Writer: Loz
It’s that morning after feeling, isn’t it?
I am not feeling as upset as many mainly, because I try to keep perspective and look into why things are not right and how they can be fixed, accepting there is no quick fix for such things in life. For me, it’s about calm and patience and not ranting too much for too long.
I can see clearly, possibly, why this has happened and it’s few things imo that is expected. We took our eye of the ball, or pitch when the stadium took over, that is perfectly understandable, I have no issue with that because it was a huge project and had delay problems.
Players not leaving started two years ago. Toby and Eriksen didn’t want to sign new contracts, yes two years ago, and players who MP felt he could let go over a year ago didn’t go because players stuck around for the new stadium, this added to the problem of running down contracts.
Last season having no new players was always going to catch up with us and it has now. This all stems back to the stadium build, not being able to invest time and effort on the pitch and players sticking around going into their last year or so of their contracts because they wanted to be one of the first players to play at the stadium.
MP has had a raw deal because of it and I feel for two years he has wanted to start to rebuild his squad and hasn’t been able to due to players staying and no new signings. Then the stadium is done and we scraped through last season and this summer was a new start but the fact is, players once again didn’t leave.
My guess now, this was not so much about wanting to stay and play in the new stadium, they had made their debut in that, it was more about clubs not coming in for players because they knew they could talk to players in January and get then for free in the summer. Like it or not, other clubs have good business people like Levy. With the cost of players and wages, clubs are now being more prudent. Why pay £100m for Eriksen, when in a few months you get him to sign a pre-contract and get him for nothing. But also players have got so much power now and know they can earn mega money.
I’m not in the camp that players are loyal, some are but that percentage is declining. Toby, Vertonghen, Eriksen all know if they run their contracts down they will get a huge wage at their next club, that is more important to them than being loyal to Spurs, money talks. Then add the fact that they haven’t won anything, there is little to keep them at Spurs. Those like Kane who are Spurs through and through are few and far between and even he may feel the time may come that he has to go for the sake of winning something, although he will stay loyal for as long as he can, but at some point he may feel he wants to have trophies to show for his achievements and that overrides his loyalty to the club.
The point is all this started about two seasons ago when the stadium focus took priority and different agendas started to exist. You could say the agenda, is players staying to be the first to play in the stadium, was yet another act of selfishness. They’d rather run their contract down and stay just so they can go in the history books knowing the club will lose out of a transfer fee.
I think MP is struggling for various reasons, the aftermath of the last two years but also he is a good person and he has a good relationship with these players, they have grown together, so it’s hard for him to be ruthless with them. Because of the togetherness, he is trying to do right by them, not drop players who are obviously going, he wants everything to be on good terms when they leave and not create problems, his close relationship that has blossomed over the years is hurting him now, but again understandable.
He is human and he cares and treats people well and I think he knows its not all their fault, the club have to share some of the responsibility, but as I said, understandable due to the massive amount of energy and time put into the stadium build.
One thing I would point out though for MP, he also needs to understand that if these players are not performing they will get him the sack, the players will be alright, they will go on and get their move so maybe MP needs to be a bit more selfish and protect his job by being ruthless and potentially upsetting these players, its a hard call for MP because of the circumstances and relationship he has with the players. He is a Mr Nice guy and treats people in the right way, that is why they have developed a close relationship. It’s like when you love someone but are unhappy and want to leave. It’s hard to say so, you don’t want to upset them. Although I know often when people split it’s usually nasty but not always. Sometimes it’s not working and you want out and you struggle to say so because you care so much and don’t want to hurt your partner, sure you get my drift.
However, MP if he really wants to stay, he has to protect his job and that might mean being a bit more ruthless. I don’t actually think the players are consciously causing trouble, so for me, there is no blame game, it’s just with sport, a team game you do need everyone committed and on the same page otherwise its hard to have harmony.
Take Sanchez, how does he feel sitting on the bench when he knows Toby and Jan are not committed, why play them and not him? Some will argue you play your best team regardless, which I agree, but it’s still going to cause unrest between players. They are human and football is an emotional game, they see commitment and togetherness as vital so when players are not committed, then those who are not playing are seeing players who are leaving playing, it causes issues.
It also causes issues for the coaches, they want to develop a team that is not just immediate but long term and playing those who are leaving stops that to an extent. Sanchez’ development is slowed down because he can’t play as much yet those players ahead of him will be gone, to the player and manager it’s a season wasted.
The talk about these players running contracts down are still committed is not actually true. You show your commitment by signing a contract, they have had plenty of time to do that. It’s so easy to say I’m still committed that’s why I’m here but that isn’t the same as signing a contract and, to be honest, they say that so they play.
It’s human, if you’re leaving a job often your effort and focus dwindles towards the end, ever given your notice in and found you automatically slack off, not saying it’s deliberate but it happens unconsciously and it’s impossible to rectify it when it comes to sport where there is always a fine line.
Now I am not overly concerned because I know it will be sorted by summer, there is no quick fix. Clubs are unlikely to pay for these players in January unless they are desperate. What MP does is neither right or wrong when it comes to playing them or not. If he continues to play them and we win he will be seen as being right, if we lose he will be slaughtered. If he drops them and we win he will be seen has right, and if we lose he will be slaughtered. Fact is there is no easy answers.
The club are in this mess and it’s a matter of time for this mess to run its cause and learn from it. My only concern is if we don’t get top four. The impact on the club financially, the players and our status will be hit hard. We still have a chance to get top four, it’s so early and for me that should be our objective.
So next summer we have the clear out and rebuild like what MP wanted but still have CL. We may get some of it sorted in January, some players might leave but it’s likely to be the likes of Wanyama, may be Aurier if an offer came in, but I won’t hold my breath.
I do feel MP can sort this out and, given time, it is what it is. I think the fans need to step up and help him and the team regardless of how they play. We all hit bad times and don’t want people to put the boot in, it’s the same for the manager and players. Just love them for what they are, they have hit hard times it doesn’t make any sense to slate them or moan all the time, that will just fuel the situation and make it harder to rectify.
I urge everyone to sing their hearts out for ALL the games no matter what happens and see things change sooner rather than later. Time for fans to step up and change their mentality.
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