What's new

Thanks Harry

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Dear Harry,

Just a line to apologise: firstly for doubting your ability to rescue us after our disastrous start; I think you know the relevant statistics; secondly to thank you for getting our high quality squad to play somewhere near its potential. I wasn't 'over the moon' when I heard you had been appointed and your straight from the heart interviews would be better if they were straight from the head but I was wrong and I like you 'warts and all'.

We wobbled after the new manager bounce floundered and my doubts resurfaced and to be honest it was only after the wins against Aston Villa and Chelsea that I finally accepted that we probably won't be relegated. Nope, scrap that 'probably'.

If I were you I would have told the lads to go easy. We're out of trouble, let's leave it now until next season. You've even got me working out how high we could get. Now, if we don't make the Europa Cup and finish above West Ham in seventh, Spurs fans and Daniel Levy will be calling for your head and calling this season a disaster.

Mass suicides would have been the order of the day if the unthinkable had happened. I must admit I've been chewing over the 'unthinkable' all season. However no more of that sort of talk, we're out of the woods and on the sunlit uplands of mid table, with the prospect of an enticing vista just over the brow of this next hill at Blackburn.

Can I presume to offer you a little advice? Don't buy any new players this summer. I know it goes against your alleged instincts and certainly goes against the Tottenham way over the last decade. I am sure that the statistics are available to you but ponder the fact that almost all the currently successful teams bar Chelsea have long standing managers, or 'longish' in Premiership terms, and more settled squads.

So give it a try: keep the squad we have now, including the much criticised Bent and Bentley. Its taken us all season to 'gel' as they say, don't disrupt things with another job lot of players bought because they are cheap, or expensive; young, or experienced; British, or foreign or whatever and go forward with the present squad

This is not the time to carp and criticise. We all have our faults but in your case they are far outweighed by your achievements. I didn't like the virtual abandonment of our European chances but you have been vindicated in recent weeks and it would be ironic if we qualified for Europe anyway.

Your policy of buying back former Spurs players, especially Robbie, has worked even though I had my doubts about that too, though not because I doubted his ability, and about making him captain. Palacios has added strength to the midfield so again my advice is 'quit while your ahead'. But so far you've been right and I've been wrong every time. You might have problems when Jermain returns. Does he know about Robbie or is his missis still hiding the newspapers?

So thank you Harry. Having achieved the near impossible you could turn your thoughts to the enigma that is Tom Huddlestone and how we can fit him into the midfield with Modric, Lennon,Jenas and Palacios. There are plenty of players you could wrap your arm around; Adel Taarabt and Gio Dos Santos for a start. Oh and Gareth Bale. Then you could turn your thoughts to David Bentley before splashing the usual £15 million on Downing, although I think I've solved that one for you. Don't bring anyone in before you've sorted out what you've got.

The easy way out is to sell them all and bring a new lot in. But it doesn't work Harry, it doesn't work. We've proved that conclusively over many years, and that applies to managers as well as players.

All the best to Sandra. I think she can cut down on the heading practice and the near post runs now as Darren's had an England call up and so we probably won't be needing her.

Yours and thanks again,

JimmyG2
 

waresy

Well-Known Member
Mar 22, 2004
2,421
1,569
All the best to Sandra. I think she can cut down on the heading practice and the near post runs now as Darren's had an England call up and so we probably won't be needing her.

haha, England might need her though? She must be above Owen in Cappello's reckoning?
 

pheg25

New Member
Jun 27, 2008
132
0
i would really support a limited transfer policy this summer - i like the squad, think it has a lot of potential and does need reducing to make it sustainable. obviously i expect a left mid to arrive (but have since Ginola) but apart from that unless we lose players i see no reason for an overhaul.

i would like to see us keep Pav and Bent and obviously sell the fringe players! im looking forawrd to next season already! COYS! got a feelin Pav will be on quality next term with a summer of rest and this season behind him, which in fairness he has not done badly at all - scored goals even if only in the Carling cup - which without his goals we would not have had a day out at wembley and is willing to do donkey work upfront - dont think he excels in the lone role but would love to see him with robbie up front!
 

Boony

Active Member
Feb 24, 2004
1,475
0
I think "some" changes need to be made, and I agree the squad needs reducing slighty. However Id still like a dedicated left pegger to balance the side, but other than that... it will be fine.
 

Garm

Senior Member
May 13, 2004
1,800
3
The easy way out is to sell them all and bring a new lot in. But it doesn't work Harry, it doesn't work. We've proved that conclusively over many years, and that applies to managers as well as players.

Agree.

I think we should sell some fringe players, and buy max 2 players.
 

DC_Boy

New Member
May 20, 2005
17,608
5
I think we need some left side cover -def at LB - and still think we need a good in the air striker- but maybe can skip that that if our front four are really firing till the end of season

it still looks an unbalanced strike force to me - but if results say otherwise, I'll go with the results
 

hansolsen

New Member
Mar 27, 2004
21
1
article above

I would agree apart from bentley has to go and not to be replaced by another slow winger who can not take players on who goes by the name of downing.
 

GLUESODA

Active Member
Sep 28, 2004
781
121
Good read,

Keep the squad the same besides the obvious departures of Boateng, Gilberto & Rocha
Promote Dorivitte, Mason & a few other younsters

If we can find a class midfielder that will improve the first team, then get rid of Bentley. Otherwise get behind the guy fully for another season, from the fans, up to the manager, makes me sick when we boo our own players

We have a nice squad with a nice blend of youth and experience, and players like Jenas, Lennon, Dawson, Defoe, Keane, Woodgate & King who are now the spine of our team, on and off the field, and have a wealth of Premier League experience & need to stand up to the plate next season and lead by example
 

DC_Boy

New Member
May 20, 2005
17,608
5
AFAIK Downing isn't slow

I think he would be a good squad addition

but if we don't get him I won't be crying
 

glenda

Well-Known Member
May 26, 2005
1,254
78
Well done harry!!! Veloso or Ever Benaga would both be on the market for around 10 mil & these boys could really do a job.i know they are not that known in the UK but i have looked at Benaga & he is better than Fernando Gago.
 

AdelaideSpur

New Member
Jun 13, 2008
474
1
I dont think gelling was the problem at the start of the season, we played rubbish at the end of last season and rubbish at the start of this one.
Why?
Who knows, Berba? Keane? lightwieght midfield? Gomes? Ramos?
While all these probably had an impact, i think a lack of confidence in the new setup and game plan, when we lost 1 or 2 confidence dropped really low and in a league where everything is so tight a good team with no confidence is going to lose to an average team with.

Buy a couple and lose a couple Harry, small turnover is good for morale (get rid of the bad attitude and players not good enough) get in players who are going to fight for a place.
Having played for quite a few years, there is nothing that makes you train harder during pre-season that incoming players trying to take your position inthe team.
 

JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
How about a cheeky go at Nani for left mid?
There you go again looking out instead of in. There are dozens of players out there who are better than the ones we've got, probably hundreds, maybe thousands.
Some wouldn't come to us in our present position, some we can't afford, some Harry doesn't fancy but that still leaves a lot.
I am a Jenas admirer but would swap him tomorrow for Gerrard or Alonso if I were building a fantasy team. I support Bent but you could all make lists of better players, and so could I.
That's not my point. We desperately need some stability,some continuity, some team building and the start of that would be to keep what we have now and for Harry and the coaching team to get the best out of them, or to try anyway before moving on.
Jenas and Bent are Tottenham players and deserve the loyalty of management and fans as part of something we are trying to build.
 

davidmatzdorf

Front Page Gadfly
Jun 7, 2004
18,106
45,030
I would agree apart from bentley has to go and not to be replaced by another slow winger who can not take players on who goes by the name of downing.

When we played Boro recently (and were very flattered by the 4-0 scoreline), Downing out-ran Didier Zokora. Twice. Downing may be erratic, but he certainly isn't slow.

I'm please to see the growing fan bandwagon in favour of hanging onto nearly all of our current squad, with all of their limitations, to try to spark off some team-building and consistency.

If I may pat myself on the back, I believe I've been hammering at this particular nail longer than anyone here :wink:.
 

SpurSince57

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2006
45,213
8,229
I would agree apart from bentley has to go and not to be replaced by another slow winger who can not take players on who goes by the name of downing.

Unless you're comparing him to Lil' Azza or Wallmart, Downing isn't slow. He can also take on opposing FBs, and is actually effective on the 'wrong' side. Have you actually watched him play?
 
Top