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Crouching Andre, Hidden Harry

Greenspur

Very old member
Sep 1, 2004
2,681
3,090
I love you sir, in a manly non-homosexual way obviously, for putting what I have said in so many posts on this site but in a more succinct, better-written way.

1600 words is hardly succinct. This is not to imply any criticism, whatsoever, of the article - merely the pedant in me.

Welcome back Ally. Thought you might have goon over to the dark side.
 

RickyVilla

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2004
18,479
19,942
Did you ever write another book Ally? Ode to Jol still makes me chuckle to this day.
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
After your man-crush on Jol, Ally, and what seemed like your crushing disappointment at his sacking (which was handled disgracefully), I'm surprised that the scintillating footy, 4th-5th-4th, and CL run under a common sense manager didn't rouse your enthusiasm. I think you make a decent case for AVB, but I read a lot of less eloquent but similar stuff about Ramos on here. I don't think anything was 'broke', so there wasn't much to fix....which was the case with Jol...other than signing strikers who can score 20-odd goals in a league season.

I'm on the fence on AVB and hope he succeeds and lasts out his contract and longer, but think he'll have to hit the ground running and be up amongst the top four from the off because that's where we were for the last three years prior to making an unforced change.
 

Allygold

The Editor
Admin
Apr 15, 2004
1,657
528
After your man-crush on Jol, Ally, and what seemed like your crushing disappointment at his sacking (which was handled disgracefully), I'm surprised that the scintillating footy, 4th-5th-4th, and CL run under a common sense manager didn't rouse your enthusiasm. I think you make a decent case for AVB, but I read a lot of less eloquent but similar stuff about Ramos on here. I don't think anything was 'broke', so there wasn't much to fix....which was the case with Jol...other than signing strikers who can score 20-odd goals in a league season.

I'm on the fence on AVB and hope he succeeds and lasts out his contract and longer, but think he'll have to hit the ground running and be up amongst the top four from the off because that's where we were for the last three years prior to making an unforced change.

Some of the football, especially in the first half of this season was wonderful. As I said, I feel that came from the freedom the players were allowed. However, once teams worked out how to stifle us tactically, Redknapp didn't seem to have the answers, and it needed a moment of player magic to win games.
 

avonspurs

MoPo's lover
Apr 28, 2006
4,072
4,100
1600 words is hardly succinct. This is not to imply any criticism, whatsoever, of the article - merely the pedant in me.

Welcome back Ally. Thought you might have goon over to the dark side.

I meant succinct in relation to the several hundred posts or so that I've used to say the same kind of thing - must be up to a dissertation-level 20,000 words by now :)
 

guate

Well-Known Member
May 12, 2005
3,270
1,486
Great to read another excellent article of yours mi querido amigo after being away far too long IMHO. Welcome back.
I just wish I could share your enthusiasm regarding AVB and a few other odds and sods around W.H.L. at the moment however, To Dare is To Do and like it or not, Daniel certainly is daring to do
 

spud

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2003
5,850
8,794
I've always been here, reading everything that goes on. I'm just really excited about what's happened in the last few days so I thought I'd quickly bash a few of my thoughts out. Hope it makes sense!
So why didn't you write some more, you bastard? ;)

Great piece as always Ally. Look forward to seeing many more of them.
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
Some of the football, especially in the first half of this season was wonderful. As I said, I feel that came from the freedom the players were allowed. However, once teams worked out how to stifle us tactically, Redknapp didn't seem to have the answers, and it needed a moment of player magic to win games.

I'll be interested to see if AVB manages to get any period of "wonderful" football. My fear is that he's too much like Benitez - married to systems and an absolute belief that the game isn't about players on the field, but the 'chess' game between him and his opposite number. That route leads to stultifying caution and certainly not the Tottenham way. But, to his credit, he's marginally less paranoid than the special one, and less defensive in outlook.

I think his treatment of VdV is an early barometer to watch for. VdV is a wonderfully gifted player who is crap at tracking back (which Harry tried to get him to do on occasion). I wonder if ABV will fit him into his plans, but suspect he prefers more robotic players.
 

Allygold

The Editor
Admin
Apr 15, 2004
1,657
528
I'll be interested to see if AVB manages to get any period of "wonderful" football. My fear is that he's too much like Benitez - married to systems and an absolute belief that the game isn't about players on the field, but the 'chess' game between him and his opposite number. That route leads to stultifying caution and certainly not the Tottenham way. But, to his credit, he's marginally less paranoid than the special one, and less defensive in outlook.

I think his treatment of VdV is an early barometer to watch for. VdV is a wonderfully gifted player who is crap at tracking back (which Harry tried to get him to do on occasion). I wonder if ABV will fit him into his plans, but suspect he prefers more robotic players.

Interesting points, but at Porto the likes of Moutinho, Hulk and Falcao were anything but robotic and they played some lovely football, not just in Portugal but in the Europa League. His early matches will tell us a lot. Should be very interesting!
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Haven't been so excited about a new season since .....last season.
But there does seem to be a change in the dynamics with AVB.
No more emergency stop gap managers or signings, please.
AVB given time by them upstairs and us down here can really
launch a new era.
You never felt that with Harry even if you ignored the nonsense he spouted.
It was always spinning slightly out of control as it inevitably does
when you fly by the seat of your pants.
Pipe that man aboard Bosun he's been resting in the butty boat.
Alleygold shape up and return to your post man.
Post. Geddit?
 

CityYid

Member
Oct 8, 2004
131
28
Great read, as always. The more I think about this appointment, the more excited I get and can't wait for the new season.
 

Allygold

The Editor
Admin
Apr 15, 2004
1,657
528
Haven't been so excited about a new season since .....last season.
But there does seem to be a change in the dynamics with AVB.
No more emergency stop gap managers or signings, please.
AVB given time by them upstairs and us down here can really
launch a new era.
You never felt that with Harry even if you ignored the nonsense he spouted.
It was always spinning slightly out of control as it inevitably does
when you fly by the seat of your pants.
Pipe that man aboard Bosun he's been resting in the butty boat.
Alleygold shape up and return to your post man.
Post. Geddit?

I reckon he'll get the time. Levy has made this appointment to shape the long term future of the club, not just give it a quick boost.
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
He'll only get time if he maintain's the standard. He'll surely get the full season, even if we end up in mid table. But he'll have to be up around the top 4 most of the time to be sure of his position.
 

Geez

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!
Admin
Oct 1, 2003
14,283
7,231
I promise to read your book when I get time :notworthy:
 

camaj

Posting too much
Aug 10, 2004
8,195
883
I've always been here, reading everything that goes on. I'm just really excited about what's happened in the last few days so I thought I'd quickly bash a few of my thoughts out. Hope it makes sense!

Holy crap, saw your name and followed it here. You were the best thing about SC when I found it and when you stopped writing SC was poorer for it. Maybe you've always been here, but that's like saying Sandro's on the bench. It's one thing being there, it's another thing being involved.

not want to pick the likes of Gareth Bale or Sandro until injury made it necessary then realising how good they were

You mean Redknapp didn't magically turn Bale into a superstar over night? I thought Bale just needed someone to tell him to "run around a bit". Next you'll be telling me that when Redknapp took over we didn't have the worst team in living memory but a really good team who were playing badly.
 

Allygold

The Editor
Admin
Apr 15, 2004
1,657
528
Holy crap, saw your name and followed it here. You were the best thing about SC when I found it and when you stopped writing SC was poorer for it. Maybe you've always been here, but that's like saying Sandro's on the bench. It's one thing being there, it's another thing being involved.

True, sir, wrist well and truly slapped!
 

PT

North Stand behind Pat's goal.
Admin
May 21, 2004
25,468
2,408
|Good to see you contributing your prose again Allwah!
I enjoyed your take on last season, though the fates as always, had a say on our destiny, with disallowed goals and opposition wrongly remaining on the pitch to directly influence results.
Nevertheless, this appointment feels right in the circumstances and the preceived mood isone of quiet optimism that now is the beginning of a bright tomorrow.
 
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