So what does finishing 5th mean for the future?

[JimmyG2]

Take the drift of your argument David and the fact that we could and should have come 4th or even 3rd this year reinforces your point.

That's what the fans are whining about and the manager is always the focus of discontent and rightly so.

Harry doesn't help by his tendency to talk too much, talk so much self justifylng
nonsense and to take a swipe at the fans every so often.
Take the fame accept the blame Mr R.

I don't want a sugar daddy to buy our way to sucess, I like the progress we have made, I like the attitude and spirit of the team and as usual I can't wait for next season.

We are competing on a very uneven playing field and doing very well but you can't blame the fans for wanting more and wanting it more often.

That's what fans do.

Calling for Harry's head is a very loud but minority view and is best ignored in all serious discussions.

Good to see that the rumours of your demise were grossly exaggerated.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

The extra inch we all crave is the hardest of all to achieve though not impossible.

However, just imagine the debates taking place now had we dared to spend 30 or 50 million on Suarez, Carroll or even Torres given the poor return those 3 provided.

Liverpool drawing blanks against us & Villa to end the season. Torres eventually left out of the starting line-up.

Not easy to get that final inch right.

 

[JimmyG2]

You don't assess the short term impact of coming 5th.
Namely that we might be unable to keep hold of our key players, though none are making 'come and get me pleas' (or even please) at the moment but it is early window days.
Similarly whether it affects our ability to sign the very top class players, players for whom CL is a must.

It didn't prevent us recruiting our present squad but its a vicious self perpetuating circle.
Without top players you can't achieve CL.
Without CL you can't recruit toip players.

Is it not a problem in your view?

 

[davidmatzdorf]

...we might be unable to keep hold of our key players, though none are making 'come and get me pleas' (or even please) at the moment but it is early window days.
Similarly whether it affects our ability to sign the very top class players, players for whom CL is a must.

It didn't prevent us recruiting our present squad but its a vicious self perpetuating circle.
Without top players you can't achieve CL.
Without CL you can't recruit top players.

It looks as if the "keeping players" aspect is not going to be a problem, at least not this Summer, as a direct result of the good squad spirit that has been created at Tottenham over the past two seasons.

I'm certain that the "signing players" aspect will indeed be a problem, but only in terms of improving the squad. Obviously, we created a CL-quality squad without being in the CL, so it can be done - your last two lines are factually incorrect and Spurs are their disproof.

The difference between 62 points and 70 points, i.e., 5th and 4th, isn't really something worth obsessing about too hard, in my view. It's a difference easily accounted for by the vagaries of form, chance, injuries, refereeing decisions and exhaustion (no European matches in 2009/10). Nearly everything went our way in Spring 2010 and nearly everything went wrong in Spring 2011, but it's broadly the same squad that finished 4th and then 5th. From one season to the next the strikers and goalkeeper lost form and the midfield improved, but they were largely the same players.

The "signing players" problem is quite specific: if we're going to improve the squad materially, we need to buy exactly the kind of player who would normally only sign for mega-wages and for a club already in the CL: an established, top-notch striker. Or two. I think that's going to be next-to-impossible, partly because we are not in the CL and partly because of our wages-as-a-percentage-of-revenue limitations - and not at all, despite what some insist, because of any problems meeting transfer fees.

I don't see the lack of such a player arriving in Summer 2010 or January 2011 as having been a major failure by the Tottenham management, because it was primarily the result of external market factors, especially the fact that most (well, all) of our main striker targets were using our interest to screw a better deal out of their current clubs. None of them moved, in the end, not a single one.

With hindsight, there wasn't one striker whom I think we actually could have signed who would have benefited us last season: even obvious candidates such as Carroll and Dzeko - and Torres, for that matter - added little or nothing to Liverpool's, Man City's and Chelsea's campaigns or finshing positions. The only major striker to arrive in England in January who was an immediate success was Suarez and I gather that he was always aiming to join Liverpool and wasn't considering Tottenham with any seriousness.

If/when we don't sign a major, established striker this Summer, there will be a similar outbreak of blood-letting, vindictiveness and revisionist history amongst the fans, but it's still mainly going to be a factor of external market conditions. If we can get someone in who is about to became amazing, as we did when we signed Berbatov, that would be ideal, but that's extremely difficult. I don't think we're going to stand much chance of getting in someone already-established and under 30.

 

[Gilzeanking]

The "signing players" problem is quite specific: if we're going to improve the squad materially, we need to buy exactly the kind of player who would normally only sign for mega-wages and for a club already in the CL: an established, top-notch striker. Or two. I think that's going to be next-to-impossible, partly because we are not in the CL and partly because of our wages-as-a-percentage-of-revenue limitations -

I don't see the lack of such a player arriving in Summer 2010 or January 2011 as having been a major failure by the Tottenham management, because it was primarily the result of external market factors, especially the fact that most (well, all) of our main striker targets were using our interest to screw a better deal out of their current clubs. None of them moved, in the end, not a single one.

With hindsight, there wasn't one striker whom I think we actually could have signed who would have benefited us last season: even obvious candidates such as Carroll and Dzeko - and Torres, for that matter - added little or nothing to Liverpool's, Man City's and Chelsea's campaigns or finshing positions. The only major striker to arrive in England in January who was an immediate success was Suarez and I gather that he was always aiming to join Liverpool and wasn't considering Tottenham with any seriousness.
.

Sorry David but this simply isn't true . Hernandez ? to kick off . I have no idea why you are propogating this idea that there can be 'exactness' in the process of buying a striker ...and if they are not charging us the earth because they are at the top of a major European country's scoring charts then we don't want 'em .
I feel sure under this misguided policy Torres if financially possible would have been the choice .

No , its up to the scouts to find gems ...and it can be no surprise if you or any other fan here can't think of anyone . Noone here would have suggested Sandro a year back as the answer to our midfield .A professional scout found him . What kind of arrogance is it that if a fan can't think of a suitable striker to buy , then he's sure one doesn't exist ??

Crazy eh . There can be no doubt that not purchasing striking options after our strikeforce was depleted by Gudjonssen's departure , was a massive blunder by the club and led to us falling short of the few points needed to get to our goal .

No amount of revisionism can change this unpleasant fact

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Sorry David but this simply isn't true . Hernandez ? to kick off . I have no idea why you are propogating this idea that there can be 'exactness' in the process of buying a striker ...and if they are not charging us the earth because they are at the top of a major European country's scoring charts then we don't want 'em ...

No , its up to the scouts to find gems ...and it can be no surprise if you or any other fan here can't think of anyone . Noone here would have suggested Sandro a year back as the answer to our midfield .A professional scout found him . What kind of arrogance is it that if a fan can't think of a suitable striker to buy , then he's sure one doesn't exist ??...

Looks like you didn't read this bit:

If we can get someone in who is about to became amazing, as we did when we signed Berbatov, that would be ideal...

You're agreeing with my conclusion.

 

[THFC_67]

I'm certain that the "signing players" aspect will indeed be a problem, but only in terms of improving the squad. Obviously, we created a CL-quality squad without being in the CL, so it can be done -


If/when we don't sign a major, established striker this Summer, there will be a similar outbreak of blood-letting, vindictiveness and revisionist history amongst the fans, but it's still mainly going to be a factor of external market conditions. If we can get someone in who is about to became amazing, as we did when we signed Berbatov, that would be ideal, but that's extremely difficult. I don't think we're going to stand much chance of getting in someone already-established and under 30.

Some great points raised in the original article and an enjoyable read.

I think that the above two points that you raised are very important. The squad is pretty strong at the moment and most of these players were brought in prior to champions league qualification so yes it can be done but people should remember that it takes time and players need to be given that time and not written off after a handful of games.

On the subject of the new striker that we crave I think you're dead right and hopefully our scouts and contacts can work their magic and get us another Berbatov, maybe the young player from Brazil, Damiao, could be that player who knows. Certainly with our wage structure, which is the right policy in my view, will certainly hinder us in buying the ready made striker that we would all love. I'm sure that all at the club have tried and are trying their level best to get the players in that we need but I doubt its as easy as some people think. We need to be creative and a bit lucky as well.

Since 2006, we have had three 5th place finishes, won the carling cup and had one 4th place finish which led us to compete in the champions league and reach the last eight, not too shabby really. We're all disappointed at not finishing in the top four this season and its frustrating to think of what might have been but that is just an indication of how far we've come in the last few years. We're on the right track.

 

[mavdunners]

My, incomplete, understanding of Financial Fair Play suggests that stadium revenue is going to be an increasingly important component of the club's ability to compete going forward. With the Olympic Stadium ruled out and the White Hart Lane project dead in the water in its current form, how are ENIC going to be able to continue the momentum?

Good question.

DM, I would value your opinion on this as you have proven to be "all over" the stadium details in the past. Any idea where we are at with this? Not much info from official sources.

Also raises the question of whether this summer will see inflated prices as clubs try to get squads increased in quality before these restrictions come in. Hopefully we are not priced out of the market.

 

[JimmyG2]

My, incomplete, understanding of Financial Fair Play suggests that stadium revenue is going to be an increasingly important component of the club's ability to compete going forward. With the Olympic Stadium ruled out and the White Hart Lane project dead in the water in its current form, how are ENIC going to be able to continue the momentum?

Chelsea and Man City do not have a significantly bigger stadium than Spurs and I think that this aspect is grossly exaggerated.

Stamford Bridge...42,000
Eastlands.............47,000

Bung the prices up 10% and you have the current equivalent of a
40,000 stadium.
There will be no shortage of takers.

And yes you are correct I rarely attend WHL these days.
The cost of the ticket for many people is a minority part of the cost of attending.

 

[Gilzeanking]

Looks like you didn't read this bit:



You're agreeing with my conclusion.

Ha ha maybe it can be put that way .

But I must emphasise that there has been zero agreement on your rock solid assertion for the last year now that NO further striking option purchases are necessary . In my view the failure to invest when we made CL was evidence of unalloyed insanity .

We truly disagree on this matter David.

 

[jolsnogross]

That was a thoroughly enjoyable read. David doesn't need me to pat him on the back, but I'll say that type of article with a broader view of the premier league from a Spurs-eye view is better than most articles the football journalists, and especially pundits, produce.

I think the model ENIC have pursued is about the best alternative to the mega-rich or debt-heavy approach. The issue going forward for the likes of Spurs, Everton, Villa and possibly Liverpool is whether or not we can keep our top players for longer than a season or two. We'll be sorely tested this summer with Modric. The role of playing catch-up is difficult if we can't stop our players' heads being turned. Our pressing issue is retention rather than recruitment. And I don't believe that money is always the issue - Modric already makes more money than a sensible person could ever spend. It's about creating a record of achievement and persuading him to take responsibility for making himself a legend at our club.

The strategy at Man U, Chelsea, and City is simple enough - they can pillage the emerging sides below them, producing the double whammy of improving their ranks while diminishing ours, Villa's, Everton's etc. We complain loudly about it, but we do the same to those a peg or two below us. The challenge is to re-create a culture of glory at Spurs and have young players invested in becoming great with us rather than joining the establishment elsewhere. When you consider Modric, Bale, Sandro, Huddlestone, VdV, Dawson, Lennon - that's one hell of a core to a squad that could emerge as winners. They wont want to move if we can provide them with no excuses and a mentality of achievement.

Finally, I'd suggest that the idea of 6-8 teams going for the top 4 spots sounds great, but in reality, it's more like there is a top 3 and the others are competing for 4th. Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea haven't been bumped from the Champions league spots. It'll be a boon for the league if it can be achieved, but it could also go the other way whereby Man City cement themselves in the top four with those three. I'm optimistic that wont happen and think David is right that stability and a shrewd tweak to the squad will keep us in the mix. The alternative is to sack and burn and start again. Aside from that being unpalatable, we don't have the resources to do it successfully anyway.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Thanks David, that was an excellent read. To add a further layer - and please correct me if I'm putting words in your mouth - you are incinuating that the identity of our manager is NOT the most important thing at the Club. Indeed the manager is only AS important as our coaching and our recruitment, neither of which a manager necessarily needs to be responsible for.

This you'd imagine is why Levy was happy (ier?) with a Sporting Director and why Harry/Levy recognised an urgent need to bring in Broomfield. Both BAR and The Leader seem comfortable with our massive coaching staff, too.

On reflection, whether we have Harry or not is perhaps not the big deal that it seems and our increasingly bitter debates about him going or staying are, to a degree, pointless. If he goes, we'll find someone who fits the model and plays things our way.

Which, as one final conclusion, doesn't sound a lot like Jose Mourinho. Not that he'd come anyway but a different way of looking at any postured change in management at WHL this summer.

 

[alextheyid]

Loving the article and the positive outlook!