Passion

THFCSPURS19 · Feb 2, 2014

It's a bit long but please read it and see if you agree with me or not- I can't be the only one thinking this and it's certainly a point for discussion.

While the thread is called "Passion", it is more about the lack of it. Not for a long time have I seen a Spurs side that seems to not give a flying fuck.

You can analyse the manager, the tactics, the substitutions etc. but I can't stop myself thinking that one of the main problems is the fact that the players seem to not care.

It should be an honour for them to play for this club but some of them look like they'd rather be watching Television.

When I think about players who had passion, I always look back to Van der Vaart (just watched some YouTube VDV videos- not a good idea :cry:

). Why we sold him I will never know because it was just so fucking stupid and couldn't give a shit if he "wanted" to go back to Germany or not- we should have just told him where to go.

Whenever Rafa scored a goal, he'd go fucking apeshit. He kissed the badge, ran to the fans- FFS he even kissed a pensioner.

We need players that have that desire and hunger and none of the players seem to have it. Do our players even celebrate anymore? They seem to be afraid of our fans at times.

When watching the games since the start of the 12-13 season, I have always thought that the players look bored all the time and they never show a passion to play for our great club.

In the NLD's this season so far- the FUCKING BIGGEST GAMES OF OUR SEASON- I saw zero effort of hunger from the players- you can talk about the managers but if everyone had the hunger that players like VDV had, we could have scored some goals.

Graham Roberts said "The Crest on the front of the shirt will always be bigger than any name on the back."

Nothing could be truer. I want to see the players wear their hear of the sleeve and give absolutely anything for the badge at the front.

If not, they can fuck off. I'd rather have 11 players who were not the best but worked their fucking body off every single match than 11 players who are really good but would rather be chilling in Barbados.

I miss the energy and passion shown a few seasons ago.

Nothing is more important than loving the club you play for.

Rant/Plea over.

dagraham · Feb 2, 2014

THFCSPURS19 said:
It's a bit long but please read it and see if you agree with me or not- I can't be the only one thinking this and it's certainly a point for discussion.

While the thread is called "Passion", it is more about the lack of it. Not for a long time have I seen a Spurs side that seems to not give a flying fuck.

You can analyse the manager, the tactics, the substitutions etc. but I can't stop myself thinking that one of the main problems is the fact that the players seem to not care.

It should be an honour for them to play for this club but some of them look like they'd rather be watching Television.

When I think about players who had passion, I always look back to Van der Vaart (just watched some YouTube VDV videos- not a good idea ). Why we sold him I will never know because it was just so fucking stupid and couldn't give a shit if he "wanted" to go back to Germany or not- we should have just told him where to go.

Whenever Rafa scored a goal, he'd go fucking apeshit. He kissed the badge, ran to the fans- FFS he even kissed a pensioner.

We need players that have that desire and hunger and none of the players seem to have it. Do our players even celebrate anymore? They seem to be afraid of our fans at times.

When watching the games since the start of the 12-13 season, I have always thought that the players look bored all the time and they never show a passion to play for our great club.

In the NLD's this season so far- the FUCKING BIGGEST GAMES OF OUR SEASON- I saw zero effort of hunger from the players- you can talk about the managers but if everyone had the hunger that players like VDV had, we could have scored some goals.

Graham Roberts said "The Crest on the front of the shirt will always be bigger than any name on the back."

Nothing could be truer. I want to see the players wear their hear of the sleeve and give absolutely anything for the badge at the front.

If not, they can fuck off. I'd rather have 11 players who were not the best but worked their fucking body off every single match than 11 players who are really good but would rather be chilling in Barbados.

I miss the energy and passion shown a few seasons ago.

Nothing is more important than loving the club you play for.

Rant/Plea over.

Totally agree and its why managers look beyond pure footballing ability when assembling a squad.

I said something similar after the City defeat. Although we were outclassed by the better team, you don't lose 3-0, 5-0, 6-0 and 5-1 without something being wrong somewhere. We are devoid of backbone and part of that is being without players like VDV and Parker.

Spurger King · Feb 2, 2014

I don't think we've got very passionate players left. Robbie Keane was reportedly a highly vocal player in the dressing room. King simply oozed class and passion for Spurs through his very presence. VDV, as you say, had an infectious enthusiasm for winning. Bale and Modric were both passionate players in their own way.

Perhaps more than anyone, Scott Parker was the epitome of passion on the pitch. The sort of player who would bleed for his club, and keep going until he dropped. That sort of energy quickly spreads to the players, and just as importantly, the fans.

Who have we got now? Dawson? Walker? Sandro? I wouldn't say any of them inspire passion anywhere near the levels of the names mentioned above.

One thing Harry definitely understood was the importance of having strong characters in the squad. Unfortunately it seems that strong characters were exactly what AVB wanted to remove...something I suspect was due to his own insecurities.

SargeantMeatCurtains · Feb 2, 2014

THFCSPURS19 said:
Graham Roberts said "The Crest on the front of the shirt will always be bigger than any name on the back."

I live by a similar saying.

The Cock in my trousers will always be bigger than the one on my shirt.

dagraham · Feb 2, 2014

I wonder how long it will take before a thread titled "Passion" morphs into a let's slag off Dawson thread?

Kendall · Feb 2, 2014

dagraham said:
I wonder how long it will take before a thread titled "Passion" morphs into a let's slag off Dawson thread?

Probably much quicker now you've written about him. For what it's worth, he's not the most technically gifted player, but if some of our more talented footballers showed the commitment and drive he does each week, we'd be a damn sight better off.

squirrel · Feb 2, 2014

Spurger King said:
I don't think we've got very passionate players left. Robbie Keane was reportedly a highly vocal player in the dressing room. King simply oozed class and passion for Spurs through his very presence. VDV, as you say, had an infectious enthusiasm for winning. Bale and Modric were both passionate players in their own way.

Perhaps more than anyone, Scott Parker was the epitome of passion on the pitch. The sort of player who would bleed for his club, and keep going until he dropped. That sort of energy quickly spreads to the players, and just as importantly, the fans.

Who have we got now? Dawson? Walker? Sandro? I wouldn't say any of them inspire passion anywhere near the levels of the names mentioned above.

One thing Harry definitely understood was the importance of having strong characters in the squad. Unfortunately it seems that strong characters were exactly what AVB wanted to remove...something I suspect was due to his own insecurities.

XSuicideBunnyX · Feb 2, 2014

dagraham said:
I wonder how long it will take before a thread titled "Passion" morphs into a let's slag off Dawson thread.

It's called 'Godwin's Law of Dawson Slagging'.

It means "As an SC thread grows longer, the probability of a hateful comment involving Dawson approaches 1."

Snarfalicious · Feb 2, 2014

I couldn't agree more.

Our players just look like they can't be bothered to show up from the offset. They always take awhile to get it going (if they get it going at all). It usually doesn't kick on for them until they go down a goal or nearly down a goal. We literally never take the match to our opponents. I think it's a confidence and a mindset issue. I'm sure they care to some extent, and I'm sure they hate being a squad of unquestionable talent but not meeting expectations.

It comes down to leadership. If they can't "buy in" to the coaching leadership of Sherwood then the next man up needs to be our captain/vice captain. Dawson appears to be a great guy and I know he's got leadership qualities, but someone needs to light a fire under the asses of our players. I'm sure he's made every effort, but sometimes a different voice needs to step up and make an impact. I would love to see it be Sandro as he's a scary dude and I'm sure everyone respects the Hell out of him.

It's so sad to see our side that boasts Brazilian, England, Spain, Belgian and French internationals struggling against the likes of Hull City. I mean seriously, let that fucking sink in for a moment. We've got a collection of some of the best individual talents in the world when you take into account their values to their countries and they can't come together to best a team like Hull City that started Meyler, Davies, Rosenior, McShane and Jelavic.

Bad matches happen. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. But this has been for awhile now. This can't be blamed on bad form or bad luck. Eventually the onus needs to be on the players showing up, earning their keep and living up to their ability.

felmani26 · Feb 2, 2014

We definitely miss a talismanic figure like VdV and Bale at this moment in time but to be honest, we could also do with a bit of a **** on the pitch too to gee up the crowd and the players - simple, but bloody effective, especially considering the mogodon atmosphere at the Lane.

kr1978 · Feb 2, 2014

Too much player turnover IMO. Roughly half the squad have been there 18 months or less and from foreign leagues who I doubt would truly know that much about or understand spurs and not enough players there like the ones mentioned above to explain it to them.

Not sure how to fix that really but I do think we need a period of stability at all levels, pick a manager and stick with him for a few seasons even if it starts to get messy. Stop the moneyball transfer tactics (and I am a fan of levy) and stick with a squad for a few seasons with just one or 2 top notch additions a season. Hopefully the more of the youth players that come through the more it will mean to them as well.

I think the most important thing we are missing though is a true leader on the pitch, I think verts might have that about him but otherwise who is there apart from Dawson who as much as I respect doesn't have that leadership presence about him.

Snarfalicious · Feb 2, 2014

Spurger King said:
I don't think we've got very passionate players left. Robbie Keane was reportedly a highly vocal player in the dressing room. King simply oozed class and passion for Spurs through his very presence. VDV, as you say, had an infectious enthusiasm for winning. Bale and Modric were both passionate players in their own way.

Perhaps more than anyone, Scott Parker was the epitome of passion on the pitch. The sort of player who would bleed for his club, and keep going until he dropped. That sort of energy quickly spreads to the players, and just as importantly, the fans.

Who have we got now? Dawson? Walker? Sandro? I wouldn't say any of them inspire passion anywhere near the levels of the names mentioned above.

One thing Harry definitely understood was the importance of having strong characters in the squad. Unfortunately it seems that strong characters were exactly what AVB wanted to remove...something I suspect was due to his own insecurities.

I have a ton of respect for Lloris. Sure, he makes some odd decisions at times (like coming out today a bit too early), but there's no questioning how much he cares. The knee to the head from Lukaku, clotheslining Michu last season, putting his body on the line just to make clearances, etc. I think it's a huge reason why he's the captain of the France squad. He's vocal, he's got grit, he demands respect and he's also not a shitty player. I wish that same devotion to the cause was prevalent throughout the rest of the squad.

felmani26 · Feb 2, 2014

dagraham said:
I wonder how long it will take before a thread titled "Passion" morphs into a let's slag off Dawson thread?

In fairness, he's about as inspiring as Ed Miliband.

dannythomas · Feb 2, 2014

Dawson doesnt lack passion. He lacks ability. Sandro doesnt lack passion. He lacks the ability to play more than 3 games without getting injured. Same thing with Kaboul. Abebayor is finally showing passion. Walker doesnt lack passion. He lacks a brain. Same thing with Rose. But I agree we have no leader out there and the likes of Soldado, Lennon and Chadli look disinterested and deserve to be left out. What we wouldn't give for a Yaya Toure ! I think Paulinho could be that leader especially if he is backed up by Sandro or Capoue as enforcers.

tippspur59 · Feb 2, 2014

Yep,they look like they don't give a fcuk,as if Spurs are just a stepping stone on to better things.

squirrel · Feb 2, 2014

Here come the pelters, Vdv wasnt passionate because he run about for 30 mins(with sublime touch's and skills) each game then was burnt out, could've been a legend in football, never been so exited or frustrated with a spurs player ever. Throwing your arms about when you play a shit pass(was a good striker(penalty taker) when we sold him, was gutted e brought hi m back.(keano)

squirrel · Feb 2, 2014

Bale and modric both superb, not sure about passionate, maybe the team is playing like we've only had a new manager for less than ten games.

dagraham · Feb 2, 2014

squirrel said:
Here come the pelters, Vdv wasnt passionate because he run about for 30 mins(with sublime touch's and skills) each game then was burnt out, could've been a legend in football, never been so exited or frustrated with a spurs player ever. Throwing your arms about when you play a shit pass(was a good striker(penalty taker) when we sold him, was gutted e brought hi m back.

Think you're confusing passion with stamina mate.

beats1 · Feb 2, 2014

I was going to create a thread similar to this about our lack of leadership on the pitch. Now dawson is a bit of a pointy shouty bloke but he's not good enough.

We couldn't string two passes together against city and we looked scared. Know alot of people will say well city are the best and thats why. I don't think so, these were simple passes sometimes not even in pressure and we passed it out of touch 3 or 4 yards away. I know these players are good enough to do a 5 yard pass but they looked scared.

Against City its almost as if we went in there knowing we were going to lose(in the first 30mins), I think the crowd got the team up in that game.

The thing is we need a leader on the pitch who is good enough for the first team and give the team a boot up the arse whilst leading by example.

Whether or not we will get one? is another matter

squirrel said:
Bale and modric both superb, not sure about passionate, maybe the team is playing like we've only had a new manager for less than ten games.

Bale and Modric both led by example and the same goes for VDV. Especially VDV and Bale during the latter years at spurs they were leading us through results and getting the team going

Mr Pink · Feb 2, 2014

SargeantMeatCurtains said:
I live by a similar saying.

The Cock in my trousers will always be bigger than the one on my shirt.

Seriously thought your second line was going to end with....the one in my ass.

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