Is This The First Time Top 4 Doesn't Matter That Much?

[shaqTHFC]

Since the 2009/10 season, which was easily my favourite season as a Spurs fan (Yes, I'm young!!), I've always been quite fixated on finishing in the top 4 again and getting that ever elusive CL spot. It may have been a short term attitude but I always felt that the other teams weren't that good and that we had a shot.

For most of the seasons since we've been in the race and I've felt pretty devastated when we ultimately failed. End of season burn outs, Chelsea being absurdly lucky, and failure to spend in January have all taken their toll on me. The last season under Redknapp and first under AVB especially, as they went down to the last day with a mere point between us and the Goons. The 11/12 season went from being my favourite watching us to probably my most maligned with the way it ended. Players were sold, managers were sacked and we kept starting a few steps back because we failed to hold onto a lead and failed to secure 4th place (or higher).

Last season also wasn't about top 4 but it wasn't really about anything in all honesty. We all knew we weren't getting 4th and every big game was something I'd dread because we knew it'd be pretty embarrassing. I didn't enjoy watching us at all last year, but it's different this season.

Since the academy boys have broken into the team, there's been a feel good factor returning to the Lane. The atmosphere seems better, the players care and show that on the pitch and for the first time in a while, regardless of whether we finish 4th or not it seems as if our future is bright. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get CL again and we're well and truly in the race but it's not the be all and end all this season. I can sit back and enjoy the ride (and a Wembley cup final!!) and not be so fixated on the destination for once.

 

[chinaman]

We had not had a properly defined direction for too long. Now that ownership and the upper echelon of management seem to have a unity in purpose, I'm really elated. Of course qualifying for the CL or winning a cup will be the icing.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i don't think the direction of the squad or subsequent transfer dealings changes much(if at all) whether we get cl or we don't. the main concern for me was lloris and eriksen but they seem to have bought into what we're doing so would hopefully stick around a little longer regardless of what happens.

 

[philip]

We need top four. If we win on Tuesday we go third, 3 points behind Man City

 

[shaqTHFC]

i don't think the direction of the squad or subsequent transfer dealings changes much(if at all) whether we get cl or we don't. the main concern for me was lloris and eriksen but they seem to have bought into what we're doing so would hopefully stick around a little longer regardless of what happens.

Yeah I think that's key. Failing to get CL has pretty much meant losing a star player but I can see these two (and Vertonghen) sticking around and if we're very close to top 4 with such a young and inexperienced side then hopefully they'll see that next season's potential ceiling is quite high.

 

[shaqTHFC]

We need top four. If we win on Tuesday we go third, 3 points behind Man City

I'd rather win the Capital One Cup than get top 4 this season

 

[parklane1]

I have always thought that winning a trophy is far more important then finishing among the runners up ( top four) and I still do. The game is about glory and that means winning things.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

We need top four

No we don't. Not this season, anyway.

 

[danielneeds]

I'd rather win the Capital One Cup than get top 4 this season

No CL and we'll probably lose Lloris. And we'd be vulnerable to any Eriksen interest too. The youth players are very important but we need that sprinkling of continental class too.

 

[Disconosebleed]

The positivity provided by a young group of players you can really get behind does give this season a slightly different edge - but don't kid yourself, Champions League qualification is as important as ever and a potential League Cup win doesn't change that. Top four is maybe slightly less important now that the Europa League offers a CL spot, but the reality is that while the two League Cups we have to show for the past 24 years are lovely, they are an end in themselves and provide no opportunity for growth. If we want to become a club that regularly challenges for honours, we need to be in the CL. Every year.

 

[Lilbaz]

I want all 3. Top 3 finish (4th is for losers), League Cup and Europa.

If we can manage 1 I'll be very happy, 2 ecstatic. All 3, I think I'll explode. Please make me explode?

 

[worcestersauce]

Never expected top four this season, not bought into the race for for top four at all and still not bothered by it, I just hoped for progress in a transitional season and I've got that.
Top four will be a bonus and I'll be chuffed as nuts if we get it rather than pissed off if we don't.

 

[Lilbaz]

Never expected top four this season, not bought into the race for for top four at all and still not bothered by it, I just hoped for progress in a transitional season and I've got that.
Top four will be a bonus and I'll be chuffed as nuts if we get it rather than pissed off if we don't.

Depends how close we get. If we miss out on the last day again it will be painful.

 

[mrlilywhite]

Top 4 is not a pre-requisite this season and rightly so. At the start of the season expectation was low and justified, As we started yet another transitional phase, yet unlike all the other false dawns, this time it feels different, a good different. Finally it is hoped that Daniel has learnt and is letting Poch build the footballing foundations his way. The structure and philosophy seems to suit all parties and we all seem to be singing together.

We need to do our part and try not to force our expectations higher than what should be realistically possible, though I feel there will always be sections of our support that feel 4th or higher should be achievable. If we get CL then great, it should be considered an over achievement. If we don't get it then we should be equally happy that at least our club is turning a corner, even more so given the fact that we have done it with such a young squad.

 

[Spurger King]

If we end up losing Lloris and/or Eriksen as a result of not finishing in the top four then, yes, it will matter quite a bit.

I get what the OP is saying though. We're still developing as a team so I think most people associated with the club would see this as a transitional season rather than one where we should be seriously challenging for a CL spot. I'm impressed that we're still in the mix but I wouldn't consider this season a failure if we end up 5th or 6th but have taken some giant strides in terms of our general approach and performances.

 

[Lilbaz]

Am glad that we don't have the Race For ____ thread this year.

 

[Shea]

Am glad that we don't have the Race For ____ thread this year.

Me too mate

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/the-race-for-a-champions-league-place.111555/

 

[Lilbaz]

Me too mate

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/the-race-for-a-champions-league-place.111555/

Bloody Totoner. Jinxed the lot. Might as well pack up and go home. Always next year I guess

 

[Shea]

Bloody Totoner. Jinxed the lot. Might as well pack up and go home. Always next year I guess

It wouldn't be Spurscommunity without a doomed to failure RACE FOR thread would it? (ps bumped it back to life for you )

 

[prawnsandwich]

Top 4 matters a great deal. We have had a squad that should have made top 4 regularly for years. We have multi-million pound players not even in the match day squad. Levy/our managers have fucked it up. I am hoping MoPo doesn't.