How do Spurs take the next step up?

[Sevens]

There is no quick process for this unfortunately.

Step one is to remain in the Champion's League so that we can maintain a level of revenue that allows us to pay more in wages. Because step two is keeping hold of our best players.

We aren't (and won't be for a long time, if ever) in a position where we can afford to spend high transfer fees and be exposed to minimal impact if that high value transfer doesn't come off. Not that spending big is a guarantee of success anyway.

Our incoming transfer success ratio is pretty good. The real problem is not being able to hold on to our better players over the last decade or so and then generally wasting the transfer money we've received from selling our better players. But just imagine if Carrick hadn't gone and we'd signed Berbatov. And then we'd signed Modric and Bale etc.

If can continue to qualify for the Champion's League then we are in a stronger position to hold on to our better players as we continue to add to the squad.

In the short term it's about risk appetite. Do we pay our first team players higher wages knowing that if we did fail to qualify for the Champion's League we could be in trouble?

Personally I'd like to see us take a bit more of a risk, starting with getting Alderweireld and Rose pinned down to new contracts. Incoming transfers are always a bit of a lottery and it's going to be hard for us to guarantee a first team improvement with a new transfer. So the key to success is maintaining the quality of the existing team whilst purchasing new players and waiting for one of them new transfers to improve the first team.

Lastly, patience is also key. The fact is we are more than good enough to win the League and FA Cup now but we could improve our team by 10% and it probably still wouldn't be good enough to win the Premier League or Champion's League unless one or more of the classically "stronger" teams underperformed that season too.

 

[dontcallme]

There is no quick process for this unfortunately.

Step one is to remain in the Champion's League so that we can maintain a level of revenue that allows us to pay more in wages. Because step two is keeping hold of our best players.

We aren't (and won't be for a long time, if ever) in a position where we can afford to spend high transfer fees and be exposed to minimal impact if that high value transfer doesn't come off. Not that spending big is a guarantee of success anyway.

Our incoming transfer success ratio is pretty good. The real problem is not being able to hold on to our better players over the last decade or so and then generally wasting the transfer money we've received from selling our better players. But just imagine if Carrick hadn't gone and we'd signed Berbatov. And then we'd signed Modric and Bale etc.

If can continue to qualify for the Champion's League then we are in a stronger position to hold on to our better players as we continue to add to the squad.

In the short term it's about risk appetite. Do we pay our first team players higher wages knowing that if we did fail to qualify for the Champion's League we could be in trouble?

Personally I'd like to see us take a bit more of a risk, starting with getting Alderweireld and Rose pinned down to new contracts. Incoming transfers are always a bit of a lottery and it's going to be hard for us to guarantee a first team improvement with a new transfer. So the key to success is maintaining the quality of the existing team whilst purchasing new players and waiting for one of them new transfers to improve the first team.

Lastly, patience is also key. The fact is we are more than good enough to win the League and FA Cup now but we could improve our team by 10% and it probably still wouldn't be good enough to win the Premier League or Champion's League unless one or more of the classically "stronger" teams underperformed that season too.

Some fair points.

I don't think we can keep bringing up Berbatov and Carrick going to Utd. They were a decade ago and we have progressed massively since then.

At the time we were 5th and Utd were top dog. Our turnover was massively behind all the top four. It is now more even. Revenue-wise we are behind Utd but despite all the rumours I haven't seen any of our player show any sign at all they want to go to Utd.

Poch wants players who are completely focused on the task at hand. Keeping our best players is important but if their head is elsewhere then we are best off selling them.

I would love for Rose to get back to his best and to be dedicated to us. If not, then selling him for an inflated fee is for the best.

The fact is we are getting our young, hungry players to sign new contracts. They're the important ones.

 

[Sevens]

Some fair points.

I don't think we can keep bringing up Berbatov and Carrick going to Utd. They were a decade ago and we have progressed massively since then.

At the time we were 5th and Utd were top dog. Our turnover was massively behind all the top four. It is now more even. Revenue-wise we are behind Utd but despite all the rumours I haven't seen any of our player show any sign at all they want to go to Utd.

Poch wants players who are completely focused on the task at hand. Keeping our best players is important but if their head is elsewhere then we are best off selling them.

I would love for Rose to get back to his best and to be dedicated to us. If not, then selling him for an inflated fee is for the best.

The fact is we are getting our young, hungry players to sign new contracts. They're the important ones.

Regarding Carrick and Berbatov it's more a case of demonstrating precedent of why we haven't been able to kick on. I actually don't believe we've massively progressed since then either. League position wise we are doing better but I'd also say back then there were three or four really strong teams in the league and now there is one.

Our players heads are elsewhere because of £££ and you can't really blame them to an extent. Take Christian Eriksen. He could earn 2x or even 2.5x elsewhere.

Young and hungry doesn't necessarily equate to good enough. One or two homegrown youth players coming through to become genuine first team regulars (e.g. not just get games through rotation or because first choice is injured) every decade is a massive success. The key for me is to do what we did with Alli, Rose, Dier, Sanchez, Eriksen and that is buy quality players young. The fact is we aren't in a position to buy high visibility quality players in their prime. We simply can't afford them unless somehow we get an absolute bargain (Lloris).

 

[dontcallme]

Regarding Carrick and Berbatov it's more a case of demonstrating precedent of why we haven't been able to kick on. I actually don't believe we've massively progressed since then either. League position wise we are doing better but I'd also say back then there were three or four really strong teams in the league and now there is one.

Our players heads are elsewhere because of £££ and you can't really blame them to an extent. Take Christian Eriksen. He could earn 2x or even 2.5x elsewhere.

Young and hungry doesn't necessarily equate to good enough. One or two homegrown youth players coming through to become genuine first team regulars (e.g. not just get games through rotation or because first choice is injured) every decade is a massive success. The key for me is to do what we did with Alli, Rose, Dier, Sanchez, Eriksen and that is buy quality players young. The fact is we aren't in a position to buy high visibility quality players in their prime. We simply can't afford them unless somehow we get an absolute bargain (Lloris).

Utd have been linked with Dier and Kane. When they came in for Berbatov and Carrick they couldn't wait to leave. Dier, Kane and others have shown no desire to leave at all. In terms of holding onto players if that isn't progress I have no idea what is.

Most people accept there are elite clubs. Whether it's the old guard of Real Madrid and barcelona or new boys Man City. There are a few clubs you can ear ridiculous money and win titles while playing alongside the best.

Utd, Liverpool, ourselves and Arsenal have all lost player to these clubs once they become a top target.

You bring up Eriksen but this is hypothetical. He is recognised as a quality player and could double his wage at numerous clubs. So why hasn't he left? It's because in reality he is happy here. He isn't going to simply jump ship at any offer. Like any player Barcelona might be too tempting but your assertion of him leaving for double money is simply not reality.

 

[double0]

I'd argue that Adebayor was better than Berbatov anyway.

Sure people won't like this being said but give a fully focused fit Adebayor ahead of a fully focused fit Berbatov who left the club in a despicable way...yet still idolised.

 

[Sevens]

Utd have been linked with Dier and Kane. When they came in for Berbatov and Carrick they couldn't wait to leave. Dier, Kane and others have shown no desire to leave at all. In terms of holding onto players if that isn't progress I have no idea what is.

Most people accept there are elite clubs. Whether it's the old guard of Real Madrid and barcelona or new boys Man City. There are a few clubs you can ear ridiculous money and win titles while playing alongside the best.

Utd, Liverpool, ourselves and Arsenal have all lost player to these clubs once they become a top target.

You bring up Eriksen but this is hypothetical. He is recognised as a quality player and could double his wage at numerous clubs. So why hasn't he left? It's because in reality he is happy here. He isn't going to simply jump ship at any offer. Like any player Barcelona might be too tempting but your assertion of him leaving for double money is simply not reality.

That's because right now we are qualifying for the Champion's League. That's stage one. Continual qualification will enable us to keep hold of certain players up to the point of their career when they want that last big contract. or want that success.

Eriksen, Dier and Kane are all still young and have time on their side. The likes of Walker, Alderweireld, Rose etc. are not. But if we qualify for the CL every season and can offer our stars high wages? I think there is every chance most of them will continue to stay. Especially if we keep with the purchase trend of buying players who seem to have a very professional attitude.

 

[Reece]

We have been taking the next steps up over the last 10 years (with some missed opportunities along the way).

Step 1 was continued Europa League qualification
Step 2 was qualifying for the CL
Step 3 was cementing that CL spot
Step 4 will be winning that next trophy
Step 5 multiple trophies / win the league

I don't think Step 4 is anything else other than pragmatism. Whether we actually value being pragmatic or not is another question.

 

[poc]

Maintain CL qualification
Win a domestic trophy
Make one or two marquee signings ie Risk
Hope for no injuries at key moments to key players.

 

[piedpiper]

I am caught between counting my blessings and being greedy.

I look back at where we were 5/6 years ago and think wow what an accomplishment! 3 seasons now in the champions league, dare I say regulars or at least regular challengers!

A striker that has one the golden boot two years in a row and scored 30 premier league goals this season!

But, yer here it is. Is this enough now. Well for me it is. If we kept hold of Toby, eriksen, Kane, Hugo, Rose, Verts, Alli, Lucas, Son, and Lamela next year, settled in at our new stadium and finished in CL spot again I would be happy. A cup would be a real bonus.

I don’t think we need to challenge for the tittle next year, we need to consolidate. I think to do this, I am sure Chelski and Arsenal and Liverpool will all invest next year, so we will need to also. But keeping the squad we have is really important.

Then maybe next year or the year after when we have been in the CL for 5 years, built a large quality “squad” then maybe we should set our sites a little higher, expect a little more, domestic cups, champions league semifinals, challenging hard for the premiership title. But not next year, to much to soon.

Basically be happy with what we have! If we do what I said above I will be!

The thing is our star players arent getting any younger and will leave. I too remember the YEARS of mid table mediocrity.... But we've moved on from there as a club, as fans we too need to move on and expect more. We have a fantastic management team, we need to start winning trophies. To win trophies we need to strengthen with quality additions.

 

[piedpiper]

I'd argue that Adebayor was better than Berbatov anyway.

Sure people won't like this being said but give a fully focused fit Adebayor ahead of a fully focused fit Berbatov who left the club in a despicable way...yet still idolised.

Yes i was disappointed with Berbatov leaving. But no way was Adebayor a better player. Berbatov like the others wanted CL football and a chance to win trophies. We it seemed were just happy with making up the numbers. Something i don't want us to do from the coming season and seasons to come.

 

[double0]

Yes i was disappointed with Berbatov leaving. But no way was Adebayor a better player. Berbatov like the others wanted CL football and a chance to win trophies. We it seemed were just happy with making up the numbers. Something i don't want us to do from the coming season and seasons to come.

That's the beauty of football. I personally thought Adebayor was all round a better striker....just my opinion

 

[Adam456]

I am caught between counting my blessings and being greedy.

I look back at where we were 5/6 years ago and think wow what an accomplishment! 3 seasons now in the champions league, dare I say regulars or at least regular challengers!

A striker that has one the golden boot two years in a row and scored 30 premier league goals this season!

But, yer here it is. Is this enough now. Well for me it is. If we kept hold of Toby, eriksen, Kane, Hugo, Rose, Verts, Alli, Lucas, Son, and Lamela next year, settled in at our new stadium and finished in CL spot again I would be happy. A cup would be a real bonus.

I don’t think we need to challenge for the tittle next year, we need to consolidate. I think to do this, I am sure Chelski and Arsenal and Liverpool will all invest next year, so we will need to also. But keeping the squad we have is really important.

Then maybe next year or the year after when we have been in the CL for 5 years, built a large quality “squad” then maybe we should set our sites a little higher, expect a little more, domestic cups, champions league semifinals, challenging hard for the premiership title. But not next year, to much to soon.

Basically be happy with what we have! If we do what I said above I will be!

From a fan's point of view and considering where have come from I'm more than happy. We just have to consider Poch (and perhaps Kane, Erikson, Alli). At some point Poch will get tired of playing on an uneven field and, while that won't be this coming season the clock is ticking with every day that passes that he doesn't. Fortunately the new stadium is a game changer and 3 consecutive Top 3 finishes should ensure that sponsorship rockets.

If we back him with a few top draw purchases this summer then it should enable us to challenge next season

 

[bubble07]

Sign proven players at their peak

 

[Lumiere]

If Eriksen leaves I would really hope we bring in a top quality attacker as a replacement rather than just using Lamela as a replacement.

Lamela is a good player that I hope stays, but he’s not close to being at Eriksen’s level. Let’s replace quality with quality.

 

[SpursDave88]

If Eriksen leaves I would really hope we bring in a top quality attacker as a replacement rather than just using Lamela as a replacement.

Lamela is a good player that I hope stays, but he’s not close to being at Eriksen’s level. Let’s replace quality with quality.

Eriksen's leaving??

 

[Jimmypearce7]

Key starting point is not to sell our team! We need to keep hold of Toby, Danny and Victor- we won't be able to replace them with the equivalent or better.

 

[FreddieYid]

If Eriksen leaves I would really hope we bring in a top quality attacker as a replacement rather than just using Lamela as a replacement.

Lamela is a good player that I hope stays, but he’s not close to being at Eriksen’s level. Let’s replace quality with quality.

Que?!

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

The thing is our star players arent getting any younger and will leave. I too remember the YEARS of mid table mediocrity.... But we've moved on from there as a club, as fans we too need to move on and expect more. We have a fantastic management team, we need to start winning trophies. To win trophies we need to strengthen with quality additions.

I think the way to keep our star players is to pay them well and bring in top class talent to support them, and not players like, Sissoko and Llorente!

 

['O Zio]

We need more depth and more options IMO. Too many games this season where teams sat back and we lacked ideas and struggled to break them down. We could really do with some different attacking players who can run with the ball for those sort of games I reckon. And just general squad depth. When Sissoko has played as many games as he has you know you need to get someone else in

 

[dtxspurs]

I guess this is as good of a place as any.. What are people thinking our transfer strategy is exactly for this summer? We seemed to be most linked with a wide player (Martial, Bale approx 50mil), De Light (approx 50mil) and a CM or two (approx 50mil). I guess additions like Sess and others would be dependent on sales? To me if we want to go big or go home our 150mil budget being thrown around could get spent up really quick on the above three I mentioned. Would make us significantly better for the short and long term and excite the hell out of me personally.