Chill
Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 8:29PM It's the calm before the storm. The perfect storm. Our manager denying transfer talk, suggesting we're not in for another striker. I scratch my chin then laugh out loud. Surely misdirection, mind games? Deflect attention away from us then BANG official announcement to reveal our new forward? Although all the conjecture only serves to attract more attention, mostly of the knee-jerk variety. We all have a lust to know something before it happens, something we have no control over yet simply can't wait to see it play out. One or two of our tribe appear to be rather fragile at the moment. Which in turn is then echoed and exaggerated by the media and other fans. Levy placing business ahead of football, sacrificing early points. Villas-Boas wanting to move on stench Lilywhite players. Sentimentally blinding most. Why anyone gives a sh*t about the bullsh*t being stirred by non-Spurs I don't know. Haters will hate no matter what. No reason to lose our swagger. No reason to panic.
Squad depth is being highlighted as an issue. Sorry, is this season 2012 again? We had squad issues last season. Same supporters, same complaints. We all have our own perceptions of how the club and the team should be managed. That lack of depth cost us not only thanks to lack of rotation but also because the players we did have in reserve were not called upon often enough. Benched players have now been sold off. Players that have spent a couple of seasons injured and will not figure in the first team this season are being shifted out also, on loan and permanently. This is the job of the coach, it's why we pay him. It's why he's been employed. He has to be left to fix things and he's not answerable to me or you, not yet, not this early in his tenure. It's ridiculous to even talk about it, yet here I am talking about it.
He respects our traditions and the ambitions we have at the club. He's been very respectful in how he's carried himself since becoming our head coach. He's been respectful to us. Can we just sit back and trust the bloke to do his job instead of swimming neck high in pessimisms after one sodding game? Is football so highly strung these days that people fear the very idea of failure so assume it's happening when it isn't? Bit melodramatic for you? Not for some.
I guess the brilliance of all the nervous dispositions is when you compare us to last season, the fact that chairman and coach did not see eye to eye on transfer strategy and selection was based on players rather than formation and tactics. And mistakes made on the pitch were not magnified thanks to agendas. Not that playing your best players in their best positions isn't a decent starting point, but it's limited if alternative preparation and planning is never truly considered.
Fact is, we're shaping up to being far more professional without the circus of sound-bites anchored to us. But it doesn't help if the benefit of the doubt given to Redknapp isn't awarded in the shape of patience to Villas-Boas. If Spurs was a boxer, we'd be a little raw, flash and dancing away with fancy footwork but running out of steam in the latter rounds, TKO'ed. We need to fight, we need to box, we need to know when to defend and when to attack and most of all we need to take each opponent and compete with intelligence and craft, as well as graft. Full distance and the odd KO in our favour the outlook we should be embracing.
The less time spent trying to validate how not getting our business done earlier is costing us points the better. You'd need to believe in the assumption that we're half arsed about signing players and if that was true then best we lower our expectations. That's not really a good place to be is it?
When Redknapp arrived at Spurs did you consider him the right man for the job? Probably not. I didn't. So settle down people please. Let's reserve our frustrations and theories post-deadline day if we fail to cement key areas in the build up to deadline day. Watch negativity turn to positivity off the back of a couple of transfers. Then hear the cries of 'fickle' echo through social media like a Kraken baying for blood. For now, sing, sing for the shirt.
If I'm wrong, I'll dust off the effigy and you can take it down the Lane.
Reader Comments (44)
I don't believe the number 9 shirt will ba vacant come 31st August?
It's being kept aside for someone.
With any luck, a Brazilian.
We will know in 9 days if Levy is going to leave us up shit creek again. AvB cant be held too accountable if he is left with tools for the job.
I was sure we had retired the number 9 shirt after the legend Pav left...
Been thinking the same thing all evening. From a manager who blabs about everythin to one who plays a mean poker face. Something up his sleeve unless he actually DOES believe that Ade, Defoe and HK are enough. We do have VdV who can play up top as well after all...
Excellent post and analogy to a boxer was spot on. Let's give VB a chance, get behind him and the new way of managing that we're not used to and hope that Levy does have some transfer business up his sleeve which we'll see before the end of the transfer deadline. COYS
i luvv spookyyy <333
defo striker and Willan I reckon soon. COYS
Levy has cost us 3 points this season. Newcastle were there for the taking. ( 1 league cup in 11 years Levy ) forgets the season starts before Aug 31.
Great post. Couldn't agree more. I think we've been so used to Harry conducting our transfer business via the media that we have a natural expectation now thats a Tottenham thing, but in fact that was just a Harry thing. Levy clearly wants to run that side of things more professionally and AVB isn't going to shout out our transfer plans to the media. There is certainly an element of mind games to all of this. Every club in Europe knows we are building up quite a war chest at the moment and with the pending Modric sale clubs will be looking for us to pay top dollar for any player we wish to buy. I expect us to do most of our business on the incoming side of things on the last couple of days of the season as thats when decisions are forced one way or another, so there prices aren't hiked up over the course of weeks/months. He's no mug, far from it. If we want to see real improvement, I think we've all got to show willingness to change. Hold tight!
analysis of new manager started in first minute of the 1st pre-season game. i agree with you, chill, trust levy and AVB. so far so good, if not as quick as we'd like, but this is a multi million pound business, strategic decisions take time. Enjoy the 2nd half and Up the Spurs!
Ive been reading this blog for a while now but this is my first post....for me you offer a balanced insight into Spurs which i appreciate as a number of other blogs/websites are full of mind numbing pessimism and utter poop.
So her goes.....
As much i would like to think Harry Kane is good enough to play regularly for us i think he lacks the experience and finishing to be trusted as 3rd striker. Personally id loan him to another Prem team where he will get more minutes and see how he copes - it worked with Kyle Walker going from Loan spells at Sheff Utd and then Aston Villa and now look at him - best right back in England id say.
3 top strikers needed minimum in the Premier League plus we need a replacement for Madrid bound Modric (probably Willian) and another keeper - Stekelenberg or Cesar would be my preference.
With those additions i think we could have a very good season, after watching the Newcastle game i thought we played the better football and to come away with nothing was very harsh BUT it did highlight strikers are required at the club. As per usual i will be waiting until midnight next friday when the transfer window shuts - or 1am as it usual for us to finalise paperwork
COYS!!
Hard to chill Spooky...we have let 9, 10 senior players leave and signed 3. We could play over 50 games this season and we are going to be seriously lacking squad depth/cover unless we sign some players. We have already lost 3 points away to the Toon because we didn't already have our players in place. (we have ad all summer). We find out today that Kaboul is out with a knee injury yet we are still trying to flog Dawson our captain to QPR! At the moment I am seriously worried about AVB and Levy's transfer dealings. With the squad we have now we won't even be close to what the second best manager in our history achieved last season. Another 4th place finish.....what is going on!
I agree with giving AVB a chance I just haope he isnt being undermined by Levy. In the last 12 months(ish) we have lost or about to lose:-
Forwards: Keane, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Saha -All Internationals
Midfield: Modric, Palacios, Krankjar, O Hara, Pienaar (possibly joined by Huddlestone, Dos Santos, Jenas, Bentley and now VDV!!)
Defenders: Corluka, Woodgate, King, Hutton, Nelsen, Bassong (Dawson)
We have brought in:- Parker, Ade, Siggurdson and Verthongen plus a couple of youngsters who are nowhere near the first team.
I realise this bloated squad needed trimming but this is a bit more than trimming FFS!
Defoe and Ade werent enough last year which is why Saha replaced Pav - Even that trio wasnt good enough so we need another forward. I REALLY hope this "we dont need another striker" thing is a smokescreen and not AVB having to fall in line with Levys money pinching.
Personally I cant help this transfer shambles pissing me off every day - Yet every day I scour Newsnow for a glimmer of hope!!
Calm down Rich. Which players did we allow to leave 1. Ledley - Retired to Stud, 2. Bassong - let's face it - Surplus to requirements, 3. Cranjker - Harry wouldn't play him despite his obvious talent and the fact that he didn't understand 'Rotation 101', 4. Huddlestone - injured most of last season and probably not suited to AVB's quick pressing style (who knows really), 5.Dawson - 4 Centre Back ahead of him in pecking order - need I say more, 6. Corluka - Harry didn't rate him. 7. Pav - Harry 'killed' him is my honest opinion (not that I have a dishonest one!),
Possibly to go.
Bentley
Jenas
Dos Santos
I think Mr Villas-Boas knows what he's doing and we should all get behind him and support his judgement. Early days my dear chaps. Early days. Give the man a bit of room will ya!
Scalytomato...How can JJ still be at the club but we let HUD go? Dawson shouldn't be allowed to leave...Gallas is 35 and picks up a lot of injuries. why was Saha allowed to leave? He is a good back-up striker who would have been happy to sign a deal I expect. We are selling our cover but not replacing them. If Dawson and Modric leave we must replace them. We also need another striker.
Great article, you have to understand that we have a lot players sitting there picking up a good wage and not playing! These players have to go before you start buying players otherwise there is no way you gona be able to have a sound club for the future.
Huddlestone on loan will be good for us in the long run and hopefully a full season under his belt! Dawson as much is you will be missed one thing I won't miss is your long hopeless balls!
Also note the only player that we will have sold that was a regular last year in the firt team is modric ( levy sell the damn dude and get kaka on loan)
Levy is a spurs fan and I think he will have a few aces up his sleeve...let's get behind AVD and the lads
COYS
Surely we aren't going to let VDV leave too are we! I'll get my boots ready....
Understand the jitters and shared the frustration of course on Saturday. But... AVB is reconstructing the squad to suit his style of play. Big heart Dawson, but is he really what we need to challenge for honours? Maybe Thudd needed to show a bit more hunger (and not in the chips and tomato sauce sense). If we have to be patient and, perhaps not be 100% for the first two weeks of the season then so be it. The lack of old blabber mouth, and the prospects of a balanced squad that doesn't fizzle out every February do it for me.
Players to fit the formation.
It's a radical concept but it might just work!
Players can leave if they don't fit the formation...fine....but who are the replacements?
Hopefully we'll find out in the next 8 days.
Spooky, your post is a breath of fresh air amongst all the drivel that is being put forward. Matt: thanks for compiling that list of transfer activity, boy did we have a bloated squad! A few points from me:
1. Levy has just hired his 13th manager since Wenger arrived. Uncertainty and change is what our beloved club does with this chap at the helm. How could it be any other way with this scale and pace of manager turnover? So stay off AVB's case - the real question is whether Levy's incessant change of coach is the real challenge facing the club.
2. Redknapp did a phenomenal job getting Spurs to 4th, 5th, 4th - a club with a 36,000 stadium and a chairman who spent very little last season to boot. This tide turning against him lets us all down, and all fans of other sides are baffled how we would change given the consistency, the scintillating football, and the happy camp of players (in the main). Big Martin Jol achieved two 5th places in a row but Levy and his idiotic advisers thought we could do better an hired Ramos and we all know what happened next. So Harry being ousted just smacks of Groundhog Day to me.
3. Having made this latest change and gone for a completely raw AVB, it is essential that Levy allows AVB to pick his own players and make the changes he deems necessary to achieve his tactical approach. And we all need to totally trust AVB that he knows what he wants. Dawson is a lion heart but it is patently clear he does not suit a pressing, pacey possession game. Thudd hasn't kicked a ball in anger in a year, plus has very limited mobility and fitness. Kranjcar and Corluka were gone before AVB arrived. We all need to get behind the coach and allow him to do it his way, with his players.
4. Caulker impressed last season in a side that plays a very similar game to AVB, and he is home-grown. I for one really want to see him in the shirt and moving Daws on to accommodate a top academy prospect is EXACTLY what the club should do. Gallas is a top pro and knows how to win titles.
5. We desperately need a play maker to replace Modric if we are to achieve fluency - AVB knows this folks!!! He will deliver a player before August 31, maybe Willian, Moutinho or who knows.
To echo the author of this post originally: chill out lads. Levy has created this uncertainty yet again so strap yourself in and here we go spinning towards another hectic deadline day. AVB needs players to fit his style to avoid another Chelski fiasco so put aside sentimentality towards Dawson, Thudd etc. and look at how pressing sides play and ask if the new recruits fit this?
COYS...
Funny actually, when Harry arrived at the lane I though he was the man for the job, at the time.
Though I also feel AVB is the man for the job...so hopefully I'll be right again.
Great post. I for one am sick of reading negativity from our own supporters AVB is here now so let's let him do his job. I do feel sad to see Dawson go but the truth is he is not the type of player to fit into what AVB is making our squad. I give my full support to AVB until the day comes that we suck just remember this is his 1st season and deserves a fair chance.
COYS
A Kraken baying for blood? A little dramatic ennit? :)
I really don't understand the pessimism. We lost at St James park, anyone remember ever getting mire than 1 point there? We start Saturday with a better squad than we finished last season ( minus modric). If we beat WBA with a bit of swagger and get 2/3 bodies in before the window shuts the attitude of fair weather will change dramatically. Bale Ade sig/vdv & Lennon will be too much for most teams. If we do end up adding Willian, Leandro and maybe Mourinho we will have a very strong flexible squad. Add to that real opportunities for the youngsters. Caulker, Livermore, Townsend, Kane and Carroll. All bar one are pretty new to the squad and look capable.
Beat west brom with some pomp and the anti levy/avb brigade won't have too much ammo. Our performances in preseason and last week in particular have been good. An early goal at the weekend and at WHL I think we could see the long term benefits of the high pressing game and the difference it's going to make. The right players are simply critical. As much as Daws or Thudd are loved they haven't featured regularly in 2 yrs. They are too slow for this modern style, good business on both.
I have a funny feeling those running the club know what they're doing. Would Levy and AVB have taken the risks encountered over the summer not to bolster the squad to have a go. This group of players ran the top two close last year. Bring in one or two much coveted targets and I gave no doubt we'll be right in the mix once again!
The future is extremely bright and as always lillywhite!
I say we beat WBA 3-1. COYS!!!
Like many other coaches, AVB's been talking a lot about everything in interviews: Chelsea times, Modric, his talk with Dawson, needing a striker, etc. Now that Ade came on, he just let us know that he will stick with three strikers (which makes sense since we only need one in a 4-3-3) and you say he has a "mean poker face"????? lol
But it doesn't help if the benefit of the doubt given to Redknapp isn't awarded in the shape of patience to Villas-Boas.
Thomas says he's not sure.
Who starts on Saturday? Vert and Caulker? and Gallas? And Dawson? Wow! Everything is up in the air .
Defoe or Ade? Or both?
VDV or Siggy? Or both?
Who says AVB doesn't have options? I feel as giddy as a junior cheerleader in the senior boys locker room. I know I'm going to get fcuked, but will it be enjoyable or painful?
I can't wait for Saturday! And I wouldn't want to be West Brom...coz I guarantee they're going to get fcuked! 3-0
COYSFFS
Last season we had six central defenders (King, Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul, Nelsen, Bassong) and it was barely enough.
Now we have only five (Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul, Caulker, Verthonghen) and it bothers me that we are prepared to sell Dawson and try to get along with just four.
Kaboul has already picked up an injury and it won't be too long before the ageing Gallas gets a knock. We must keep Michael Dawson!
I have read this page for awhile (a long while actually) this is by far the best post I have had the pleasure to read. I agree with all points made in it and, just want to say well done Sir on a well balanced composed view. As fans we clearly will always demand the best for our team but, I for one could not be happier about the way we are heading.
Much love for that boy Ade - just watching him play makes me feel good about our team. Just saw his interview on Spurs TV online - it's interesting how important it is for him to feel at home and appreciated by the fans. Some players just get on with it but he's a bit of a baby, isn't he? Here's to a great season for all our strikers!
Wouldn't it be great if Kane gets to bang in some goals? Come on Come on Come on...
"Sell the deadwood, sell the deadwood, sell the deadwood"
*Sells (some of) the deadwood*
"We've got no cover, no squad depth...We're dooooooomed!"
Have faith. Love the shirt. COYS.
Yeah I'll give AVB a chance.
Levy's halo has fallen round his ankles though.
Unless we sign some more (and I'm hopeful we will) we are weaker squad wise.
The only decent backup players we have are Defoe and Sandro, maybe Gallas. After that we're relying on Jenas, Bentley and a bunch of youngsters with no experience.
Ok, I will see what AVB has to offer before the next rant.
On the one hand, we need to change and I am happy if we give our young talent a chance, if it means we move on some of those occupying space above them. But they must be given a fair chance. I would like to see the likes of Coulibaly, Kane, Carroll, Caulker, Falque enough playing time each game, to gain the exposure and game experience. I also would be happy to see new talent coming in to bring us to the next level. Change is good if it keeps us hungry. Developing our youth means a pipeline of talent coming through, cheap and justifying investment into our youth scheme, and breeding loyalty (though this is subjective).
On a related point, I think we should do something about the GK position. A slightly more youthful strength in depth would augur well for the future. There is only so long that Brad and Carlo can play on for and I dont know whats the story with Gomes.
On the other hand, what I dont want to see is to get rid of people because of personality clashes or petty differences. I hope this is not the case here. I dont want to see the marginalising, the favouritism, the over extreme emphasis on change for the sake of imposing his own footprint, and then happily leaving 6 months later with us in the lurch, stuck in his format.
I dont know if anyone has noticed, but AVB tends to get personal with some of his remarks especially towards people who he feels has done him wrong. I hope he has grown up and doesnt do this anymore.
AVB is not doubt talented, but I hope he is canny enough not to be out-strategised by lesser (at least on paper) but more streetwise managers. I dread to think for example how he would cope with Sam Allardyce at West Ham.
Prove to me that my fears are unfounded, please.
people just let it be
avb seems like a decent enough bloke and i am happy to give him time
football has changed so much, there are now only five clubs in the WORLD that the top players would consider going to.
madrid, barcelona, utd, city and possibly chelsea.
that's it.
the rest of us are left fighting for the scraps that they don't want and if we somehow manage to find a hidden gem (berbatov, modric) they will at some point leave to go to one of the five anyway.
i hate what football has become.
look at whats happened to arsenal. hatred for them aside, it's pretty shocking considering who they are, their stadium and their history. i mean even song has left them for 'bigger' things. SONG?? Who the f*ck is song??
after watching the olympics and feeling real joy for the likes of mo farah, david rudisha and even usain bolt (who despite being super wealthy and somewhat arrogant still has a certain likeable charm), i now find myself watching these spoilt brat footballers with their massive headphones and over inflated egos and thinking why on earth do i bother?
michael dawson was different, he was down to earth and likeable. he is a victim of the way the game is going.
not really sure what my point is, i think it's something along the lines of because we are not madrid, barcelona, utd, city or chelsea can we please stop acting like the fans of those teams.
If Livermore starts again I may boycott my season ticket. Most spurs fans are furious about this. Are we all wrong?
Spooky, this article is a mis-direction of Levy proportions.
99% of any criticism I have seen has not been about AVB but about Levy and his usual incompetence in the transfer market, and it's fully deserved. All the BS about "It's not easy", "no-one knows the real problems" etc., etc. and the complete lack of information allow Levy to create the illusion of a master tactician, striving to do the best for the team behind the scenes.
Bottom line, we have sacrificed our first game and even if he announces 4 super-signings (whatever that means...and judging by the names bandied about, only one Portuguese player might, and I say again might, qualify for that description) the following 4 or 5 games will all be a learning experience and in some cases it may take until January before their real talents are shown which is a severe disadvantage to AVB.
AVB I support all the way, Levy can take one as far as I am concerned. Go back to your bean-counting and hire a professional to get the transfer dealings transacted in a professional manner.
Koume2 - I know and appreciate the point youre trying to make...
It justs really grates me how other clubs seem to spot a player they want to buy....then buy him! For us it takes weeks of hick-ups, breakdown in negotiations, stalling, delays....you name it, it holds a deal up and thats even if we ACTUALLY go for the player in the first place! Take Vertoghen...it took weeks to get him and whilst not all Spur's fault, its always the way with us. Ade took weeks so we had 1 striker at Newcastle and we have known realistically for a year that Modric would start this season for us...I agree the "deadwood" needs to go, they are on the pay-roll after all....bu there MUST be replacements.
Simple as that really...
Dave, I've seen one or two already fire warning shots at VB. The manager is the target because there's little we can usually do about the chairman.
Lets be honest with ourselves.
Football club success is a blend of supporters passion, individual skill, team morale, club ethos/attitude and appropriate match formations. Alongside, throw in some luck and steps our competitors take. It is no more or less. For starters, we should at least include elements of each as we try to step up to the elite level. It is not rocket science.
That AVB and DL are not doing so is emphatic in terms of their misunderstanding of our club and of football. They can note, solid progress, analysis, science etc all they want.It can never be enough. It has to stop.
At this stage, AVB and Levy are stripping the team of all morale, supporters passion, the clubs ethos. We are already relying on luck and our competitors fxxking up. Oh, and where are our truly class individuals?