I see dread people
Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9:40PM The heat is killing me. I'm zapped. Ironic, we complain when the weather is crappy then complain when it's not because it's far too hot to travel or sit in the sun for long periods. You feel sleepy, either because you're stuck in the office or indoors or drank too much booze (that last one is actually one of the good scenarios). Fact is, it's far easier to bitch and be vocal about it than to accept and nod approvingly.
It's the same for football.
Okay, so that was the worse link I've ever done and I blame the 30 degree temps.
So football...if you smile and proclaim confidence you might have a finger pointed at you accompanied with, "Look at him, he's crazy, he's covering up his ears and singing la la la". Much like with anything in life, the weather included, if you're not critical, you don't have an opinion. Says the old man on the hill. I need to squint my eyes as I can't tell if it's a drunk or a Tibetan monk.
We've got ourselves a new manager, but already there are some Spurs fans that do not perceive him as an upgrade whilst others are remaining pessimistic, a trait that I thought most of us had lost over the past few seasons. It would seem it still runs deep. Probably because it's easier to accept defeat and not be knocked side ways by it then to perhaps embrace positivity and get steam rolled. And yes, Spurs fans - as a tribe - we know never to fully trust positivity because of the so many nearly moments we've vanquished in. But I don't think it's deluded to wear our hearts on our sleeves, more so these days. Also, it's a far more complete experience if you simply believe and take on every game like it's your very last day of supporting the team. But sure, everyone is entitled to an opinion and because of what happened with his Chelsea tenure, some are reversing judgement. I can't argue with that logic, we don't want to be made to look like fools. However, there's a difference between being reserved and being depressive.
Such is the micro-analysis that everything, absolutely every single thing has to be commented on and broken down and dissected and discussed. Every single aspect of the club and the team. We talk about it because we can, thanks to social media and blogging and message boards. We do so in modern days because of the sheer amount of information we have available to us. Perhaps we read too much into things because we can and because of the obsession we have and the necessity to commentate. Much like I wish to ignore, say pre-season friendlies which only hint at certain aspects of team development/progress. Which is where all this rhetoric has been birthed from. It's disappointing to see some have already attempted to predict the future by suggesting the high line didn't work against LA Galaxy, therefore, Villas-Boas is somehow struggling/will struggle and it's looking pear-shaped. Because it didn't quite work with fluidity and confidence in a friendly in the USA.
Much like I randomly take photos of majestic meals and then upload said images (before and after I've cleared the plate) and share on Instagram, it seems 'we' like to indulge. Ego, vanity. It consumes us. Even this article isn't a necessity. I'm just bored. Working towards that sleepy state of intoxication. But then I'm reminded of the fact that we (I) love to complain. My thoughts on the thoughts of those that shouldn't be sharing their thoughts. Thoughtful? Thoughtless?
What do we know / have achieved thus far post-Redknapp?
We've got a manager in quickly, one that ties in with the opening of our state of the art training complex and the clubs long term vision. Tactics and training, a match made in heaven under a glorious new roof in Enfield.
We've got a manager that is straight to the point in interviews, answers the question without tripping over his tongue and is in-line with the club's stance, rather than contradicting it. He's our head coach (to give him his correct title) and he's behaving like one. Unlike Redknapp who seemed to be lost somewhere between coach and media starlet, constantly detached probably more because of his inability to articulate and shut the **** up.
King has retired but we've signed Vertonghen to play along side Kaboul/Dawson and the returning (from loan) Caulker. Sigurdsson has also signed, a player that (from VB's comments) will compete with vdV for the role behind the striker.
Saha has gone, Defoe might be going and we're not quite sure when (or if) the Adebayor signing will be completed.
Gomes is still with us. Lloris is still linked.
So, we need:
A right-back (to cover the departing Corluka)
Potentially (hopefully, God please) two new forward players
In addition, we could also do with a winger. We might need more, who knows, aside from the coach and chairman? We didn't bid the £25M for Oscar and we continue to chase down a 'replacement' for Modric. Which is another matter of urgency to resolve (his departure, if it's going to happen any time soon). We don't want this to once more dominate our first couple of games once the season proper kicks off.
Also (footnotes):
Players have been positive about training sessions
We've been practising set pieces
We appear to be looking for more players to sign
Rusty performance against LA Galaxy which is hardly indicative for anything other than fitness and VB note-taking
Conclusion?
There is no conclusion. If this article was being blogged a few days before the start of the new season without any new additions then I would carefully stoke my chin in thought, pondering what last minute signings at the far end of deadline day will be made. Then burst into tears.
There's still over three weeks before the season starts and five or so before the window shuts. Are we really sacrificing patience this early? It's abundantly clear we need to reinforce the squad so my trust is with the two men leading us to do just that, with the tactical evolution left for when the season pushes on.
Oh God! Who am I kidding? We're currently 17th in the league! Doomed I tells ya, doooomed! Talksport were right, were heading towards relegation...
Reader Comments (22)
We don't need a right back. We have Naughton
[pessimistic] some might argue that's reason enough to get more cover in [/pessimistic]
I feel happy oh so happy, so happy I'm happy but why? Because everything is wonderful tonight! :-)
I know this is wishful thinking,but i would like to see us aim high,and try to sign Falcao.It is about time we had a true wold class finisher,and this boy is mustard.
Right back? Naughton and Adam smith with Kaboul and Livermore as added cover is fine. Priority is the forward line and a goalkeeper.
as for redknapp?i didnt rate corluka when we got him but he turned out to be a great player who went backwards under harry.kranjcar was great for us and went backwards under redknapp..bale was going backwards under harry..defoe going backwards under harry.lennon injured and going backwards..as for other young players?livermore has gone backwards under harry. harry had no loyalty to us as club or as business organisation and he was always likely to do a runner..remember our poor form at the end of this season for the second year in a row.harry was a manipulative individual and has not accepted throwing away the chance to finish 3rd in the league this year.how was it that chelsea could come out of nowhere and win the biggest cup in the world and we couldnt get any luck?i dont want anymore hard luck stories from a gaffer.i want tactics and formations and substituions that change and win games.
I hope you are no longer continuing to "carefully stoke your chin in thought!"--It is quite painful! (This is from the teacher who has marked too many papers).
N.B. One reason for the pessimism that Spurs fans traditionally exhibit at this time of the season is so that at the end of the season they can look at their beers and say "I told you so" and say to themselves that they are the only ones who really understand soccer.
The kid Fryers, he's a left back right? I'm forgetting.
'left back right'
lol
We got naughton as cover for Kyle. I wouldn't sell JD even if we signed 2 more strikers, he can be our 3rd choice. Lloris would be nice but not a priority in my opinion, if we can get the deal done at a fair price, great, if not, brad is good for another year. Agree with spooky, cover on the wing would be nice but again not essential. I would like to see GDS and Townsend to provide cover for bale and Lennon. With regards to the whole glass half empty/full thing I feel quite positive and can't understand some of the excessive negativity but at the same time I don't buy into the idea that VB is going to take us to the promise land either, at least not yet. COYMFS
STRIKERS !!! SOS STRIKERS 111 SOS STRIKERS !! Oh yea Ry Falcao will do nicely for starters... promptly followed by Llorente
Vegemite & cheese bagel well said couldn't agree more
The only thing that i am looking to see is who will be the strike force next season,the players we sign (be it 1,2 or 3 depending on how Defoe/Ade goes) will signal our intent.Yeh the Mod"dick" situation has to be resolved but i think the first week post US trip that will get ironed out and a new keeper also but again thats not necessarily a must do now thing.I feel the striker situation is key.......Spooky ur spot on again with the media view,lets give AVB the chance guys and get behind him rather than judge every day gone by is a lost day if we haven't signed Messi or any other World class player!!!!!!!!
AVB gets the best out of players so I hear...
Waiting for the Bentley for England chants to come off of the terraces. Maybe a supporting role from JJ......
On a serious note Dos Santos in any shirt other than a spurs one ( so far) looks like a world beater
At this stage I am still feeling pretty positive about next season but have reservations about some of the gaps in the squad.
Still need at least two forwards ( happy with Ade plus 1);
If we are planning to play 4-3-3 with 2 DMs then we need at least 3 ( if not 4) to cater for injuries, suspensions, Europa league etc.
Do we assume Sandro, Parker, Hudd and Livermore or can we expect further signings?
Even more worrying to me is where Azza fits into the new system?
We were playing at our best last season with two flying wingers but I don't know where the width comes from in the new system.
Is it me,but how many other Tottenham fans,are now bored too death,with the continuing saga with modric.For goodness sake,lets just ship,the whinging bugger out.Otherwise he will have a negative affect on the rest of the playing staff.Also if we are to get other quality players in,they are less likely to choose us,with this festering sore still in our ranks.While he remains with us,all the positives that appear to be happening,will be turned into negatives,with this pillock,still on our books.
@david.
pessimist - a person who expects the worst. I, me old fruit, is ya archetypal pessimistic Yid, and unlike your hypothesis I do not take satisfaction in my self-flagellation. Tbh, it's a fcuking drag. I'd much rather be like you, and all the other Joss stick burners, but alas, I'm done for.
In my world, being a Yid is similar to having a really fit bird with Tourette's. You love her to bits and know you'll never leave her, but deep down you know, you know that any minute now, she'll holler at your nan, 'TITWANK' and fcuk up the whole evening.
So rather than plotting up (as you sugget) quaffing in a boozer at the end of May, rolling my eyes in a 'told ya so' fasion. I'll be there as usual picking up the pieces and hoping upon hope that things just get better.
TTID
NB: The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum. ~Havelock Ellis
I thought i was the only one who felt an underlying anti-tottenham vibe on talksport! Great article, i'm really hoping Levy/AVB step up to the plate this summer and sign a marquee striker (along with a few other players), i don't think Levy ever trusted Arry with money but AVB might just loosen those tight pockets! COYS!
In the immortal words of Richard III "a striker, a striker, my kingdom for a striker". The valiant Defoe, Lord of the Penalty Box, we already have, the Noble Esquire, Carroll, is awaiting the chance to earn his Spurs. The venerable Sir Harry Hotspur must send forth his minion Levy to scour the highways and byways of this ancient kingdom to secure the services of at least two yeomen, both good and true and well versed in the noble art of attacking football. Should the minion Levy fail in his quest upon the pastures of this green and pleasant land, he should be charged with going to the dark and distant shores of Europe, and there, armed with a suitable cudgel, to beat off the lowly and smelly peasants, he shall search, but diligently, until he finds two, who are searching for immortality by being invited to tread the sacred turf of WHL. The Heralds, in their finest livery, will sound forth a blast of the trumpets to greet them, whilst the base knave and common varlet Modric slowly cooks at the stake.
Maybe we're going to have Harry Kane up front on his own for a spell or we'll use dos Santos, or Coubillay (sp). We don't need to play with giants if we use the grass, just someone strong enough to hold the ball up and who has good movement. Anyone remember Robbie Fowler? He scored enough goals with his head and that was because he got there before the defender. I'd be happy enough with someone like him.
Actually it was AVB I could not stand in interviews....and now I am forced to listen... Let's hope he conducts himself better this time... Vegemite.... How can Harry have made Niko go backwards as he is the one who signed him? Niko did not keep up with the improvements Spurs made. How can Bale have gone backwards? Harry brought Bale back from the dead, and persisted with Bale despite failing to win a league game for ages.... I think that we can thank Harry for returning Bale back to his initial promise. How can Harry have made Defoe go backwards when Defoe had his best ever season under Harry? And he was previously more of a reserve under Jol.... Livermore? Last season was his first season! Go backwards from what? You seem to just be picking out names randomly.... Corluka went backwards, but as far as I could see from these sites, most wanted Walker to play instead. Harry was signed as temporary... That was Levy's doing...Sure he was desperate at the time, and Harry got a good contract and did better than expected... Of course Harry treated everything as temporary...when your chairman gives you Five million all season to turn a 5th into a 4th, how else can you treat the job? At the end of the day a good job was done, and now the non-temporary phase of spurs begins.... WE NEED LEFT BACK COVER, NOT RIGHT BACK....
I also agree with the left back comments, not only do we have a competent right back in Naughton for cover, Walker is less of a weak point than BAE in our team (imo). Possible suggestions, Baines? A.Cissoko? Bale and sign a left winger who likes to drift inside? Before all that though, CAN WE PLEASE SIGN A STRIKER??? thanks