I was wrong about Poch

[TwanYid]

I can't hold it back any longer- I gotta say it: I absolutely did not believe Mauricio Pochettino was the man to lead us out of the muck and mire of AVB and Sherwood. I thought he was a fair-to-midling manager, a nice guy, a decent coach- but nowhere near our savior. His appointment just felt so uninspiring, so mediocre; to me- the guy was more of a caretaker than anything else. I figured Levy, ENIC et al. were happy to tread water until the stadium got built- at which time they would appoint a real manager to usher in the new era. I viewed Poch as a "yes" man- someone who wouldn't rock the boat and would keep Spurs in the top 8 whilst neither failing nor winning anything of note.

I was unimpressed with his short, mediocre resumé, didn't think he'd done anything all that noteworthy at Southampton (especially with the way they seemingly improved under Ronald Koeman after he departed), didn't like the fact that his English wasn't all that great and- well- just wasn't excited by the guy at all.

To boot, last season we played the worst football I've ever seen us play (supporter since 2003). I know it was bad because- for the first time ever- I literally couldn't watch us for an entire match most of the time. It wasn't like I was trying not to watch- I just honestly couldn't. Save for a handful of games, I found us so boring that it would've taken an intravenous injection of cocaine and adderall in order for me to focus on an entire match. Plus, the team had no identity (which I blamed him for), he'd gotten rid of Holtby, acquired Fazio, regularly made atrocious in-game decisions (including questionable tactics and head-scratching subs), wore a tracksuit, said "berry emportant" ten times a presser...the list went on and on. I just didn't like the guy as our manager. As a person, sure- but not as our leader.

Anyway- he's a revelation- and we're lucky to have him. This is the best Spurs squad I've ever seen, not in terms of talent necessarily (although we're pretty effing talented), but more in terms of playing as a unit. We are a team now- one with character, identity, toughness and togetherness-- and that's all down to him.

Let me be clear: I never wanted him to fail- in fact I was hoping to be dead fucking wrong- but I wasn't optimistic.

Now, however, I'm full of hope (a weird feeling for such an ardent pessimist)- and we're a joy to watch. Indeed, I can't even believe this is real. Whatever happens from here on in, I know we made the right choice. I wanted Benitez, but I'm totally happy with Poch.

And I have to say I'm impressed with those on here who had faith in him all along; I still don't for the life of me know how on earth you lot had that kind of confidence in him (at least based on what he'd done previously)- but you obviously saw things that I sure didn't. Somehow, some way, some of you just knew...amazing...

Well, I didn't- but I'm ecstatic to have been so utterly wrong.

 

[not_tenth-again]

This could well become a therapy session.

"My name is xxxxxxxx and I was wrong...."

Personally, I was on the FdB train. I wasn't necessarily against Poch but I just thought FdB was such a stand out candidate.

Poch has exceeded my expectations already. We are good to watch, always in the game, putting faith in young talent and playing with a clear game plan. We look like a TEAM, it's very exciting.

Thanks Poch.

 

[mightyspur]

TLDR

 

[CowInAComa]

At one point there you have his name featured in a sentence along with AVB and sherwood.

Go and sort that out. Otherwise, good stuff.

 

[Shadydan]

Last season was never as bad as the football we played the season before under AVB and Tim.

 

[thelak]

I sense the Poch we see in front of the media is very different to the Poch behind closed doors. It seems like he has a v. personal touch and has got into each of the players individual psyche and somehow got them running through walls for him

 

[ernie78]

I no longer worry (too much) if we go one down early on as we have a spirit and desire that gets us back into it. We also don't seem to lose our heads and panic. To be honest I'm more concerned when we go one up early on as we sometimes take the foot off the pedal.
All in all I've been impressed with the team he has put together, I was livid we didn't get a DM but he has really shown he knows his stuff by converting Dier. I'm mean it's November and the kid has now played there for England. Hats off to you Poch

 

[Trix]

I can't hold it back any longer- I gotta say it: I absolutely did not believe Mauricio Pochettino was the man to lead us out of the muck and mire of AVB and Sherwood. I thought he was a fair-to-midling manager, a nice guy, a decent coach- but nowhere near our savior. His appointment just felt so uninspiring, so mediocre; to me- the guy was more of a caretaker than anything else. I figured Levy, ENIC et al. were happy to tread water until the stadium got built- at which time they would appoint a real manager to usher in the new era. I viewed Poch as a "yes" man- someone who wouldn't rock the boat and would keep Spurs in the top 8 whilst neither failing nor winning anything of note.

I was unimpressed with his short, mediocre resumé, didn't think he'd done anything all that noteworthy at Southampton (especially with the way they seemingly improved under Ronald Koeman after he departed), didn't like the fact that his English wasn't all that great and- well- just wasn't excited by the guy at all.

To boot, last season we played the worst football I've ever seen us play (supporter since 2003). I know it was bad because- for the first time ever- I literally couldn't watch us for an entire match most of the time. It wasn't like I was trying not to watch- I just honestly couldn't. Save for a handful of games, I found us so boring that it would've taken an intravenous injection of cocaine and adderall in order for me to focus on an entire match. Plus, the team had no identity (which I blamed him for), he'd gotten rid of Holtby, acquired Fazio, regularly made atrocious in-game decisions (including questionable tactics and head-scratching subs), wore a tracksuit, said "berry emportant" ten times a presser...the list went on and on. I just didn't like the guy as our manager. As a person, sure- but not as our leader.

Anyway- he's a revelation- and we're lucky to have him. This is the best Spurs squad I've ever seen, not in terms of talent necessarily (although we're pretty effing talented), but more in terms of playing as a unit. We are a team now- one with character, identity, toughness and togetherness-- and that's all down to him.

Let me be clear: I never wanted him to fail- in fact I was hoping to be dead fucking wrong- but I wasn't optimistic.

Now, however, I'm full of hope (a weird feeling for such an ardent pessimist)- and we're a joy to watch. Indeed, I can't even believe this is real. Whatever happens from here on in, I know we made the right choice. I wanted Benitez, but I'm totally happy with Poch.

And I have to say I'm impressed with those on here who had faith in him all along; I still don't for the life of me know how on earth you lot had that kind of confidence in him (at least based on what he'd done previously)- but you obviously saw things that I sure didn't. Somehow, some way, some of you just knew...amazing...

Well, I didn't- but I'm ecstatic to have been so utterly wrong.

For me it was simple. Just listening to the way his former players spoke about him was proof they would happily run through walls for him. Despite might I add them all saying training was harder than they had ever known before. That in it sellf speaks volumes about the man imo.

 

[arunspurs]

Most likeable aspect of Pochettino is his integrity & honesty. Redknapp or AVB or Sherwood didn't 've that trait IMHO.
I Trust him completely . He will make odd mistakes but he is honest enough to admit & learn

 

[Hercules]

When LVG and FDB were being spoken about I was very nervous. When it leaked that LVG was being nobbled by United I was praying it happening, and when it did and FDB and MP were two front runners I wanted MP because of what he done at Espanyol and I followed La Liga every week so knew all about him before he came to EPL. I said to friends he would be a revelation at S'ton and so it proved. Glad and elated he is our gaffer.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Biggest compliment from me is the massive difference from last season to this season, I wasn't against him coming in but wasn't excited either. Think that what he's done in getting rid of the deadweight and stamping his authority has been really good.

Don't want to get carried away as its still early but so far so good me long may it continue. Also we seem to have stopped getting the occasional hammering which helps.

 

[Ribble]

It was always going to take anyone time to sort out the mess, but it required we have some patience. In many ways AVB and Sherwood were necessary steps to this as well; AVB the shock to the system after Harry exposed the players least likely to fit, Sherwood the backroom player with designs on the big job who needed to be excised for a real clean break. Now we have the team unity, the player development system in place and the overarching direction in the backroom to actually build, something I think we've not had since Jol/Arnesen.

 

[beats1]

Most likeable aspect of Pochettino is his integrity & honesty. Redknapp or AVB or Sherwood didn't 've that trait IMHO.
I Trust him completely . He will make odd mistakes but he is honest enough to admit & learn

Harry and Timmy were total fuckwits to be honest and they thought they were better than they actually were hence why they would go in to interviews with a persona of total arrogance and that we were lucky to have them.

They were teflon and always not to blame for the problem and that was completely the squads.

Poch has done very well in terms of the first team squad and improving the players.

He also done well when questioned especially the whole kaboul, adebayor and etc fiasco.

Instead of allowing the circus to go on he has stopped and stamped down his authority which isn't at the expense of the club. It could be said Timmy did this by saying some of the first team players weren't up for it. However Timmy went all about it wrong and did it in a manner that was at the expense of the club.

IMO there are still areas of improvement and one of which is his subs, he needs to change it more often in my opinion and rest players when we are up 3-0, as it will be a long season. The big question mark will how the squad deals with a long season as last season the period we were entering now was the part were the team started to get going but were burnt out by March. There is hopes that wont happen this season but who knows.

As for the long term, I do have doubts whether he could sustain this for a long time as managers who have a similar philosophy have in Spain do suffer in their 4 season

 

[dagraham]

I was also pretty meh about his appointment, although anything was an improvement over AVB so I was relatively content.

I am one of those who cringes at the "philosophy" thing, but I have to say that the whole squad now seems to be buying into what Poch wants and it's starting to really pay dividends. We are a team rather than a collection of individuals and that's entirely down to Poch. Yesterday at WHL was the first time I've heard "Pochettino's blue and white army" sung. The fans know something is happening even if it ends in disappointment this season.

The only thing I'm still sceptical on is Poch's ability to change a game or adapt his system when things aren't working, but for the moment I'm happy to ignore that.

I think Levy has his perfect manager who can properly utilize the huge investment made in the training academy. I just hope he gives him the backing in the transfer market and changes tack and resists when the bids come in for our rising stars (and they will I have absolutely no doubt).

 

[Shanks]

I was more than happy with Poch to come in, my biggest concern was the fans and boards patience to him.

I wasn't expecting this season to start like it did, with such resilience, and Dier has been great (i've been singing his praises all bloody season).

My concern now, is when we lose (and we will lose), how the fans remain patient through that spell.

I've wanted to see progression, last season I saw progression within the club - weeded out the bad egg's, got structure sorted internally (youth) and then the transfer window I absolutely loved, we bought players that would strengthen us, rather than just buying for the sake of buying, hence no DM..

Absolutely the best decision made, we have a serious player in Dier, probably my favourite player of the side, and someone who I feel will be future captain.

I feel very positive about the club, and I've seen progress this year.

I don't think we have enough for the title in terms of squad depth, but if we continue as we are, we 'could' challenge higher than fourth.

 

[onthetwo]

could someone please re-assure me that he isnt about to get offered the Real Madrid job? THAT would be very Spursy.....

 

[zepstar]

What Poch has really highlighted, is the latent and retrospective anger in me at the thought of Harry Redknapp not taking any training sessions and sitting in his office with a bacon sandwich, a cup of tea copy of the Racing Post.

'People over-complicate football. Just got to let them play, yada, yada, yada, triffic, yada, yada'.

No, you've got to hone in on their potential. Develop them. Build physical, strong teams without losing an ounce of flair. Improve players. Trust players.

What I saw yesterday, was one of the most complete Tottenham performances in my 25 odd years supporting the football club. Strength and good football against a team with an outstanding away record this term?

I'm not afraid to say that I have been blown away with some of our performances this term. Long may it, and he, continue.

 

[Gbspurs]

Tbf Levy and Baldini need some mad respect too. Baldini for finding buyers for the deadwood and Levy for sanctioning deals at a loss. The benefit to the team is clear to see.

 

[Lighty64]

I must admit to being wrong also, and should of confessed my guilt last season. With the squad we had, and his previous record of managing a team that once they went behind, they would usually lose a match. This proved me wrong pretty quickly and I'm now very proud of the Poch, and what he is achieving at Spurs

Pochies blue and white army

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It's good to see someone on here has got the balls to admit they were wrong about Poch. Myself and a few others seem to be constantly fighting his corner right up to the beginning of the this season against the impatient, knee-jerking types. Most of whom have gone very quiet recently...