Krafty
Well-Known Member
- May 26, 2004
- 4,785
- 2,125
Once Upon a time, many many years ago, when MPs paid for their houses out of their own money, England was managed by a competent Englishman and there was no such thing as the x-factor, Spurs started a season with a hint of competency.
Okay, it might not be as long ago as that, but it feels like it. The last two starts have been utterly pathetic, and resulted in two managers getting the sack. Two managers who then went on to Real Madrid and Ajax. This shows how important a good start is.
I’m not saying Harry Redknapp will get sacked if we start badly, on the contrary I think Levy would have to give him time, but our entire campaign, and arguably the next two or three seasons, depend on a good start.
Our form after the first eight games (cannot recall how many points we had then) was good enough to be knocking around the fifth and sixth spots. Even a half decent start to the season would have seen us be back in Europe for sure. If our aspirations are to get near the top 4 then we cannot afford to start slow. The pressure a bad start puts us under is too much.
Is it a coincidence that we have reached the Carling Cup final twice, after such disastrous starts? To my mind, no. With any idea of finishing high in the league dashed, the carling cup becomes are main focus and route back into Europe. It can serve as a good way to find some form, but we should be better than that. It has been fantastic to be at Wembley and win silverware, but I would sacrifice that to get near the top 4, never mind finish in a Champions League position.
Forced to play strong teams as we search for any kind of victory, we cannot play any of our up and coming youngsters. Now we are dropped in to round 2 for the first time in four years it would be great to see Rose, Parratt, Bostock, Obika, Dervitte, Mason, et al get some game time. With the continental structure in the bin, I get a far better sense of long term planning and security. Far more players went on loan in January than the last two seasons, and I don’t find this surprising. Being in a position to give these youngsters some first team experience is vital and a sign that we are progressing.
Harry has talked about his willingness to wait until the end of the window to make deals. If we have a couple wins in august then its easy, if we haven’t won a game, it becomes a massive risk. The last thing we want are some panic buys, but seeing us at the top of the table, or top four, suddenly shows that we are not all talk, and could be the sign that convinces that top player to sign. And of course a good start breeds confidence into the team. Players that are not playing are less likely to complain and be patient for their chance if the team is winning.
The start to this season, more than any other, is critical. The signs are there that we can do it. As Charlie said, our performances against the top teams have been very good. Unfortunately we lost to the bottom 12 teams. Rectify that, and who knows what the season might have in store for us.
I would never tire hearing Harry say ‘After eight games we had 24 points……’
Okay, it might not be as long ago as that, but it feels like it. The last two starts have been utterly pathetic, and resulted in two managers getting the sack. Two managers who then went on to Real Madrid and Ajax. This shows how important a good start is.
I’m not saying Harry Redknapp will get sacked if we start badly, on the contrary I think Levy would have to give him time, but our entire campaign, and arguably the next two or three seasons, depend on a good start.
Our form after the first eight games (cannot recall how many points we had then) was good enough to be knocking around the fifth and sixth spots. Even a half decent start to the season would have seen us be back in Europe for sure. If our aspirations are to get near the top 4 then we cannot afford to start slow. The pressure a bad start puts us under is too much.
Is it a coincidence that we have reached the Carling Cup final twice, after such disastrous starts? To my mind, no. With any idea of finishing high in the league dashed, the carling cup becomes are main focus and route back into Europe. It can serve as a good way to find some form, but we should be better than that. It has been fantastic to be at Wembley and win silverware, but I would sacrifice that to get near the top 4, never mind finish in a Champions League position.
Forced to play strong teams as we search for any kind of victory, we cannot play any of our up and coming youngsters. Now we are dropped in to round 2 for the first time in four years it would be great to see Rose, Parratt, Bostock, Obika, Dervitte, Mason, et al get some game time. With the continental structure in the bin, I get a far better sense of long term planning and security. Far more players went on loan in January than the last two seasons, and I don’t find this surprising. Being in a position to give these youngsters some first team experience is vital and a sign that we are progressing.
Harry has talked about his willingness to wait until the end of the window to make deals. If we have a couple wins in august then its easy, if we haven’t won a game, it becomes a massive risk. The last thing we want are some panic buys, but seeing us at the top of the table, or top four, suddenly shows that we are not all talk, and could be the sign that convinces that top player to sign. And of course a good start breeds confidence into the team. Players that are not playing are less likely to complain and be patient for their chance if the team is winning.
The start to this season, more than any other, is critical. The signs are there that we can do it. As Charlie said, our performances against the top teams have been very good. Unfortunately we lost to the bottom 12 teams. Rectify that, and who knows what the season might have in store for us.
I would never tire hearing Harry say ‘After eight games we had 24 points……’
