It's a new dawn, It's a new day...

[ShelfSide18]

Well not quite but I'm sat here pondering the Liverpool game and most will read this after hopefully sleeping off a bout of Kneejerkwe'llbeluckytofinishmidtableitis.

We really weren't that bad against Liverpool, it was of course a horrible and disappointing result to stomach, especially when we had built ourselves up for this game so much, but does this completely write off our chances for 4th? Of course it doesn't.

Liverpool did exactly what Wolves and Stoke did to us, a typical smash and grab job but we have not been taught a lesson by a better team yesterday, like we did to them in August, and the best thing for us to do is get it out of our system as quickly as possible and concentrate on getting things going again against Fulham where we renew our Champions League challenge. We sit 4th as we speak, it is daft to say we can't stay there - not for one minute saying we will but If the fans are so intent on giving up on it, in January, after a few bad results, when we are actually sitting in 4th, then god help us.

It was only a few weeks ago that we completely outclassed Villa, one of our challengers away from home. Outclassed, outpassed, outplayed and the Villa forums were all doom and gloom proclaiming us as the team that will finish 4th.

It was only a few weeks ago that we completely outclassed Man City 3-0 at home, the City forums were saying exactly the same over the top, sensationalist, reactionary things. Every set of supporters do it, we are no exception.

We are all good teams, with good players who will be fighting it out to nail that 4th spot. We all have our problems, we have all had our bad games, we have all had our good games. This just happens to be our dodgy patch and we are still 4th and well up there, in the next few weeks what's the betting that this situation could be reversed? Quite likely I'd imagine.

So calm down boys and girls, we are 4th place in the league and still have an excellent chance of staying there - if we don't then fair enough we won't have deserved to finish there and we can blame games like this in may, but there's a lot of games left to play so shall we try and enjoy the ride rather than throw our toys every time we don't win every game?

Believe people, believe.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I'm still awake as I've been incredibly wound up since the match ended, but I'll just say that the FA Cup has taken on added importance to me now.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I'm still awake as I've been incredibly wound up since the match ended, but I'll just say that the FA Cup has taken on added importance to me now.

Cheer up BBLG, you're a passionate fella but we are not out of this yet, have a good sleep on it and in the morning things won't look so bad.

 

[spurdownunder]

Sorry to be a 'galss-is-half-empty-ite', but have you lads seen our fixture for April?

It reads like a Stephen King novel.

 

[jamesc0le]

not gonna shit my pants until i see the newly refurb'd squad after the window

 

[rez9000]

Well not quite but I'm sat here pondering the Liverpool game and most will read this after hopefully sleeping off a bout of Kneejerkwe'llbeluckytofinishmidtableitis.

Sounds itchy... :razz:

We really weren't that bad against Liverpool, it was of course a horrible and disappointing result to stomach, especially when we had built ourselves up for this game so much, but does this completely write off our chances for 4th? Of course it doesn't.

Liverpool did exactly what Wolves and Stoke did to us, a typical smash and grab job but we have not been taught a lesson by a better team yesterday, like we did to them in August, and the best thing for us to do is get it out of our system as quickly as possible and concentrate on getting things going again against Fulham where we renew our Champions League challenge. We sit 4th as we speak, it is daft to say we can't stay there - not for one minute saying we will but If the fans are so intent on giving up on it, in January, after a few bad results, when we are actually sitting in 4th, then god help us.

It was only a few weeks ago that we completely outclassed Villa, one of our challengers away from home. Outclassed, outpassed, outplayed and the Villa forums were all doom and gloom proclaiming us as the team that will finish 4th.

It was only a few weeks ago that we completely outclassed Man City 3-0 at home, the City forums were saying exactly the same over the top, sensationalist, reactionary things. Every set of supporters do it, we are no exception.

We are all good teams, with good players who will be fighting it out to nail that 4th spot. We all have our problems, we have all had our bad games, we have all had our good games. This just happens to be our dodgy patch and we are still 4th and well up there, in the next few weeks what's the betting that this situation could be reversed? Quite likely I'd imagine.

So calm down boys and girls, we are 4th place in the league and still have an excellent chance of staying there - if we don't then fair enough we won't have deserved to finish there and we can blame games like this in may, but there's a lot of games left to play so shall we try and enjoy the ride rather than throw our toys every time we don't win every game?

Believe people, believe.

I thought I was supposed to be the optimist.

Nice post.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

I still believe we can do it. However I think the fact that the words knee jerk are used quite often on here, surely because they are used quite often means it is not a knee jerk?

When does the knee jerking stop and the realisation of a problem start?

 

[neogenisis]

I still believe we can do it, with all due respect, i hate these forums after a game there is always very little positivity..:bang:
Thanks for the thread =)

 

[mattstev2000]

Good post. Personally i've got concerns that need to be addressed in the window (like a suitable backup for Lennon - Modric on the right doesn't work Harry!) but I don't think we should be hitting the panic button just yet. I do think that some of the first 11 need a kick up the arse though - people keep saying we have a strong squad, in which case we need to use it by giving some of the fringe players another go.

I've seen nothing over the past few games to suggest Defoe + Crouch is a top4 strikeforce so give Pav or Keane a go. Modric and Krancjar on the wings doesn't work because we lose all natural width so give Bentley, GDS or Rose a go etc.

 

[mattyspurs]

Good thread as always Shelfside. Nice to see you trying (and I say trying, as it is hard to do in Spurs Chat after a loss!!) to bring some much needed perspective back.

 

[RickyVilla]

I was so angry last night and this morning but I have to say that post renewed my optimism (even though it was obvious I always tend to see the bleak picture!). Cheers mate. COYS!!

 

[guiltyparty]

We taught them a lesson in August? Erm, rose tints. We were lucky to win that game

But like the overall sentiment fella. I've never thought we'd get fourth, and still don't, but as soon as we go 1 up against Leeds my smile will be back.

 

[mattstev2000]

We taught them a lesson in August? Erm, rose tints. We were lucky to win that game

But like the overall sentiment fella. I've never thought we'd get fourth, and still don't, but as soon as we go 1 up against Leeds my smile will be back.

I've got to agree with SS18 - we outplayed them considerably in the first game. We should have won by a couple more goals than we did.

But as you say, onwards and upwards (hopefully) - bring on Leeds!

 

[TheDutchMaster]

How can you say we weren't that bad against Liverpool? We was SHIT!!
This was our biggest game of the season and we didnt turn up AGAIN! Its like we were scared of the passion and commitment from Liverpool! Were just a weak team full of boys and no winners! If we showed half the effort of Liverpool we wouldnt be talking like this! That showing was disgraceful and will keep happening until we buy a couple of big name players who have been there and done it! I dont care about past results.. so what if we outclassed Villa? we didnt beat em! So what if beat Citeh? thats what we should be doing!

 

[dontcallme]

I've never really believed we have the team to finish fourth unless we do it in the style of Everton and get there by default.

The fact that we're still in the mix at this stage of the seaosn is a massive plus. Harry has put together a squad of above average Premiership players and they are playing at the level I'd expect from them.

We need a couple of real quality players preferably up front. A strikeforce as deadly as Keane/Berbatov or Sheringham/Klinsmann would see us competing as equals with the likes of Liverpool, not easy to find though.

 

[JonnySpurs]

In all honesty, assuming none of our great players leave in the summer then I've always felt we'd be better place to take on 4th next season rather than this.

Having found ourselves in the mix this season then we absolutely have to push for it all the way and we are certainly capable.

HOWEVER, we have to learn how to dog fight a bit more. Our team last night lost the battle in midfield and we were somewhat bullied from all the pressing they did.

The home losses to Stoke and Wolves and draw with Hull were not flukes, despite some great goalkeeping from the oppo, we need to find a way to graft out victories or add one or two more pieces so that we can play teams off the park even when they do park the bus.

All in all though, I'm still optimistic and if it wasn't for Howard Webb and his rabble of cretinous officials then we'd have at least had a draw last night!

 

[Michey]

I still believe we can do it. However I think the fact that the words knee jerk are used quite often on here, surely because they are used quite often means it is not a knee jerk?

When does the knee jerking stop and the realisation of a problem start?

It's a beautiful thought but it won't happen. Not gettin' the fourth spot anyway.

Our results at home against Stoke, Wolves and Hull will haunt us when the league is finished. Togheter with 4 dropped points away against Everton and Villa will be too much for us to come back from.

 

[14/04/91]

I think the reaction of most of us is huge disappointment. There's some lashing out/blaming which is always going to happen but we all knew how important last night's game was and to surrender as we did frankly wasn't good enough.
The players didn't give the impression they realised the importance, unlike Liverpool's XI. We were poor, especially in terms of effort which is the hardest thing to accept in my opinion.
Our biggest game for 4 years (wouldn't you agree?) and you could argue 1 or 2 outfield players did enough. Just. Shocking....
I've often thought we're lacking a winning mentality and last night proved it. A half strength Liverpool team were there for the taking.
I've not been this disappointed about a performance in a long, long time.

 

[TheDutchMaster]

14/04/91 Im with you all tha way mate!

 

[ShelfSide18]

How can you say we weren't that bad against Liverpool? We was SHIT!!
This was our biggest game of the season and we didnt turn up AGAIN! Its like we were scared of the passion and commitment from Liverpool! Were just a weak team full of boys and no winners! If we showed half the effort of Liverpool we wouldnt be talking like this! That showing was disgraceful and will keep happening until we buy a couple of big name players who have been there and done it! I dont care about past results.. so what if we outclassed Villa? we didnt beat em! So what if beat Citeh? thats what we should be doing!

Because we weren't. Liverpool set up like the away team, a defensive 5 man midfield with 3 central midfielders on our 2, which Jenas and Palacios still managed to win the battle for possession as the stats suggest. They were well up for it, backed by a very passionate crowd on the night but apart from Dawsons cock up which led to the first goal we were fine first half defensively, and in winning possession - our problems stemmed from moving the ball quickly in the final third and Liverpool did exceptionally well to completely nullify Defoe/Modric/Kranjcar.

Second half we poured forward and the inevitable gaps started to show at the back which led to them getting a few chances which suddenly gets distorted by Andy Gray and co and the kneejerkers as that we got completely dominated.

All I was doing was pointing out that every team has had good and bad results, every single fans forum at one point or another has had posts exactly like yours bemoaning their teams passion, that they're shit, we need to buy every player that's got good stats on football manager etc etc etc.

We are 4th for the very good reason in that we have accumulated more points than the 16 teams below us, why the bloody hell can't we stay there? Because we lost to Stoke at home? When has that rule been in place? People are always talking about people like Bill Nick, Blanchflower and Mackay then they come here with such a defeatist attitude - they wouldn't give up now so nor should we, even if we did lose to an under strength Liverpool team.