lucky enough to attend a match or am watching on t.v. in a pub,I accept that, because emotions run high, there will be a certain amount of swearing. Being quite open minded I never expected to be shocked to the core by the peurile, obscene, women-hating filth expounded on this page by a so-called arsenal supporter!! I would expect the arsenal team, manager & most supporters would be horrified to think that such mindless, violent, ignorant filth could be used in the "support" of their team! Is their no way that proponents of such extreme hatred could be banned from this website please?
Arsenal have just left the door open, didn't they? Spurs next three are against three of the bottom four, while Arse have a tougher fare against Chelsea, away to Stoke and Norwich. If Spurs could just get their sh*t together they could still nip third... but damn they've got to nine from three.
i agree with Joyrose, great site with very witty humour and banter from many but let down by allowing a few idiots to post their ignorant comments.
Spurs to win against QPR then we can get back to knee jerking for the remaining games
I still think that until their 3rd goal went in we were playing well on sunday, certainly good enough to beat the teams that we've got left to face. 3rd place once again looks a possibility (yes that is possible not probable) so I am feeling confident again, COYS, all we need is a draw between the red and blues, and a galvanising win against qpr.
Doomed while Harry remains at WHL. Spurs fans will be left with the exact opinion of Harry as West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth fans currently have. Thank Heaven Levy kept hold of the purse strings.
Whether we get 3rd or 4th doesn't matter to me, as long as it's one or the other.
Should we pick up 3 points at Loftus Road, what exactly is the ideal result between Goons & Chels???
Going back to Sunday, I thought we looked better when Lennon was on the ball. He was more creative than Bale or Modric.
I was gobsmacked when I saw the line-up for Sunday; four of those midfield players are not exactly renown for their defensive prowess so IMO we were an unbalanced team from the start. That became blatantly obvious when we went 4-4-2.
I did post on another blog that I wanted to see Sandro & Livermore start as the holding m/f players (their physique would have been ideal for the Wembley surface). I wanted SP to play in front of them with Bale & VDV/AL, & JD leading the line.
SP because he is far more influential than Modric (who has been playing too deep lately) & would have got amongst the Chelsea midfield higher up the pitch.
JD because I think the Chelsea defence was weaker on the ground than in the air.
This is still the line-up I would like to see against QPR, though I doubt it will happen!
Have to say that I second the comments made by the lady 'Joyrose' . I am a long standing (sufferring) Spurs supporter
and I appreciate the quality of Spookys writing, it is a gift, which is why I come on here. However just of late, I am
embarassed at the totally juvenile language being used here and it is not just Arsenal fans. Only a month ago, I recommended
the site to another local Spurs supporter but am now wishing that I had not. Sure, we all swear in the heat of the moment,
but you have to think about what you are going to say before you hit the keyboard (or at least you should do) so there is no excuse for the persistant use of the 'c' word, for example, no matter how frustrated we feel. So guys, a genuine plea to tone it down somewhat. And what a fabulous result last night for Wigan, the equivalent of our Norwich moment last week. Who would have predicted that? I am now feeling a bit more positive about the last 5 games.............COYS.
Well said both of you I am sure we all need reminding to watch our language occasionally especially after the events of Sunday.
If Redknapp had the balls or possibly just the awareness to rotate the squad our team wouldn't be a collection of burnt out wrecks ---- its a simple thing to do which all the other top teams do except us.. that's dumb, real dumb.
..........from our fathers, fathers, fathers, fathers, and what has Redknapp ever given us in return?
Coughs and Raises arm ' Didnt he drag us out of a relegation battle'
What??
Arm slowly dropping 'dragged us out of relegation'
Oh, yeah, ok, granted, he did give us that......
Another arm ' And Champions Leauge football'
Another voice 'oh yes, Reg, we can't forget that, remember that big football and that music'
Ok, ok, so, apart from dargging us out of relegation and champions Leauge football, what has Redknapp ever done for us? Hey?
A small voice, somewhere at the back 'We are in the top 4 Reg'
Well of course, but that goes without saying, doesnt it............so apart from dragging us out of the relegation zone, champions Leauge football, and sitting in the top 4, what has Redknapp ever done for us?
'Bragging rights over Liverpool, arsenal, and cheslea'
'oh yes Reg, when did we ever have that on a regular basis?
Ok, ok, so apart form all of that, what has Redknapp ever done for us?
'Made us believe'?
Champions Leauge football'
What?
Arm still raised 'Champions Leauge football'
Oh, yeah, ok, granted, he did give us that.
A voice from the back ' wins over
I think the lack of rotation is largely down to us not having a "Reserve" team that plays regularly.
As a result a lot of the younger players are being shipped out on loan to get experience and match fitness, while the older ones would rather ship out in a transfer window.
You can't rotate in players that haven't been playing some form of football every 7 days (and training doesn't count).
If we had a team in the reserve league I think we'd be in a stronger position for the final 2 months of a season.
Not only would it guarantee fitness but it would give Harry, Joe & Kevin a chance to actually look at alternatives and see how they can contribute to a game.
We had Gio on the bench on Sunday, but the lad has barely kicked a ball in anger all season since we went out of the Carling & Europa League. He's been put on the bench to make up the numbers rather than play.
If players like him were getting a reserve team run-out at least management would see what they can contribute.
someone posted earlier that it's the hope that constantly gets you
and this is the problem with spurs, just as it seems as all is lost something happens and we start to believe again
be it scoring a goal on sunday or arse losing last night
but, unfortunately, it always seems to end in tears
a win against qpr will really lift our spirits. if this doesnt galvanise the team at all then nothing will
and i also echo the comments above re tone and language. there's banter and then there's moronic garbage. unfortunately, since spooky posted the article on arse fans they seem to have multiplied ten fold
but all teams have their pools of imbecile fans and we are no exception
and can someone please explain the abuse thrown at david luiz on sunday when the guy was clearly badly injured. it was ridiculously over the top.
@4Mullery - although last night's result brought a small smile to my face, following our matching defeat to Norwich I'm just as concerned about 3 of our last 5 games being against basement teams as I would be if they were against the current top 3. What those 2 games have shown is that over the course of 90 minutes anything can happen in the Premier League.
There have been some very surprising results this season (Blackburn winning at OT, Wigan beating Arsenal & United, QPR beating Arsenal, us losing to Norwich), and with Bolton, Blackburn & QPR all battling each other for 17th place, I don't see last night being the last shock result.
We're in a 3 team chase for 4th, with only 2 points separating us, each week can see teams being in a stronger or weaker position than the week before.
On paper we have the easier fixtures, but I think most would agree they'd rather face mid-table teams with nothing to play for in the run-in.
Walkerboy. I take your point regarding the teams at the bottom having all to play for, as in avoiding relegation, but if our team finally wake up, we can and should beat the teams at the bottom, since we have more to play for, as in securing Champions League. In essence, we are trying to gain something- a prize if you like, whereas the teams at the bottom are desperately
trying not to lose something-Premier League status. Which team therefore would/ should, have more of an incentive?
@4Mullery... have you seen how fans celebrate when they survive relegation??
they have an incentive, trust me
Van Persie and Wenger: turning gracelessness into an art form.
WhiskyTom, yours is precisely the argument that kept Redknapp here for this season after failing to qualify for champions league last year (following a similar second half slump). He not not built on earlier success, and the last year's slump has turned into this year's collapse. As for our current, skin of our teeth hold on 4th, this has far more to do with Chelsea and Liverpool's problems, not any kind of improvement with Spurs.
Posted after the Norwich defeat that it was groundhog's day and is it time to revisit the "papering over the cracks" discussion we have had for the last two seasons, which included the issue of why are we the only premier league side not to have a reserve team?
Cookiebun: "Doomed while Harry remains at WHL. Spurs fans will be left with the exact opinion of Harry as West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth fans currently have. Thank Heaven Levy kept hold of the purse strings."
Yep, what a pity no one could see that coming. Oh, wait, several of us did and were slated as knee jerkers. The knee jerk is saying where we are is marginally better than where we've been and ignoring all the long term issues and problems that come with Redknapp.
Of the relegation matches we have coming up, only Wolves can be said to be demoralized and even then they have a recent history of beating us. None of those games are going to be easy.
For the third year running: Harry out.
@Ziegemonster... I'm with you brother. If there's any satisfaction to be had it's the fact he'll be gone this summer.... come what may!
AS SOON AS RVD WAS REPLACED BY DEFOE I KNEW IT BE A DISASTER.LEAVING PLENTY OF SPACE FOR MATA TO EXPLOIT AND PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ON OUR OLD CENTRE BACKS.MATA WAS SO AT EASE AND CREATED TWO GOALS.WHILE DEFOE DID NOT TOUCH THE BALL I THINK.SANDRO OR LIVERMORE SHOULD HAVE COME ON.MOVE MODRIC IN THE PLACE OF RVD .KEEP IT TIGHT ,WE MAY HAVE GOT A GOAL IN COUNTER ATTACK BY LENON OR BALE WHO PLAYED WELL.CAN WE WIN OUR 5 REMAINING GAMES? I DOUBT IT UNDER REDNAPP.ANY CLUB WOULD HAVE SACKED THE MANAGER AND CO WITH SUCH BAD RESULTS.GET MARTIN JOL BACK BEFORE OUR FIVE GAMES CRUSADE. RAJEN
Rajen - Martin Jol? your having a laugh! Get behind the team for the last 5 matches - it is down to the players - if they want they need to go out and get it. Redknapp is gone at the end of the season either ways. If we cannot get the points from the remaining matches then we do not deserver to play in the CL. Harry is bad - but the players are professionals and it's really down to them now.
We'll still get 3rd.
Just seen the usual bullshit posted by the children of Woolwich. Well done for your continued validation. You look good because Spurs are making you look good. That must fill you with pride. Don't be leaving the open bus parade too early, make sure you stay to the end. You truly are winners.
PS I see one person had the bottle to come back. Brave. Ooh you lot are just too zany.
When a bookie receives a torrent of bets on one event/horse/competitor he closes the book on that bet.
Every Spurs web-site is full of the same repetative, booring, anti-Harry diatribe, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute etc.etc.etc.
OK, so everyone hates Harry. He is the most incompetent, useless manager we have ever had (quite something when you think of some of his predecessors) and we will never win anything with him in charge and 4th place is blown for this season. Have I left anything out?
If not, as everyone is agreed and they all know Levy will sack him ASAP if he doesn't go to the England job can we start some other topics like who will be the next manager, will Levy actually start building the stadium in our lifetime, which players we will attract for next season, will Spooky stick his head next to the drummer-boy he wants...anything but repetition...please.
I am extremely mystified that gooner trolls seem to be so obsessed with this site, they really do have too much time on their hands. Hands on heart I have to say that there is not one of their own websites, blogs, or whatever, that is of any interest to me. They've actually got one called 'Arseweb' ,Google it and you'll see for yourself Spooky. I rest my case!!
They lose at home to Wigan and disappear, such bravery. They only come out to play when its safe to do so.