With plenty of positives to take from our victory, and the performance, over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, it’s another quick turnaround for Tottenham Hotspur as we welcome Aston Villa to White Hart Lane on Wednesday for our penultimate Premier League clash of the 2020/21 campaign.
A campaign that started brightly, and faded rapidly as 2021 hit, however, a potential top five finish is on the cards but for that to happen, we have to absolutely take three points from Dean Smith’s side and form is on our side, even though both clubs have wobbled in the second half of the season.
Another big plus is Villa should be without Jack Grealish (cheers Levy), as since returning from injury he’s yet to even play 45 minutes, so hopefully at worst, he’ll only get introduced at the break.
With some confidence returning based on our last performance, you’d like to think we’d be comfortable long before their talisman hits the pitch, and with no fresh injury concerns, only Serge Aurier and Ben Davies should be missing again.
Can Ryan Mason really restore some momentum and get us three wins from three going into the summer?
I’m less demanding that are you, Niall, and you seem a basically well balance chap.
Right now I’d like a team that doesn’t make me cringe when watching. I want to watch a team that plays with intelligence, effort, enthusiasm, and an orientation toward winning rather than to not losing. That’s what makes it worth engaging in sporting competitions. I’m not demanding about cups and placing first in the league. I just want us to be decently competitive on a consistent basis.
I’m not convinced in life that coming in first is necessarily a good thing. Sometimes losing can be more beneficial than winning. If that strikes someone as a bit too Zen, so be it. lol. But practical experience confirms this for me. One doesn’t earn lessons about what’s important in life through winning all the time, and if one focusses on winning too much, it’s downright debilitating. Greed isn’t seemly. lol. Whether it’s being cutthroat with money or on the pitch.
It’s not good to live in poverty. One needs enough in one’s belly and a warm, dry place to sleep in security. But its equally not good to work too hard to have more than everyone else. I’m not sure which extreme is the more debilitating. I guess we need to have enough drive to provide what we need and to provide a bit more for the community.
Top four is fine with me, and if we can get that thrill once in a while to come in first, great. But to demand that we are number 1 all or most of the time? That’s an obnoxious way to live. I’d rather not follow a club than to follow a club like Real Madrid that considers it embarrassing not to humiliate your opponents.
It’s just a bloody game. But thanks to the gods we have games to get some relief from the nastiness that infests so much of life. Don’t forget, it’s just a bloody game.
Easy chaps, not been here in ages LOL – stayed away pretty much all season (been very busy for 1) – through both JM being top of the league to the debacle (and his subsequent demise) from December, etc – glad I’ve actually been “forced” to stay away – but must admit irrespective – the footy even though at times cavalier – still generally and for the most part – was bloody boring and in the end we were not even winning – fair play to the likes of Doncaster, HT, TQ2 and TK pretty much, etc!
HK10 surely a goner – again here fair play – much love LEGEND end of – but we’re SPURS fans 1st and foremost and the club lives on at the end of the day and so do we (God willing all OK and families also, etc – personally not too bad here just in case anyone wondering lol)!
So out the door HK10’s leaving gaping open and can thus go with:
(Rose – obviously), Lloris, Gazza, Toby, Aurier, Sissoko, Lamela, CCV, Marsh, Roles, Tracey and Sterling.
Foyth is 1 who actually I’ve got my doubts about letting go now (despite the 15m Euros auto clause) based on hearing how he’s been doing at Villareal and that he’s primarily played RB and constantly (especially in the EL) and helped them get all the way to the final in that already as it is.
Furthermore quickly – just as has been proven here above with Foyth and also Sess in Germany and who could literally forget Skippy at Norwich – Tanganga and Rodon blatantly need to be loaned out next season for me simple as – exciting potential – but they need a proper chance to develop it end of!
Personally 3 guys at Fulham are of interest to me already: Parker to be No.1, Areola and Andersen. None prima donnas and should be relatively easy to get – Parker indeed with solid history with us and a London thorough-bred so why not give him a chance a la Poch indeed?! Surely cheap on top wages wise and we need it after the Poch and JM debacles!!!!!!!
Then the long much talked about Aarons and the much maligned RB spot – him, Doherty (after a proper pre-season and perhaps re-discovering his Wolves form at long last) and the above Foyth even – could prove very interesting indeed.
Reguilon had a solid 1st half of the season, but lately all over the place and don’t even want to touch on earlier or indeed v Leeds – the “poor” guy has gone a long way to helping cost us a good shot at a CL place – but cream rises to the top and he was the best LB in la Liga last season and will have to put his 1st Prem season down to heavy duty experience – still rate highly and expect much! Sess apparently done well in Germany and looking forward to having his pace and attacking attributes back to push Reguilon and Davies can always play here as usual and even interested in him pushing for time in the LCB spot.
Andersen looks a very good prospect and Parker made him captain at Fulham immediately and their problem was not leaking goals – indeed they were pretty much bloody solid – it was lack of scoring goals – not a big problem for us for a long while nor need it be even without HK10 as outlined below furthermore! Dier and Davy naturally to fight it out along with all others mentioned for the CB roles.
If City want HK10 – fair bloody play – but we want a lot of money (£100m+ naturally – maybe even pushing close to £150m) and me personally: AKE at last on top! Finally a natural left footed ball playing, pacey and good in the air LCB to replace Vert’s – been desperate for this for a good 2 season’s now and I was banging his drum all last pre-season even though knew we couldn’t get him then – now could well and should be a completely different story. Indeed why let HK10 go anywhere else but City anyway – they are not our rivals, but Man U and Chelski could be and Liverpool could not afford him nor really need him with Firmino and then the 2 Spanish clubs are looking at the likes of Mbappe and Haaland, etc and they are not exactly rolling in anything but huge debt ATM anyway – City have just won the Prem and likely CL and will be “swimming” in it compared to all others and the only other serious money contender, etc in PSG and even with Poch – he would never go to the French league surely so it pretty much has to be City in England end of – at least for me anyway – but that still makes all kinds of sense – given Aguero leaving, all that various winner’s money to take off them and Ake as a bonus on top!
Let’s be honest, left footed LCB’s are very hard to come-by (as previously discussed on here such as last pre-season and generally in the football world also) – especially good 1’s, and then with Prem and international experience (only held back regularly by 1 VVD), good on the ball/composed, pacey, good in the air, strong, etc, etc, etc – we need this guy in our central defence as from at least 2 years ago for me simple and end of!
I think midfield with Hoj, Winks, Skipp, N’Dom, Lo Celso and Dele is actually very, very solid and even very classy – just need to get these guys spirited, fighting and lastly and all so importantly firing!
The loss of HK10 – need not be such an almighty burden if we do 3 things – get Bale back on loan again and go and get someone we were supposed to get already from 2 years ago namely Dybala and then sign HK10’s Prem and England under-study (for me) in Ings!
Bale for a “shit” season with not big minutes or top fitness overall – has managed 14 goals, a few assists and actually quite a few indirect goal contributions again through “assists”, etc! No brainer getting him back again and this time will have had this season to bed back in, will be with Wales for the Euro’s keeping him fit and going and interested and then with a decent/good pre-season – he could really fire next season for me and show what a top, top talent he still could be and quite possibly on a solid regular basis as well – it’s got to be worth the risk this summer even more than last if anything – and his wages of around £250K a week are plausible enough based on what already showed this season and the potential for next! On top him and Parker played together for 2 season’s for us – so a captain’s role potentially on top (Hoj also certainly an option – especially given HK10’s departure and for me Hugo unfortunately joining him also after so many years and 35 at next bday and with only 1 yr of contract left, etc, etc, etc)!
Which moves me onto Dybala who in his final year of contract at Juve has to be had a go at getting even more so now than ever and I read at £250K per week a la Bale above – would still actually be a small improvement on his current contract at Juve – got to get this guy if at all possible and I reckon £50m would probably do it and I’d be willing to give the £10m or so to pay off those bloody “patrocinadores” of his, etc with their bloody image rights, etc! He gets the no.10 shirt that HK10 vacates for me – says it all!
Finally our new no.9 (Bale moving to 11 with Lamela making way at long last – ironic that 1 replaces the other after replacing the other originally, etc lol) – Ings! In his final year of contract and would surely fancy some of the above (not to mention a potential Hoj again style bargain – £30-35m LOL) – the guy has run us torrid in our respective games these last 2 season’s and looks an absolutely top notch no.9 in every way even if a tad short to be really picky – 41 in 88 Prem’s at Southampton – great no’s already in the last 2.5 seasons – great form and would surely thus hit the ground running especially with all our attacking talent to back him up! He’s only 1 year older than HK10 and his ideal replacement – at least as ideal as you can basically get – English on top and very experienced and tough character – exactly what needed to replace an almighty LEGEND like HK10!
Work out the numbers and I reckon we could actually end up quids in and with a big profit this summer on top and apart from the Bale and Dybala wages – (off set already by HK10’s and Bale was already around this season anyway) and it makes a lot of sense to me and actually would have me really, really looking forward to next season for sure irrespective of such an almighty loss as is surely coming ……………………!
Don’t feel the need for any tin hat – but will pop back later to see what people’s reactions and suggestions, arguments, etc are if any and maybe continue from there – then again maybe not – just what I would like to see this summer happen and none of it is implausible – indeed I’m not expecting HK10 to stay or us to get “Messi”/”Ronaldo”/”Haaland”/”Mbappe”/”VVD”/Alisson, etc, etc, etc!
Hopefully even if not along this line – just hope we don’t balls up the nailed on sale and also then the proceeds, etc and hopefully also a clear out to follow HK10 out of the door at long last – even more so than has happened already in the recent past – it really and truly – indeed clearly is needed!
TIME FOR CHANGE CARALLO – EMBRACE IT properly and we might actually see the benefit not just ASAP but also for long run – 1 step back, 2 steps forwards, instead of just back and back and back – as happened around the time of the Bale sale – until Poch came in and we started getting it “right” as best possible – which was not a bad shot at all – given our past 30 odd years (indeed all the 1’s I’ve been supporting LOL or much more appropriately “COL” – CRY OUT LOUD)…………………………!
EJ…….Ake barely gets a game at City, I’m sure they would love to have an opportunity to offload him. Mings is the left-sided CB we should have got as he demonstrated last night.
Levy said they haven’t always got it right but he simply doesn’t care. £60 for a ticket, sticking the fans away as high as possible. He will not change, he is only interested in taking the fans for everything they have got. They are going to make a huge profit when they sell – well over £1bn but even in these COVID times they are not prepared to put a single penny in – they were even going to take furlough money whilst living on a tax free income in the Bahamas and have taken advantage of government support by way of a B of E loan. The fans are effectively paying for the stadium so that Lewis and Levy can walk off into the sunset with their massive profits.
Don’t be put off by his conciliatory statement in the program – he will continue to take the fans for everything they have. I accept that there has been investment in the squad in the last 18 months but it is not £250m and it is not the net investment, sales need to be included. In any case the recruitment is appalling, yet our chief scout is still in his job.
If you think things are bad now, wait until the new manager is announced. Absolute carnage ahead at Spurs.
I am far from Levy’s biggest supporter, as I have made evident over the years. Despite this, I am happy enough to pay, and pay dearly, for tickets and merchandise if I feel the product on the pitch is worth it.
We’d all like tickets as cheap as possible, of course, but I would be happy enough to pay higher prices if the team performance is worth it.
What is happening currently, however, is that fans are being exploited, paying some of the highest prices across Europe, for a team that is drastically under performing.
But thank god we have the fancy beer filling systems in the stadium, because waiting the extra 5 seconds for a half time pint really was a problem that needed solving…
I’m sorry TQ2Spurs, but I am never going to look at it as “the team doesn’t grace the beautiful stadium”. I am always going to look at a stadium as nothing more than a means to support the team, and never the other way around.
Morning BS…….I’m not sure you get where I’m coming from, if I were given the opportunity to play in such a magnificent arena I’m certain it would spur me on to give of my best every time I walked out onto that turf. I don’t see that from many of this squad, even if they aren’t the quality we need each an every one of them can still make their best effort to try and win games, I don’t think many of them do.
TK
100% m8 I just really want to see some decent football being played, some heart, a bit of team cohesion not 11 individuals running round in circles, every player, every player in our team looks off the pace and appears to be capitulating with the opposing team. How can we constantly be the architects of our own down fall, I would argue that it has happened from winning positions in at least 5 games this year. Where we have actually given the opposing team the goal without them actually out playing us.
Regardless of the stadium, that money is now spent, let’s at least get a team together that can compete next season, I don’t even mean win anything, just compete. Get proper scouts in, get those out we need rid of and get several “new bloods” in. And get a decent manager to take us forward.
When I/we were raising our Children, all successful now in their chosen field’s, I used to look them in the eye after they got their exam results, not top grade say, or after a sports comp they had entered coming 2nd/3rd/beaten, and say to them…did you give it your best shot/your all? their answer was usually yes! I would then say I cannot ask for more, because that is what life is about when leave school/college/uni, always try and give your best.
Now can any of our player’s answer yes to my question?
Niall….your para’ starting “regardless of stadium” so bloody true, water under the bridge, lets now get on with it.
It is getting boring at continued “DL should have done this, not that, spent this not that” we all think or have an opinion on all things Spurs, but the blame game is for me going on for to long, lets hope lessons are being learnt, I know this has been said many times, but lets just hope/wait n see!
NO! Europe next season, as 9th is looking our likely finish, worst of all bloody Wham n Gooners finishing above us, aaargh!
We know our Season has been utter shite! and thankfully it will soon be over, so look forward to any and all changes/news arising during the summer. COYS
In all my 60 years supporting THFC I have always said that I can take losing as long as I believe that the team gave their all. It is not possible to win every game but players must be prepared to sweat blood for the cause – if I believe they have and lose well that is just life.
Last night’s debacle was an utter disgrace. The lack of effort and cohesion was beyond belief.
After the game I watched Spam vs W Brom. W Brom already relegated were a joy to watch – totally committed full of running and fire in their bellies.
The Spurs team last night should hang their heads in collective shame.
Excellent post Buntingford, it re-inforces what I have been saying myself. It’s all very well stroking the ball around playing ‘pretty’ football but you still need to put in the hard yards, in midfield especially. We were outworked in this area last night by Villa, it was exacerbated by Hojbjerg picking up a yellow early in the game which meant he wasn’t able to show any aggression after this and Villa were just playing through us and round us with ease. Hojbjerg is a good DM but he can’t do it all on his own.
TQ2Spurs – I personally think the stadium is a poor motivator for most players.
For the Roy Keanes of this world, the old school footballers, they’ll care a lot more about the intent of the club, and the DNA, than the arena. For the younger generation, they’ll care a lot more about how much they’re getting paid, rather than where they play.
If the club thought building a new stadium was what was going to entice players to join the club, or perform better, they have severely misread the situation, in my opinion.
PY – the obvious flaw with the “let’s wait and see” approach is that there is no accountability.
I just find it far too easy to let DL off the hook and brush his shortcomings under the carpet, like nothing happened. He deserves all of the stick he is currently getting.
What is the incentive for him to do things differently, going forward, if nobody is going to hold him accountable when he screws things up?
The moment Spurs fans stop complaining is the moment they stop caring. And that is a far worse situation to be in than the one we are currently in.
It is, however, the logical next step if DL doesn’t listen to the fans.
BS…..your right I was just being flippant!
I have supported Spurs through thick n thin, high’s n low’s for 60+ years, but what I do know is that fans can do nothing/nout/nadder unless they do something that hits Spurs pockets moneywise, which will not happen I may add, everything will either carry on the same.
Never mind opinions, who is wrong? we only see bullshit media script or tittle tattle rumour, we really do not know what is going on, so hopefully in my mind, maybe DL and his board have realised, that we are at an all time low, and have decided on appointing a progressive/winner type coach who has a DOF over him, this scenario is the lets wait and see juncture for me. OK! its again lol! COYS
Personally, I’m at the stage where I am ready to boycott club merchandise and hit the club where it hurts.
BS……that’s exactly the point I’m making, the players care more about how much they are getting paid and care little for where they play and who is paying their wages. This isn’t the kind of attitude that is going to win anything, having pride in where you play and who you are playing for and giving your all in games is much more likely to lead to success.
I used to play Gaelic Football (minors) in my youth, there were places where you literally chased the cows off the field prior to playing the game, other places were a proper playing field with stands etc… I gave no less in either field of play.
Why can’t our players.
PY I’m just fed up complaining m8, I’ve literally ran out of comments about the team.
Selection, recruitment, management strategy, appointments.
Does Levey truly care by appointing such a young untried manager, when we had a chance even then at top 4, surely someone with a bit of experience could’ve stepped in for the 6 or so matches.
Does Levy want us in Europe or does he want a clean sheet with no Euro distractions, just to build a team..
Re the Stadium I’m much with BS, if we “let it go” then those up top get away with it.
Another management gaff apparently is re “Froyth” it seems they have a buy option which we can’t oppose, for 12 mil euro, now he seems to have improved in Spain but it looks like we can’t get him back if we wanted him.
But re the stadium, for me it’s over, I just hope it lives up to the money making expectations of many of our supporters. BTW did any of you hear the “boos” from the crowd at the interval and finish?
Probably in line with TQ’s last post there, a feel ing that the players don’t care.
Niall…you are so right, but what I am saying is as I said to BS, we can do nothing unless we hit em in the Spurs Pocket, but it ain’t going to happen.
There are so many “barn door” scenarios here, why are keeping on and on about them?
I know its about discussions but surely all we are doing is playing “Magic Roundabout” circles after circles.
Everyone is correct, everyone is wrong.
Hope you and your kin are keeping well mate.
When you think on it our goal last night was literally a straight run through and Bury it.
We spend far too much time “fannying” about the 18 yrd box letting the other team come back then we’re side to side “where’s Harry? Just have a go fekin shoot.
TQ2Spurs,
Giving your all in games is much more likely to lead to success?
Giving your all in games IS success. That’s what success is, and no one can do more than the best that they can give.
Watching men play like they don’t give damn is watching a damned shame. Even if one wins while not giving a damn, one hasn’t really won anything of value. Winning because the opponent takes a dive, or hits in a own-goal, is no great accomplishment. Only the bookies should fail to understand this. How much of an accomplishment is it when victory results from the opponent refusing to give their best? You cheat yourself and you cheat your opponent when you only pretend to play
Our players are not forced labor like ancient slaves in the salt mine of a regal potentate. They should not look like they are playing against their will.
I didn’t think the salt mines were so bad. Not when you get used to them. Now, on the other hand, their bloody rowing boats …..
I’m not sure there’s an emoji adequate for a response to the idea that being a slave in a salt mine wasn’t so bad. Maybe the one that has one’s brains exploding.
I’d opt for service on a trireme over being in the bowels of the earth breathing salt. Playing in a luxury stadium at ridiculously high pay doesn’t merit pouting in place of playing on a pitch.
I guess you’ve been reading Epictetus, the ex-slave Stoic who counseled slaves to find happiness in a salt mine.
“It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.”
“Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.”
“Make the best of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.”
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view they have of them.”
So, unhappy Spurs players, get on with it! Tough it out and take your place at the oars in the trireme as we head into certain doom at the feet of Leicester City. (Illegal hand balls excluded.)
Happiness, for Epictitus, begins with being honest with one’s self. Good advise for our players when reflecting on yesterday’s performance, it any are inclined to being reflective.
EJ …. Welcome back. hope all is good. You managed to make up for your absence in one post. Nice to see you haven’t lost your touch!
I have been pondering on which of our players are top 4 calibre and found it very difficult. Which players would fit into Man C., Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool or even be on the bench. I came up with these… Lloris, Toby, Hojberjg, N’Domblele, Dele, Son,Kane and possibly Skipp. Only Son and Kane would be obvious first teamers.
Therefore, the rest are no where near good enough even to be in a squad of 22 players. What does that say about us? We have several has beens, several no beens, several past beens and no exciting youngsters.
We need a massive clear out. Our signings have been awful. So many average bargains who cannot hold down a first team place and sit out as bench warmers knowing they will be paid for training sessions or maybe a couple of minutes at the end of a game.
Something drastic has to happen. Will Levy go? Doubtful. Will we attract a top, modern coach? Doubtful. Will we get rid of all the players not mentioned above. Doubtful. Will we have a scouting set up that will bring in much wanted new players? Doubtful. Will we be able to spot and coach exciting, young players of tomorrow . Doubtful.
This is where we are at. Great stadium and training facilities. But very little to grace the pitch. Interesting times. So much to do and so little time.
I would even question whether Lloris, Toby, Dele and Skipp should even be anywhere near that list.
Lloris and Toby are in the downhill phase of their careers, both have started to decline, and I’m not sure I would count on them being top players going forward.
For reasons I have listed before, I don’t think Dele can be labeled a “top player” right now. He can be a good player on his day, but those days are few and far between. He’s got the talent but it takes more than talent to be a top player.
Skipp is an academy player who has only had one promising season in the Championship. The potential is there but he is completely unproven at PL level. It’s premature to call him a good PL player, let alone a top 4 player.
TQ2Spurs – If I’m honest, I can relate to the players. In my job, I know that I care a lot less about how fancy the offices are, than I do about where the company is headed, who I’m working with, and what I’m getting paid to do my job.
Put it another way: I would certainly never consider leaving my current job to go work for another company just because the offices are nicer. A higher salary and better professional perspectives would be far greater motivators.
I take your point about pride, but pride in the club/institution shouldn’t come from how good the stadium is. Players should be proud of the club’s history, proud of the fans, proud of the intent shown by the board (which indirectly would be expressed by how well they are paid annd how much the club values them)…
The mistake DL has made, is that the only things players and fans alike can really be proud of, right now, are the real estate assests and the commercial strategy. From a sporting point of view, there currently isn’t very much to be excited about, or proud of.
BS!! You on form 2day, totally agree with alot you saying….
BS….many people see the provision of one of the best stadiums in the world as a show of intent by the board, sadly some see it as just a means for the owners to make a fast buck. Time will tell who is right!
TQ2S….probably very true in your post. COYS
When all is said and done we lost to Villa and the possibility of a Europa league place as a result of a spectacular own goal (possibly the own goal of the decade) and a very unlucky ricochet straight into the path of the Villa striker. That spectacular own goal was matched by Spammers spectacular last minute equaliser against us that denied us the 3 points. If all this is taken into account along with Spammers recent last minute equaliser against Brighton (making up the extra point that has seen them through to the Europa League) it is clear that the footballing Gods have played a huge part in where we are now.. Add Arsenal’s scrambled extra time winner against the Palace to see them with a good chance of finishing above us and it is equally clear that the Gods are out to humiliate us. Nothing much you can do about that.
Stan…thats a way to look at, but to add to our opponents Gods luck, have we had or even made our own. COYS
It’s true Stan….someone forgot to put a pile of salt in each corner of the new ground to ward off evil spirits.