Spurs boss issues response to his critics

[goughie1966]

They won't be moved on unless Levy can recoup a large percentage of the transfer fee for each player. Besides Poch said he had unbelievable squad, he meant that in a good way.

What did you expect him to say? "The squad isn't that good and I'll have to move most of them on in January or next summer, but they'll have to do for now".

And then he has to face them in training and get them playing after saying they aren't good enough. btw he's speaking in a foreign language, being asked dumb questions over and over again in front of the cameras.

I'm surprised how many fans take everything a manger says literally. Or is it just an excuse to whinge about someone getting the job they didn't want?

 

[slartibartfast]

Besides our shakey back four need something infront of them.

Like another back 4 lol.

 

[Mullers]

What did you expect him to say? "The squad isn't that good and I'll have to move most of them on in January or next summer, but they'll have to do for now".

And then he has to face them in training and get them playing after saying they aren't good enough. btw he's speaking in a foreign language, being asked dumb questions over and over again in front of the cameras.

I'm surprised how many fans take everything a manger says literally. Or is it just an excuse to whinge about someone getting the job they didn't want?

There would be no point in him saying that because he knows he doesn´t have the power to move them on. Poch isn´t Ramos, he speaks good English, he knew what he was saying. He could have said something else, just not that and for the record I had no preferences for who I wanted in the job, because who ever it is, I know that Levy will fuck them over sooner rather than later and they will end up ultimately being the scapecoat while Levy remains untouched.

 

[Shirtfront]

There is a dreadful mismatch between squad's capabilities and the manager's vision. Either we gut the squad and start again, or Poch needs to learn new tricks. Some squad changes are needed, but on the whole I hope Poch changes his spots. His tactics seem to me to work only if one of the following conditions are fulfilled:

a) you have world class players;

b) inferior opponents attempt to out play you; or

c) your opponents are crap.

Under a) how many centrebacks are there who look comfortable in a high line? how many fullbacks can get forward and attack while maintaing positional discipline? how many centre midfielders can aggressively shield the defence while squirting game changing passes? how many attackers are there with the skill to cut in past a wall of defensive bodies and the energy to maintain a high press?; and how many forwards have the range of attributes to play up front as a lone striker? Where are we going to find these paragons and how are we going to afford them?

Under b) last season there were teams who fancied themselves against Soton; but Spurs are Spurs, and even as we are stumbling, the relegation fodder are going to give nothing away.

As for c) there may be low hanging fruit in the group stages of the Europa, but that is going to get harder, and there are few easy games in the domestic cups and even fewer in the league.

Perhaps a fair analysis of the perils of the "Poch way", but have you seen us try and play the "Poch" way? I know all the press talk about it - but our Centre Halves are not playing a high line. Our midfield is not pressing. We even played 4-4-2 last week - which Poch has never done before.

I think a club of Spurs quality can attract the players needed to play the way you describe and to play it well.

But at the moment, for reasons I cannot fathom, all of our major signings - despite all having shown signs of ability while with us - are failing to deliver. I fear that would be the case in any system.

How have we gone from struggling to fit each of Capoue, Dembele and Sandro - all quality, strong defensive midfielders (albeit Dembele in a different way) - into the side; to hoping that Bentaleb may be our best bet as a midfield enforcer?

How have we gone from worrying about whether Dawson would get enough match time at Centre Half to wishing we hadn't sold him? What on earth has happened to the form of Kaboul and Vertonghen?

We had problems at left back and up front. Now they are virtually everywhere. And the only players making the grade seem to be the home grown products. Not one of the rest, with the possible exception of Eriksen (and only then, on his day) is worth their place.

Perhaps there is a lesson in that....