The Mauricio Pochettino thread

[Mullers]

Hes is not perfect but he’s a young manager and gets a whole lot more right than he does wrong.

I sometimes think people miss the drama of being a badly managed and run club. I can’t see any other alternative for them wanting Levy and Poch out. It’s like they want us to be West Ham.

I don't think anybody seriously wants Poch out, those few who have said he should go, just did so out of frustration after 1 or 2 disappointing results.

 

[olliec]

Even the great Fergie didn't win anything in the first 4 years at UTD, and only then it was an FA cup before he went on a rampage and dominated the footballing world. Relax everyone we are in a good place.

 

[jurgen]

Last few pages have been real blud fam

 

[spursfan77]

I don't think anybody seriously wants Poch out, those few who have said he should go, just did so out of frustration after 1 or 2 disappointing results.

On here people are relatively sensible. It’s the madness of people who infect social media rather than the main forums. They are the most publically vocal and obviously the ones journos etc will see.

 

[Monkey boy]

At the beginning of the season most of us would be biting the others hand for a 3rd place finish. Not going to lie, would be nice to win a trophy, but if we get into the top 4 and bring CL to the new stadium I would call it a very successful season. You have to remember that we have played 38 games away this season!

Wish people would stop saying that we’ve played 38 games away from home. We’ve played 19 games in the same venue, same pitch, same stadium with 85% of the fans in the stadium being ours. Just because we rent Wembley doesn’t mean that we’re not “at home” because by that token West Ham will never play another home game for 99 years.

 

[jurgen]

Wish people would stop saying that we’ve played 38 games away from home. We’ve played 19 games in the same venue, same pitch, same stadium with 85% of the fans in the stadium being ours. Just because we rent Wembley doesn’t mean that we’re not “at home” because by that token West Ham will never play another home game for 99 years.

They won’t though and it’s beautiful to see

 

[Mullers]

On here people are relatively sensible. It’s the madness of people who infect social media rather than the main forums. They are the most publically vocal and obviously the ones journos etc will see.

Fuck social media, it's a trolls paradise. Say anything you want with little or no consequences.

 

[chinaman]

Yes

Thanks, I know. It was tongue in cheek of asking back whether that makes Graham a better manager than Poch's "mediocrity".

 

[Cravenspurs]

I love the guy, but I have a theoretical question for all those here.

If you were a young player or a player in their prime that was being offered by clubs like Man U, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, how would you approach the recruitment phase. Remove the money from the variables that influence your decision and make your decision purely off the manager and their style. Who do you choose to play for? I know some clubs are in a state of flux with their managerial situation, but who do you want to play for being a quality player?

Is it the balding, charismatic winner that plays a very attractive style of footy?

Is it the happy fella with the crooked teeth that has gotten a team to the CL finals that most thought were not capable of doing so?

Is it the mad man that oozes ego and blames others for his failures, but still finds himself winning trophies?

Is it the italian that looks like he needs a nap?

Or do you want to play for the empty seat that could be assumed by who knows who?

In reality it is down to Pep, Klopp, Mourinho, Poch and Conte for now, but who would you rather play for purely based off managerial style?

For me, and this honestly doesn't take much thought at all or does it make me feel ill, I would rather play for Klopp or even Pep before I think about playing for Poch. As much as he has achieved he still lacks a real identity to me. He is quiet and calm. He isn't an arrogant manager, which is a very good quality to have, but he also doesn't ooze confidence. He seems uncertain in his approach at times I don't think he knows what style of play he wants to make his own. The first season we were running all over the park. The second we were a bit more cautious and pressed less heavily. The third we deployed a back three and now we find ourselves with what some have equated to an AVB style of play.

Is his identity still in the process of being developed? IDK, but for me there are managers that do a better job of convincing players that they know what they want to do.

 

[Hercules]

I love the guy, but I have a theoretical question for all those here.

If you were a young player or a player in their prime that was being offered by clubs like Man U, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, how would you approach the recruitment phase. Remove the money from the variables that influence your decision and make your decision purely off the manager and their style. Who do you choose to play for? I know some clubs are in a state of flux with their managerial situation, but who do you want to play for being a quality player?

Is it the balding, charismatic winner that plays a very attractive style of footy?

Is it the happy fella with the crooked teeth that has gotten a team to the CL finals that most thought were not capable of doing so?

Is it the mad man that oozes ego and blames others for his failures, but still finds himself winning trophies?

Is it the italian that looks like he needs a nap?

Or do you want to play for the empty seat that could be assumed by who knows who?

In reality it is down to Pep, Klopp, Mourinho, Poch and Conte for now, but who would you rather play for purely based off managerial style?

For me, and this honestly doesn't take much thought at all or does it make me feel ill, I would rather play for Klopp or even Pep before I think about playing for Poch. As much as he has achieved he still lacks a real identity to me. He is quiet and calm. He isn't an arrogant manager, which is a very good quality to have, but he also doesn't ooze confidence. He seems uncertain in his approach at times I don't think he knows what style of play he wants to make his own. The first season we were running all over the park. The second we were a bit more cautious and pressed less heavily. The third we deployed a back three and now we find ourselves with what some have equated to an AVB style of play.

Is his identity still in the process of being developed? IDK, but for me there are managers that do a better job of convincing players that they know what they want to do.

I think it is very harsh! What resources has he had compared to who you mentioned? Wage challenge for starters. Not just the fee. I can tell you if it was just the fee, Mane for example; would of been wearing our colours.

We HAVE to put things in perspective.

 

[lukespurs7]

I 99% agree, he's been fantastic for us, however, is he learning, and when do you go from learning to have actually learnt?

A few seasons in a row now he has undervalued certain cup competitions. It makes so much sense to go after any cup competition with vigour, even the less glamorous. It creates know how and a winning mentality in highly contested matches which is clearly lacking. We threw that Juventus game away for example. Pochettino and the players didn't know how to go on and win. Will this change next season? Probably not in the Champions League, but will he change his ways in other cups?

Another example. I hate to say this and no doubt people won't like it. I can't stand Mourinho and wouldn't want him in charge of us for a second, but just as an example of knowing how to win, I can't help but feel if Mourinho had our Tottenham team against that Man Utd team, I wouldn't be surprised if we won. These cup games are a different kettle of fish and Poch hasn't learnt yet, and now it's affecting us in the league...

Maybe he'll learn next season...

Mabye but Real Madrid nearly threw away a 3 goal lead vs Juve AT HOME so it’s not easy that CL comp.

 

[lukespurs7]

I love the guy, but I have a theoretical question for all those here.

If you were a young player or a player in their prime that was being offered by clubs like Man U, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, how would you approach the recruitment phase. Remove the money from the variables that influence your decision and make your decision purely off the manager and their style. Who do you choose to play for? I know some clubs are in a state of flux with their managerial situation, but who do you want to play for being a quality player?

Is it the balding, charismatic winner that plays a very attractive style of footy?

Is it the happy fella with the crooked teeth that has gotten a team to the CL finals that most thought were not capable of doing so?

Is it the mad man that oozes ego and blames others for his failures, but still finds himself winning trophies?

Is it the italian that looks like he needs a nap?

Or do you want to play for the empty seat that could be assumed by who knows who?

In reality it is down to Pep, Klopp, Mourinho, Poch and Conte for now, but who would you rather play for purely based off managerial style?

For me, and this honestly doesn't take much thought at all or does it make me feel ill, I would rather play for Klopp or even Pep before I think about playing for Poch. As much as he has achieved he still lacks a real identity to me. He is quiet and calm. He isn't an arrogant manager, which is a very good quality to have, but he also doesn't ooze confidence. He seems uncertain in his approach at times I don't think he knows what style of play he wants to make his own. The first season we were running all over the park. The second we were a bit more cautious and pressed less heavily. The third we deployed a back three and now we find ourselves with what some have equated to an AVB style of play.

Is his identity still in the process of being developed? IDK, but for me there are managers that do a better job of convincing players that they know what they want to do.

It depends on your age and career to date as a player and type of player you are.
Pep is the big draw because he wins and plays amazing football.
It would be interesting and fun to play for Klopp especially if you like hard work and fast football
Conte is very tactical and defensive so he may have more of a select appeal
Jose is more pragmatic but proven winner and it would be interesting playing for him
Poch has us playing attractive football, gives youth a chance and improves us year on year so also an attractive option to be part of a project, the main thing is which players are we going to keep and which ones will we bring in to really kick on.

 

[Trippier the RB fantastic]

IF we finish 3rd or 4th it would have been a good season , champions league football is fantastic but only winning trophies make it a great one.

Our champions league journey was brilliant at times and we are a side now that not only competes but impresses on this stage.

Our season though has been tainted by our faliure to beat an ordinary United side in the semi final of the fa cup. We virtually had home advantage, we missed a big trick there. 27 years since our last Fa cup win is embarrassing.

As others have mentioned we havent played 38 games away this season but being away from White Hart lane which was finally becoming an absolute fortress for us has in my opinion prevented us from being Man City's closest challenger.

It was always going to be very tough this season , everyone was writing us off and if we do get a minimum of 4 points (im very confident we will ) by the end of the week we would have proven a lot of people wrong.

 

[Blackrat1299]

I hope to wake up from this nightmare very shortly.

 

['O Zio]

On here people are relatively sensible

 

[DCSPUR]

I think it is very harsh! What resources has he had compared to who you mentioned? Wage challenge for starters. Not just the fee. I can tell you if it was just the fee, Mane for example; would of been wearing our colours.

We HAVE to put things in perspective.

you are 100% correct and I am hopeful that the club does not put much stock in the absurd, frankly myopic, rantings on this forum in recent days....it is toxic, embarrassing and clearly unencumbered by an ounce of context or historical perspective.
Absolutely love Poch and all he has done for us. Is he perfect? No. But he is exactly what we need and I strongly believe, if given the chance and some patience, he can get us the PL in the next 2-3 years. Levy has done well so far and as you have said needs to back Poch this summer....but ours IS a different project from the monied lot at the top table....we are elbowing our way in anyway and it is brilliant.

 

[Cravenspurs]

I think it is very harsh! What resources has he had compared to who you mentioned? Wage challenge for starters. Not just the fee. I can tell you if it was just the fee, Mane for example; would of been wearing our colours.

We HAVE to put things in perspective.

I agree with that, but that also was a qualifier as part of the question. Taking money out of the equation, who would you rather play for. I am not knocking his achievements or what I think he can achieve with the right backing, just wondering what peoples thoughts are on his personality/style of management.

For me he has shown an ability to really adapt to what his personnel offers (e.g. pressing like hell one year to a less aggressive style of play the next) and that shows a real ability to work with what you have. But I would also argue that Klopp, Pep and others more or less force their identities on a club. Poch is a bit more laid back in his approach and I was wondering if that signals to some players that he doesn't have a defined fingerprint yet.

EDIT: I want to be clear that I back Poch and I by no stretch want to sack him. I am enjoying the hell out of the process and believe he has the right ethos to take us to the top. My OP was a theoretical and by no stretch of the imagination means I think Poch is a poor choice.

 

[Hercules]

you are 100% correct and I am hopeful that the club does not put much stock in the absurd, frankly myopic, rantings on this forum in recent days....it is toxic, embarrassing and clearly unencumbered by an ounce of context or historical perspective.
Absolutely love Poch and all he has done for us. Is he perfect? No. But he is exactly what we need and I strongly believe, if given the chance and some patience, he can get us the PL in the next 2-3 years. Levy has done well so far and as you have said needs to back Poch this summer....but ours IS a different project from the monied lot at the top table....we are elbowing our way in anyway and it is brilliant.

We tend to as supporters underestimate how fortunate we are to gave him

 

[riggi]

3rd place is mediocrity? Ok, I'll just pretend the 90s never happened then...

Jesus.

I get your point but when can we stop comparing to the 90s? We are a very different club.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

I get your point but when can we stop comparing to the 90s? We are a very different club.

When the world finally admits The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was a shit program