Stating the bleeding obvious
Monday, May 28, 2012 at 12:49PM Simply this: There is no more 'going for fourth spot'. It's of no relevance any more to target a position in the league that basically amounts to nothing. Sure, any other given season it equates to Champions League (with qualifiers standing in the way) but as witnessed this season that honour is vaporised by UEFA rules deeming its value to be nothing more than a sum of money form the Prem League for finishing in a lofty position. Fourth best club in the land is nothing to scoff at. But this isn't about the semantics of stature and that's what tends to blind us. We're fourth this season because that is what we deserve. It's a positive. But it's one with a devastating caveat. Any club with aspirations can no longer aim for fourth. It must aim higher. It will get congested up there. More so with every passing season, although it's up for debate until the summer is over in terms of which teams have truly strengthened and which teams have simply endeavoured to retain balance once more on the tightrope. As for us, we're going to need padding in our groin area so we're not kicked in the balls again.
RIP fourth, fourth is no more. Third is the new fourth.
Required: One centre-back, a midfield playmaker, a right-winger, two forwards.
This won't end well.
Reader Comments (50)
Midfield playmaker needed? Resigned to losing Modric then? Probably will be off, but not a problem will enable us to bring in the other top top triffic players we need...
And don't forget big Tom!
We've had a very unlucky season. Harry's court case which must have drained him mentally, Chelsea winning the European Cup, the semi final "goal" outrage, and last but certainly not least Howard Webb.
Judging by Levy's negotiating tactics, it has not started well.
We also need a left-back and a goalkeeper
@granville.......dont forget Chris Foy
Vertonghen deal is now apparently as good as done - certainly set to be complete by the time England play Belgium next weekend.
I guess you have to understand that what may appear a small difference in a transfer fee can mean a lot in terms of how much you have spare for other deals.
Levy may have been earmarking the £3/4 million extra that Ajax wanted for another signing. If he has to stump the lot up on one player it makes negotiations for another much tougher.
I reckon this week we could see the confirmation of 2 signings.......
Totally agree regarding 4th place. It's pointless spending 38 games attaining a place that puts you into the CL Qualifiers only to have it taken away thanks to 120 mins and a penalty shoot-out that you're not even involved in.
If Chelsea do sign Hazard, as is expected to be announced at 5pm today, and have Mata & Marin, not to mention a few more big money signings, there's a strong case for them challenging for the title.
City will be strong enough to look at retaining, and United will inevitably pinch someone from us in order to strengthen their position.
Already that leaves us challenging Arsenal and possibly Liverpool/Newcastle just to get 4th and hope that UEFA doesn't shaft us again.
Bloody hell. A goalkeeper too? I've got a feeling Brad is getting one more season.
We will be lucky to get a CB, 1 striker and cover on the wing. Tottally agree though, we need a playmaker to replace Modric, Big Tom is good and can play there but we ideally need someone who is good on the ball like Modric. Tom certainly has the range of passing that Luka does but is he as quick?....no, is he as good at dribbling as Modric?........no. Both of these qualites are essential for creative midfield playmakers in the modern game, also we have to remember that Tom has faced a long time out and it could take him a while to get back into the swing of things, especially if you are asking him to play in a position that he is not used to. Let's just get Vertonghen done and then we can look at the striker situation, personally I would rather take a punt on this Leandro guy,Remy has never been a prolific goal scorer in the French league let alone the EPL. Cover for Lennon should not be too hard, Hoilett will do or some other young cheapish player,maybe Moses,it's only cover after all. As I said I think this will be the extent of our deaings but LEVY please do not stop there, we do need another midfielder and ANOTHER stiker, if we sign Leandro or Remy (along with hopefully securing Ade) then we will still need another striker, especially if JD leaves. I would not be gobsmacked if we signed Vertonghen and that was it....I pray to god that Daniel does not allow this to happen. COYS
My work colleague went to Munich for the CL final and he said every German to a man were saying that Chelsea had made a mistake signing Marin. Personally, from what I saw of him, I'd have liked him at Spurs. Maybe we got lucky for a change?
It would be nice to see any transfers wrapped up early, so when the bids do start to come in for Modric and Levy does his usual (squeezing the other chairman's bollocks until they pop) getting the best amount of cash possible.
There is'nt any need to worry then, but as per Levy if the Vertonghen saga that's going on at the moment is anything to go by it's going to be a looooooooooooong summer (and i'm not just talking about having to sit through Roy's england in the euros)
Vertonghen should be done by now and the fact it isn't, per other DML article, suggests Mr. Levy has not learned anything from this season.
Pay the asking for Vertonghen and Damiao and then go off and get a Modric replacement of quality.
Tom Huddlestone is not remotely a Modric.
New keeper (or 2), right back cover if Corluka sold, right wing cover if Dos Santos sold, left wing cover and who else?
Any other ideas?
need an attacking midfielder who is adept at playing on both wings equally as comfortably, maybe someone like hoilett, who is young and can be bred into the team. in terms of strikers, we need to sign 3, including adebayor. remy would be excellent, and ola toivanen would also. vertonghen at centre back is a necessity. possibly try and get a solid full back on a free.
in terms on ££:
adebayor: £15m
toivonen: £15m
remy: £20m
midfielder: £6m~ (hoilett?)
vertongen: 12m
full back: free
= £68m!
sell:
bentley - 4m
jenas - 4m
gomes? - 5/6m
corluka - 5m
gio - 10m
= £30m~
so around a net spend of £40m is really needed to get the players that we need so desperately. this summer will simply have to be the summer where the chequebook is opened, there is really no two ways about it!
Paxton, sometimes you have to understand its just not the transfer fee, everyone should take a reality check and factor in the wages, the players you suggest are sold(i hope so) probably earn combined 180k a week thats 9.3 mill a year. The players you want in (again i hope so) will probably earn upto 230k+ a week thats 12mill, thats not even counting the rest of the squad. I dont blame DL playing hardball, until we get the new ground we will see this drawn out saga every window.
Bill
Two things will give Spurs a sporting chance in the future -
A new stadium, financed with as little external debt as possible, so much of the increased income goes to the Spurs team.
The financial fair play regime working out in practice, essentially reigning in Chelsea and Manchester City.
Spurs would then be in a pretty good position, to say the least.
The obvious and perhaps not unobtainable answer to your (our) requirement..:
Jan Verthongen, get him signed asap! (should keep caulker as well, think he is quality, at least keep the option to recall if injuries to daws,kaboul etc)
Mauricio Isla, should not be too expensive and surely willing to come if Udinese fails to qualify for CL. Can be utilized pretty much everywhere, but would easily slot in for moddle if he leaves, and can be used as cover for both fullbacks, and as an option on the right wing (and he is a dedicated pro as well, check out http://www.goal.com/en/news/1699/chile/2011/11/21/2768090/udineses-mauricio-isla-slams-arturo-vidal-disrespectful) heaven knows we could use some of that..
Josip Ilicic, if the above does not work out, and moddle leaves, perhaps this is one of the best and realistic options to replace the little croat. (plus he has got croatian ancestry, surely can't be bad)
cheeky bid for Adam Johnson on the right? he will surely leave eastlands this summer..
If we manage to keep big bad ade, I'll be cheering for that! Then we can afford to take a punt on perhaps Toivonen and Demba Ba (who if available for rgn 7-15 mill is worth it!!) If not, perhaps Seydou Doumbia from CSKA (33 from 41 games this year in Russia, 5 for 5 in CL), allthough he would cost us a sizeable buck..
In any case, I do not believe Remy to be the answer, and if we are able to keep the welsh monkey man, the possibility is that they will be in each others way, seing as Loic prefers the left winger/striker role.. (or it will pan out perfectly and perhaps Gareth could finally keep width out there..)
Check out the part about the hungarian fu(ck)lop on his wiki page, last sentence under the West Brom heading... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1rton_F%C3%BCl%C3%B6p
I believe, COYS!
i agree we need to stop aiming fourth and aim higher but until harrys gone i cant really see that being the case due to his small club mentality
in terms of players, theyre working through your positional list as we speak. vertonghen seems like a deal and remy players both on the right wing and the middle. finally the adebayor deal also is meant to be moving forward quickly - i know it sounds "itk" but i know for a fact he's looking to buy a house in north west london. either he likes the area or he's signing
The chances of someone not finishing in the top 4, and winning Champs league is slim. We just got the rough end of it. Liverpool did it first - other than that can you remember anything remotely possible - where even the runner up had not qualifed? The reality is the emergence of Man city has killed us more than anything else. That came out of left field with the huge injection of money. One minute we had to fight the top 4, then it suddenly become top 5. Hell we have finished above Liverpool for how many seasons in a row. Could you see that happening 10 years ago. We do need more revenue, or a suger daddy, or really really good scouts/academies to allow us to compete going forward
sell rat boy for 45mil, go and get remy & valbuena with the 45mil, along with jan vert, hoillet, & also, dont cain me for this before you have thought about it, 2nd best english keeeper, foster. bring on 2012/13
Paxton - you can knock £15m off that buy list for starters. There is no way in the World that we'll pay that much for Ade for example. More like £5m! In addition your sale list is way too inflated - Gomes is a free and GDS we will be lucky to pick up £5m for (if that).
I know this is just detail and the principal is the same. The answer though if we wish to balance the books is simple - sell Modric and buy a replacement there also - (such as) Kovacic for £10 - £15m?
Ilicic is a great shout. Big, strong, powerful, quick..............An improved Modric. Sell Modders for £35m, buy Ilicic for £25m. Put the balance towards Hoilett and use the rest to fund Ade's wages for a year.
I fear some of these replies will end up on Spursmeltdown! Paxtonjay is a dead cert to. Get a solid FB on a free? Sell GDS for £10m? Spend £68m? (inc a free FB) Complete fantasy.
What is frustrating is being the third best side in the league last season - and finishing fourth.
We don`t want to aim for fourth - or third or second - that`s what l`arse do.
One silver lining around not getting CL is that any glory hunters sniffing around Tottenham might now piss off.
It`s only worth aiming for CL if we use the finances to improve and challenge for honours.
Levy needs to wrap up transfer business quickly this time round as the window is much slimmer due to the Euros.
The fact that he is wasting so much time over the transfer of a player who is not competing in the Euros is a bit suspicious.
As frustrating as the Vertonghen business is, I can`t help thinking that if other clubs thought he was worth Ajax`s valuation, someone would`ve nipped in and signed him by now.
Just stating the obvious here as I always do. Chelshite is strengthening their squad and got themselves a rather good manager, they will be a force to be reckoned with next season, much to my dismay. If we don't do the same, we're definitely going to lapse as we did in yesteryear. Haven't been paying much attention to those cunts that claim to be a north London club but I can only assume they're going to make one or two signings that will bring them some consistency as well.
I'm really sorry we don't have a better manager, to actually manage the entire team and not just the first XI which doesn't change much if at all. I know Kranjcar is no Modric or Hazard but he is still a bit of a talent, squandered in the last season. I know Dos Santos wasn't exactly a shining ray of sunshine for us either, but as he was for his national team, one can't help but wonder if with a better manager, he might have excelled where he actually failed in getting a place on the team.
Some of my usual surmising, I really don't know. I just hope we don't do any more fuckery in terms of transfers.
I think realistically we gotta realise DL won't be paying out for players who he thinks are valued too highly, whether it be by 1-10million. I think Vertonghen is set to be complete by the weekend which is great for us, but would welcome the arrival of Loic Remy and also the re-appearance of Ade. I think we need to take what we can for Modric because it's inevitable he's going to leave (35 mil) and use it wisely on another creative midfielder, i'd like to see someone like Diego from Atletico Madrid or even a cheeky bd for Afellay (most unlikely I know). One another player I think may be sensible, if Bale was to leave, would be Drenthe who looks an animal and played very well for Everton. Not particularly expensive but still a good player.
DL, get it sorted!
Get Vertoghnan done ASAP he is class. We cant sell JD play him up top with Ade if he is signed permanent. We cannot let JD go as he is the most natural English finisher in the league. If Modric goes why cant VDV sit a little deeper in Luka's role? Play Parker next to him. Leaving JD and another striker up top??? We should always go with 2 strikers at the lane!! And signing Damiao i agree with he looks top class too! Mr Levy get it done please.......
I'd sell Defoe in a heartbeat...........challenging for the premiership being the new fourth, he is not up to the job in a squad that will need practically every player of the 11 defending as well as attacking. We can't afford a "give me the ball to feet within 10 yards of the box" merchant.
Spurssince80.... I agree.........JD it's time to go (again) if we can get £15-18m for him we should bite hands off.
Oh, well if we are talking £15+ mil then yeah we sell up, but i get the feeling we will not be offered more than £8-9 mil, which when you think we are looking at £10 mil for Gio isn't enough for a player of JD's ilk, he is proven Premier League class!!. Guaranteed he will score a hatfull at his next club too just to rub salt in our wounds.
What a nonsense article.
Finish in the CL for the absolute dynasty of one season, and now fourth isn't enough.
To call it arrogance, would be to give you credit for skill; you, nor the team deserve.
To call it pragmatism, would also be an insult.
This club has been entered into the champions league once.
Not thrice, twice, but ONCE.
Not directly through the group stages as winners of the League [Is it nessecary to mention that Spurs have never won the league in the premier league era?]
But qualified as what? as the fourth place finishers, with a baptism of fire at the hands of the almighty "young boys" and lets not forget how the first leg of that little drama played out.
Of course group entry prevailed, and group winner status came after - before an excellent champions league debut was put firmly in its place with a 5-0 aggregate victory for real madrid.
Now.
After being lauded and paraded quite ridiculously by many individuals in the media and in the spurs support also as the greatest spurs side in decades, and possibly ever by a few persons I shall kindly refer to as idiots. The Great Spurs Side Of Legend contrive to blow a double digit points lead over not only its most bitter rivals, but the chasing pack behind, and on the last day of the season lose 3rd place, which was theirs for the taking. All this to a stitched up patched up.. dare I say it? Arsenal Side, widely decreed as the most functional [i.e shite.] limited Arsenal side in the past 20 years.
What does Mr K hear now? A demand for 3rd place?
And just what are we basing this 3rd Place requirement on?
The infinite resources of Daniel "Can I just find a buyer so I can leave" Levy ?
The tactical superiority and transfer genius of Harry "I'm a fucking football manager" Redknapp - formerly known as - Harry "Barebones" Redknapp ?
The Overwhelming Loyalty of Playmaker Luka Modric - read 4 goals.
The Inspiring Loyalty and dedication of Gareth "I'll have to consider my options" Bale ?
The Reliance on Offside King Ade-Money-Yours?
The confidence of Jemain "I just wanna play" Defoe?
Just what exactly are we basing this 3rd place finish on?
Mr K hardly has a vendetta against Spurs.
But arrogance and impudence are both annoying qualities, and to hear both in evidence from a club's support with no league victory or attempt near to a league victory, let alone a runners-up spot, in any recent era, is really just immature.
Just like this article really.
Gtoodyspurs - you are spot on -JD has been slaughtered on this site unfairly. Given his limited opportunities last season, his return was good. There are many that have posted on here recently that think JD needs the ball to land at hisfeet to score, stupid enough to have watched Spurs all season and ask themselves`if only that ball had landed at someone`s feet, if only SOMEONE would`ve been there to knock that in`.
And right again - VDV could do the Luka role, his current position is the reason the team is so finely balanced and a single injury or suspension throws the entire system out of kilter. With Hudd feeding the wide men from slightly deeper, we would be much more flexible. Then throw in that if you cut JD in half you would see Spurs stamped right through him.
On that note I hope that everyone appreciated the best thing that happened to English football this season - Crewe winning their play off. 7 of the 11 were products of their academy, they are and have been for decades a model that every football fan should respect and admire. And before the smart arses start saying `what so you want Spurs to be where Crewe are` - no, obviously not but Manure and Ajax have proved it can be done at the highest level and to save us all from the trauma of our labourious transfer dealings - we could take an example from Crewe, after all London is far more densely populated with potential talent than their manor.
Agreed, sell Modric and use the money to buy some other players who are willing to wear our shirt.
Mr K. The point is this: Aim high. Don't aim for a particular position and transfix on it.
First time reader, right?
For all Tottenham's faults, give an inch here or there we'd have finished 3rd even AFTER we shagged up the 10 point lead.
mr k.
u r a small minded retard. we finished 4th this season now aiming higher what is wrong with that?
guess blacks should have remained slaves. women should never have got the vote.
seriously dude fuck off.
MrK -
Firstly please reveal your colours.
Secondly, if you had taken the time to read through previous pieces and comments on this site, you would see that we have enjoyed reasoned and measured debate.
We know the weaknesses, we know the culprits, but please don`t deny us our frustrations.
We know where we are, we know where we want to be, we know we`re not there yet.
But like it or not, this is the best Spurs side for dedades and we are all too aware that they are not world beaters and that had Levy grown his arms and shortened his pockets in January, then we would have achieved 3rd place, above the poorest Arse side for decades.
If you follow one of the top 3 sides or Chelski, then life has been too easy for you for many years.
If you follow the likes of Liverpool etc, then the appreciation of mid table nothingness has allowed you to relax.
Our frustrations lie in the fact that last season was pivotal for us. Had we invested at the right time in the right players - only two or three - then we would have taken 3rd place and hopefully have built on it rather than, like the scum down the road, settled for qualification every season just to balance the books.
We had an exciting CL adventure a couple of years ago, progressed further than we expected, but it would serve you well to know that as Tottenham fans we do not expect - we support the club for the right reasons - but when opportunity knocks and we fail to answer the door, then we end up frustrated as anyone else would.
Well put moe-more than reasoned reply to mr kale-'a hardy, nonheading cabbage with loose, spreading, curled leaves'
Dear me! Saying Verthongen is a done deal reminds me too much of 'Champion's League was a done deal'! It ain't done till its done!!
Equally, Harry's destination to England - presented as a done deal by all the pundits had a considerable role in undermining squad morale ...
So, Pleeeeese! No more 'Done Deals' til they're Done!!
4mullery - you forgot the most appropriate part of the definition - `green`!
its a shame hudds was out the season - with him on board we might of won 1 or 2 games more ,we also need someone to challenge bae.
Love it...love it!!! There is no way Levy will ever spend more than we receive!! Net spend!! It just never happens!! Show me one time it happened haha. He will also blow any chance of gettign top players by annoying them in the negotitations!! I know I am using excmation marks to much!!! You watch...we will sing players at the end of the window to save a few millions and then miss out of europe by a few points! Levy needs to go. If I set up a petition who is with me?
I will sum it all up:
sell Modric £40m
sell Gio £ 6m
sell Jenas £3m
Sell Gomes £5m
Sell Bentley £3m
Sell Corluka £5m
Sell Defoe £9m
Sell Cranjcar £4m
Sell Pienarr £5m
Release Saha
Release Nielson
This makes it +£80m
Ok i understand the incoming players wages will be slightly more so we can call it £70m + our alleged £20m in the pot to spend this window, makes a total of £90m
Buy adebayor: £15m Speaks for itself
Toivonen: £15m What a player! Go onto you tube!
Damiao £18m (A MARKED IMPROVEMENT ON JD)
Ilicic: £22m (BIGGER AND BETTER THAN MODDERS!)
Vertongen: £12m one of best ratio of headed goals in europe for a defender. Our weakest link!
Defender cover at right back on a free
Goalkeeping cover on a free
Keep Caulker
Get Thudd fit again
TOTAL SPEND £82M which leaves us with £8m for signing on fees and more wages, books balanced etc etc....
It's not rocket science work it out for yourselves. It is just freshening things up a little.
D.L. come on, get the ball rolling now..........
Appears, I've stirred a little conversation, not the particular one I was hoping for.. more attacks then reasoned opinion.
Oh well. I don't want to appear uncivil.. yet. So I'll reply to all those replying to me.
spooky - Mr K. The point is this: Aim high. Don't aim for a particular position and transfix on it.
First time reader, right?
For all Tottenham's faults, give an inch here or there we'd have finished 3rd even AFTER we shagged up the 10 point lead.
------
Surely the point is to be realistic in where you can finish with what you have versus what your up against. As Harry I'm a fucking football manager Redknapp likes to remind everyone/levy - everyone will strengthen their squads by some degree. What is good for this season, may not be good for next season. When a big chunk of spurs success came from a loan striker. Realism should take hold first. Don't worry about aiming high. Don't worry about transfixing. Worry about spurs finishing in the top four as a matter of course, then feel free to aim high. By all means, disregard what I say, aim for third. aim for first if you must. But realism is a bitch when it hits, and you will only hurt yourself.
picasosdog - If anyone's a retard, it's you for comparing a football teams travails, with the greatest atrocity in human existence.
Are you a spurs fan? IF you are.. you've just lowered them all with one comment. Congrats. Moron.
moe - When I refer to my team alignment it creates more problems and influences debate. I have no problem with saying who I support. I have a problem with others basing everything I say, and every reply they give, throw the prism of one team vs another. For that reason I dont disclose it.. at least initally. Hope thats understandable. If it helps any, I get pissed off at every team in existence at one point or another.
No I didnt read every single article. This particular article was quite substantial in of itself for me to respond to. But I take your point, that there may have been pretext. Regardless. The article was annoying enough to make Mr K break out the keyboard, and thats that really.
I don't wish to "deny" you the chance to air your frustrations - that was never my intention - who am I to stop that? I was merely pointing out there is nothing about spurs in the past or present that should propel a single spurs fan to realistically think of third place as something to hunt for. I don't mean this as disrespect. I'm simply speaking of facts, bastard statistics and club history here. I would say, look at the manager. Look at the quotes and comments he's made about where spurs were before him, and his magical reign. I would say look at the patronising way he's practically spoken down about spurs, and the insinuation that every spurs fan should lick his tax evading toes, just because of a fourth placed finish.
I'm not into if's. I couldn't give a toffee about if's. Spooky said give an inch here or there we'd have finished 3rd even AFTER we shagged up the 10 point lead. But you didnt. Levy could have bla bla. But he didnt. So you'll never know. If is a maddening word for a football fan. IF Man U, didnt draw at everton, maybe they could have won the league. IF Arsenal didnt stink like a diseased skunk for the begining of the season, IF Arsenal kept their players, they may have? - Who cares.
They didnt. And no one knows. So why torture your mind with the possibilities.
As for your assertion about this season being the one. Allow me to chip in and say.. You could have signed players, whose to say they would have been the right players? signing players are a big unknown, regardless of name or fame - they can flop hard just as much as they can be an instant success. Who knows if it would have definatly helped you to claim 3rd place. But who cares about one 3rd place finish, as you mention later - it's about building, but to build, you have to have the tools.. which in spurs case equate to a squad strong, talented, united enough to finish top four as a given, and a stadium to provide you with the infrastructure to grow - neither of which you possess.
As for the scum down the road, heh. It's funny that, Surely your attempting to do they very thing that they're doing? Namely qualify for champions league finances, and use that same money to subsidize a greater stadium. The only thing is the scum are doing, and have been doing it - and seemingly for all the talk of their squad being limited, and lets not beat around the bush, the team is rubbish - and yet.. there they are qualifying every time.. Stadium payments being met - outside of a sugar daddy, thats the only logical, ethical and traditional way to grow as a club - unless you have another alternative.
My point was simple really. Consolidation can give way to expectation, Expectation without consolidation usually leads to disaster. For those yapping about chase the glory. Take a nice look at leeds. Yes. Them. 2012, and they're still in the wilderness. It can happen.
Size of overhaul required + tightest negotiator in world football = overhaul not achieved...like every window.
Btw, its Rat Girl. Benayoun is Rat Boy & Silva is El Rata Espana.
Mr k
Sure enough you`re not alone with being pissed off with all clubs at certain times.
I for one hate modern day footballers, but just cannot rehab myself from my addiction to the game that they shame.
footballers these days are simply pumped up walking egos, akin to people who insist on referring to themselves in the third person.
My reason for advising you to eye previous pieces on this site is two fold. You have missed the point - Spooky`s pieces are not designed to force his point of view down anyone`s throat - they are quite clever in that they encourage multi faceted debate.
And you have misjudged our mood, The vast majority of people who participate here have no affection for Redknapp and certainly have a decent handle on exactly where Spurs are right now.
On the subject of `if` - well let`s all follow the team of the moment shall we? Let`s all be certain that we end up winners, bugger anyone outside the CL semi finalists, let`s do away with the word `if` for good, now wouldn`t that make football so exciting? Let`s make football like X Factor shall we. Why do we want singer songwriter musicians playing in pubs on the off chance that they mgiht `if`` only make the big time? Let`s have Blatter hosting a TV show where he decides the half dozen clubs we can support, followed by a telephone vote. Then everyone could burn their Spurs, West Ham, Charlton, Rochdale and Barnsley merchandise, stop dreaming, forget the word `if` and be devoted to the word `when`. Don`t you think that `if` is going to be a common word in the Arsenal corridors this summer? What `if` they hadn`t qualified for CL by a point? That would have been a total disaster for them.
The reason that last season may prove to be THE season for Spurs is that we have a fairly good side with a sprinkling of top quality players who may leave us now - without the CL draw to attract players of equal quality.
Judging by the fact that you clearly find this site more stimulating than those of your club and that you come on here with your nose stuck in the air and speak in affectionate terms of l`Arse, are a little embarrassed to disclose your own colours - I suspect that you are of Arsenal persuasion.
In which case, I would like to congratulate you for your posts thus far, they are way and beyond the usual senseless bilge we recieve from that clan. That would be another reason for you to look back over previous pieces - if you are a gooner with a brain, you'd be far too ashamed to post here having seen what`s gone before.
In the meantime, we are entitled to our sites like this where we can discuss and air our frustrations. At least we don`t feel the need to go on other club`s sites to be entertained.
Mr K,
Some well reasoned points but you betray yourself, lets ignore others comments for a moment. The author of the article has basically written a small piece exposing the fallacy of a 4th spot finish for any team.
At no stage was a right to it or expectancy mentioned.
Spurs are aspirational as are many other clubs and in spite of all the things that limit us (many of which you have pointed out) we have performed reasonably well in the last 3 seasons, a starting point on the road to consistency. This is something that we have a right to be happy with as spurs fans however a little like having a golden ticket torn from our grasp by a wind, we almost had more and bereft of that prize some feel frustration at what could have been. Again nothing here unreasonable.
Your points are essentially the issues that all football fans (should) have with the game that we have cherished since our youth, they are not relevant specifically to Tottenham in the realms of your argument, In fact save the chelsea/psg/man city's of this world they could apply to all. In the modern era UEFA and Sky have made kings and paupers with little in between. This is not a tottenham issue, this is a football issue.
Your initial comment was a patronising attack completely lost in the context of the article, you clearly didn't read it properly or maybe just didn't understand it. Thus you do in fact have an issue with Tottenham so why try and hide it behind a veil of bulls*%t? At least have the balls to remain true to yourself. Quite why you want to pop along and dig us out is beyond me but if you are going to i'm just amazed that you chose this article on this site?? You couldn't have been further from where you were aiming if you tried.
foolish to say the least.
Devonyid- looks like we were typing the same thing at the same time..................................................Spooky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@moe, looks that way........................not sure what the f*&k it's got to do with spooky though, fairly sure he's asleep :D
actually not fairly sure of that at all, merely an assumption......
talking of what the f*&ks................................who the hell is Sparky??
:D
Last season has passed us by,so lets look forward to next season,with some promise and hopefully lessons learned,from the one just gone.The Vertongen saga,seems to be dragging on,,and the longer levy,seems to twiddle his fingers,the least,one thnks,that it is going to happen at all.While we all know,that one has to be prudent,in these economic times.There is a difference in being prudent,and just bloody tight.Plus Modric,,has about as much loyalty as Lord Haw haw in the 2nd world war.Better to ship him on for the 30 mil,or so.and use thye return on a couple of players,who wish to play for us.Hanging on to some one,who does,not want to be there,is a disaster waiting to happen.One has only to look at the berba situation to realise that.
Devon - Sparky is the club electrician who does the accounts in his spare time. And as for Mr K.......................i suspect, it couldn`t be could it? Mr Daniel Levy himself?????????????
I DON'T BELIEVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone talking about the transfers. Next season Hud, Daws, Caulker will be back. Some of the fringe players will be gone, a couple will come in. This is the BEST Spurs squad in many, and I mean MANY a long year. I first watched Spurs in 1948 at WHL. You could give HR a billion pounds to spend and we would still finish 4th. If HR can't handle the squad he currently has, do you really believe he can do any better with an expensively acquired new squad? Rowe and Bill Nick. would have won SOMETHING with the current squad. HR can "talk the talk" and no doubt had dreams of lifting the Euro 2012, and also emulating Ramsey by lifting the 2014 World Cup. Contemplating the cost of elocution lessons should he "arise Sir Harry". Whilst in this state of self induced euphoria we were "slip sliding away", lost a 10 point lead in a month, lost at home to Norwich and reached the pinnacle of under achievement with a backs to the wall draw at Villa. We even needed a penalty to score! YOU, and I mean everyone of YOU, would have thrown of Defoe and gone for the 3 points. Not HR, he knew Arsenal would lose their last game and Chelsea would get thrashed in Europe. If Matteo can get his men up for the fight after an awful season why can't HR? Quite simply, he can't "walk the walk", he suffers from delusions of adequacy. Everyone says how he lifted Spurs when he arrived, and how well they had done. Big deal, any average manager could have achieved something with the current squad. Get a new manager.
i reckon Modric is off.. and who needs the little cnt.. I'll take the 35mio and Vertgoghen (12mio), Hatem Ben Arfa (12mio), Adam Johnson (15mio), Leandro or Ba or even Berbatov (7mio to 13mio), and get Adebayor in permanently (10mio). Then I go for Benayoun on a free (I think his contract is up at Chelsea). Benayoun can do 85% of what Modric does. Ben Arfa is quality, Johnson can push Bale & Lennon.
Ship out Jenas, Krancjar, Bentley, Gomes, Bassong, Dos Santos, Corluka, Pienaar and sorry to say it King. Bring in Gordon on a free (released from Sunderland) to back-up Friedel.
Friedel, Gordon, Cudicini
Rose, BaE, Caulkner, Dawson, Kaboul, Gallas, Vertgoghen, Walker, Naughton
Lennon, Ben Arfa, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Bale, Livermore, Johnson, Benayoun
Adebayor, Defoe, VdV, another striker.
That team is deep and youthful and should be able to compete in all competitions.