Taking on the top 4

[SpurSince57]

I think it's salutary to remember that Chelsea's success didn't just happen with the arrival of Mourinho and Abramovich's ill-gotten millions; it took over ten years' steady improvement under Hoddle, Gullit, Vialli and Ranieri (and lavish spending that took them to the verge of bankruptcy). They were serious CL contenders under Ranieri, and one wonders what might have happened if Ranieri hadn't taken his tinkering too far in the semi-final, beaten Monaco and gone on to lift the trophy against Mourinho's Porto.

Or look at Benitez at Liverpool. He took over there at the same time that Santini took over at Spurs, but this season is the first that they have really looked like serious title contenders. They are, despite pretty heavy spending, no closer to restoring their past dominance than when Houllier took over, or indeed when he left. Two pretty fortuitous trophies tend to mask that.

 

[cabinfever]

one wonders what might have happened if Ranieri hadn't taken his tinkering too far in the semi-final, beaten Monaco and gone on to lift the trophy against Mourinho's Porto.

Mourinho may well have ended up at Spurs !!

 

[JimmyG2]

We have conclusively proved over many years that constantly changing players and/or managers doesnt work, unless like Chelsea you have unlimited funds to have 3 or 4 world class players for every position.
All together now 100 players in ten years; 9 managers in twelve.
So the idea now is give stability a try. It doesn't guarrantee success obviously but there appears to be evidence that it might, and that sticking with a successful combination of manager and players, as we have at the moment, could.
If we are patient, not a widely available commodity at Spurs amongst Board or fans I'm afraid, we might make some progress.
I for one would buy and sell nobody this summer unless we need to replace those that wish to move on. Not because I don't think the squad could be improved but because it makes a statement to the squad that the manager, Levy, the fans think that they can make progress.Which I believe they can.
I like to identify with the team and that requires that when we get a half successful squad we stick with them and see how far they and Harry can go.
Good football is my first requirement and some progress is what I want both of which we are achieving at the moment.
'Next level' for me is top six next year and Champions league whenever.

 

[DC_Boy]

I think sat showed just how difficult taking on the top 4 will be

I just can't see us breaking in - days like this the mountain just looks bigger then ever

some time next season maybe I'll feel a bit better about things re top 4 but I very much doubt it

it's the same horrible feeling when we used to anfield and systematically get beaten, fairly or unfairly, it didn't seem to matter

I remember us being 2-0 up there and they got the inevitable pen - I think the ref gave them 2 that day - just to make sure we lost, which we did of course

we eventually broke the hoodoo - doubtless we will at OT - it took us about 70 years at anfield, mind