Tottenham Hotspur have the weekend off this time around, and therefore have longer to recover and bounce back from the FA Cup nightmare that was Middlesbrough earlier in the week. The question is, can we put recent poorer form behind us as we host struggling Everton at White Hart Lane on Monday evening and register back to back Premier League victories once again.
The game is almost set up as a must win in the battle for the European places this year, as after previous slip ups in what should’ve been very winnable games for us, whilst we still have a couple of games in hand on West Ham United, we need the three points to keep pace with North London rivals Arsenal and keep ourselves ahead of those below us in the table who will fancy their chances of a late surge as the 2021/22 campaign edges to a close.
In terms of injuries and selection problems, it’s pretty much a case of how we were when it comes to Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga, although we might see bench returns for Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Moura depending on how the next few days go.
With Everton languishing in 17th place and sitting a single point ahead of the relegation places, everything on paper should point to a comfortable three points for Spurs – but as this season has reminded us, we rarely do things the simple way.
Wing backs ain’t working, try something different, maybe 442
123spurs – nothing will work with this squad. We have the two poorest right full backs/wing backs in the league, average left full backs/wing backs and a desperately poor midfield. Only four midfield players in the squad, none of them with any creativity let alone goals (it is a fair bet that we get zero goals out of them from now until the end of the season).
To leave the squad so thread bear in midfield and so lacking in the full back areas takes Levy/Paratici to new levels of incompetence – quite an achievement for those two. Add to that the lack of a back up striker and a dodgy defence, we are not in a great position.
The match on Monday could go any way you choose. If Kane and Son have an off day or are starved of service we lose, if they are on their game then we have a chance. Either way it will be an interesting game played in front of a far from full White Hart Lane.
Agree with DH. Going to a 442 might slightly imporve certain players, but will make others going backwards.
The issue isn’t the system. The issue is that our scattergun approach to recruitment in recent years has meant that there is no uniformity in our squad. We have certain players who excel in certain positions/tactics, other players who excel in different systems and no matter which system you pick, it will suit some but not others.
Versatility does exist in football and certain players are capable of excelling in different systems, but these players are usually the very best in wolrd football and that is simply not the type of player we have been targeting. Call it lack of quality, lack of ambition – whatever.
I do think that the last thing we need now is yet more chopping and changing. Conte has a long term vision, and some of the players in our squad today are awkward fits for that vision.
I would rather define a clear vision, and be patient while it is being implemented, rather than chop and change every week and take one step forward, one step back.
Most of our previous managers have had far too little to say in how our recruitment was done, and they were merely told to “make it work”. Well, none of them have managed to do that yet several of them were/are some of the best managers in world football.
I think it’s time to believe in a manager, back him, and give him time to implement his vision. We have tried otherwise too many times and not had any sort of success doing so. How many times do we repeat this cycle before accepting to try something different?
Tend to agree with you Doncaster. We have, by far, the weakest squad in years relying totally on the exploits of Son and Kane. Without them, we would be looking at a lower table position.
Our midfield is the poorest that I can remember with no creativity or goal scoring potential.
Kane and Son struggle manfully to pick up on scraps. They both deserve better.
To add! “not a lot” lol!
It has been suggested 4-4-2, that is sound, but for me the way to go is 3-5-2
Suggested/example of the team
Lloris
Dier- Romero- Roddon
Kulu-Skippy-Hoj- Bentacur- Sessegnon
Son n Kane.
Just a thought, am ready for holes to be picked lol! COYS
Nothing wrong with that selection for me PY.
As good as we’ve got, was still posting up to now on the last thread, re our squad.
I just don’t think we’re quite as bad as, a few posters think here, whilst they are entitled to their thoughts about the squad, we have more than just 2 players.
Hi Niall, it is not easy to name top players other than Son and Kane. I try to compare our remaining players with top teams and I cannot think of any of our squad that would be coveted by Mancs, Pool, Chelsea. In fact none of our squad would get on the bench (Lloris maybe). We have a weak defence, poor wing backs, dull midfield and then Kane and Son struggling to win on their own.
Hi WW,
Not poh pooing your suggestion.
But I did put my observations on the last thread.
But I’ll do similar again.
I’m not saying that we can compete with Mman Cs signings or Chelseas.
But there are a few Liverpool places that our lads could get.
With that said I was more looking at ManU, Arse, W/ham who are scrambling for 4/5th spots, we are as good if not better than their squads
I particularly look at Man U, quite a few of their prestige players are the, wrong side of 30, where do they go next season, it is OK to have 1 or 2 elder statesmen in your ranks but they (for me) are way over subscribed.
We have players who are good and many who can be improved.
When I look at our squad, I see Kane, Son, Lloris, Kulu, Bentancur, Skipp, Romero, Even Dier Hoj and possibly Sess, are a nucleus that we can build on to take us into top 4.
To progress further than that, some of these younger players may progress more and with a few (quite a few) additions we can start winning, that’s my reading of tour situation, though many on here will not see further than Kane and Son.
But for me we don’t need. 20 out the back door leaving 2 incumbent players, I can’t see that happening.
We can be canny, get a few decent players at the right price, get rid of a few “cling ons”
The mighty Man C? How many points did they take from us this season?
Liverpool only scrapped a draw..
It’s about building, consistency, wining mentality, and small margins at this level.
No team in the Prem is, a push over, had the hand ball been given at Everton, Man C would no longer be comfortable at the top as Liver pool would be right down their necks.
We are not as far away as many think, yes this season we’re holding on by our fingertips, but we are in the discussion.
COYS.
I don’t get your assessment of Manu Niall, where are all these over 30 players? Of those that may or may not be starters there is Ronaldo, Cavani and Matic that I can think of, maybe De Gea but as a goalie not so relevant, much of their squad are early to mid twenties or younger.
HI TQ
Glad to hear from you, I will also add in Phil Jones, Juan Mata, I thought Fred was over 30 but he’s 29, so that makes 6 of their squad over 30.
If they do get long term injuries to younger players, do you want a 30+yr old playing perhaps 3 games a week,for months on end I’m not against older players, in fact I advocate an odd one at our club, but I just think that 6 is a substantial number to carry a team forward.
Just my thoughts m8.
Hi Niall……..I didn’t include Jones or Mata as they really only get dragged out to play in desperation these days!
Hi again Niall,
I do respect your summary but I just can’t share your optimism. I am still stick with the memories of Poch and and the superb team and exciting play that took us so close to the Champions cup and Prem title.
Also being a Spurs supporter for nearly 60 years, it’s really hard not to keep drawing comparisons with our illustrious past and some of the outstanding players and teams when attending White Hart Lane was a joy.
We have many workmanlike players who try to do a job. But we are so lacking in many positions. The two new lads have brought a little hope and Skipp’s return should send Winks to the back benches. Surely, we have some academy players who can step up now that the season is over. They need to be given a chance to outwit Emerson, Doherty, Winks, Bergweijn, etc. There is nothing to lose. We need desperately to find or next Eriksen, Dembele, Gazza, Hoddle, Ardiles, Ginola. Even one exciting player would give us a lift and provide support for our only two stars.
I know it’s easy to think so but I wouldn’t say the season is over just yet, fourth place (however unlikely) is still attainable. If we can take say 4 points from our three games against United, Liverpool, and the Gooners at home the rest of our games are realistically all winnable with a little desire and hard work. Even 5th or 6th makes us a little more attractive to potential transfer targets with EL football next season.
Hi WW
Yep those players were indeed great, but I feel this is now (sadly) a different era, where athleticism, strength and fitness over come skill and magic to a degree, there just aren’t that many of those type of players any where, I mean the Hoddle , Ginola type.
They appeae to be a luxury, that not many teams have. And if they are there we don’t want em, Coutino springs to mind 🤔
I dunno the answer m8. 😉
Just hoping for improvement over the summer
The simple situation on team players is conte has to be backed in transfers out & in, otherwise he will walk away. I was concerned that his demeanour in the tech. area was much subdued and a look of acceptance of the way we played. Even if poch returns the situation will be the same, i allege.
There are as we all know about 5 players who are below the quality needed for a top 4 team, and Levy has been summoned (media rumours) to report to uncle joe in the Bahamas about his running of spurs and failure to win silverware, and costs of team managers / support coaches sacked.
A sale of THFC will be reduced substantially by a under performing team, that will need £250m + spending on it. This is a very important factor in ENIC sale price, so speculate to accumulate could well be applied.
So while I agree Levy has done very well on building the club training ground (money from 1st CL run with Harry Redknapp) and the new stadium (financed by bank loans mainly) . It’s time IMO for them to dare to do.. or not… we will see.. COYS
I’m with you there B108 I think about 5 players are below top 4 standard.
I just think that Levy’s focus was on stadium, stadium stadium, and that the team would look after its self, tottering around top 4 until finances settled, unfortunately this didn’t happen.
But football wise he hasn’t covered himself and us in glory lately, with as BS (I think) said a “Scatter gun” approach to player selling and purchasing.
Now is he “on the Carpet” in the Bahamas who knows.
Just want to see some progress next season with some new faces.
Niall… Yes Levy was blinkered on the property / infrastructure. We all want to see spurs progress to cup finals, top of PL, CL final again… and win 🙂 But levy has to now focus on the team, defer the additional building of the development at WHL.
The development around WHL will have no detrimental effect on the football operations of THFC, in the long term it can only improve our ability to compete at the top level.
TQ2, In theory the remaining development should not but we have seen what happened with the stadium build, and transfer windows of no activity or almost zero net spend.
However I am hopeful (as spurs fans always are) Levy and joe / board of THFC back conte
and obtain better quality players. COYS
I think we have to accept that the unexpected global pandemic has delayed the benefits expected from the increased income the stadium will bring both in matchday revenue and commercially. It is rumoured that negotiations have been held for the stadium naming rights with an overall £500m package over 20-25 years being suggested.
Hi TQ
Hopefully the naming rights money will go straight to player transfers, but some how I don’t see it all going that way, there are those of us who are a bit concerned about the cinema project etc…
Given the vast overspend on the stadium, and subsequent under investment and focus on the team.
I am not local to the area and PY did a bit of work on describing the project.
With that said we are where we are, and the stadium money is spent, so let’s hope, boxing matches, Kylie Minogue concerts, Indiana Jones, James Bond, and indeed NFL, all add to our player funds.
Just hope it now starts to pan out as promised.
£25m per year from naming rights won’t go far in terms of transfer fees but it will add to the coffers to make wages a bit more competitive with the big boys.
Can Bentacur be the creative MF we have needed for so long?
I know, BS, time will tell.
Geoff
Re Bentancour, I honestly think that Conte doesn’t rate Hoj, he perhaps feels that he is a little too defensive, I think Bentancour is a Hoj upgrade or alternative and not a play maker.
Just my thoughts on it chum.
Cheers ND. It’s just that he seems to have an element of class about his play and, more to the point, he moves forward and looks for the pass. But …. early days yet.
Wouldn’t that be novel…..having someone who moves forward and looks for a pass, especially if it’s in the same direction. :- )