So, another Transfer Window saga is almost over. This time it’s a fruitful one. There’s little doubt that this was one of the most interesting TWs in recent times for Spurs. And it sends a clear message to anyone who follows football. That message is; Tottenham is serious in its intent.
Levy and the THFC Board have long been criticized by many supporters for keeping his hands in his pocket. Many considered that his long-term plan involved making money rather than building a team that can bring trophy success on the park. And he certainly was not a risk taker.
Levy’s detractors are mainly those supporters who do not have the patience or the vision to understand what he hopes to achieve. They demand instant success on the pitch and silverware for the trophy cabinet. Life rarely works that way…. and football never does.
Obviously everyone associated with THFC, especially the Chairman, want success, too. But to achieve long-term success there has to be a solid foundation on which to base all of the club’s operations. Levy has long been committed to making his vision a reality and has worked steadily toward that end. We have all witnessed the amazing development of our facilities in recent years. He is wise enough to know that he cannot please every supporter because, well, because everyone is different. But he is focused and motivated enough to maintain his efforts to make his vision a reality. The product that is THFC today is a vastly different product than it was fifteen years ago …. and in a good way.
The perception by some seems to suggest that the THFC members of the management Board are either stupid or out of touch with reality. And I don’t think anyone considers Levy to be stupid. Without doubt he understands that to make money in business (and football has become big business) a football club needs to achieve success on the park. That’s what Levy wants, too.
It takes a great deal of time, and many things have to come together, for a club to reach the heights of its aspirations. Few have the financial resources to try. Few achieve it. And there are so many very good reasons why they fail. Not long ago Tottenham looked, and played like, potential champions. But it wasn’t to be. That chapter, and opportunity, has now passed and Tottenham have had to start rebuilding again. All clubs go through the same process every few years.
Levy progresses the club in his own time and in his own way. He’s the boss. That’s how it works. He won’t progress the club in the way I want, or in the way anybody else wants. He has a plan and he is intent on following it. Comparing the club now to how it was fifteen years ago suggests he is going in the right direction.
Levy has taken a huge risk by bringing Gareth Bale back to The Lane in view of his age, lack of recent game time, and tendency to suffer injuries. He has taken another risk by appointing Jose as the club manager. For despite his trophy success with his previous clubs he remains an enigma. His ability to manage and support his players when the going gets tough poses a few questions. Tottenham have the players. It’s up to Jose to make them winners. In the past Jose has not been one for the long term in his managerial career. Levy is planning for the long term.
All transfers are risks but the risks posed by bringing Bale and Jose to The Lane are at the upper end of the scale. Maybe Levy is a risk taker after all. He has made some sound signings, and he has opened his wallet and negotiated some clever deals in the most economically troubled times the world has seen since he became Chairman.
But Levy is not just the Chairman of THFC; he is a supporter. Come the day when he leaves his current position behind I would still expect to see him at the ground on match days.
THFC is a strong club with world class facilities. It is a club which is respected wherever the game is played. All Spurs supporters can be proud of this. And the vision that leads Daniel Levy onwards is alive and well. Levy should get credit for this. My overall sense as I write this is that, for THFC, the good times are coming.
Hey TQ …. I did watch Spurs v United. I thought there were signs that things are coming together. But I haven’t watched many of their games yet so I’m basing that remark on what you’ve told me previously. They certainly need someone up front and hopefully that will be what Morgan brings to their game. If she is half as good as she was pre-pregnancy she will be very useful. I suppose Spurs have some catching up to do but recent signings suggest they are going the right way about it. Kennedy is a solid player and brings a lot of experience to the squad. This season will be one of preparing the team for the future …. perhaps?
I did (obviously) watch the Chelsea game. It was a good game, as you’d expect, and nice to see Sam score. She hasn’t hit the net as much as I expected yet but her tireless runs, pressing, and link-up play is brilliant. There will be many more goals to come. She likes to run onto the ball (Vardy/Son like) and is always looking to make a run. I really believe she is the best female player on the planet. Or am I biased? Chelsea have such a good team …. have a fast attacking game and are very entertaining to watch. I do find it extremely weird that I want them
Chelsea to win games. It’s all Kerr’s fault!
Oops!
The great thing about keeping Ali, and I am hopeful Ali will work his way into a regular, is that he does offer something different as mentioned above.
I think It is obvious Jose is preferring the 433 and that formation seems be the trend among many top teams atm. For me, I think our very best 11 should include Ndombele and Lo Celso. I am dubious as to when or how often Jose will play Ndombele and Lo Celso together and I am sure many Spurs are wondering the same thing. That is potentially leaving too much to cover for Hojbjerg. As much as I love Ndombele(incredible on the ball), I think he has a long way to go to earn Jose’s trust off the ball. Coys!
Good Point TopS
N’DOM has a bit still to do but he is improving and together with LoC they looked well.
Imagine.
Lloris, Doh, Tobs, Dier(Dave), Reg, Hoj, NDom, LoCes, Bale, HK10, Vinni(Sonny)
What a line up.
I’m hoping for Spam on a plate Sunday.
There should be a ‘Dele’ discussion coming soon.
nothing much to talk about dele, simply not good enough anymore. Can he step up only time will tell
123…..I’m not sure it’s a case of not being good enough anymore, as I’ve commented before I don’t think he fits in the formations Jose prefers to play, in other words he will always be a square plug in a round hole unless we play a 4231 formation.
Don’t get me wrong…….I love his individual creativity, he at least tries to be different and do things that wrong foot defenders, but if it is always going to unbalance the team playing him then sadly we might have to cash in on his worth and invest in more needy areas of the pitch.
Sorry to pre-empt your article Geof but will still have comments to make when it arrives. 🙂
So…we have planning consent to add another 547 seats at the stadium taking the capacity to 62,850. Would be nice to get any amount in right now!
poch 4231
Back 4
2 holding
Son dele eriksen
Kane
It has been an excellent transfer window for once and at last a “decent” back up striker after many,many barren times. My only regret is that we did not sign Jack Grealish a couple of seasons ago when Levy was dithering and trying to drop the asking price. I watched him closely against Wales and thought how brilliant he would be for Spurs and the fans. Definitely a “Gazza” swagger and the ability to play across the front line. Two good feet , excellent free kick taker, draws fouls all over the pitch and top goalscorer. This is a position we are definitely lacking since the departure of Eriksen.
We must keep Dele. What a bargain he was. Sitting behind Kane, Bale and Son in the Martin Peters role could be very exciting.