Norwegian Spurs fan EanN17 from the forum breaks down what Spurs need to do this summer to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2013/14
Over to you Mr Levy
The season is almost over. No, you’re right – it is over. Disappointments, big defeats, frustration, confusion and heavy clouds over White Hart Lane. All hope gone then? For next season it isn’t! And you know, there’s always next season!
If you look for answers to what went wrong in the summer the most frequent answers would be – in no particular order; Baldini, too many signings, not buying a left-back, no Premier League experience among the new lads, sacking AVB, giving Sherwood the job. The list is long and most points have some merit. Equally the Spurs family will provide an even longer ‘To do’ list for the summer. Football, it is often said, is a simple game. So if we keep things simple now, what needs to be done?
The Spurs board and ENIC make new plans at a worrying rate. However, they seem to lack the belief that their initial plan was the correct one, so whatever we choose to do in the summer – sticking to the new plan must be the number one task. ENIC’s lack of belief in their own plans is telling – when they sack a manager a short time after presenting them as the latest Holy Grail. This piece has little to do with AVB or Sherwood and more to do with what made us write off the plan we made 18 months earlier.
We must learn from this.
When I say we, I mean as a club – and I look at the board of directors and ENIC.
There are several questions the board should ask themselves after the latest miss-hit of a season. Could we have done bettter when we gave AVB the job in the first place? Was there any way we could have predicted some of the problems coming? We hired a coach that had been haunted down by some of the hawks in the press – would AVB be too vulnerable in the position as a head coach at Spurs? Did he have the tools he wanted and needed to get the job done in the first place? Would he handle the massive expectations and pressure from within the club, fans and press? Is it possible to look at the above and make sure that we get the next appointment right?
[linequote]The board seem to lack belief in their initial plan, so whatever we choose to do in the summer – sticking to the new plan must be the number one task[/linequote]
Well, hopefully.
The majority of fans always wanted to get shot of the manager when we did, although the Spurs community have been split on occassions like the last one. Our rivals – United and Woolwich apart – have changed managers at a frequent rate as well. Looking at their spending power and wage structure goes a long way to explain why we need to be just a little bit better than our rivals if we want real success.
We’re not going to outspend any of the top 5 football clubs in the Premier League before we get that stadium. Equally, we’re not able to match what the richest clubs pay. Not by a long shot.
In spite of this we got in a number of top class talent for the money we got from the Bale transfer this summer. The year before we also bought some really talented players as well. In fact, I haven’t seen a more talented squad in my years as a fan, which goes back to ’89. Of course it’s silly to write them all off. The squad is quite good, but it’s only one part of the puzzle. I believe some of those players will go on to have great careers at Spurs. Their last year at the club haven’t been fair on them, so I wouldn’t be too critical of their performances.
If you ask Spurs fans, quite a few of them want to send most of the squad packing. However, probably the last thing we should do is to start building from point zero. We have a lot of talent in our squad, out on loan and in our academy.
If someone really wants to go though, I think it’s fair to at least consider it, but it must benefit Spurs. After all we want players who want to play for the lilywhite shirt. We should not underestimate how positive some of the players must have been during the summer, just like the fans, before things went bad. Some of them must be gutted playing in a team not working to it’s full potential, and if you are told to play within a system you’re no longer trusting, well, then it may look like they want to go.
I think the best thing would be to get in the new manager and let him decide who should stay or not. We cannot risk a landslide of players leaving the club so a clear message must be sent early enough. The number of changes made during last summer was one of the biggest obstacles for this season, we don’t want to risk that again.
Some sales like Assou-Ekotto, Livermore and Falque look more likely than others and players like Dawson and Friedel may have played their last seasons at the Lane. But having a big squad is only a problem if you’ve got a manager that can’t cope with it. With Europa League again looking likely, it should be enough to keep a healthy competition in the squad and give some of the younger lads a go too.
[linequote]If you make sure that every game might put you in the contention for the next game, even if those games are against obscure Scandinavian or Moldavian teams, this could motivate the players[/linequote]
If you make sure that every game might put you in the contention for the next game, even if those games are against obscure Scandinavian or Moldavian teams, this could motivate the players. That kind of ambition needs to come from the top. You only need to ask how a top manager like Guardiola or Ferguson would handle going to such places. They’d certainly not accept sub-standard performances.
Among those very talanted players at the Lane we have Jan Vertonghen – formerly known as Super Jan. I would talk about him in particular as Vertonghen is the most outstanding example of something not being well at Spurs.
He was a fantastic signing from Ajax when he came during the summer of 2012. This season has not been a happy one for him, mainly because of our inability to find a decent first choice left-back resulting in Vertonghen having to play there at times. He doesn’t do it too well, doesn’t like it and his whole bodylanguage shows it. He has looked frustrated at times, the overreaction from the head-butt vs Dnipro, the supposedly uninterested leaning against the wall before Liverpool and sloppy defending too many times.
[linequote]Levy needs to convince the top players that we are moving in the right direction. It’s not going to be easy[/linequote]
You can imagine that he is having regrets of coming here in the first place, and it’s not really the same project that he signed up to. That is more of an explanation as an excuse by the way. To put it simply, he is fed up. The only way to see re-motivate him is to hire a first class coach. I’m not too worried about the bodylanguage, but I’m sure he’s not too happy. However, I do think he would consider his position under a new manager. After all they all want to play in a successful team – that is still possible at Spurs, but only with the right decisions in the summer.
At the end of the day, I’m not too fussed about Vertonghen and the rest. If he wants to go, it’s a shame to lose him because we know how good he can be. A less motivated Vertonghen though, is of little worth to us. However, if he does turn around his Spurs career, I would more than welcome Super Jan again. The same applies to them all. All would be forgiven. All it takes is for them is to play well for Spurs again and show the dedication we want to see. Just ask Adebayor or Chris Waddle. We’re nice like that.
An exodus may well be on the cards, but only if we can’t make the plans for next season evident soon enough. With less outgoings – and there should’shouldn’t be too many – we’d only need 2-3 players to be able to compete. Levy needs to convince the top players that we are moving in the right direction. It’s not going to be easy.
Much of the ground work has been done though. Although we have been very poor at times this season, not playing near the potential of our squad, we are not light years behind points wise. To feel better about our current situation you need to look and learn from what Liverpool did. 7th last season, small changes and title contenders this season.
Not saying we’ll be title contenders, but chances are – even if it’s Spurs – we will have a much better season next year. Still, a good plan needs to be made, and that’s the breaking point.
Over to you Mr. Levy.
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39 Comments
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22/04/2014 @ 9:19 am
Nice article and i agree with most of it ,pity we have just missed out on Van Gal,Moyes you bellend!!
22/04/2014 @ 4:25 pm
Thank you! Well, Van Gaal would have been interesting as his teams are mostly very attacking and we love that at Spurs. It’s hard to compete vs United though! Moyes would be a disappointment, but I’m prepared to not agree in the decison and be convinced otherwise.
22/04/2014 @ 9:25 am
Buy a left back like kolarov or jose enrique(since i think he wont be playing much) then a good centre back and left winger than we’re fine
22/04/2014 @ 4:28 pm
Yes, I agree we don’t lack much in our squad, however a few adjustments need to be made and of greatest importance of all would be the LB position. Kolarov would be hard to lure to Spurs, think Enrique will play once fit again, but not too convinced. However, there are more left backs out there are better than Rose.
22/04/2014 @ 9:54 am
As a qualified physician, what is your opinion of the Spurs medical staff?
22/04/2014 @ 4:31 pm
I think it would unfair to comment on that as I don’t have the needed background information. Just looking at the number og injuries is not enough to tell, and I suspect there are many factors why we seem to have an injury problem. It’s worrying that we do though.
22/04/2014 @ 9:59 am
Great article, the core is there, its about positive momentum with a manager and structure to support him , a shared vision, walk before run
Stadium
A Cup
top 4
22/04/2014 @ 4:33 pm
We currently have a squad that could reach far with a few adjustments, but not without a manager that can take them there. It’s possible, I hope Levy gets that.
22/04/2014 @ 10:08 am
Klopp is all we need !
22/04/2014 @ 12:00 pm
Klapp would be preferable !
22/04/2014 @ 4:34 pm
But does Klopp need Spurs? I’d love him at Spurs, but would he come and why would he leave Dortmund? Only a hardcore Spurs fan would do that choice, and even he would think long and hard about it!
22/04/2014 @ 10:16 am
Great article, enjoyed the optimism which has been lacking a lot this season.
But basically, it’s all on the next manager, who he is and what he can do to change this team and their mentality
22/04/2014 @ 4:37 pm
Yes, the pressure will be massive on the new man. He must be prepared and hopefully, as I have mentioned above, the board will have learnt from their previous mistakes.
As for the optimism – I am usually even more positive than this, but this was the best I could do right now!
22/04/2014 @ 10:30 am
The problem lies at the heart of the club strategy, which is to sell our best players without having bedded in adequate replacements beforehand, then blame the coach when results aren’t what the fans want. This feeds on itself. It probably started with Carrick, who took 4 years to replace (If you believe Palacios was that man) and then Berbatov. 2 seasons ago we would have made the CL if VDV and Modric were still in the team – even one of them might have been enough. We didn’t do that, so guess what, our new best player – Bale – was also allowed to leave when we failed to make it to the promised land again last year. This year it’s possible we will have the same story with Vertonghen, Lloris and maybe even Eriksen. I suspect we even promise young foregn players that they will be sold to a ‘bigger club’ if they make it with us, and thats why they talk about ‘agreements’ and ‘promises’. To change this requires a complete new strategy friom the owners – 1). Get in a top coach who has done it all before and back him. 2). Hold on to the best players no matter how much pressure they or their agents put on for a move, until we have adequate replacements bedded in and 3) Invest in the playing side of the club, (not just in real estate), rather than just recycling transfer income. One good year in the CL would have generated more money than we received for VDV and Modric added together so if a risk has to be taken that they will sulk if they dont get their move, take it, they will soon come round once they know you mean it and the transfer window has closed. If our Board are confused about how to do this, let’s send them for some coaching from John Henry.
22/04/2014 @ 4:41 pm
Well written, points well made! If you read one of the artcles on the TFC Blog about the Spurs transfer strategy it mentions a few of the same things. Look it up – it was written on the 16th and can easily be found.
22/04/2014 @ 11:32 am
Sherwood as done OK so get off his back. He was never going to be a long term appointment, dont blame Tim for us not getting CL football. Getting the right man in is soooo important. I may be against opioion byt LYG is not the answer IMO. I would like to see us go for Pochentio or Laudrap, asssuming Klopp does not want the job.
22/04/2014 @ 4:45 pm
I take it you didn’t mean that I should get of Sherwood’s back? I’m not assuming he will be in a job at the end of the season and expect us to look for a new one which was the starting point of writing this piece. Not too sure about Pochettino, but he could be exciting. Don’t want Laudrup, it all went bad at Swansea. Klopp, yes, thank you, but as said above – why would be join Spurs?
22/04/2014 @ 12:11 pm
Actually I think Tim is the man to take us forward,we are playing better now,scoring goals ,something I’d almost forgotten about under avb,ok so he upsets people,so what tough shit,if your earning more a week than most people earn a year,you deserve it if you dont deliver.I think Tims initial job is to assess the squad and weed out the duff ones at seasons end.No more managerial superstars please,the last one was a plonker,so I say give Sherwood a chance he’s our most succesful EPL manager so far,and he knows the league better than some fancy furriner.Sandro’s good freind,why do we want Pochetino he fallen of the pace at Soton,Laudrup just got sack,not another avbn please,and Klopp ,a dose of Klapp methinks.Like him or loathe him Tims doing alright by us.COYS
22/04/2014 @ 4:47 pm
As much ad you’d like Tim to be giving a chance I think there is zero chance of him landing the job for various reasons.
22/04/2014 @ 9:55 pm
Have too agree with you.Some of Timmy’s player selections(admittedly its a matter of opion)have been bloody awlful.Kyle Naughton makes more mistakes,probably than any other full back in the Premiser league,for one.yet continues to be a favourite of Timmy’;s..This does not instill confidence in the average fan.Especially for our future if he remains at the helm.
23/04/2014 @ 3:08 pm
Tim cannot be blamed for all the personal mistakes our players make, but you need to ask why our players look like headless chickens at time. Lack of structure and a system? Anyway, don’t want to make this a TS out post. Regardless of what we’ll say for and against however, he will be gone in the summer.
22/04/2014 @ 12:24 pm
Fao, handjob,.. Do you really think Jurgen Klopp is an attainable target for us??? I wish he was!
Secondly, i dont blame sherwood for not getting 4th, hes a moron.
Levy should hang his head in shame!!! – all the bullshit in the summer about projects and plans,.. These things take time,.
Even I knew that AVB was young, stubborn, inexperienced,. Surely it was obvious he would need TIME??..
If there was always the ‘CL this year or ‘goodbye charlie’ why bother hiring him in the first place??!!
22/04/2014 @ 4:50 pm
It’s obvious that young managers will need time, but I think also think that now that AVB is gone the most important thing is to learn from this season. If we don’t learn from our failures we can expect the same to happen again – in 18 months time roughly.
22/04/2014 @ 4:13 pm
Levy must go that’s the only way for tottenham to reach the top
22/04/2014 @ 4:53 pm
Levy won’t be going for anytime soon so the only chance of Spurs improving is if he has learned from his latest ‘project’!
22/04/2014 @ 4:31 pm
Erlend, you say you are an optimist.
Well you must be if you think things will get better with Levy in charge . He’s been making the same mistakes time + time again for over a decade now and somehow seems to have kept fans onside.
Matthew Norman , a quality former Evening Standard journalist and Spurs fan sussed him many years ago but and was soon banned from WHL.
If he had any intention of signing Van Gaal , why was he sat next to him a few days after sacking AVB ? so that the press could speculate ever since. One reason only : It made it look like we were trying to sign a decent manager + now that he can say oh at least we tried , just like the scores of top class players we have been linked with over the years and never get. Now at least he can get Moyes on the cheap and we can look forward to boring , as well as unsuccessful football.
When are people going to finally stop slagging off the Managers + call for this idiot to go ????
22/04/2014 @ 5:00 pm
This is part of a longer discussion about Levy’s stewardship at Spurs of course. I think that making Spurs top 4 challengers is a bit of overachieving before we get a stadium. Levy has done much good for Spurs, we have moved up to the latter a few notches since the dark 90s and have been regular top 6 since the first Harry-season.
It’s aa important call and one that will increase the pressure on Levy if he gets it wrong again.
22/04/2014 @ 5:04 pm
I too am a qualified physician and fan since 1981, specialising in withholding med3 sick notes from Gooners (kidding ;)).
With the sacking of moyes the idea of long term projects are sadly dead (Liverpool not withstanding).
So let’s hope whoever we get in hits the ground running. He’ll need to. Let’s get that LB and CB, use existing resources in midfield, consider another striker (Ings from Burnley?) or a psychologist for Soldado (I was witness to his free kick while in the Park Lane end on Saturday. Shocking).
FORZA! COYS !
22/04/2014 @ 5:36 pm
Unfortunately I have to agree with you. With Levy and most of the chairmen of the PL they are looking for the eject button after a few defeats. As a friend of me has said, a Spurs manager is always 4 defeats from getting the sack. Still, with some immediate results it can buy you some time. If an experienced man gets it, he’s used to the business and knows that he needs to do well in his first season..
22/04/2014 @ 8:59 pm
Great article – agree entirely
22/04/2014 @ 9:05 pm
Thanks, appreciate it!
22/04/2014 @ 10:14 pm
Ive got to say im warming to Sherwood….maybe its because he dosent care what he says anymore, nobody to suck up to !
Classics “he’s not injured, he not good enough to get in the team” “team much of a muchness”
Come on Tim gloves off….let have some fun !
23/04/2014 @ 3:11 pm
On one hand it’s good to hear someone say their thoughts, the other side of things I think it hurts more than it does good. There’ll be a Spurs there after Tim too!
23/04/2014 @ 3:37 am
same ol tims a dim tim is great dim or great does not come into it sherwood is not going to be here next season he already knows it i agree result against fulham was good but that is not enough tim constantley is destabalizing the team with his comments about players and who should go who should stay when he knows the exit door awaits nice going bye bye wish you all the best at newcastle……… they wouldent would they………..
23/04/2014 @ 3:13 pm
Yes, as said above; regardless what we have say for and against; he’ll be gone in May.
23/04/2014 @ 9:33 am
Maybe we should change our motto from to dare is to do to their is always next year we spurs fans say that a lot. Pulis for next manager would do better than any foreign manager. He plays to teams strengths and could sort out defence worth seeing what he could do with some money. If it does not work out ! Well their is always next year
23/04/2014 @ 3:17 pm
You know I’ve not been a Pulisfan, far from it. Used to despise his Stoke-team, but looking at what he has done at Palace with those players at disposal you have to ask yourself what he could have done at Spurs, not that I’m convinced he would do well though! Pickkng Pulis would be a brave choice, but he wouldn’t last with the fans. I’ve said before that the board may take a decision we won’t agree with.
23/04/2014 @ 7:57 pm
I wish I could agree with the Spurs fans who believe that the current squad is either good enough or nearly good enough, but in truth I couldn’t disagree more. Apart from Lloris, who will almost certainly leave, and possibly Erikson, the current squad is so far removed from challenging for anything worth bothering about, and I do not include the pointless Europa League in that, that as unfortunate as it may be, there is no option but to start rebuilding from the bottom. Does anybody seriously believe that the likes of Lennon and Townsend (please teach me how to cross a ball), Rose (one of the worst players ever to wear the white shirt), etc., will mount a serious challenge for anything other than mediocrity?
23/04/2014 @ 10:29 pm
There are some positions like left back and cover for right back that need to be changed, but I ask you this: do you think Liverpool’s squad is superior to ours? Did you think so before this season? They were 7th with almost the identical squad and look what they’ve done. We need evolution and not another revolution, all imho.