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It's not like we had telepathic teamwork last year, we were already pretty disjointed. Especially after Sandro's injury, our teams never really gelled, but Bale's heroics papered over that.
I'd rather see some mix of Dembele, Paulinho, Sandro, Capoue, Chadli and Soldado get a trial by fire if the alternative is playing Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Defoe etc. for the sake of continuity.
I'd rather see some mix of Dembele, Paulinho, Sandro, Capoue, Chadli and Soldado get a trial by fire if the alternative is playing Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Defoe etc. for the sake of continuity.
Too many signings in a window.
Not if most of the work is centered around repairing damage done under previous managers and their utterly myopic self-serving little agenda.
Essentially we're replacing below average players, and MotD specials with top-class (Spurs-level), young continental units with potential, while trimming our wage bill - all as part of a long term development strategy, as opposed to 6-month loans for dying cloggers.
Long may it continue
Essentially we're replacing below average players, and MotD specials with top-class (Spurs-level), young continental units with potential, while trimming our wage bill - all as part of a long term development strategy, as opposed to 6-month loans for dying cloggers.
Long may it continue
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I just worry about the team gelling as a whole. It has to take time for players to know instinctively how each other thinks on the pitch. Throw three or four new guys on the pitch and I would assume you may see some disjointed play within the team, no?
It is a known fact that it takes 12 months for a foreign player to settle into the premiere league, but everyone ignores this and expects success within that time frame. If you buy a small number of players into a squad then the integration is much easier as the core of the team should already be a functioning and an effective unit and can therefore absorb one or two players into their style of play. Unfortunatly for us I feel that we didn't have a functioning team (not a truly strong unit with an established identity of playing), add 7 new players from outside the league, add 3 of the development squad (Townsend/Rose/Bentaleb), add Holtby and argue that a further x3 other players are new (Lloris, Vertonghen and Dembele) is it really any surprise why we have been the way we have this season………that's 14 new players in two seasons!!!!
On a positive note:
1. This squad has some very good individuals. The "quality" now exceeds 15 players (in the past I'd argue it was less than 8 players even in Harry's CL team).
2. With the exception of Lamela all our new players have experienced the intensity of the PL
3. With a new state of the art training facility everything is in place to support the players.
4. This squad has experienced upheaval and still finished 6th
5. This squad has experienced 2 mangers in a season and still finished 6th
6. This squad has experienced massive humiliating multiple defeats and still finished 6th
7. This squad has played in a morgue and still finished 6th.
8. For the first time in 20 years or so our development squad is looking strong and we have at least 8 of them who have now pulled on a first team shirt and played. (more than 8 if you include those who were in the squad in EL).
9. If there is truth in the links with FdB, Pochettino, then it shows that we do actually have a plan on the style of play we are striving for at Tottenham. I am not debating the individual abilities of these managers but mearly stating that the style of football that these managers are associated with is one which we crave and what we have already in place in our development teams.
10. Presumption, but as Sherwood has left the building after 6 years at the club and Baldini still remains then I see this as part of a plan, a new regime. When Redknapp and his team were fired the club stated that it wanted to change direction, or words to that effect. In came AVB and a DoF and 7 new internatioal players that by and large played in teams that had systems/formations we looked to emulate. The point here is that there is deliberate direction the club are morphing towards. As in my previous point we can debate allday long about what we are morphing into is good or bad, wright or wrong. But I am confident that after 13 years Levy has made up his mind on the structure and direction he wants of the club, rather than blindly bouncing around from one direction to another.
11. I was never a fan of Sherwood, but a part of me thinks that for all of his rants about the players this actually might have done some good (we will find out next season). IMO As fans the only thing we can demand and expect is a player to give 100%, if a player who puts on our famous shirt fails to give 100% he deserves to be slated. If he is not very good but gives 100% he deserves to be supported. I hope this message has got through to the players.
12. With a full pre-season under a good manager with limited changes to the squad we can push-on. 80% of what we need is in place.
*Bollocks got a bit carried away there*
On a positive note:
1. This squad has some very good individuals. The "quality" now exceeds 15 players (in the past I'd argue it was less than 8 players even in Harry's CL team).
2. With the exception of Lamela all our new players have experienced the intensity of the PL
3. With a new state of the art training facility everything is in place to support the players.
4. This squad has experienced upheaval and still finished 6th
5. This squad has experienced 2 mangers in a season and still finished 6th
6. This squad has experienced massive humiliating multiple defeats and still finished 6th
7. This squad has played in a morgue and still finished 6th.
8. For the first time in 20 years or so our development squad is looking strong and we have at least 8 of them who have now pulled on a first team shirt and played. (more than 8 if you include those who were in the squad in EL).
9. If there is truth in the links with FdB, Pochettino, then it shows that we do actually have a plan on the style of play we are striving for at Tottenham. I am not debating the individual abilities of these managers but mearly stating that the style of football that these managers are associated with is one which we crave and what we have already in place in our development teams.
10. Presumption, but as Sherwood has left the building after 6 years at the club and Baldini still remains then I see this as part of a plan, a new regime. When Redknapp and his team were fired the club stated that it wanted to change direction, or words to that effect. In came AVB and a DoF and 7 new internatioal players that by and large played in teams that had systems/formations we looked to emulate. The point here is that there is deliberate direction the club are morphing towards. As in my previous point we can debate allday long about what we are morphing into is good or bad, wright or wrong. But I am confident that after 13 years Levy has made up his mind on the structure and direction he wants of the club, rather than blindly bouncing around from one direction to another.
11. I was never a fan of Sherwood, but a part of me thinks that for all of his rants about the players this actually might have done some good (we will find out next season). IMO As fans the only thing we can demand and expect is a player to give 100%, if a player who puts on our famous shirt fails to give 100% he deserves to be slated. If he is not very good but gives 100% he deserves to be supported. I hope this message has got through to the players.
12. With a full pre-season under a good manager with limited changes to the squad we can push-on. 80% of what we need is in place.
*Bollocks got a bit carried away there*
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Despite the Capoue pickup making me feel a lot better, still think we need a solid CB pickup and I have no doubt the club believes so as well. I'd still like to see us go after a proven creative attacking center mid (Eriksen for me), but I doubt it's a priority at this point. Would like to think the club has heard mention of the news Fiorentina will only sell Ljajic to a foreign club for 12 mil euros, and are considering the possibility. Young, shown excellence already, and extremely versatile, this one just makes too much sense. Madrid have also apparently set their valuation of Coentrao at 14 mil, and I would not be upset if we took the offer, especially if we guaranteed a reduced price for Bale next summer.
With just a new CB and Ljajic; the sales of Thudd, Parker, and Benny; and loans for Carroll and Livermore; I personally would be pleased and think we'd be set for an excellent season with a fairly smooth ride to top four. Coentrao and Eriksen added, I think we'd be racing with the blue money bags and pissing all over anything wearing red.
With just a new CB and Ljajic; the sales of Thudd, Parker, and Benny; and loans for Carroll and Livermore; I personally would be pleased and think we'd be set for an excellent season with a fairly smooth ride to top four. Coentrao and Eriksen added, I think we'd be racing with the blue money bags and pissing all over anything wearing red.
They signed all the wrong players......players on the decline with no ambition, looking for one last pay day
I don't want to see loads of changes. Two or three key signings max.
I also don't think that the season has proved that we signed too many players. Firstly, I don't think anybody thought that so many of them, coming with such good records and/or potential, would come up short. I think we have been unusually unlucky in that regard. I think under normal circumstances it was reasonable to expect at least two or three to come good, rather than just one.
Also, many haven't played together a great deal, with some coming and out of the side or simply not being around for large chunks of the season. They've had two different style of manager to deal with, one who was extremely stubborn and reluctant to change things up, another who was the exactly oppsoite and, frankly, gung ho and all over the place. I don't see how players can expect to gel or bed in if there is no consistency. I think the fact that we still got a 6th place finish with a decent points haul, despite all this, shows the squad still has ability.
I think there is a great deal of potential left in the squad, including the signings from last year, and I'd like to see an experienced manager get in and see what he can do with them. Overall I don't think we made a mistake making as many signings as we did. Bale was a huge void to try and fill and I think if the club had not reinvested the money our squad would not only be weaker than it is now, but Levy would have been heavily criticised by the fans.
I think the real question is not about the number of signings, it's about whether or not the signings we make are in keeping with the manager's plans. If rumours are to be believed then AVB didn't get the key signings he wanted. Maybe if he had then his football this season would not have been so dire, there would be no Sherwood and we'd not be looking at yet another man coming in. It's essential when interviewing a new manager that Levy agrees to identify and actually get the key players the manager thinks are necessary. Not lump others on him that the Director of Football thinks are worth it. My fear is, with rumours of Poch and FdB, Levy is looking for a man who is used to working with what he is already presented with. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Anyhow, I digress. The players brought in must also be ones who fit into a workable system. Square pegs in round holes will always present problems. I think the other problem with last year's signings is that the squad ultimately wasn't balanced. Again, that's not a question of how many signings there are. It's about whether or not the signings are the right ones to play together and compliment each other.
So, ultimately, I don't think it's a yes or no question. There are more factors involved.
I also don't think that the season has proved that we signed too many players. Firstly, I don't think anybody thought that so many of them, coming with such good records and/or potential, would come up short. I think we have been unusually unlucky in that regard. I think under normal circumstances it was reasonable to expect at least two or three to come good, rather than just one.
Also, many haven't played together a great deal, with some coming and out of the side or simply not being around for large chunks of the season. They've had two different style of manager to deal with, one who was extremely stubborn and reluctant to change things up, another who was the exactly oppsoite and, frankly, gung ho and all over the place. I don't see how players can expect to gel or bed in if there is no consistency. I think the fact that we still got a 6th place finish with a decent points haul, despite all this, shows the squad still has ability.
I think there is a great deal of potential left in the squad, including the signings from last year, and I'd like to see an experienced manager get in and see what he can do with them. Overall I don't think we made a mistake making as many signings as we did. Bale was a huge void to try and fill and I think if the club had not reinvested the money our squad would not only be weaker than it is now, but Levy would have been heavily criticised by the fans.
I think the real question is not about the number of signings, it's about whether or not the signings we make are in keeping with the manager's plans. If rumours are to be believed then AVB didn't get the key signings he wanted. Maybe if he had then his football this season would not have been so dire, there would be no Sherwood and we'd not be looking at yet another man coming in. It's essential when interviewing a new manager that Levy agrees to identify and actually get the key players the manager thinks are necessary. Not lump others on him that the Director of Football thinks are worth it. My fear is, with rumours of Poch and FdB, Levy is looking for a man who is used to working with what he is already presented with. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Anyhow, I digress. The players brought in must also be ones who fit into a workable system. Square pegs in round holes will always present problems. I think the other problem with last year's signings is that the squad ultimately wasn't balanced. Again, that's not a question of how many signings there are. It's about whether or not the signings are the right ones to play together and compliment each other.
So, ultimately, I don't think it's a yes or no question. There are more factors involved.
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I did wonder the same thing about time to settle but truth be told, the team last year was not strong enough, as demonstrated by the reliance on Bale. I'm looking at the investment in the squad and seeing a board and manager who are determined to make the step up this year. Will be very interesting.
If we let the right people go (ie; NOT Caulker, but yes to Gallas/Bentley/Parker & Hudd probably) then the new signings can be seen as a definite upgrade... if we don't release/sell anyone, then it's just stockpiling, but just not as grand a scale as Man City or Chelsea have done down the years!!
I don't think so as long as they aren't redundant moves, i.e. Citeh signing a bunch of a strikers when they dont need an upgrade there.
So far, all of acquisitions are initial quality signings and help solve needs. It may take a little bit for them to gel at the start but they should pay dividends in the end.
I still see a few more moves being made like getting another CB and most likely an upgrade at LB. Also, I see an outside shot at us bringing in another forward who can maybe play on the wings or centrally.
So far, all of acquisitions are initial quality signings and help solve needs. It may take a little bit for them to gel at the start but they should pay dividends in the end.
I still see a few more moves being made like getting another CB and most likely an upgrade at LB. Also, I see an outside shot at us bringing in another forward who can maybe play on the wings or centrally.
Signings are exciting. Like birthday presents. 
Apparently if a team buy exactly 428 signings in any one window, the whole squad turns into a giant jellyfish, by osmosis & a new colour is invented.
It last happened in 1897 to Tranmere Rovers
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.
It last happened in 1897 to Tranmere Rovers
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.