Intensity
Friday, August 3, 2012 at 9:08PM What makes Tottenham the club we are is personified by our style of play. There were moments even when we were abject (Gross), ordinary (Graham) or just plain ridiculous (Ardiles) where you could still see our traditions shine through the dark brooding thundery clouds. We like to play football. ‘Attractive and entertaining’ is how it’s usually labelled. Arthur Rowe, innovator, redefining the game and giving football push and run. Bill Nicholson with a side that won the title in black and white with elegance and flair and power and yet will probably still be revered long after other Technicolor and HD teams are long forgotten. We've witnessed a dip or two but we’ve still managed to add our ribbons to silverware in each decade since the 1950s. Jack Jones and wife of Morton Cadman would be proud. But more importantly, we’ve held onto our ethos, even if at times we’ve done so with the tips of our fingers, in the absence of a hearty grip. We are Tottenham because we like to do things in style and with a flourish.
What we’ve lacked on so many occasions in the past is a spine. A backbone. A growl of tenacity. It’s been a culture of comfort, with pillow fights and daydreams rather than looking into the eyes of a Balrog in the Mines of Moria muttering 'come at me bro'. We’ve had our echoes of glory but the harsh reality is that for a long time competing to become one of the elite was beyond our reach. The intent to play was there but the execution has mostly resembled a guillotine with feathers instead of a razor sharp blade. Flattered to deceive, delusions of grandeur, misplaced expectations and confused entitlement has left us with the unwanted pretenders tag. A tag that’s sometimes been undeserving because pretenders don’t sit in mid-table mediocrity. But times have changed.
In terms of upholding traditions and aspiring to play the game in the way the likes of Rowe and Nicholson would love to see it played, we've always aspired to such glory but to be truly glorious you have to be more than just a pretty footballing team. You need fortitude and belief. Even hard boiled grit and intent, the type that is befitting a true contender, is still not enough if you can’t see out the execution and chop the heads off the opposition without an ounce of remorse.
We've had plenty of mediocre days where our hearts were bigger than our brains and we dreamt of impossible dreams but came nowhere near fulfilling them. We’re not that football club any more. Sorry, we are. We still dream, but they're far more lucid. Our awakening is upon us. Times have changed. We’re most definitely not comparable to any of the sides that languished during long spells in the 90s and early 00s. Those particular sides from the past, they have no actual relevance to us carving out a sparkling new future. They were teams that were mismatched, broken. We've outgrown that particular anchor. Their problems, their issues, they belong in the past. They're not comparable to any of the new challenges ahead of us so we shouldn't concern ourselves with inheriting them.
However, the immediate past, of this current side, is important. We're working our way through a learning curve, evolving the current squad. The days of Rowe, Nicholson, Burkinshaw, Pleat (87) along with Jol's side are simply examples of us upholding our traditions with substance. Something Redknapp picked up and Villas-Boas will seek to continue.
We know we have intent and the ability but we under-performed last season when considering the projected potential of the current side. We failed because we’ve not quite mastered that last level of the playing field. The one that when reached sees you move onto the next tier where experience of success allows you to grow stronger. You win a title, you understand what it means to win a title so next time you’re prepared for it because you’ve already fought through the fight. If you missed out that first time you’ll still be prepared for the next battle because the mistakes made will make you stronger. In our case, titles are not in our sight just yet. But if we wish to push on we can look to the immediate past to improve the immediate future. Titles are not in our sight and yet for one brief moment last season, if it wasn't for an inch or two...
We still need to jump from that last level onto that next tier. We didn’t attempt the jump last time of asking, we bottled out of it, lucked out too, in the run up.
Belief and desire, it’s an absolute given at this level. For us, it's no longer about attaining that because without it we won’t be where we are today. In a solid position. One that Villas-Boas understands and one that is appreciated with the work achieved by our previous coach. Our football will hopefully become a more robust beast under VB. Shrewd, measured and disciplined. Players will need to raise their game so that the team can rise to the occasion and execute the opposition. Leaving us with a clear run up to make that jump.
Intensity. Relentless intensity.
We have to be bullish and kill teams off. We also have to be assassins, last men standing, when least expected. This is something we've seen in recent times, mugging teams. Not playing very well but coming away with all three points. But what is missing is that drive and committed focus to keep that instinct going from the first game to the last. It's not an easy task and last season was a harsh lesson, a reminder that we have to improve. A winning mentality is one thing, but one that is aggressive and progressive and punishing is the difference between fourth spot and first place. That's where the coach truly earns his keep, with guidance and balance.
All the basic foundation work is done. Our away record is decent, one key thing you can compare to those darker days because we are performing with consistency and confidence on our travels. Our home form also retains strength. But it comes back to that extra edge, that extra something, to really push us onwards...we still need more.
Tottenham have rarely been cut-throat killers. We’ve turned it on and brushed teams aside but we can still choke up with indecisiveness. That cutting edge, tactically (to change a game) via the bench and projected onto the players on the pitch is an area that we have displayed evolution that compliments the squad at our disposal. But it's not perfect. And at times it's suffered, it's been stale and unimaginative. That extra edge can only be birthed from the failed attempts that come before it. Our mistakes, our shortcomings from last season are sacrifices that have to make us stronger. Otherwise our evolution stagnates.
Villas-Boas will only be as good as the players are in translating his instructions. With better players alongside our best players improving further, we'll find that extra edge. We were very good under Harry Redknapp but when we were found wanting it was because we had no answers to some of the questions being posed. We lacked depth, physically and mentally.
If we’re going to improve and impose ourselves on the league, more so than last term and in a more sustained style we’ll have to want it more than the next team, at all times, training pitch and on field. We're going to have to get it right off the pitch, with transfers, before we can really shape up for the battle on it. That much maligned conundrum, the search for a striker or two, will be most telling once the season starts. It's a defining moment that will play out between now and the end of the transfer window.
A lack of focus and astuteness cost us dearly but equally so did the simple fact that as good as our team was on its day and as good as we looked on paper, from one man to the next in our starting eleven we didn’t pack enough punch and fizzled out when it mattered most.
This is as good as we’ve had it for a long time, no argument there, but that is no accolade. It's no historic page in the next edition of The Opus. It’s no badge of honour. It's not a piece of silverware. It's just a factual statement based on league performance and statistics. It’s just an obstacle we’ve found our way through. It's not tangible history defining success. It's simply a pin in a wall chart chronicling our progress. Stop for the acclaim and you’ll stop yourself moving onto the next challenge.
So onto the next one we march. And we don't look back.
Reader Comments (38)
Well said.
We have an ambitious young manager who needs to be given time with his squad, rather than being given last minute signings. Vertonghen is the type of ambitious player we should be chasing.
1st? great piece of writting as always and very correct although i am getting alittle concerned when we have no new forwards on the books and AVB is saying he will give defoe and kane every chance to be 1ST choice in the team!!
And yours is the earth my son.
A nice old motivational piece, which I tend to enjoy as always Sr. Spooky.
I really hope the lads have the drive this season. I was concerned at first about transfers in the forward department, but I have every faith in Daniel Levy. Yes, this coming from a man who I doubted for some time in the past. I'm just going to be a believer though.
As you said, we've managed to trounce teams a few times in the past but we've never been a Man Utd. that've been able to destroy teams consistently (with or without the aid of Webb). I think we do need one or two players who enjoy making a mockery of teams' defense and have that hunger and thirst for goals, that demotivates the opposition. Hopefully that would in turn, spur on the rest to see the job through.
AVB at the very least seems like a very ambitious chap, who certainly feels he has something to prove. And he should, once his judgement doesn't become clouded too much along the way. I am pleased that he uses tactics and has particular plans with the high line game, which I sincerely hope he manages to adapt seemlesly with our traditional style of play.
Really sorry Kranj left when he did, I'm sure AVB would have found good use for him. I say this even in spite of what he said. He was bitter, but it wasn't the club's fault for how he was managed, it was all on Redknap. Should have had his beef with him and not the overall. He's gone so pretty much what I said previous to this now is perhaps null and void.
Dos Santos seems be amazing when it's on the international platform as we've seen. I suspect he'd do better now that we have a manager that doesn't just instruct the players to run about until something happens.
I'm looking forward to the season ahead and whatever happens will happen. So long as we look good doing whatever we do.
true avb will need time also will need new players but the way levy is going reguards to transfers we are in trouble before this season starts
Great piece, we are nearly there its the winning mentality with Jol we signed salterey, Davids and Lee who had all won there leagues or had been in the champions league but why can we not beat Man Utd. Last season Fergy said we can win the league and that's what done us we thought we had won the league on his say so and Harry being his mate let it slip. We can and will win that league but we have to believe it as well. COYS
GOOD article spooky. I hope the players read your blog. Thanks and a very good weekend to all. COYS
I think that in many ways you put your finger on why we fizzled last season --we lacked 'punch". I remember that famous photo of Mckay holding Billy Bremner by the shirt front--sure that is not theway to do it, but in Mckay there was a player who could take the game by the scruff of the throat and turn it our way. We do not have that, and granted players like McKay come along once in a generation, that is what the team lacks---a real leader. King , for all his wonderful attributes, did not have that quality and really neither does Parker. If there is one at the club then lets make him captain, if not we should get one.
well worth a read while the mrs snores in my ear! we need to believe in ourselves as champions, just look at the athletes attitudes in this olympics. i wont say too much who i am, but believe me i know a thing or 2 about what it takes to be a champion! we must be fearless and thick skinned and less fragile next season, machine mode is needed!
Evening All. I know what you mean Spooky when you say 'we have to want it more than the next team', by 'we' that has to include every single player whether he's out there, on the bench or in the stands. But the Manager has to want it and believe in his players and build them up to believe they are the best and that the need to end the game as winners. Redknapp had all the qualities to win a game if he really wanted to like he proved time and again and he had the players buzzing from time to time, but he always took his eye off the ball, he always left himself open for the ‘sucker punch’ and I firmly believe that was due mainly to selfishness and too much, me me me. There were a few young Managers brought teams to WHL last season and scared the shit out of Harry’s ‘set-up’ and he had no answer to it Norwich springs to mind) and his tactful inabilities left the players making decisions on the pitch without proper instructions coming from the management team. I think AVB is a different person. He has a belief in his own coaching methods and rightly so, they won prizes in Portugal and in Europe. However he has this knack of giving the players belief, which, with Harry was there most of the time but was missing at crucial times and you could se the panic spreading throughout the team. The more I think of it the more I despise that Redknapp chap. I also think that D Levy has this vision that Tottenham should win things playing good football and he seems genuinely excited by having an AVB type Manager who is all tactics and belief. It will bring with it a new exciting era, I'm sure it will.
Well written as usual Spooky.
I was starting to believe that we were on the way up but ever since Jenas made a comeback (this while ars*nal are signing the likes of Santi Carzorla) and rumours emerged that Dawson will get the captains armband (thereby making our poorest defender - in regard to Caulker, Vertonghen and Kaboul - a shoe in for the first 11) I have began to have some doubts about AVB.
I wish AVB well, but if he gets conned by Jenas's antics on the training ground (which impressed Ramos so much he made him his captain) then he still has a lot to learn. Maybe its too early for him. Sideways/Backpass JJ? Even old Harry figured him out!
...and for what its worth, I know we are all desperate to see an academy youngster make it into the first team, but we all know its not going to be Harry Kane. He won't make it. Lets be honest and fair to ourselves.
Haven't read it all yet but feel somewhat protective of Ardiles.
He was unlucky when manager. He was there when we signed Klinsmann.
The famous five have been exaggerated in the positional sense as time has past.
Popescu was a shit sandro (although he was a success in Spain)
Dimitrescu (pardon the spelling) was a wide midfielder, who lost his way in the city lights.
Anderton was a winger who could play in the centre.
Barmby was a shit modric who was fancied by most as one with a big future.
Then we had teddy and klinnsmann up front.
That's 4-4-2 or the diamond or the anchor man, what I'm trying to say is that it wasn't complete nuts.
Ossie had us playing some cracking footy at times and he got hit with the
10 pt deduction in a dodgy patch... We got back with big head nice bloke mullet man Francis,
Who was lorded as our saviour when in fact without the extra 10 pts faired on better.
Sorry about my dated emotional outburst, it's just that I love ossie, I'm sorry.
It is great to hear proper spurs supporters have a sensible debate about one the main post, there are a lot of us out there but we do not always make ourselves heard, after the number of years we had in the wilderness we deserve to do well, and if the team from Levy down to the juniors want to win the premier league half as much as us supporters then they will do better this year. but we must get behind them from the ist match what ever happens coys
Great article. Hit the nail on the head as per the comments of binspur and David especially. Let's just get behind VB, sell modric and replace him (with moutinho preferably), buy a decent striker and hope and pray this is our moment or start of a moment. COYS See you at Vicarage Road Sunday!
We all know we need to acquire a 20+ goal monster for the up and coming season to lead the line and I,m confident that
the goal scoring options in behind him will be enough. Especially if Modric is replaced like for like-ish!
But I have to agree with Ronnie! If JJ is in AVB's thinking and Daws gets the arm-band. Where dose that leave Vertonghan?
Because Kaboul is a shoeing!
As usual great article which I totally agreed with. Let's hope the whole team has it in them to give us what we yearn.
I agree, but not looking back will get us no where fast. I once said that levy had no plan when he sacked Redknapp. I beleive this more than ever now. AVB told the associated press 5wks back that we were challenging this year! And still we wait. Ok, admittedly, no one could've foreseen Adebayor's refusal to let go of the blue pound. And if that is truly what's going on there, then Adebayor is jepodising our NEW system, a system that takes time to instil. And in turn so is Levy, but not aggressively buying the materials we need of this reversional season.
I hope im wrong but I think AVB's getting mugged off, again!
I don't have any more clue than Daniel Levy about how to restore Spurs to the top table, but I do know we can't have it both ways, i.e. be successful without losing the spirit of the club, which can be summed-up as 'glorious failure'. Every Spurs team that won anything should have won so much more, from the 1901 cup winners (watched by the world's first 100,000+ football crowd) who only staggered into the Football League years later, courtesy of Stoke's default, to the '61 Double team, which could have won the European Cup and should have won the league at least twice more, but was happier to win praise than trophies. Chelsea were the perennial under-achievers of London football (see Jimmy Greaves book A Funny Thing Happened on my way to Spurs for details) until first Harding and then Abramovitch poured money into the almost bust club, and turned it into the monster which plays on the same pitch and in the same colours as the old Chelsea, but has as much to do with the spirit of the club of Charlie Cooke and Pat Nevin as London 2012 has to the austerity Olympics of 1948. The same is now true of Man City, and it seems to me that going the same way as those two (if there's any more middle east money to be had, of course) is the only way we'll be serious contenders again, but at the cost of losing the club's soul - is that what we want?
glory glory Tottenham with 1 FA cup in the 28 years. it's amazing it's only spurs fans have seemed to notice how wonderful tottenham play football, not once have i heard praise for their style like utd, arsenal and liverpool have had, and chelsea even at some points. stop making up history about your style and ethos. your team is just the pond life of the top division, like everton and villa. and your new aston villa boss is hardly going to change that.
I think The problem with Tottenham starts at the very top...Daniel Levy. Ever since he has taken over the reigns on the transfer front I feel we have become a laughing stock with our negotiations in respect of buying players. The bids Levy puts in always seem to me to be half hearted and unrealistic. How many players have we missed out on because of the low bids he puts in. Take Leandro Dalmiao a player Spurs desperately need and we have been putting in silly bids for over two years. I don't know whether it's just pure lack of knowledge on Levy's part, lack of ambition or just going through the motions of bidding to appease the fans but it has not really got us anywhere. Why does it seem that every transfer window Levy always leaves it until the last minute. Why doesn't he just go for it early on and help the manager by getting the players early to give him a chance to bed the players in. Here we are again in desperate need for strkers and there is only two weeks to go befere the season starts. I am getting to the point where I don't care who he brings in but for fuck sake hurry up and do something.
Nice post and debate.
On Daws being made captain, I can see why this might be getting considered...I can't see a real contender from the outside. King was far and away the obv club man; top pro, one of our best players, lead by example, years at the club under his belt etc...frankly who comes close the that? Parker could be it, but we all know he will be getting phased out now, his passing isn't good enough, the beast that is Sandro will take his spot soon enough...so who else is there? Daws has been at the club years now, good trainer, hard worker, good enough to challenge for first XI every week even if Kabul/Jan V might emerge as best option once Jan has settled in. I think too much is made of the armband. I'd like to see it rotated so every takes responsibility so with or without the ceremonial armband they become a team of leaders.
On Levy and the transfer market, I think we need to trust him. He has made some mistakes for sure (who hasnt frankly...even Sir Alex has had his fair share of stinkers), but Levy has delivered some great players for us down the last few years, and his policy of signing younger players with potential to be greats has its merits for a club with our budget. Buys like Modric, Berbs, Sandro, Bale, Daws, Thudd, Lennon have all worked well...I am sure he has his scouts out finding the next batch but why would any of the papers really know who he's looking at? Let's face it he's not a public guy...when did you last see his hanging out of his car window outside the Spurs Lodge? I have (perhaps blind) faith he'll be working on a few things behind closed doors.
In AVB we have someone with a clear vision and plan for how we will play, and whilst Redknapp got us playing well, his free-reign approach was never going to be enough at the top top level. I like AVBs more technical approach, I think Ramos was not dissimilar but we had a group of playes who were not up for it/couldn't understand it...I hope the players are ready to be open minded enough to give AVB a go. He's also much easier on the eye than old droopy draws too so that may make it easier to get the ball and chain to wath the footy, and that's what's important, right?
Audere est facere
glory glory Tottenham with 1 FA cup in the 28 years. it's amazing it's only spurs fans have seemed to notice how wonderful tottenham play football, not once have i heard praise for their style like utd, arsenal and liverpool have had, and chelsea even at some points. stop making up history about your style and ethos. your team is just the pond life of the top division, like everton and villa. and your new aston villa boss is hardly going to change that.
Aug 4, 2012 at 9:58 AM | Dude
Yeah, so basically, there are only four real clubs and nobody else is of consequence. Nice WUM work there son. You think supporters of every other club out there that also failed to become part of the Sky Sports Top Four pack that got richer and more powerful give shit what you think? Are we meant to wallow in self pity or dream and push forward? I feel sorry for you son. You're soulless.
@dude, not sure if youve heard of this guy, he thinks we play ok...
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4028890/Tottenham-news-Alex-Ferguson-says-Spurs-are-best-in-England.html
Read between the lines, Fergie is actually calling us pond life. Which explains why everybody wants to sign our players. I guess they want something for their fish tanks.
Quality prose if not actually open form poetry.
@Dude Ah there he is, the miserable, introverted, uninspired, negative whinging football critic. In his own words he frames his narrow world view and thereby precisely describes why he could never be a Spurs fan; no soul! Even his civil partner has had enough and wants a divorce.
@spooky...Fair cop, I think we all knew it was mostly a thinly veiled insult at Citeh but it came off the back of us getting a lot good press for our style of play at the end of last yr
To be serious, Fergie has always had a soft spot for us. Probably because we've always been such a soft touch for them.
With you Bazmundo regarding Ossie !
A chance was missed when we had Ossie & Steve sacked by the ignorant football minds of Alan Sugar and the Spurs board at that time. In fact, sacking these legends at the time in that manner, I believe ripped the heart out of what THFC is all about and led us into the wilderness years of Francis, Gross and Graham. All that were needed were a little more, dare to do and shore up a young inexperienced and average defence with investment. We chose instead to go with Francis and his investments of Ferdinand, Fox, Armstrong and Vega!
Ahead of Wenger & the Goons , a chance missed is how I will always remember the events of that time.
Dawson shouldn't be captain as he's not good enough a poor man's john terry who just lumps it to our giant target man Defoe , we need the usual 4 players to get us challenging for the title , every season we leave it to late in the transfer market , the season starts in 2 weeks and we have no strike force , levy is too prudent yes he's bought some gems over the years but far to often we're left lagging behind , without proper backing avb will struggle to push us to that next level !
" . . . The same is now true of Man City, and it seems to me that going the same way as those two (if there's any more middle east money to be had, of course) is the only way we'll be serious contenders again, but at the cost of losing the club's soul - is that what we want?"
Aug 4, 2012 at 9:43 AM | Cheshuntboy
Very good (and relevant) point Cheshuntboy. Worthy of a seperate debate in my 'umbles. What ya saying spooky?
Must admit I was waiting for the self-deprecating punch-line at the end, Spooky. It's our way.
Analytically, these feelings we have for the club are historical and emotional; tied to our upbringing in the Spurs family traditions and/or the geographical chance of being spawned in N17 or nearby. That's never going to change. The modern football player, however, is a mercenary and usually foreign, with none of these feelings. How do you motivate them? Especially with a newly-bought set of foreign coaches.
I think you find the nearest thing to a homegrown Yiddo and put him in a position of responsibility. That's why I think Michael Dawson is a natural choice for Club Captain, as was Ledley King. He may only play as much as Ledders did in the end, but he can still lead them and push them and inspire them when he does play. He's been here most of his career and plays with his heart on his sleeve giving everything he's got. He may not be John Terry, but I think that's a good thing. Just like the team he plays for he dreams and aspires to better things even while being kicked in the nads by injuries and haters all around him. Who else is there? Livermore is still too young and earning his spurs. I don't see anyone else.
So good on AVB for giving Daws the armband. I think it shows me he knows what he's doing. The pieces are almost there...but (sigh) how often have we said that...
Fuck football. Love athletics.
i believe finishing 4th this year will b much more tougher this year especially arsenal and liverpool getting stronger this season , this sahin move to arsenal wud b incredibly great for them bcoz i have watched him a lot and hv to admit he is better than modric and wud b better than fabregas on that u add carzola and van persie and wilshere returning they look formidable plus giroud and podolski , walcott , arteta , rosicky , gervinho thats awesome attack , and now who we have got i m worried , as far as chelsea they overachieved biggest fluke in history of football last season and i think they r as a good as 6th in epl bcoz even with hazard they dont luk any quality especially drogba gone , it wud have been much easier to digest if arsenal won ecl than undeserving chelsea..
@ german spurs Sie brauchen eine neue Diät. Verdauen eines Champions-League-Sieg für Arsenal ist unmöglich.
@ german spurs - fcuk finishing 4th, we want at least bronze. Oh, sorry, poxy committed british athletes sweating blood for the shirt has totally taken my mind of football for a mad moment there!
@ jack
ja vielleicht...
At least we brought Jan and Sig on quickly. The striker will come, we must be patient. I just hope avb knows what he's doing.
Playing the offside trap is such risky business. Just think, even if our back four come to get it perfect, everytime one of them is injured or tired, we will be wide open because of the new guy