Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

[ebzrascal]

Not getting top 4 would be a disaster, and IMO the catalyst for the beginning of a steady decline.

The way we’ve played over the past month has been utterly shambolic, and I’m not even sure where the blame lies.

I’d go as far to say that if we finish 5th, we need to seriously consider whether Poch has taken us as far as he is capable.

i think the feeling of deflation would probably require a change. Poch looks like he is feeling the pressure.

 

[King of Otters]

I never said it wouldn't be a fuck up, I also don't give a fuck what other fans think of us, but then I don't spend my time gobbing off to fans of other clubs on social media.

So you recognise that missing out on top 4 :

A) makes it more difficult to keep our best players
B) makes it more difficult to bring new players in
C) further erodes the already fragile confidence of our players

If that doesn't sound like a disastrous situation to you then I don't know what would.

 

[SpursDave88]

Being more positive top 4 is still completely in our hands, we have two home games against very beatable opposition. The players need to just kick on.

Doesn't really help us worrying what might be although I know we've seen it all before.

A win and a draw will see us over the line.

We can do it.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

So you recognise that missing out on top 4 :

A) makes it more difficult to keep our best players
B) makes it more difficult to bring new players in
C) further erodes the already fragile confidence of our players

If that doesn't sound like a disastrous situation to you then I don't know what would.

I can't take issue with the first two points but the third I can't get behind fully knowing they are the ones who have to do it on the pitch for the chance to clinch top four. We have some top players, but over the last few games they haven't really shown up when needed overall.

They have to shoulder some of the responsibility otherwise all this hand wringing is pointless.

 

[SirNiNyHotspur]

Being more positive top 4 is still completely in our hands, we have two home games against very beatable opposition. The players need to just kick on.

Doesn't really help us worrying what might be although I know we've seen it all before.

A win and a draw will see us over the line.

We can do it.

tbf if scouse had won today and we only needed a draw I'd probably still be a nervous wreck thinking we're going to fuck it up, Spurs have traumatized me so many times I suffer from PTSD, the S being Spurs.

 

[sak11]

For the first time in a very long time I thought the post match interview by Poch was spot on. Our players play like having the highest percentage of possession wins you the game. He admitted our problem is creativity and being clinical. They have no urgency with regard to putting the ball in the net as if passing the ball from side to side will eventually create the chance. We do not take care with our final ball and we do not commit players to the danger areas nearly enough.

Isn’t it his job as the coach to set up how we play and to get this message across to the players? The lack of urgency and side-to-side passing, along with the other observations, are nothing new to our team...

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

My post was sarcastic. Christ!

Sorry mate?

 

[coys200]

If we didn’t get top 4 from here I think it would be incredibly hard for Poch to keep the dressing room motivated. The only thing going in Poch favour is I don’t an obvious replacement. When I look at the Arsenal list there’s no real stand out for me. And if we did sack Poch we couldn’t go for another upcoming manager. We’d have to go for a winner. But I think as long as the vibe coming out wasn’t he'd lost the dressing room. I think levy would give him one more season.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

tbf if scouse had won today and we only needed a draw I'd probably still be a nervous wreck thinking we're going to fuck it up, Spurs have traumatized me so many times I suffer from PTSD, the S being Spurs.

Particularly Traumatic Spurs Defeat

So you recognise that missing out on top 4 :

A) makes it more difficult to keep our best players
B) makes it more difficult to bring new players in
C) further erodes the already fragile confidence of our players

If that doesn't sound like a disastrous situation to you then I don't know what would.

Adding to that.
Heavily reduces our income
Heavily reduces our marketability (when we are trying to wrap up, but haven't yet closed, big stadium sponsorships)
Might lead to an insignificant passing niggle between Pochettino and Levy becoming more of an established wedge

 

[WiganSpur]

If we didn’t get top 4 from here I think it would be incredibly hard for Poch to keep the dressing room motivated. The only thing going in Poch favour is I don’t an obvious replacement. When I look at the Arsenal list there’s no real stand out for me. And if we did sack Poch we couldn’t go for another upcoming manager. We’d have to go for a winner. But I think as long as the vibe coming out wasn’t he'd lost the dressing room. I think levy would give him one more season.

Quite the opposite for me. Sounds weird but i'd be more inclined to want Poch to stay if we mess up top 4.

a. because players will inevitably leave and a rebuilding job will be required. I think more of our academy players will get opportunities and we will see a new team. I think Poch is a really good squad builder and he will be the right man to lead that.

b. who could we realistically get as manager if we don't have EL football to offer? Certainly no one better than Poch.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

im still in disbelief how this is going to go to the final day from the position we were in

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

Isn’t it his job as the coach to set up how we play and to get this message across to the players? The lack of urgency and side-to-side passing, along with the other observations, are nothing new to our team...

Agreed, hasn’t he seen this many times over now! It is he’s job to overcome it, not be a bloody pundit and state the obvious! Sick of this shit, get the players heads on straight Poch and put these games to bed.
In all likelihood we now need to win both our last two games?. So I there is no time for we should have done this we should have done that! Get the job Done Poch you have run out of time!

 

[GMI]

Being more positive top 4 is still completely in our hands, we have two home games against very beatable opposition. The players need to just kick on.

Doesn't really help us worrying what might be although I know we've seen it all before.

A win and a draw will see us over the line.

We can do it.

Agreed. We’ve only lost two league games at home this season, to the two doped clubs. However, the club needs to knuckle down and finish the job. I don’t want to see little quotes on Facebook etc. I want them to isolate themselves from the world for a couple of days and get pumped.

 

[Sevens]

I genuinely think we're in trouble. On paper these should be an easy six points. But I was at home this season against Burnley, Swansea, Palace etc. We struggled badly in all those games.

Leicester would love to spoil our party and who knows what will happen against the fat Spanish waiter. I have a horrible feeling that we may be facing the prospect of a frustrating draw against Newcastle followed by a deflating caught on the break defeat against Leicester. Our dip in form and confidence could not have come at a worse time.

 

[coys200]

Do we actually need another thread. This is all covered in top 4 thread or Poch thread.

 

[dricha1]

im still in disbelief how this is going to go to the final day from the position we were in

But cup games aside what’s really happened? We’ve lost to the run away champions, and drawn and lost a game AWAY from home. Nobody is really playing free-flowing football at this stage of the season, United and Liverpool have both dropped levels in the league. We’ve just gotta ride it out and edge over the line

 

[popstar7]

Newcastle have lost their last three and Leicester four of their last five. Both are about as easy fixtures as we could have hoped for to close out the season. Yes, there's a sense of running on empty since the semi-final but we get two bites at the cherry, Liverpool only have one and I'd rather be in our shoes than theirs. Just about.

 

[ebzrascal]

Isn’t it his job as the coach to set up how we play and to get this message across to the players? The lack of urgency and side-to-side passing, along with the other observations, are nothing new to our team...

He doesn't normally admit it being an issue

 

[bubble07]

To think if we dont win Wednesday there is a very good chance it wont be in our hands

 

[SpartanSpur]

I can't take issue with the first two points but the third I can't get behind fully knowing they are the ones who have to do it on the pitch for the chance to clinch top four. We have some top players, but over the last few games they haven't really shown up when needed overall.

They have to shoulder some of the responsibility otherwise all this hand wringing is pointless.

Football, like life, isn't fair, even more so if you made the life choice to support Tottenham Hotspur.

If they let us down, they'll move elsewhere for a payrise, and we'll be even more screwed going forward.