We all need to make sacrifices (part III)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 10:03PM
I love my club and I want them to succeed.
That sentence above could be tagged to either ‘group’. One has had enough and wants change, the other wants the uncertainty of battle even if there’s the chance they will be outnumbered. Side by side, they are quite normal reactions even if each side will argue the opposite isn't.
There is no right or wrong. There's opinions on how things should be handled. But there will also be opinions on how you should go about supporting Spurs. Nobody has the right to tell the person standing next to them the best way to support their team is the way they support them. However, if there is friction and disagreement then this will spread and destroy atmosphere. Arguably atmosphere that has been degrading for a while because of other issues at play (concerning fear of failure, the pressures of success and the usual complaints of modern football match-day experience). You're one, but inside the ground we're meant to be as one.
What happens next is usually left to occurrences on the pitch. A moment of sheer genius, magic or luck and a winning goal to give us three points. A change of luck. A catalyst. Not that we are in the same position but say coming back from 4-2 down to draw 4-4. Confidence, it breeds belief and helps push things along when they’re being held back due to adversity that may or may not even exist in some people’s eyes but can’t be ignored because it does in others. Some fans think we're on the road to nowhere. Those outside of Tottenham will magnify that thought. If you asked Villas-Boas he'd probably shrug and mumble something about time. There's another type of catalyst that can take us the opposite way. Although I can hear some of you suggesting that particular catalyst is under way already.
So there is no right or wrong. Just that perception and opinion on how to handle a particular scenario and what you believe is the correct way to behave in amongst it.
Perhaps the ones that are disgruntled, deep down, believe it’s going to fail and simply don’t have the heart or desire to fight for something that is not going to work. But then the very fact they are disgruntled and want to be heard is them showing desire and fight they don’t believe they’re seeing on the pitch. They are standing up for something they believe in and want the world to know. They want their team to know and react to it.
Those that wish to sing want to believe and do believe it will work out and want to take that risk, that leap of faith, because if you don’t roll with the punches then how are you going to cope next time you’re low on confidence and lacking spark? A winning mentality, a winning team needs to know and understand it's weakness to be able to strengthen and evolve. If you can’t dig deep do you give up and look to start over again? Every time?
The great thing about a problem? It's there to be resolved. To some it's not even a problem. It's a learning curve, a necessity that has to be experienced so that progress is made. At the moment we can't consolidate a lead. The last problem we had before the summer was an inability to break the opposition down. Which is more troublesome? A team supposedly at it's peak with the first problem or a team starting afresh that harbours ambitions to exceed the previous heights reached?
The dynamics around what is acceptable and what is not acceptable is the foundation of the entire argument between the two groups. That perception of expectancy around how the players should be reacting and performing based on not just the immediate past but also the quality of players available to the coach at present. The results so far could so easily have been a score-draw away followed by two home wins - without the errors - but achieved with the same erratic tempo and structure. There would not be too many complaints because of points accumulated. But concern would still be evident until the swagger is back. It's all ifs and buts. It usually is until things either improve or they don't.
There are so many layers, it's impossible to define it all as so much of it is theoretical when it comes to the pragmatism and lack of with the football but it's still all fuelled by emotion. It's practically akin to religion. One God but different cults and sects, different ways of worship and preaching. Fundamentalism anyone? It's disputable who exactly has the Kool-Aid within arms reach.
There’s probably a third group out there left scratching their heads wondering why there has to be two extremes at play. They are probably far less vocal and might even be a majority that are just sitting back to wait and see what happens next.
My view, to push it back towards that ‘be patient’ speech I've tried hard to avoid (sorry), is something I’ve already alluded to here. The fact that these two groups (even the pro-AVB camp that still boo) are so evident the fragmentation cannot be good because outside of White Hart Lane and beyond, patience does not exist and can distort and damage and exaggerate. So back inside the stadium, it’s the only place where we can truly take ownership of it all. I was actually going to say 'destiny' instead of 'it all'. As romantic a notion that is, isn’t football meant to about romance?
Say, if you were in a relationship – a new one – you need a candle lit dinner or two along with perhaps the theatre or a nightclub and a romantic walk before you’re swinging from the chandeliers doing upside down doggy. No roof-top on the Lane, so no chandeliers but under the floodlights or in the soon to be winters sun, is it not best that we all sing from the same hymn sheet?
You think it’s doomed? Then what have you got to lose? You’ll get what you want in the end so why not join the other half and those that are left in-between paralysed with uncertainty will join in because let’s be honest - you’d all rather be singing and bursting with pride about what it means to be Tottenham, what it means to follow Tottenham than feeling like you're at odds with the club. There’s no chance of any of us having an affair with another club, so all that’s left is angry sex with the one we’re stuck with.
And if things do change for the best, you’ll be singing anyway so what do you have to lose? Aside from losing face? The ones that sing regardless, we have more to lose because our loyalty will be tainted and misplaced because it didn't work out.
We all need to make sacrifices, we all need to accept them.
Politics and tactics aside the games lifeblood is an emotive one. The way we're playing at the moment is not the way our coach envisages our style to be. He knows about our traditions. He's cited them many times, and not in cheap and fanciful way. If what we're watching isn't anywhere near the end result he's working towards then is it not worth some faith to see what that end result will be? If that means a siege mentality, so be it. But that's me. Like I said a few times already, I can't tell you what to do and I can't force you to do it.
It's just that, I've heard of the 12th man but I've never known him to be accompanied by a 13th one?
Reader Comments (54)
There is no right or wrong. But I'm sure there's good and bad.
You'e right.Good comment.
Getting people to admit the difference between the two will be just as laborious.
Best of the series so far.
You make a fair argument. I think now that you've had time to reflect (and probably listened to one of your gang on the FC podcast shameful talk about how they would "rather get relegated than win the CL with the current Spurs fans) you've realized that no one can dictate how all fans should react to disappointment....but there is a logical argument about why "singing and cheering the team on is more constructive than booing" that can be made; which may even convince the fanbase to unite at this time of obvious media adversity towards us and our club.
Well, at least , the qualifiers will have given the hacks something to write about and the AVB bashing will halt briefly - until after the game on Sunday.
.
Who said that booing can never induce a positive performance?
Well read on:
Menezes: Booing enraged Brazil players
11 September 2012
Brazil coach Mano Menezes says the behaviour of fans at the friendly with South Africa last week put the team into "a rage".
Large numbers of the crowd in Sao Paulo booed a young Brazil side as they struggled to a 1-0 win against Gordon Igesund's team.
According to Menezes, the treatment they received spurred his players on to win 8-0 against China on Monday.
"The team was brought to a rage in Sao Paulo," he told Lancenet.
"We needed to turn that feeling into energy. We just wanted to answer them on the pitch.
"Against China, we just wanted to show the ability we have. The team came out quickly, and weren't content with just a few goals. We knew we could do better (than against South Africa) and we showed that.
"We can't take a lot of answers from the China match. But I don't want to devalue our win."
Well?
'The 13th man' is a genius :-)
Interesting and thought provoking ramblings. I agree about the 4-4 which we all know was probably more to do with Jermaine Jenas than Harry's motivational skills, but it benefited the club more in the long-run. Nothing is as simple as we make out and there is more to all the dynamics there but I feel that AVB hasn't helped himself eg he has clearly got them doing zonal marking for some set pieces and that needs to stop until the stablity is there.
GUYS SIMPLY AVB PROJECT WILL NOT WORK. BEFORE XMS HE WILL LEAVE THE CLUB!!
Really liked this series spooky. Personally I think booing is never constructive, what's the point, although I can understand if some feel the need, I suppose I don't have the right to tell anyone how to think but it's says a lot about the type of person they are in my opinion. I'm more concerned about the general atmosphere at the lane, sort it out west stand
'To dare is to do'
Lets all get behind AVB this guy has certainly dared let him do!
COYS
'We all need to make sacrifices'
You mean like the ones in Apocalypto?
Can't understand why there has been such a hullabaloo made out of a few yobbo's booing at a football match. These players and AVB should get their heads down, act like 'grown-up's' and show us on the 'field of play' what AVB is training them to do. Roy Hodgson has had 'bugger all' time to prepare his England team for, either the European Championship Tournament, or the World Cup Qualifiers. He's had just a week and a half with the players to prepare for and play 2 qualifying games that are extremely important to the Nation and here we are spilling tears over whether the 'media' and the fans will upset our delicate little manager and players. FFS, AVB has had since July to put these players right on what he's trying to achieve, you would almost get the impression (based on Spookys 20,000 words on the matter) that he was trying to teach them to decrypt the German Enigma Codes. He will probably need João Moutinho to relay his system on the pitch, but, even if he signs him in January, there’s two concerns. Can he get satisfactory results between now and January and will João Moutinho’s arrival and assistance get his message across to the players out on the pitch.
Quote Part 1: "You, your actions and the person you are is illuminated through the eyes of others around you. You need them to make you who you are."
So if what you're doing isn't good enough, you need those around you to let you know. Right?
There are also more then two groups here. There is 1.) the anti-Redknapp brigade who would have got behind anyone who replaced him and who are now desperate for AVB to work out so they feel vindicated. There is 2.) The genuinely pro-AVB brigade who had nothing against Redknapp but see AVB as an improvement. There is 3.) the anti-Redknapp brigade who think AVB is the wrong man and are now disappointed. There is 4.) the why-did-we-need-to-change-anything brigade who felt no special allegiance to Redknapp but who think he was sacked for non-footballing reasons (it was only 9 games afterall) and whose sacking has plunged us into an unnecessary transitional period and, as a result, this group have little patience for watching the club take steps backwards (even it eventually takes steps forwards again.)
Spooky, having nailed your colours to the mast about Redknapp towards the end of last season, would it be fair to say you represent group 1?
@The Moussiah
No matter have many groups out there, - the common denominator is The Love for Tottenham Football Club !
Love The Shirt Love The Spurs !!
Agreed, mate, agreed. But it's painful. Not winning hurts. There was a time last year I got used to winning.
13th man i said it! so having got that together would you please look for the peice where one of the players asked that the crowd did not boo theside as they were a young team and it would not be good for them.
Anyway more tothepoint given brazil's stature in the game and that of the chinese please point out the coeresponding team for Spurs to play in the premiership.
It's like comparing curry with custard!!
13th man i said it! so having got that together would you please look for the peice where one of the players asked that the crowd did not boo theside as they were a young team and it would not be good for them.
Anyway more tothepoint given brazil's stature in the game and that of the chinese please point out the coeresponding team for Spurs to play in the premiership.
It's like comparing curry with custard!!
I wasn't anti-Harry Redknapp.
"Roy Hodgson has had 'bugger all' time to prepare his England team for, either the European Championship Tournament, or the World Cup Qualifiers. " I'm sorry cookiebun roy had the group together for at least 14 days and actually has not really changed their shape, although despite beating Ukraine in the euros they just managed to get a draw at wembley. AVB has had 11 days since the window shut during which time there has been a break for internationals. there has been an attempted hatchet job done on Lloris, all because the manager has said that Friedal has done enough to warrent his place, well that is good management just like harry telling gomes that he would be no1, which numerically he still is.
Spooky, from all indications, you were and are anti-Redknapp. It's a personal preference, no wrong done, we are still sitting here with you in the "Tottenham group"!
A lot is made of the minority booing and jeering. There are plenty of us who DON'T boo or jeer yet are very pessimistic about AVB's ability. The perfect times to air these grievances are on messageboards, blogs, down the pub, at work.....anywhere except the ground. If you don't think something is right you don't just toe the line and declare Glorious Leader as infallible until he goes and the next Glorious Leader turns up.
Unless this man bucks his ideas up, and learns his lessons from his previous experience in England, we won't go anywhere fast. There has been nothing do far to indicate otherwise, and in a debate that's what you want - the argument for the other side put to you. It seems the only things that are used to defend him are:
1. It's Levy's fault. The transfers are left too late.
2. He isn't Redknapp.
3. We were crap for a quarter of last season
There was no essay on getting behind the team, 13th men, and guilt-tripping concerned fans during that terrible run last season, just constructive debate on what the manager was doing wrong with the players at his disposal. If you want to turn our ideas around (the AVB pessimists, not AVB haters) give us something back. Give us the positives, the encouraging signs, all the things he is doing right. I can give you half a dozen things he is doing wrong , all of which lead me to think he isn't the man for the job. If that makes me a pragmatic realist then so be it
It is interesting that HR still pops up. He has been gone for some months, and yet no other club picked him up. He now does charity work at Bournemouth. He would probably be better off at a Salvation Army soup kitchen where he would have plenty of people to talk to. There are two schools of thought on AVB. Those who like him at WHL and those who don't. So I would ask the question of those who want him there:
Do you want him there because you KNOW he will succeed, or do you HOPE he will succeed?
I don't want him there, but I HOPE he will succeed though I have very grave doubts because of my previously stated reasons.
When you buy a Lottery Ticket you buy it in HOPE. You don't really expect to win it. I think that DL has been there for so long that this is his last roll of the dice. Almost a desperate gamble. After 10-11 years, a succession of Managers, mountains of cash spent on players of varying degrees of talent, and nothing of substance to show for it, I should imagine that he has had enough.
Whereas HR could never take the team any further, has DL and ENIC reached their limit in the progression stakes?
This isn't about being pro-this or anti-that, it's about the sheer dismay and bewilderment that some supporters feel about wtf's going on at the moment. 4-5-4 isn't a bad 3-yr run by anyone's standard's. But if the Board feel that isn't good enough, so be it. Let's try something else. But if that something else turns out to be an acceptance of a 'transition' season, leading to mid-table mediocrity, that's where we part company. And booing's about the only way we have to vent frustration and let our feelings be known. What else are we going to do ? Doesn't mean we hate AVB, or want HR back. It's a way of expressing concern. I have my own doubts about AVB, but I genuinely want to be proved completely, utterly wrong. In a couple of months time, we'll see how we're doing in the League; and in Europe; and the League Cup. If problems persist it'll then be the Board's decision to accept it. Or start again. Again.
@Kingdom of Sod
So you find it interesting that Harry still pops up ?
The reason for that is that is; No matter whether you like him or not, he got us 4-5-4 position in his last three seasons with us !
Furthermore he got us playing the most exciting football since Kieth Bucks ruled The Lane !
I find it utterly unfair that people on here at least wont give Harry the credit he most suddenly is due !
Furthermore you also state that Harry was unable to take us any further, - how do you know that? Was Harry given the funds by Levy to take us to the next level, - he was not ! I was trying to avoid this whole Harry debate, but I simply can not stand this Harry basing any longer, - Harry did Tottenham Football Club proud, - and I truly believe had his contract been extended with monetary backing by Levy, - Old Harry would have lead us to The path Of Glory !
Now The same people who wanted Harry out is crying for AVB's head after 2 draws and 1 loss ! Unbelievable !!!
Basically it's a gift to visiting teams - park the bus and keep it tight for 45 min, and they'll turn on their own...
What constitutes being anti-Redknapp? I supported him during his tenure, I had some people on my back on this blog telling me I wasn't seeing past his bullshit. I stood firm we'd qualify for the CL the season we did, I banged that drum widely. I got it wrong the season after. In the end I thought it best he moved on and we replaced him, for several different reasons all of which are hardly knee-jerks. In the end, I couldn't support him, he left me with no choice. I'm now supporting the new coach. I'm giving him the same benefit of the doubt I gave Redknapp. The only difference is I actually have more faith in AVB's appointment than I had (and got proven wrong) with Redknapp's (wasn't sure he was right for us when Levy got him in, but then that was mostly to do with short term/long term thoughts).
Hey, maybe we should discuss the definition of 'supporter'?
Actually, lets not.
Can someone please show me one minute reason to get optimistic about anything AVB has done since he arrived in England, just one.
There are two camps. There can only be one!
Sacrificing truth.
Way over there, beyhond the hills is the valley of the blind: dreamers. There, the believers fill their days by telling fantastical tales of the legendary exploits of the Portogueese-man-of-lore: Boas. Who it is said, stood 7ft, in flip flops - whilst crouching, and how this manGod, in just 365 days with nothing but a handful of peasants, and a half human named Hulk, slayed everything in his path! In 365 days legend was born. Porto was saved.
Sacrificing TOTTENHAM
Look, look to your left, the city. See how the people pace, how they arm themselves. These are the realists. They beleive that 365 days, is a year. They also beleive that Porto was never in danger, and that those so called peasants were in fact cold blooded mercenaries, versed in war, and that the Hulk was a gift from nature. They beleive the Portogueese man of lore is nothing but a nice man. The Portogueese nice man on tour.
I've noticed a worring trend. Noones talking about Levy. He seems to have walked off stage while the buns flew through the air!
4-5-4 is the new 2 from 8. A man who lived by press soundbites has created a new one in absentia.
Is that what 'To Dare is to Do' means? To be so scared of your shadow that we cling to the myth that only Harry could get us there? I personally don't think Levy sacked Harold because he'd gone as far as he could, more that he didn't want someone holding the club to ransom every time a job offer came up. What would be the alternative? Build a statue to him to get him to stay? Start naming stands after him? The ground? The club? What then when he goes? Shut it all down and sob to ourselves?
The play under Harry was scintillating at times but also utterly dross in equal measures... The good times tend to obliterate the bad when we have our rose-tinted specs on... Like those who think mistily about 'wor' Bobby Robson and forget that they vilified him in the early days of his job as England manager.
THFC is and always will be about more than one man and it is the club that I support when I go out there - Even if I have no faith in the man at the helm (Gross) or just plain don't like him (Man in the raincoat), I'll always cheer the side on. This isn't a consumer choice, a 3 for 2 deal where I can demand a refund. This is blind faith and passion.
We an start thinking that booing works because of some abstract google-translate quote from Brazil, or we can realise that booing makes us look like the Blackburn fans last year. A bunch of misbegotten trailer-trash that actually destroyed their chance of survival by placing an impossible burden on the players. They would argue that they cared about the club and hated the people in charge. They cared so much in fact that they pushed them to relegation and probably set them back 10 years. In home life, that kind of 'caring' would be called domestic violence and would have your loved ones in a refuge centre.
To Allan
I am not knocking what HR did in terms of finishing 4 - 5 - 4. In fact he did better than Keith Burkinshaw. These were our best consecutive finishes for many a long year. Probably since the days of Bill Nick. For long periods of time under HR we played the most exciting, attractive, attacking football in the PL. Personally I think the England job caused him to lose focus. He then, by some accounts, had a falling out with DL. Now if you have a major row with your boss I know who will win it.
It would appear that DL lost confidence in him. He brought in AVB. Regardless of who is the manager DL will not let them spend buckets of money. Quite simply we don't have it. DL is a hard nosed business man. But his business is not football.
If I had a choice between HR and AVB I would take HR.
When HR went I was hoping for Moyes, a Manager that could get excellent results on about a third of Spurs transfer budget. Someone on this site suggested Martinez. Why not?
What I really don't understand was why he got AVB. Was it because he didn't have to pay compensation for him? I would make a wager with anyone. If the Spurs supporters were polled how many do you think would say that AVB was a good choice.
Not one of the pro AVB people on here have expressed any disapointment at his team selection and substitutions during the Norwich game. If two defensive midfielders and a lone tiny striker is acceptable then I am giving up, and to cap it all, we go a goal up and he brings off an attacker and puts on an unfit defensive midfielder. If that is showing tactical promise, then I'm a China-man. He's making too many unforced errors where he should be showing some tactical knowhow.
I have a feeling DL is regretting this appointment already. Come to think of it, Joe Lewis wasn't smiling much either.
Waffle is cheap; you can get it on special offer currently at several outlets. Time will tell if avb will be a success, lets look for an improvement by xmas. Be a realist; fortunately levy is.
Blimey cookie, I'm not waving a flag for the guy but come on! Three games in, he's not had a full squad training session yet, Modders and VDV out the door, Parker & Kaboul on the doctors slab, one fit striker (Unless you would have applauded Harry Kane running on as the solution) and the whole crowd getting on their backs. Not really an 'even playing field' to be judged on is it?
The root of all these posts by veritable bloggers (or 'Pro AVB's as they are being tagged for showing some common sense) is not that they want to have the guys kids, it's that 36,000 people sucking air through their teeth like a bad mechanic at every decision on the touchline is not going to anything for the winning mentality of the team. The players looked afraid to have the ball against Norwich so no wonder he wanted to shut up shop and get the points. Lest we forget, the saviour of WHL tried the same thing when we were at 1-1 in a game we needed to win at Villa - Nobody is perfect.
No-one is doubting your freedom to have an opinion about AVB's tactical nous but is there anything to be served by everyone trying quite so hard to undermine it so early in the season? Let's see what happens six months in. 'I would love to be wrong' and 'Mark my words' are becoming really boring phrases at the moment. Let's just all try a little unreserved COYS for a little bit first.
‘Let's see what happens six months in’
Six months? You make it sound so matter of fact…
Euro Car Parts, Bagshot Rd East Grinstead.
‘Look, it says all VW’s on the label, fit them and see how you get on, a piston’s a piston after all, if after six months it blows up your engine, whip um out and brink um back’
Sorry, but did you say ‘blows up your engine?’
Yeh, bring um back….
if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it is...
...a bloody duck. So can we start calling this as we see it not as we hope it will become.
AVB is what he is no more no less. There is no hidden genius or tactical mastermind or charismatic leader or respected man.
He is just a small man that professional footballers do not respect.
We are Spurs supporters,
Through out our clubs history
We have always been known
to be 100% behind our team.
I fear that this premature criticism
of our newly appointed Manager,
is going to have a adverse effect
on the team as a whole.
Stay positive and patient!
We shall overcome
Love The Shirt Love The Spurs
I don't love the shirt it's chaffing in the wrong places and is a bit hugging like the Thomson was
KK, I'm calling it like I see it. A manager who has won several trophies, including a European one in a short management career takes over from one who has one one trophy in 30 years of football. The former inherits a team in disarray after a run that would have them in the relegation places if it hadn't been for their early season form and without four of it's key players (Modders, AVB, Parker, Kaboul) and with one recognised fit forward available to him. In addition, he has to try and get several new players involved in the side, without the whole squad having had a training session together yet. One of those players scores a great goal. Against a background of press and crowd hostility, they try to close out two home games but they don't. Tell me if I've read it wrong or if it's just a case of which glasses you're wearing. Mine aren't prepared to judge AVB on what John Terry says.
Damn you predictive text! VDV... Not AVB (In missing players bit) *Ahem*
"It's practically akin to religion. One God but different cults and sects, different ways of worship and preaching. Fundamentalism anyone?"
I always tell people that my religion is football and that I belong to the church of Tottenham. I observe the sabbath and all holy days of obligation. My faith brings me joy and keeps me strong in times of hardship. Please, make no mistake, I absolutely mean every word of this. As someone whipped up in the catholic church, god got slung out of the window in favour of beer and cigarettes when I was 11. I view most other religions as a form of insanity and have even built an academic career on proving such a thesis.
Faith is an important element of being a supporter, lose the faith and you not only lose your soul but you actually effect everyone else including your team. Faith is the act of believing in something even when the physical evidence is not available and if that doesn't describe the position most Tottenham fans are in right now then I don't know what does.
If we are in a religion (a business) and we follow a cult (a brand) and we have faith (belief in the brand) then on those holy days of obligation (match days) we should publicly show our faith and join in the hymns and praises of the demi-gods (celebrities) who lead our church (corporate HQ).
This is why your blog is so crucial Spooky. This is the confessional (agony column), this is where we can moan and worry, this is where we come to cry and bleat, these are the pages of doubt and encouragement; the shared emotions of fellow believers.
This is one of our sanctuaries which prepare us to stand by our belief in the ground, in the pub, and even, as in my case, at home with the gooner wife. Because before the world beyond this sacred space we should never lose our faith.
Knock Knock Spurs
You're right, it is a duck.
It would be interesting to know, of all the Spurs supporters around the world, how many actually thought that appointing AVB was a good idea.
cookiebun... how about he talks about we and not them? or is being inclusive not a positive!!
@Mes
Have the media even been hostile to AVB since he came here? Christ, don't start sounding like the Gooners! I think he has had a pretty bump-free ride to be honest - the papers will report anything, about any club if they think it's a story.
The only really negative story that has been printed was the Lloris one. Considering they had direct quotes from both the keeper and Deschamps on the matter I don't see how it can be blamed on an anti-Spurs media agenda - that's a story I'm afraid. Blame Lloris for not nipping it in the bud, Deschamps for poking his nose in, and AVB for inviting the comments by stating Brad is #1.
On losing two of our best players, and having another two injured Swansea lost Allen and Sinclair, but they haven't looked back. Most clubs have injuries, players sold, and new ones to assimilate - our squad should be strong enough to overcome losing those four for home games v West Brom & Norwich, both of whom also have new managers. It's how you manage what you have.
I will tell you 'I told you so' if it goes tits up, don't worry about that. On the flip side, I will apologise and eat humble pie if the reverse is true. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing him win the next couple, go on a run, and be a roaring success - its just I cannot see him being a success here at al
Positive Vibes creates Positive results !
Negative Vibes creates Negative results !
Support our Team wholeheartedly.
Take the bitter with the sweet.
Be Patient and Calm.
Keep The faith
We shall overcome.
Love the Shirt - Love The Spurs !
I'll always support Spurs, no matter the division or how shit we are - God knows I've seen enough dross to last a lifetime. I'll accept shit results and shit performances if we have a shit side.
However, we aren't shit and haven't been for some years now - one 9-game blip isn't going to alter that. That blip was wholly to do with Redknapp not changing the first XI up and a persistence with playing Bale everywhere but the place he is effective. He got berated for that, and rightly so.
The new gaffer comes in, changes the system, negates the strengths we have and alienates core players - why shouldn't we criticise him the same way? Why should he escape it? Just because he talks a good game it doesn't mean the way he sets up his teams is any better suited to the English football than Redknapp's failed experiment last season - which essentially a 433 with Bale cutting inside.
I think people are putting far too much stock in to the belief that AVB is some sort of tactical genius because he knows all the jargon, is well-educated and had success at Porto. His time at Chelsea would suggest otherwise for me, and is far more relevant than anything he did in another country. Juande Ramos had a great UEFA cup-winning side at Seville too, but he simply wasn't cut out for the English game
Calling it like you see it. A reply.
Juande Ramos ~ Arrived at the lane having won 3 more throphies than VB, seven in total, two of which were European, to VB's 1. While at the lane Ramos won yet another, but we all know what happened to Ramos don't we, with all his trophies!
Trophies, trophies everywhere but boy did Ramos stink!
It may interest you to know that In 130 years of Tottenham history we've have won 21 cups - that's 1.6 cups every 10 years!
Whereas:
In 118 years Porto have won 114 cups - that's 9.6 cups every 10 years. Why? Why are they so much better at winning cups then us? Is it the climate, the diet, or are they just better footballers?
The clue.
This year Porto sold both their leading goal scores Hulk, and Falcao for a total sum of €90million, and they still they sit 2nd in the Primeira Liga......
Just saying it like it is.....Quack.
I sat at the vets yesterday, and watched, through the waiting room window, an old lady dragging her gerying Jack Russell (Howard Hughes of the dog world) from the car, along the car park, and into reception, where it promptly shat its self and whist everyone fussed over the mess, it tried to conceal its self behind a large yucca, which now stood dusty and shaking in the corner. Fido, I'm sure, knew what was coming. Anyone looking forward to the game on Sunday??
@Park Lane
I understand that you did not want AVB to take over from Harry, - but he is here now, - do we sack him now after 3 games?
Apoint another and if he in his first 3 games in charge, also only manage 2 draws and 1 loss, - do we sack him as well ? On this rate we can go through 10 Managers in one season ? Or do we give AVB a full season to come good ?
@ Allan
If you ever come up for adoption, give me first dibs.....I have a current CRB, and can provide excellent references......I would, however, keep you in a cuboard with the rest of my Gonks.
;)
@ WhiskeyTommy
All the very best to you too !
I love your enfusiasuim
kind sir
Keep the faith