The Europa League

[dontcallme]

I don't think CL will make much difference when signing players. We didn't get higher calibre players last time we got in it.

This season we started with EL and lost Modric, VDV and King. We bought Lloris, Dembele, Sigurdsson and Vertonghen. We bought Holtby in January. VDV aside I'd say these are all better signings than the ones we bought with the attraction of CL behind us.

Whether we get CL first or trophies first I don't really mind. Trophies can lead to a more successful team that leads to better league performances, CL can get us more money which can help finance a squad to win trophies.

I just want to see us competing and hate the mentality of not trying in one competition to hope to be successful in another.

 

[Mr Pink]

Boo hoo, it might also end up 'costing us' a trophy too.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? You want us to come fourth in a competition rather than win one? We don't have a hope in hell of winning the CL and the entirety of the evidence available to us suggests that we wouldn't spend the 'extra' cash on new players anyway (if you look at the figures, the wage bill took a massive jump as bonuses were paid to existing players).

Its not just about spending loads and loads more cash though, its about attracting players who will actually want to come because we are playing in Europe's elite competition, within reason of course in terms of finance.

Having a higher quality squad allows us more opportunity to win trophies more regularly - be it the FA Cup, a League Cup, being involved in a title race. Growing as a Club, like a snowball affect, promoting our chances generally whatever competition we are competing in.

The top Clubs have that winning mentality because they have squad's with enough quality to win things on a pretty regular basis - that breeds the mentality, hence the term. (The Scum aside)

 

[RichieS]

Plus, we'll have way more money from next season due to the ridiculous new TV deal coming in. Maybe it'll be squirrelled away for the stadium or maybe AVB will have the fabled 'war chest' in the summer.

 

[AngerManagement]

Probably only 1 more Europa league match for the OP to endure this season

 

[dontcallme]

Its not just about spending loads and loads more cash though, its about attracting players who will actually want to come because we are playing in Europe's elite competition, within reason of course in terms of finance.

Having a higher quality squad allows us more opportunity to win trophies more regularly - be it the FA Cup, a League Cup, being involved in a title race. Growing as a Club, like a snowball affect, promoting our chances generally whatever competition we are competing in.

Aren't Vertonghen, Dembele, Holtby and Lloris high enough calibre for you?

 

[RichieS]

Its not just about spending loads and loads more cash though, its about attracting players who will actually want to come because we are playing in Europe's elite competition, within reason of course in terms of finance.

Having a higher quality squad allows us more opportunity to win trophies more regularly - be it the FA Cup, a League Cup, being involved in a title race. Growing as a Club, like a snowball affect, promoting our chances generally whatever competition we are competing in.

Not how it works though is it? The majority of players will go anywhere if the money's right. As dontcallme points out, we made better signings last summer than we did the season we qualified for CL. Only if you're a team that's virtually guaranteed CL football every season will players genuinely see that as a draw. There's only 2 teams in this country like that now, and they both have Manchester in their name.

 

[Francis Gibbs]

Until its not just about Levy recycling transfer fees and we actually get proper investment people need to get use to this, this is the status quo for us

 

[Mr Pink]

Not how it works though is it? The majority of players will go anywhere if the money's right. As dontcallme points out, we made better signings last summer than we did the season we qualified for CL. Only if you're a team that's virtually guaranteed CL football every season will players genuinely see that as a draw. There's only 2 teams in this country like that now, and they both have Manchester in their name.

Money talks, of course, you've misunderstood my point. Put it like this, we'll be in a better position to strengthen the squad being in the top 4 than without it. Now we don't know the intricate differences of what might be spent either way, no crystal ball etc, but it surely puts us in a better position to strengthen the squad. We can speculate all day about past dealings etc but we would be better off with the extra revenue than without it. I wouldn't mind seeing Bale here for another season either.

 

[RichieS]

Until its not just about Levy recycling transfer fees and we actually get proper investment people need to get use to this, this is the status quo for us

The recycling of the transfer fees is in order for us to be able to build a new ground which will then provide us with the "proper investment" of which you speak. This ain't the economic boom anymore - money can no longer be 'magiced' out of nowhere.

 

[dontcallme]

Money talks, of course, you've misunderstood my point. Put it like this, we'll be in a better position to strengthen the squad being in the top 4 than without it. Now we don't know the intricate differences of what might be spent either way, no crystal ball etc, but it surely puts us in a better position to strengthen the squad. We can speculate all day about past dealings etc but we would be better off with the extra revenue than without it. I wouldn't mind seeing Bale here for another season either.

From what I've read the EL us highly thought of throughout most of Europe. Us winning it could make us a better known club and most attractive. We are already wealthier than most because of the TV deals for the Premier League.

Extra CL money for one season won't make a huge difference. It didn't before.

 

[Mr Pink]

We our punching above our weight, and we do have a place in the food chain and until the new ground comes things won't change that dramatically.

I'm worried we could fall back if we don't get top 4 though. Next year will be even tougher with the likes of Liverpool getting stronger etc.

 

[RichieS]

Money talks, of course, you've misunderstood my point. Put it like this, we'll be in a better position to strengthen the squad being in the top 4 than without it. Now we don't know the intricate differences of what might be spent either way, no crystal ball etc, but it surely puts us in a better position to strengthen the squad. We can speculate all day about past dealings etc but we would be better off with the extra revenue than without it. I wouldn't mind seeing Bale here for another season either.

Possibly, but I'm saying that the only evidence available to us suggests that we are in no way more able (or perhaps willing) to strengthen the squad with CL than without it. I am convinced that Bale's presence in the team next season is in no way dependent on whether we qualify for the CL - history again shows us that.

 

[Mr Pink]

From what I've read the EL us highly thought of throughout most of Europe. Us winning it could make us a better known club and most attractive. We are already wealthier than most because of the TV deals for the Premier League.

Extra CL money for one season won't make a huge difference. It didn't before.

It might be our last realistic chance of getting it for some time.

 

[Mr Pink]

Possibly, but I'm saying that the only evidence available to us suggests that we are in no way more able (or perhaps willing) to strengthen the squad with CL than without it. I am convinced that Bale's presence in the team next season is in no way dependent on whether we qualify for the CL - history again shows us that.

I know what you're saying about the evidence mate. I just think if we miss out this season it might be a long time before we have a sniff again - I truly believe that.

 

[dontcallme]

If we fail to win the EL or qualify for CL I'm still very excited about next season for Spurs. I don't believe there will be an exodus of players. In fact, I believe we'll be trying to sell good players because they are no longer good enough for our squad let alone the 1st team.

Lloris in goal with Kaboul and Vertonghen in front of him will be one very strong mobile defensive centre.

Sandro and Dembele physically dominating the centre with hopefully a playmaker to setup Bale and Lennon will be a strong midfield.

We have a wealth of talent in Holtby, Sigurdsson and Carroll just waiting for their chance.

Whatever happens this season next season is going to be even better.

COYS

 

[dontcallme]

I know what you're saying about the evidence mate. I just think if we miss out this season it might be a long time before we have a sniff again - I truly believe that.

Fear not, you're wrong

 

[Mr Pink]

Fear not, you're wrong

yet to be determined I'm afraid...

 

[Monkey boy]

To be honest, bar Inter at home, have the players looked up for a single EL game all season? We deserve to go out in my opinion, my only problem with that is that it didn't happen sooner. The fact of the matter is we've lost Bale and Lennon due to playing a shit game on a Thursday night. I said in the team v basle thread to rest bale and lennon and the rest meh, play the kids. I got blasted, mmmm not so stupid now was it?

 

[Buster18]

Boo hoo, it might also end up 'costing us' a trophy too.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? You want us to come fourth in a competition rather than win one? We don't have a hope in hell of winning the CL and the entirety of the evidence available to us suggests that we wouldn't spend the 'extra' cash on new players anyway (if you look at the figures, the wage bill took a massive jump as bonuses were paid to existing players).

It's not the coming 4th. It's what that leads to - sustained growth. A stronger squad, better players, a better team which will enable us to continue to improve and move into a position were we can compete for the top trophies on a regular basis.

Without it, it's stagnation and decline

 

[Spurs1960]

I thought for a long time this tournament was going to cost us.

Our extra-time visit to Milan cost us the Fulham game. The home game v Inter cost us Lennon v the bin dippers

Now it looks like it's cost us the 2 players that define our attacking play for the foreseeable future.

Too much of an ask to play this many games back with so few changes.

Our squad isn't deep enough to go at full pelt & I think the last 2 rounds have proved that

Everybody loves a pessimist.