Conte Questions Spurs Ambitions..

[npearl4spurs]

Chelsea mate this morning when I told him his manager shouldn't talk about our ambitions and just shows he's a poor manager like pep and Mourinho needing to spend 100s of millions:

"Had to google it to see what he said. Should he have said it? Probably not. It's weird cause it seems out of character. It looks like it may not have even been an official press conference. I wonder what he was asked."

Also said he agreed with Levy that Chelsea's spending was probably unsustainable but United was insane next level with their income.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Poch is a throwback to the days when managers were gentlemen like our Nick, Ron Greenwood and sir Matt.

Ron Greenwood was no gentleman, in 1966 screwed Bobby Moore out of his dream transfer to us by telling him he wouldn't sell so he'd have to come to us for free by running down his contract if he wanted it that bad, but that if he did that he lose his World Cup spot as sir Alf wasn't picking any out of contract players. Basically Moore had to choose between coming to us, or extending with West Ham to save his World Cup place. Greenwood was a ****.

 

[bomberH]

So disappointed that we have to spend this season at Wembley. I'm almost certain we'd have won the league with our team this season if we'd stayed at the Lane and then I could just sit back and watch these other top 6 managers look the ****s they are, trying and failing to unsettle everyone involved with Spurs.

He's right that there is less pressure on us than any other team in the top 6 because of wages and spending etc, but that still doesn't stop him being a right moany old wiggy ****.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

That is how I understood his comments, though I do also agree that there is an amount of mind games involved as well. He's highlighted Kane and, reading between the lines, it's almost like he's saying to Kane look at us, we EXPECT to be in CL every year whereas your current club do not. You are the best striker in the World, you should be in the CL every year and we can give that to you.

Not so subtle tapping up involved in his comments.

I honestly think this is more about him getting excuses in early than surreptitiously tapping up.

I also think these types of quotes are taken out of context by journalists who put questions to foreign bosses knowing a)they are a)often more honest and less scared of saying things and b) they know their comprehension of the language can catch them out. By throwing in little things that seem small (a word or phrase) they can catch a headline almost by accident.

A good example was Koeman yesterday. The journalist asked him "do expect Barkley to leave" (then chucked in) "one hundred percent" almost under his breath.

Koeman was busy answering the main question ("do you expect him to leave") very honestly, as is the Dutch way quite often, and hadn't really headed the "100%" bit.

They headline became "Koeman says Barkley 100% leaving"

It amounted to the same thing but the "hundred percent" phrase (which Koeman never said) made it more sensationalist.

 

[chinaman]

Ron Greenwood was no gentleman, in 1966 screwed Bobby Moore out of his dream transfer to us by telling him he wouldn't sell so he'd have to come to us for free by running down his contract if he wanted it that bad, but that if he did that he lose his World Cup spot as sir Alf wasn't picking any out of contract players. Basically Moore had to choose between coming to us, or extending with West Ham to save his World Cup place. Greenwood was a ****.

That doesn't mean he was not a gent. He had to protect his club. Those managers of old didn't try to destabilise others or abase them.

 

[Hercules]

That doesn't mean he was not a gent. He had to protect his club. Those managers of old didn't try to destabilise others or abase them.

Many. Stories told of not just Greenwood. Aside from our great Bill Nicholson (no bias), the game was fraught with some not too nice characters, and Greenwood had a naughty side as well.

 

[Dov67]

was Conte always an arsehole or did he have to come to stamford bridge to become one?

 

[Spurger King]

was Conte always an arsehole or did he have to come to stamford bridge to become one?

I believe they got their Director of Arseholes to scout him out first to ensure he was suitable.

 

[1882andallthat]

Given our first game at Wembley is against them Poch should make this part of his team talk. The message that this Chelsea manager thinks we apparently "lack ambition" should be plastered over the walls of our dressing room. Even if we should already be up for this one there's nothing like a bit of extra motivation and a point to prove. Let him eat those words......

 

[Gb160]

FFP says you can spend more than you earn. Chelsea have recouped a fair bit this window, but the Manc clubs, particularly City , will be attracting attention. And probably couldn't do the same again next year unless they sell a Tevez or two. Levys not taking a stand, he's making money for ENIC.

Anyway, let me also join in by saying Chelsea are an abomination, and Conte is not quite the half decent egg some of you thought he was.

Mourinho hinted at what is going on earlier this week when he mentioned 'stealth' ...he didn't mention which clubs but he's obviously referring to Chelsea and City.
How it works is that clubs agree to pay a player X amount per week, but on the quiet top this up with more payments on the quiet, as long as the player pays tax on these payments then It's completely legal.
A journalist wrote about this a while back but I can't for the life of me think of who it was, it makes a complete mockery of FFP but the footballing authorities can't do anything about it because they don't know anything about these 'stealth' payments.
Football's fucked, FFPs a joke, that's the bottom line.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I don't see an issue, it's just the normal mind games and nothing more. I think we're in a great spot, have a lot of stability and will be improved over last year and Conte knows it and is trying to unsettle things.

 

[gloriousbillynich]

Conte can suck my sweaty, hairless ballsack. The guy has looked at our squad, our performances last year etc, and shat his pants.

 

[Hercules]

was Conte always an arsehole or did he have to come to stamford bridge to become one?

Just when he faked his bonnet

 

[chinaman]

was Conte always an arsehole or did he have to come to stamford bridge to become one?

He was one of the dirtiest players in a dirty Italian squad during his playing days.

 

[Ionman34]

I honestly think this is more about him getting excuses in early than surreptitiously tapping up.

I also think these types of quotes are taken out of context by journalists who put questions to foreign bosses knowing a)they are a)often more honest and less scared of saying things and b) they know their comprehension of the language can catch them out. By throwing in little things that seem small (a word or phrase) they can catch a headline almost by accident.

A good example was Koeman yesterday. The journalist asked him "do expect Barkley to leave" (then chucked in) "one hundred percent" almost under his breath.

Koeman was busy answering the main question ("do you expect him to leave") very honestly, as is the Dutch way quite often, and hadn't really headed the "100%" bit.

They headline became "Koeman says Barkley 100% leaving"

It amounted to the same thing but the "hundred percent" phrase (which Koeman never said) made it more sensationalist.

True, but, personally, I think Conte knew exactly what he was doing and saying. Whilst his immediate command of the language may not be of the highest level, it is the subject matter that, for me, is more telling.

I agree with you on how "journalists" use every trick in the book to twist an answer to suit almost any agenda, even taking individual words, ignoring the main thrust, and using them to twist an answer into anything they want. Christ, I even heard Alan Brazil doing that on his show, sensationalising comments made by his co host despite me having heard him say something completely different less than 2 minutes before!

Having said that, I do believe that Conte was sending a message to Kane. The fact that it will fall on deaf ears will elude him though. You could also say that he is manipulating the press to his own ends somewhat. Since his comments, all I've heard since is speculation on our own ambition and that Kane needs to move on to win things, it sent Durham into full on troll mode.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

If I were Pep or Conte I would be bricking it, both are trying to buy the title and both are ignoring the exceptional youth system at their respective clubs.

Spurs have done a fantastic job and if they win the league, there will be alot of questions asked.

What Spurs are doing is sustainable as well. Once the older players go, if you call them that, we have ready made plans. Trippier this year, maybe when Dembele goes Winks steps in etc.. We have an understudy for most positions.

What pisses every one off is we are doing this while promoting from within, something which so called top managers feel is impossible.

The Spurs model, will be one that could set a precedent, there is one other team that follow the same model in Southampton. They however sell too many players to challenge.

Just have a think of the Southampton team if they hadn't sold off their players.... They would probably be in the top 4 by now.

Promote youth, buy smart, cheap and young, slowly build a team.

Conte, Pep and Jose just believe in the money solution and if they lose to Spurs there are no excuses!

 

[guiltyparty]

He has a point to be fair. It was a bit of a stupid/calculated thing for Levy to say and it's got a reaction.

"Yeah yeah we don't need to spend 40m on players, we make our own. The other clubs are nuts and it's not sustainable."

Well, it IS sustainable for Chelsea/City/Utd with their bottomless money pits and Arsenal, who saved for years and make much more commercial money than us.

And we win nothing. Routinely. Which he must be acutely aware of.

Which is fine, we all appreciate how well the club is run, we have different expectations, best team in my lifetime etc but know your role.

Levy is getting ahead of himself trying to rattle the big boys. And Conte is showing he's up there with Jose on mind games and destabilising (see his sly attempt at unsettling Kane too)

Bantz etc

 

[guiltyparty]

"Every team has to understand what their ambitions are. If their ambitions are to fight for the title or try to win the Champions League, you must buy expensive players. Otherwise you continue to stay in your level. It's simple."

"My question is this: What are Tottenham's expectations?"


And this is where he's wrong. Spurs HAVE expensive players, except they didn't pay the expensive fees.

Vertonghen/Alderweireld, Dier, Rose, Alli and Kane are the best (or in the top 3 at worst) in their position in the league. In addition, Eriksen, Lloris and Dembele will be top 5 in their position.

So Spurs do not have to 'buy expensive players' this time around. The side needs depth. 8/10 players to replace the 9/10 First XI when changes need to be made. Either that, or 6/10 players who can become 8/10 (or more) players during the season. Spurs clearly cannot go out and spend 75m on a forward who won't be first choice and finding better than the names I've listed above is not going to happen.

The only issue is replacing Walker. Trippier is decent - not as fast, maybe better defensively, and has better delivery - but Walker was the best in the league. However, bringing in someone to keep Trippier at #2 is not a great policy. Having someone compete with him for #1 is much better. Similar to last season with Rose/Davies and Walker/Trippier. There are plenty of games to play...

In short. I don't think Conte understood the question, but overall he should be quiet about clubs with a different mindset. If he wants to talk, perhaps it should be about Man Utd or Man City.

I presume he was directly flagged the Levy quotes by a journalist and it was framed as a dig.

Also let's remember, a) we were the only one who ran them close last year and b) everyone knows our players are underpaid so are theoretically the easiest to unsettle

I actually think there's a backhanded compliment in there. They're worried. If he loses to Utd, it's because they spent more money; there's no excuse if anyone loses to us, if money is the true arbiter.

 

[Danners9]

I presume he was directly flagged the Levy quotes by a journalist and it was framed as a dig.

Also let's remember, a) we were the only one who ran them close last year and b) everyone knows our players are underpaid so are theoretically the easiest to unsettle

I actually think there's a backhanded compliment in there. They're worried. If he loses to Utd, it's because they spent more money; there's no excuse if anyone loses to us, if money is the true arbiter.

Probably. We never get to hear what the actual question was. That's why I think he misunderstood it - or was made to misunderstand it in the hope of getting these quotes which have produced two 'great' stories: 1) Kane is my dream striker after spending 75m on Morata, missing out on Lukaku and trying to sell Costa, and 2) Spurs, Chelsea's local/title rivals, are unambitious and therefore a small club.

Story one then leads to suspicions of trying to tap up or unsettle, or thoughts they may bid for Kane. This isn't supported in any way, but it's a possibility of course and sells papers. Not that you'd expect Spurs to sell to them. Story two has generated 6 pages of debate on here already, various articles and Twitter feeds are full of it.

But yes, ultimately, he is a bit worried because he (and Guardiola and Mourinho) need success immediately otherwise their jobs are questioned and the players they buy add to the pressure. At Spurs, less so. Spurs are succeeding at the long game, starting at a different point to the others, while they are taking turns in succeeding at the short game where the rebound is seen as failure (see Chelsea; title winners, mid table, title winners) with the manager losing his job.

I think it angers Conte in a way, too. Sitting at home wondering why Spurs aren't spending! WHY!! You sold a player for a huge fee, why aren't you spending! What are you up to!! What are they planning!? I better buy someone else.. like Mr Burns trapped with Homer Simpson in the ski cabin (seen this one?), getting more and more paranoid.

 

[Krule]

Probably the biggest difference with our club is that the manager is not ultimately responsible to some egotistical, overbearing, moody and irrational multi billionaire. Spurs owner is allowing Levy and Poch to work together and take forward both the team and the club. Granted this may well be with a view to seeking a buyer in a season or two but Joe knows the value of keeping these two people happy and together. So while Conte, Jose and Pep may constantly be waiting for the axe to fall at the slightest hint of failure they will continue to be envious of what Tottenham is building ....both structurally with the new stadium and in the way of team spirit. Conte is just green with envy.