So we are on the brink of a new season, one that could well determine the future of Tottenham Hotspur for the next decade. Normally this is the time for extreme feelings of optimism, despair, hope, fear, etc, to run riot in the minds of every supporter of every club. But for our club, this is not a normal time.
We all know the many issues that confront Spurs this season. The requirements to improve declining team performances have been discussed to infinity and back on VS. Given what we all know it is now time to bite the bullet and convey our expectations for the season.
For the past few seasons, there has been a consensus from most supporters on VS that we needed to remain in the top six and have decent runs in the various cups where the chance of silverware was considered possible. European football was a major focus. The expectations are likely to be rather different this season, despairingly so.
The cynics among us will probably hope that we achieve a top seventeen place in the league and hopefully reach the third round of the FA Cup (!!). They will also hope that we don’t use more than four new managers as the season progresses. That does seem to be quite achievable so ‘good on ya’ cynics.
The optimists among us will probably still be hoping for a top six finish in the league and a decent run in one or more of the cups so it’s another ‘thumbs up’ to the optimists.
Which of the above pathways each supporter dares to tread will depend on all the things that remain up in the air at the club, all the issues highlighted in lengthy and repetitive discussion on VS. Of course it’s difficult, actually, it’s impossible, to make any educated predictions when nobody quite knows what the team will look like when it steps on the park to face Manchester City. But it is what it is and when it comes to football most of our ideas are based on uneducated guesses at the best of times.
The truth is that all results, from winning the double to relegation, are possible. So I’ll start the ball rolling with my expectations for the season ahead.
I had to pause my writing here as I entered a few moments of deep and profound thought.
Those moments proved quite fruitless. I don’t seem to have any expectations, good or bad. I simply can’t find any base to sit an expectation on.
I’ll just have to resort to the tried and tested default expectation which has more to do with hope, than anything sensible or meaningful. Therefore, a top six finish in the league and a decent run in at least one of the cups!
Who knows?
Hi TQ. I knew what you were referring to. I think the Matildas have done really well and certainly matched Sweden in the semi-final. There’s a tough game against the US for a bronze medal but the GB game was the most exciting game I’ve ever seen in women’s football. Kerr must find it all very confusing as she is up against Chelsea team-mates just about every time she plays. The Olympics have been pretty awesome for Australia so far.
TQ, 123,Rov,Im with you there same old arse different pair of underpants.
Just let Kane go, get our business done, rather than every deal being a saga over a mil here or there.
Mind you if there’s an odd mil to spare I’ll take it.
But everything about us smack of the last tram. Every one gets their pick and we are left with the scraps, not because we weren’t at the table in time but we looked at the whole bloody menu before actually selecting what we needed.
For the last time, we need a RB two CB’s a creative Mid field, and one or two strikers depending on what Harry does, but now in reality, I just want him gone, thanks for the service you’ve been great, let’s get the best dosh we can + a player, (for me Ake) and do our business efficiently FFS.
Hi Geof, GB haven’t been too shabby either. Sadly, I missed the Aussie/GB game as I was helping my daughter and son-in-law with the renovation of their new property in the country, I think I managed to catch the last few minutes only which was tense enough for my old ticker!
TQ …. It was a game that had everything, Strangely, almost every goal came against the run of play at the time which meant you didn’t know what would happen next. I ‘m looking forward to the WSL. I wonder what difference the signings for Spurs will make.
PY …. It’s all good down here, mate. Hope it’s the same for you and yours in your summer season.
Me, I’m optimistic for the the season ahead.
Jose has gone and that is pleasing enough in itself. Because now, we have a head coach that that I see as firm but fair. Pragmatic but positive. Nuno will work the players hard, but not throw them under the bus or treat them like children. He will be adaptable in his tactics and formations. And play to each players strengths.
I envisage a tough old journey that sees us finish in the EPL top four and winning a cup… The FA cup will do nicely, thank you.
Can’t wait!
Up the Spurs!
Hi HT, Hope your keeping well, 😉
Much of what you say is true, I’m now used to Nuno being with us, and I am a bit more positive about his appointment, and indeed he appears to have many of “Poch’s” attributes re trading methods and player management.
I just want our team in place before the first ball is kicked, get them training together and playing together, and I defo don’t want Mr Levey with 150 mil burning a hole in his pocket on the last day of the Transfer window. 🤔
All together now …..
Bye bye Harry
Harry goodbye
Bye bye Harry
Don’t make me cry…
Man City Rollers await you.
Hi HT. Have to say that I am starting to share your optimism and Nuno could fit in quite well at Spurs. Not long now before we find out.
Morning all fellow Spurs fans, I said prior 6th, Top 6, and the Euro thingy, Conference, for me, as LT challenging hopefully for the top 4.
HK, has been in isolation, will be back training at the end of the week. COYS
Well that’s one of a few HK stories that are doing the rounds, PY…
But who knows what’s actually going on?
I just wish that Harry was either gone right now or otherwise, we had a statement from him saying that he’s going nowhere. So the club and us supporters can move on, and prepare and tackle the priorities and needs of the team for the upcoming season, and not of one individual…
All for Spurs and Spurs for all!
The friendly (!) games against Chelsea and Arsenal should give Nuno a good idea of what he has to work with. The results don’t really matter but the opportunity for Nano to assess his squad, does.
Harry will go to City, there is no doubt about that. The only issue is getting replacements in in good time.
Kane will leave on 31st August but we must have our replacements in before then – or we will be screwed by the selling clubs. I think the position Spurs are taking is for the benefit of clubs whom we are looking to buy from and maybe to push the price up for City.
Personally I would take Laporte (£35m), Bernardo Silva (£50m) plus £50m. That would be a good deal. However, the chances of either of them wanting to come to Spurs are as close to zero as you can get.
I’m not sure about the sensibility of playing two such games so close to the PL opening, it’s just the nature of the opposition that the games will be very competitive and could easily result in injuries due to lack of match fitness. I don’t really care about the results as long as all of the players come through unscathed with improved fitness and Nuno having the opportunity to assess the squad players who are currently available.
Having only played lower league opposition to date, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming two friendlies go. Let’s see how close we are to being ready for the start of the season. COYS
DH….it is claimed Laporte wants to return to Spain so you are probably right in relation to him, I’m not so sure about Bernardo, I think having a manager and a number of other Portugese speakers among the players he maybe could be persuaded. I have said before, I would take him plus £100m for Kane as long as it’s done quickly and not on August 31st.
Geof, glad you are all ok, we are doing fine, being watchful and sensible.
HT, that what I wrote was the only thing I had heard other than the “bullshit” from Sky.
As you say whatever is going to happen, draw a line under it so we can all get started afresh. COYS
There is bound to be some truth to the self-isolation story as Kane has just returned from an amber zone country. If he hadn’t been fully vaccinated before going he would have to isolate for 10 days on his return but we can probably assume he will have had two doses before he went. I think in this case he would still have to be tested two days after returning before being allowed to mix again. That said, I think much of the speculation would have been quashed if this were the only reason for his absence.
Maybe we should have hired Villa’s recruitment team, they are making ours look like rank amateurs.
Very good signing for villa, also with wakins having a good 1st season, seems like they are spending the 100mil wisely
I really like Watkins, he would be a good homegrown back up striker for the squad.