RichieS
Well-Known Member
- Dec 23, 2004
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Well done Levy and co.
- Thread starter lukespurs7
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scat1620
L'espion mal fait
- May 11, 2008
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To pitch in on behalf of @TottenhamMattSpur, he's right that we did go backwards in the league last season. I was happy with last season overall (the largest contributor to my enjoyment being finishing ahead of Arsenal again) so I'm not moaning, but going from 2nd in 2016/17 to 3rd in 2017/18 was a regression, at least in terms of the Premier League.
ToDarrenIsToDo
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2017
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We also had to play our home games at Wembley last year so lost a fair bit of home advantage because of that. We dropped 10 points more there last year than we did in our final season at WHL which need to be taken into account.
We also lost/ didn't have the following players last year due to injuries:
Winks missed 17 PL games, Wanyama missed 18, Lamela 13, Alderweireld 23 Prem games missed and Rose missed 18. We also had no Lucas in our squad for about 20 PL games, as well as had players such as Aurier & Sanchez coming to terms with Prem League pace
6 important players lost for nearly half a season or more & 2 that needed integrating so hopefully all can be fitter and more rounded this time around which should make our squad a lot stronger from the off should we keep all of them
(I do think we need a couple more to genuinely push on however)
WiganSpur
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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If we get the two quality players we need in midfield and up front there's no reason why we can't rival City if we have luck with injuries. However i'm expecting a rocky start will ultimately cost us. Players back from WC late, late signings, new stadium issues and one or two injuries early doors will probably cost us crucial points.
If we can battle through till October though we've got a real chance if we have the squad.
As I said, this is all dependent on us having the squad. No quality midfielder and we've got no chance of challenging in my opinion.
If we can battle through till October though we've got a real chance if we have the squad.
As I said, this is all dependent on us having the squad. No quality midfielder and we've got no chance of challenging in my opinion.
shelfboy68
Well-Known Member
- Jun 14, 2008
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We need to avoid battling through until October imo as we always seem to start off slowly and then come good which leaves us with a lot to do, look at last year 5 defeats before Christmas that was nowhere near good enough.
Ideally we need to stay as close to the top as possible just in case there is a slip up we might be able to capitalise on it.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
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you do know Man C had more players go to the WC than us, and only had 2 less playing over the final week, they have only bought 1 player in, but with their owners 60m and most probably a 1 straight payment, and not sure what the size of their squad was before, but it was 1 less with Yaya Toure being let go. Unfortunately our problem is we need to get 1 or 2 HG in, and need to get rid of 3-4 non HG before we can bring in 1, but we don't have anyone that can walk on a free. if City where in the same position they would just pay the player off and let them walk. I can't remember the last player they sold
1 of these days you will shock me and post something positive
Mrs Thomas
New Member
- Jul 28, 2018
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Finishing 3rd while at Wembley was a great achievement by Poch and the lads. It was a great achievment by the fans to pack it out so many times too. It showed what a big club we are. Just a bit disappointing we haven't acted like a big club and used it as a springboard to show our strength in the transfer market again. So far anyway.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
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well our last season at the old Lane was exceptional and not something many teams ever do, but please remember with the high press we used we had a smaller pitch to do that on, this season on our return and with a long summer for some I wouldn't over expect our 1st season back matching it
TottenhamMattSpur
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
- 10,925
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This is hard on a mobile.
Just a quick note folks - everyone is entitled to an opinion. No matter how much I disagree with anything people say, unless you're a full on anti spurs troll, I never give negative ratings. Keep that in mind....
You sneak it by not being anywhere near it most of the season and then at the final hurdle, take full advantage of someone who has.
I'm not saying last season wasn't decent. In fact, because we achieved champions league football again and another FA Cup semi final, we should be pushing on, but we're not. That's my concern.
If every season was the last season at the lane may be. Don't confuse a wonderful signing off season with the norm. I'd be shocked if we ever won 17 out of 19 at home ever again.
You get it.
Which is being made worse by not having new additions ready to go.
People on here think all of our youth players are good enough for title challengers. Most aren't.
Just a quick note folks - everyone is entitled to an opinion. No matter how much I disagree with anything people say, unless you're a full on anti spurs troll, I never give negative ratings. Keep that in mind....
You sneak it by not being anywhere near it most of the season and then at the final hurdle, take full advantage of someone who has.
I'm not saying last season wasn't decent. In fact, because we achieved champions league football again and another FA Cup semi final, we should be pushing on, but we're not. That's my concern.
If every season was the last season at the lane may be. Don't confuse a wonderful signing off season with the norm. I'd be shocked if we ever won 17 out of 19 at home ever again.
You get it.
Which is being made worse by not having new additions ready to go.
People on here think all of our youth players are good enough for title challengers. Most aren't.
Lighty64
I believe
- Aug 24, 2010
- 10,400
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you was once allowed in the transfer window, did you see the info Trix put right at the start?
if you did you will understand we have to do our business at the end of the window. we tried to get players in early but goalpost where moved to an area of 20m extra so how do you want the club to go?
if that 20m extra means we lose out on a more important target what do you suggest we do?
not sure how much info is in here, but due to PL and CL rules we need to get rid of some non HG, and recruit 1 or 2 more. unfortunately no one is trying to buy our "wanted out's" what do you suggest? give them away? yet again it will effect our budget.
we are not Man C, Man U (who haven't strengthened yet), Chelsea (who haven't strengthened yet, and could soon be worse off), who can just go buy players and afford to pay stupid agent fees on top, in fact put your 2nd favourite team in that too, Liverpool (and most probably you and a few others are even more unhappy). please tell me how you see their signings as a guarantee they will finish above us
StevePil
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- Dec 30, 2006
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I agree, we had a cracking season last time with getting 3rd with Wembley and the start we had
Yes we lost the SF but that is becoming the norm for us, hopefully we can go a couple of steps further this year and win something.
I am worried though about this year, no signings and injuries mounting up already whilst also having to settle in a new home, I think we will fall out top 4 which will be a real shame and for me this is why I am so angry with Levy for not backing his manager again so far.
If I was Newcastle & Fulham I would be loving the fact they are playing us so early with the world cup players just returning, injuries and any fresh blood we do sign will not be settled yet - we know how Poch works.
Yes we lost the SF but that is becoming the norm for us, hopefully we can go a couple of steps further this year and win something.
I am worried though about this year, no signings and injuries mounting up already whilst also having to settle in a new home, I think we will fall out top 4 which will be a real shame and for me this is why I am so angry with Levy for not backing his manager again so far.
If I was Newcastle & Fulham I would be loving the fact they are playing us so early with the world cup players just returning, injuries and any fresh blood we do sign will not be settled yet - we know how Poch works.
am_yisrael_chai
Well-Known Member
- Feb 18, 2006
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There are managers who are great for a time and then football passes them by, the Frenchman down the road for example. There are other managers who are good at getting clubs promoted or staying in the division but can’t go on to win things. I fear Levy maybe suffering from both these issues. It seems his transfer “tactics” appear outdated as other clubs are wise to them and frankly just have a lot more money. It also seems that he has been great in getting us from mid-table to CL, and kudos to him for that, but he may not have what it takes to push us on to winning the big trophies.
Lilbaz
Just call me Baz
- Apr 1, 2005
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He has got us from midtable to regular cl without actually spending money buying players.
This is because his instructions were to build the stadium and training ground, which is what we have almost finished doing.
Fans have complained for years that he was tight (forgetting it's only a tiny part his money). Yet he has got the team above other far more wealthy clubs.
So now, when we might start seeing the fruits of those labours you want rid?
No.
MyNameIsNicolaBerti
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- Jan 28, 2013
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Anyone who downplays a third place finish after what were essentially 38 away games is frankly, to be blunt, a flat out tool. Sorry.
Having said that, we have ten days left of the transfer window. Ten. Perhaps it might not bother others as much, but as a season ticket holder I feel Levy has dropped the ball a bit. Now, don’t get me wrong. This is a very hard window with the World Cup and the experiment of it shutting early. But come on. Most ST holders are paying more than they did at Wembley, let alone WHL. Is it really unreasonable for us to expect Levy to push the boat out for at least one proper signing? I don’t think so.
Levy has been great for this club, but transfers have always been hit or miss with him. It’s his weak spot and the nature of this window has exposed it more than ever. Both Redknapp and AVB made it pretty clear there were windows they didn’t get backed. Poch has been clear for months.
I think the problem is clear. Levy promises to back his managers when he hires them but allows his haggling and desire for as cheap a deal as possible to outweigh the concerns of the manager. That has been and will continue to be a mistake.
Having said that, we have ten days left of the transfer window. Ten. Perhaps it might not bother others as much, but as a season ticket holder I feel Levy has dropped the ball a bit. Now, don’t get me wrong. This is a very hard window with the World Cup and the experiment of it shutting early. But come on. Most ST holders are paying more than they did at Wembley, let alone WHL. Is it really unreasonable for us to expect Levy to push the boat out for at least one proper signing? I don’t think so.
Levy has been great for this club, but transfers have always been hit or miss with him. It’s his weak spot and the nature of this window has exposed it more than ever. Both Redknapp and AVB made it pretty clear there were windows they didn’t get backed. Poch has been clear for months.
I think the problem is clear. Levy promises to back his managers when he hires them but allows his haggling and desire for as cheap a deal as possible to outweigh the concerns of the manager. That has been and will continue to be a mistake.
am_yisrael_chai
Well-Known Member
- Feb 18, 2006
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As I said he has traded players very well to get us to CL and got lucky / was a genius to appoint Poch. However, the training ground and stadium aren’t of themselves going to take us that next step to, in Poch’s terms, win the PL or the CL. That is going to take investment in the squad and I’m not sure whether his tactics are going to get us there. I’m not calling him names, I’m not lacking gratitude for what he has done and as a shareholder I think the capital investments are fantastic for increasing the value of the club but as a fan I am questioning whether we are going the path of the mob up the road of making regular CL qualification the end game with no ambition to “be brave” and try to win something big.
jurgen
Busy ****
- Jul 5, 2008
- 6,749
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He’s always been brave with appointing managers and that’s great, although we’ve had abject stinkers like Sherwood before we got Poch. But even the bad ones in retrospect were more progressive choices than a Fat Sam etc. And we even had the best of the old school British managers in Redknapp.
Personally I put our recent upturn and consistency down more to Poch’s quality rather than Levy as while we had made CL before his arrival (and another top 4 place), we were generally the level just below in the main. I think Poch is the piece that allows our model to work higher up the league and otherwise we’d still be generally 5/6 place. I’m sure Poch will work his arse off again and hopefully we stay top four but I wish Levy could be as brave backing his manager as he is in picking them. If Poch is absolutely ok with Levy’s penny pinching then I can grudgingly get on board but if he isn’t and we lose him it will put our project back years.
Personally I put our recent upturn and consistency down more to Poch’s quality rather than Levy as while we had made CL before his arrival (and another top 4 place), we were generally the level just below in the main. I think Poch is the piece that allows our model to work higher up the league and otherwise we’d still be generally 5/6 place. I’m sure Poch will work his arse off again and hopefully we stay top four but I wish Levy could be as brave backing his manager as he is in picking them. If Poch is absolutely ok with Levy’s penny pinching then I can grudgingly get on board but if he isn’t and we lose him it will put our project back years.
Lilbaz
Just call me Baz
- Apr 1, 2005
- 41,363
- 74,893
Sorry i just find it strange that since he was in charge we have consistently improved on the field, without spending anything (yes maybe set backs but an upward projectory), yet now we may start having increased funds for on the field, you want to ditch him?
You say you work in finance? An accountant? Do you not see the upward trajectory of the club? Do you not see the possibilities? We broke the sky 4 while having to compete with countries and oligarchs, unlimited spending. But we did it.
You want to get rid? Lol.
am_yisrael_chai
Well-Known Member
- Feb 18, 2006
- 6,409
- 10,931
Agree with most of that. However if Poch is on board with no transfer funds I’d actually worry it is because he likes being an underdog and doesn’t want the pressure of being expected to win that would come with the type of investment we should be making. I’d prefer it if Poch wanted the pressure and demanded the backing.
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