ItsBoris
Well-Known Member
- Jan 18, 2011
- 7,970
- 9,419
First I think we need to change our mentality - 4th in the 2009-10 season was a lofty aim and we achieved it, but our squad now is so much better than it was then imo. Despite what happened on Saturday, we still have to look to push on and aim higher than before, so we should be aiming to win the title next season I think, and our dealings in this transfer window should reflect that desire. It doesn't feel like this season we heeded the advice of Sir Bill Nic, "It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory." This past season our goal started off as "top 4" or 4th place, but we were better than that as we showed between September and January, closing the gap on City and United to only a few points. Once our poor run started it felt like we started to look back down again, the belief that we could win it seemed to collapse after the defeat at City, in JANUARY. Yet when City fell to 8 points behind United, they didn't give it up, even in the 11th hour. That I think is an important difference and this season I hope the team and manager finally believe in themselves and their ability. Our results between September and January are proof that we are good enough, it wasn't ability that failed us it was confidence and character imo. I am certainly convinced that the team is good enough and that they can do it if they want to.
Secondly, while I'm gutted to miss out on the Champions League again, it doesn't always last too long as United and City found out in the group stages this season. We can still attract players that are good enough, a player who signs a contract at Chelsea or Arsenal is only truly guaranteed CL for 1 season, of a 3 or 5 year contract, with the competition that exists for those 4 places. It is a setback and we have to do smarter business now, but it is not a deathblow.
In terms of what specifically we do, there are people at the club who know far better than I do I'm sure, but for the purposes of discussion here is my suggestion.
#1 I think we need a different manager. I'm torn on this because in think in some ways HR has done a very good job, but 2 meltdowns in 2 seasons running, and a seeming inability to beat the top teams (This season against Arsenal, Chelsea, United, and City, we won 1 game and lost 6, conceded 5 goals 3 times and 3 goals twice, most goals we scored in any of those games was 2) - I would say these are troubling facts and they make me think that he has reached a limit here. The replacements have all been touted but we could look at Rogers, Lambert, Martinez, Capello, or various others. My inclination would be to take a risk with Rodgers although I know others disagree. An important quality that I want is someone who has ambition and isn't interested in lowering expectations.
#2 I think we should sell Modric for as much as we can get. Preferably to someone like Real Madrid who could give us a valuable replacement (Nuri Sahin) and would likely pay over the odds to get him. But I don't want a player who doesn't want to be here and whose heart is not set on achieving things with this club.
#3 as for the business we should do, I think we need a goalkeeper, a defender, 2 strikers/forwards, and if Modric goes at least 1 but preferably 2 central midfielders.
GK - Lloris or Ter Stegen (although I think the former is more realistic)
Def - Vertonghen obviously if he still wants to come
2 strikers - Our targets are largely touted as Remy and Leandro, I think both would be perfect.
Midfield - As I said, Sahin would be a perfect Modric replacement. If not him, then I think Dembele would be very good as well. Other than the Modric replacement, one more midfielder who I think we should try to get is Fellaini, who could be like our Yaya Toure and give us greater aerial strength defensively and attacking-wise. His passing could improve but if you see his defensive stats you'll understand what I'm saying, him and Sandro in a 4-2-3-1 would be immense.
Thoughts?
Secondly, while I'm gutted to miss out on the Champions League again, it doesn't always last too long as United and City found out in the group stages this season. We can still attract players that are good enough, a player who signs a contract at Chelsea or Arsenal is only truly guaranteed CL for 1 season, of a 3 or 5 year contract, with the competition that exists for those 4 places. It is a setback and we have to do smarter business now, but it is not a deathblow.
In terms of what specifically we do, there are people at the club who know far better than I do I'm sure, but for the purposes of discussion here is my suggestion.
#1 I think we need a different manager. I'm torn on this because in think in some ways HR has done a very good job, but 2 meltdowns in 2 seasons running, and a seeming inability to beat the top teams (This season against Arsenal, Chelsea, United, and City, we won 1 game and lost 6, conceded 5 goals 3 times and 3 goals twice, most goals we scored in any of those games was 2) - I would say these are troubling facts and they make me think that he has reached a limit here. The replacements have all been touted but we could look at Rogers, Lambert, Martinez, Capello, or various others. My inclination would be to take a risk with Rodgers although I know others disagree. An important quality that I want is someone who has ambition and isn't interested in lowering expectations.
#2 I think we should sell Modric for as much as we can get. Preferably to someone like Real Madrid who could give us a valuable replacement (Nuri Sahin) and would likely pay over the odds to get him. But I don't want a player who doesn't want to be here and whose heart is not set on achieving things with this club.
#3 as for the business we should do, I think we need a goalkeeper, a defender, 2 strikers/forwards, and if Modric goes at least 1 but preferably 2 central midfielders.
GK - Lloris or Ter Stegen (although I think the former is more realistic)
Def - Vertonghen obviously if he still wants to come
2 strikers - Our targets are largely touted as Remy and Leandro, I think both would be perfect.
Midfield - As I said, Sahin would be a perfect Modric replacement. If not him, then I think Dembele would be very good as well. Other than the Modric replacement, one more midfielder who I think we should try to get is Fellaini, who could be like our Yaya Toure and give us greater aerial strength defensively and attacking-wise. His passing could improve but if you see his defensive stats you'll understand what I'm saying, him and Sandro in a 4-2-3-1 would be immense.
Thoughts?
