- Jul 19, 2014
- 6,035
- 4,064
A sarcasm detector meter.I got this one - No, because they don't play for Chelsea?
What do I win?
A sarcasm detector meter.I got this one - No, because they don't play for Chelsea?
What do I win?
Seems like there's no middle ground with some on here. Everything has to be 'super smashing great' or else you're tarred with the negativity brush. I'm all for some positivity, but a few on here behave like hyperactive children getting over-excited, instead of adopting a more realistic approach.
We're a hell of a long way from the quality of the team that got us two top four finishes, so it's not surprising that some will measure our current position against that high watermark. In a couple of years we've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential' not unlike Jol's Spurs. We didn't capitalise on our higher profile in the football world when we had the chance (can you imagine a player of Moutinho's or Hazard's quality even considering mentioning the possibility - however remote- of joining us now?). We sold our best players and either downgraded or took big gambles that for the most part don't look like paying off. We got into a great position and blew it. I'm convinced of that. So I completely understand where you're coming from. We've taken five steps back, but some are throwing a party because we look like we might take one step forward? Seems like a perpetual small-time mentality, and there's nothing wrong with expecting us to be progressing instead of treading water.
On the other hand I do see some real signs of positivity under Pochettino. In an ideal world we'll all look back on this season as the start of a new era, where our young players develop together as a real team and push us to the next level (well...I say "next level" but really I mean the level we were at two or three seasons ago). That's the hope, and there's every indication that this group of players is capable of it.
Unfortunately a few people on here seem to think that this possibility is now an inevitability, when most of us know that's not how football works. Lloris won't stay at a 'developing' squad if we're not in the mix at the top of the table. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. Likewise Eriksen, and possibly Vertonghen if he recaptures his form long enough to be of interest to more successful teams. Football these days is always a race against time. Improve quicker than the teams around you, be successful enough to keep your best players for a little longer, and when you get to the level you want to be you need to keep investing and developing in order to stay there.
We've show glimpses of what we are capable of under Pochettino, but unless those glimpses start turning into the standard, we'll lose players and have to start all over again.
For the record I won't consider this season a failure if we continue to show signs of improvement and finish somewhere in the top six (which seems like a bit of a push right now). If that happens to be enough to keep our best players here I'd see anything other than a top four finish next season a huge disappointment.
Seems like there's no middle ground with some on here. Everything has to be 'super smashing great' or else you're tarred with the negativity brush. I'm all for some positivity, but a few on here behave like hyperactive children getting over-excited, instead of adopting a more realistic approach.
We're a hell of a long way from the quality of the team that got us two top four finishes, so it's not surprising that some will measure our current position against that high watermark. In a couple of years we've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential' not unlike Jol's Spurs. We didn't capitalise on our higher profile in the football world when we had the chance (can you imagine a player of Moutinho's or Hazard's quality even considering mentioning the possibility - however remote- of joining us now?). We sold our best players and either downgraded or took big gambles that for the most part don't look like paying off. We got into a great position and blew it. I'm convinced of that. So I completely understand where you're coming from. We've taken five steps back, but some are throwing a party because we look like we might take one step forward? Seems like a perpetual small-time mentality, and there's nothing wrong with expecting us to be progressing instead of treading water.
On the other hand I do see some real signs of positivity under Pochettino. In an ideal world we'll all look back on this season as the start of a new era, where our young players develop together as a real team and push us to the next level (well...I say "next level" but really I mean the level we were at two or three seasons ago). That's the hope, and there's every indication that this group of players is capable of it.
Unfortunately a few people on here seem to think that this possibility is now an inevitability, when most of us know that's not how football works. Lloris won't stay at a 'developing' squad if we're not in the mix at the top of the table. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. Likewise Eriksen, and possibly Vertonghen if he recaptures his form long enough to be of interest to more successful teams. Football these days is always a race against time. Improve quicker than the teams around you, be successful enough to keep your best players for a little longer, and when you get to the level you want to be you need to keep investing and developing in order to stay there.
We've show glimpses of what we are capable of under Pochettino, but unless those glimpses start turning into the standard, we'll lose players and have to start all over again.
For the record I won't consider this season a failure if we continue to show signs of improvement and finish somewhere in the top six (which seems like a bit of a push right now). If that happens to be enough to keep our best players here I'd see anything other than a top four finish next season a huge disappointment.
How is finishing in the Top 6 a 'push'?- Southampton are struggling now and we'll be above them if we win our game in hand.Seems like there's no middle ground with some on here. Everything has to be 'super smashing great' or else you're tarred with the negativity brush. I'm all for some positivity, but a few on here behave like hyperactive children getting over-excited, instead of adopting a more realistic approach.
We're a hell of a long way from the quality of the team that got us two top four finishes, so it's not surprising that some will measure our current position against that high watermark. In a couple of years we've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential' not unlike Jol's Spurs. We didn't capitalise on our higher profile in the football world when we had the chance (can you imagine a player of Moutinho's or Hazard's quality even considering mentioning the possibility - however remote- of joining us now?). We sold our best players and either downgraded or took big gambles that for the most part don't look like paying off. We got into a great position and blew it. I'm convinced of that. So I completely understand where you're coming from. We've taken five steps back, but some are throwing a party because we look like we might take one step forward? Seems like a perpetual small-time mentality, and there's nothing wrong with expecting us to be progressing instead of treading water.
On the other hand I do see some real signs of positivity under Pochettino. In an ideal world we'll all look back on this season as the start of a new era, where our young players develop together as a real team and push us to the next level (well...I say "next level" but really I mean the level we were at two or three seasons ago). That's the hope, and there's every indication that this group of players is capable of it.
Unfortunately a few people on here seem to think that this possibility is now an inevitability, when most of us know that's not how football works. Lloris won't stay at a 'developing' squad if we're not in the mix at the top of the table. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. Likewise Eriksen, and possibly Vertonghen if he recaptures his form long enough to be of interest to more successful teams. Football these days is always a race against time. Improve quicker than the teams around you, be successful enough to keep your best players for a little longer, and when you get to the level you want to be you need to keep investing and developing in order to stay there.
We've show glimpses of what we are capable of under Pochettino, but unless those glimpses start turning into the standard, we'll lose players and have to start all over again.
For the record I won't consider this season a failure if we continue to show signs of improvement and finish somewhere in the top six (which seems like a bit of a push right now). If that happens to be enough to keep our best players here I'd see anything other than a top four finish next season a huge disappointment.
I agree with pretty much this whole post apart from the last paragraph, top 6 this season really doesn't seem "a bit of a push" to me considering it either us or the faltering Southampton going for it, and I'm still not expecting top 4 next season unless we invest properly during the summer, as long as we're in the top 4 conversation as it were I won't be hugely disappointed.Seems like there's no middle ground with some on here. Everything has to be 'super smashing great' or else you're tarred with the negativity brush. I'm all for some positivity, but a few on here behave like hyperactive children getting over-excited, instead of adopting a more realistic approach.
We're a hell of a long way from the quality of the team that got us two top four finishes, so it's not surprising that some will measure our current position against that high watermark. In a couple of years we've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential' not unlike Jol's Spurs. We didn't capitalise on our higher profile in the football world when we had the chance (can you imagine a player of Moutinho's or Hazard's quality even considering mentioning the possibility - however remote- of joining us now?). We sold our best players and either downgraded or took big gambles that for the most part don't look like paying off. We got into a great position and blew it. I'm convinced of that. So I completely understand where you're coming from. We've taken five steps back, but some are throwing a party because we look like we might take one step forward? Seems like a perpetual small-time mentality, and there's nothing wrong with expecting us to be progressing instead of treading water.
On the other hand I do see some real signs of positivity under Pochettino. In an ideal world we'll all look back on this season as the start of a new era, where our young players develop together as a real team and push us to the next level (well...I say "next level" but really I mean the level we were at two or three seasons ago). That's the hope, and there's every indication that this group of players is capable of it.
Unfortunately a few people on here seem to think that this possibility is now an inevitability, when most of us know that's not how football works. Lloris won't stay at a 'developing' squad if we're not in the mix at the top of the table. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. Likewise Eriksen, and possibly Vertonghen if he recaptures his form long enough to be of interest to more successful teams. Football these days is always a race against time. Improve quicker than the teams around you, be successful enough to keep your best players for a little longer, and when you get to the level you want to be you need to keep investing and developing in order to stay there.
We've show glimpses of what we are capable of under Pochettino, but unless those glimpses start turning into the standard, we'll lose players and have to start all over again.
For the record I won't consider this season a failure if we continue to show signs of improvement and finish somewhere in the top six (which seems like a bit of a push right now). If that happens to be enough to keep our best players here I'd see anything other than a top four finish next season a huge disappointment.
Players come and go, its the framework and foundations at the Club that are important. We have to be able to cope with losing players - and we will continue to lose them over time, that won't change until we're reaping the rewards of a bigger stadium way down the line.
What's far more important in the interim, and beyond, is that we get to a place under Pochettino, that losing a good player here and there won't set us back. The aim should be to have a playing style/identity that sees us greater than the sum of our individual parts irrespective who's playing any given week, and the whole squad are adept to slotting in so we're never in a position to be over reliant on one or two individuals.
So I don't see its a case if we lose Lloris, Vertonghen or Eriksen we're having to start all over again. Far from it, we'll move on and bring in others, approved and sourced by Mitchell, who will be suitable for the framework established under Pochettino.
The most pertinent point of all is that we're putting structures in place at the Club that are complimenting one another, or so it certainly appears. That surely is the most important aspect for the long term future, not worrying about keeping certain players who may or may not be cherry picked if the big Clubs bat their eye lashes.
Its the working relationships behind the scenes and the faith and confidence placed in Pochettino and his ideas - that's what's important, as that is much more likely to impact on whether his work will come to fruition and consequently how successful we are under him.
Really great post. I completely get what you mean about football being a race against time.
The thing is with Redknapp, AVB and Sherwood, the fans have been split. Couple that with the sales of Bale, Modric and Van Der Vaart there has been a real sense that our chance to make waves has passed.
This has created a toxic atmosphere.
So whilst I do agree it is far too early to be bringing out the buntin and making big claims, a cup final and a handful of good performances like on New Year's Day are what the club needed.
And as you say there are parallels between this side and the Jol/Arnesen team. I don't mind that too much, because it was genuinely one of the most exciting times for me as a Spurs fan.
How is finishing in the Top 6 a 'push'?- Southampton are struggling now and we'll be above them if we win our game in hand.
In theory. We really have no idea if that will be the case, and if some sources are to be believed, Mitchell was just one cog in Southampton's talent spotting machine - no guarantee that anyone we bring in will be a perfect fit (as if there ever is).
I agree that consistency is important though, which is why I'd like to see Pochettino given some meaningful time at the club. He's doing exactly what I've wanted us to do for a while - building on youth so that the team has the best chance of evolving as a genuine team, rather than just a series of interchangeable individuals. One would hope that players like Kane and Mason would show more loyalty to the club too, which would hopefully instil some much needed identity to the club again.
I just can't blame people for questioning why the club has allowed itself to blow such a great opportunity in favour of what currently constitutes a hope rather than a certainty. Being back to where we were six years ago isn't a reason to be cheerful, even if there are signs that this is only a temporary setback.
Having said that, I appreciate that Pochettino had to take a step backwards to put his system in place. He won't have that luxury next season. Next season progress will need to translate into tangible results - not promising signs here and there. As I said, I'd like him to be given some meaningful time, but we all know that if things stagnate the bulk of the fans will start creating a toxic atmosphere again.
Agreed. Loved seeing us get to a final again, and the performances against Chelsea and Arsenal at the Lane were outstanding. I also remember the Jol days with huge fondness. Of course the difference is that those days were off the back of years of mediocrity, whereas our current side is a shadow of what it was just two/three years ago.
I'm going to the game tonight. Hoping for a good performance after weeks of depression! On the bright side, I have been to 2 other home games this season, the 4-0 against QPR and the NYD game against Chelsea so I'm hoping I'm a lucky omen! COYS
In theory. We really have no idea if that will be the case, and if some sources are to be believed, Mitchell was just one cog in Southampton's talent spotting machine - no guarantee that anyone we bring in will be a perfect fit (as if there ever is).
I agree that consistency is important though, which is why I'd like to see Pochettino given some meaningful time at the club. He's doing exactly what I've wanted us to do for a while - building on youth so that the team has the best chance of evolving as a genuine team, rather than just a series of interchangeable individuals. One would hope that players like Kane and Mason would show more loyalty to the club too, which would hopefully instil some much needed identity to the club again.
I just can't blame people for questioning why the club has allowed itself to blow such a great opportunity in favour of what currently constitutes a hope rather than a certainty. Being back to where we were six years ago isn't a reason to be cheerful, even if there are signs that this is only a temporary setback.
Having said that, I appreciate that Pochettino had to take a step backwards to put his system in place. He won't have that luxury next season. Next season progress will need to translate into tangible results - not promising signs here and there. As I said, I'd like him to be given some meaningful time, but we all know that if things stagnate the bulk of the fans will start creating a toxic atmosphere again.
Agreed. Loved seeing us get to a final again, and the performances against Chelsea and Arsenal at the Lane were outstanding. I also remember the Jol days with huge fondness. Of course the difference is that those days were off the back of years of mediocrity, whereas our current side is a shadow of what it was just two/three years ago.
We're a hell of a long way from the quality of the team that got us two top four finishes, so it's not surprising that some will measure our current position against that high watermark.
On the other hand I do see some real signs of positivity under Pochettino. In an ideal world we'll all look back on this season as the start of a new era, where our young players develop together as a real team and push us to the next level (well...I say "next level" but really I mean the level we were at two or three seasons ago). That's the hope, and there's every indication that this group of players is capable of it.
In a couple of years we've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential'
We've gone from genuine competitors right back to a team of 'potential' not unlike Jol's Spurs.
We didn't capitalise on our higher profile in the football world when we had the chance
(can you imagine a player of Moutinho's or Hazard's quality even considering mentioning the possibility - however remote- of joining us now?).
We sold our best players and either downgraded or took big gambles that for the most part don't look like paying off.
We've taken five steps back, but some are throwing a party because we look like we might take one step forward?
Unfortunately a few people on here seem to think that this possibility is now an inevitability,
Lloris won't stay at a 'developing' squad if we're not in the mix at the top of the table. Anyone who thinks differently is kidding themselves. Likewise Eriksen, and possibly Vertonghen if he recaptures his form long enough to be of interest to more successful teams.
Football these days is always a race against time. Improve quicker than the teams around you, be successful enough to keep your best players for a little longer, and when you get to the level you want to be you need to keep investing and developing in order to stay there.
We've show glimpses of what we are capable of under Pochettino, but unless those glimpses start turning into the standard, we'll lose players and have to start all over again.
For the record I won't consider this season a failure if we continue to show signs of improvement and finish somewhere in the top six (which seems like a bit of a push right now).
Will anyone read that?
#soz
Hey, we won (eventually, by the skin of our teeth, after making it far harder for ourselves that it really should have been...just for a change!)...so it's all good Bud
Now, if we had lost...
Would have been bad.
It's becoming more Americanised by the minute. We've got people fainting on the pitch just to put us off.
It's not on!
Amongst the teams who are not in the bottom 3, only 4 have conceded more goals than us. We are 13th in least conceded goals.
It's actually surprising how often goal difference is indicative of actual relative performance.