If we don't finish in the top 4...

[SpursSince1980]

...I will be bummed... but... not forlorn. The reason for this is simple, really; I don't fear for the future of our club. I don't think if we miss out we'll end up offloading our best players -- including Bale. He is likely to stay when all is said and done.

Last year, I was more scared of not getting CL qualification, then I was excited about getting in. The reason being, is that I knew it would directly lead to Luka and probably VdV leaving.

Feels very different this time around. I'd be thrilled to qualify. But not disconsolate if we don't. I believe that even if we were only to sign a striker this summer, that would be okay. With the likes of Rose, Townsend, Kaboul and Sandro returning from loans and injuries, it will provide us with depth and quality, in the areas where we need some help.

Avb has done a good job with the lot he has in his first year. Next year we'll be even better -- CL or not.

 

[RichSpur58]

a) we need to keep our best players
b) we need a striker (Benteke)
c) backup winger (Ince)
d) goalscoring midfielder (erikkson)

 

[E17yid]

If we miss out this season I will be a bit gutted but only because we've come so close. A bit like being 2-1 up against a UTD or city with 5mins left only to lose 3-2 at the final whistle. There's no shame to lose to UTD 3-2, just like there is no shame in finishing 5th but I think I speak for all yids when I say it would be fucking amazing if we could see it through.

I, like many others, expected us to finish 5th/6th at the start of the season, I certainly didn't think we would be on course for our highest ever points tally. A great achievement if we can pull it off. COYS.

 

[eddiev14]

I really agree with this post. As long as Bale is happy to stay with us not in the CL then I don't think it'd be a disaster at all.

I think our transfer targets won't change all that much either. When we got CL last time we didn't get a fancy striker so I can't see it being any different this time.

Difference this time will hopefully be that our manager gives the Chairman a more creative list of targets than:

Crowchey
Scotti
Phil Neville

 

[camaj]

I agree. I was more annoyed about missing out the last two seasons because we actually could have done it and cemented a place in the top four. This season we've done well in spite of the circumstances rather than poorly when there was no reason for it. I have hope for the future as long as AVB stays, and I think he will. We've got some good players who are young enough to maintain some form of momentum and I'm confident we'll make some decent signings this summer.

 

[formlesswater]

a) we need to keep our best players
b) we need a striker (Benteke)
c) backup winger (Ince)
d) goalscoring midfielder (erikkson)

Townsend can be the backup winger and Sigurdsson is a goalscoring midfielder. We could definitely use a striker of high quality though.

 

[ravo]

a) we need to keep our best players
b) we need a striker (Benteke)
c) backup winger (Ince)
d) goalscoring midfielder (erikkson)

I would take a creative midfielder over a goalscoring one... i.e. another Luka please. He has been sorely missed this season.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Yeah, a creative guy and a goalyscorerery guy would be good. Townsend to put some pressure on Lennon, sixteen leftbacks and we're sorted.

 

[ravo]

Oh, and the OP was excellent.

 

[mano-obe]

It won't be the end of the world if we don't. Nothing changes at all, we try again next year.

As long as we keep the big boys Vertonghen, Lloris, Bale, Sandro, Lennon and upgrade our squad I'm sure we can do it next season (trying not to sound like a Liverpool fan)

 

[Legacy]

Start of the season, I'd have been happy with 5th. Having spent most of the season in the top 4, it'd be disappointing to miss out so close to the finish line, but I wouldn't cry into my coffee over it.

I'd be far more pissed off if AVB doesn't get his targets in to strengthen the squad over the summer.

 

[Gilzeanking]

I don't blame anyone here preparing for disappointment....but I hope to God AVB isn't allowing defeatism to come into the dressing room on Wed . I hope his message is the very opposite of '5ths OK' .

COYS

 

[lenny7]

I think we've done exceptionally well considering this was always going to be a season of upheaval and transition. We have been painfully inconsistent at times, but to see us up there still mixing it in and around the CL places, especially given the start we had, bodes well. AVB has certainly made a believer of me, we're in safe hands and with a consistent striker on the books, we could really get going next season. Onwards!

 

[CowInAComa]

As long as top 4 failure doesnt affect the Falcao and Moutinho transfers I think we will be ok.

In reality, we probably wouldnt win the CL. Probably. But we could actually win the Europa....

 

[montylynch]

It wouldn't be the end of the world would it, if we didn't qualify, where as that lot up the road would see it as abject failure if they didn't qualify. That's the difference. Their season is based around finishing 4th, for them it's a successful season. For us it would be a wonderful season if we finished 4th.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Most people at the start of the season, being honest, would have looked at the squads each side had and, unless they were wildly optimistic, would have said that 5th was a reasonable target.

We sold arguably our two best players, had just appointed a new manager and didn't really splash the cash on getting in the necessary replacements. Compared to the money bags clubs around us I think it was a big leap to suggest we could match them.

But match them we have and it would be gutting to lose out at this stage, particularly as a result of some silly results/performances (Fulham at home and Wigan away).

As for the long term future of the club, I worry that if we miss out again this year then we really will look like a 'second choice' for players coming to England and the gap might widen between us and Chelsea/Arsenal. But the foundations are there for us to keep progressing and I trust AVB more than any manager previously to work sensibly within Levy's financial constraints.

It's frustrating because we seem just a couple of players away from really being a top team...but we all need to be realistic and look at what has already been achieved. The next step may take a while but I think we've got the people at the club to help us take it.

 

[midoNdefoe]

You guys are far too level headed. If we dont finish top4 this season THATS.FUCKING.IT!!!! I'm leaving football!

All or nothing Spurs. I want it so badly, that i will never watch again if you fail me this time!

28 years in the making, 3 games to do it, earn my love spurs, EEEAAAARN IT!!!

 

[Wardy]

I think it's essential that the board go and purchase a top striker asap, rather than later. This will install confidence for the rest of our team that we do have the ambition to break the top 3

 

[formlesswater]

I think if Kaboul returns to top fitness, our center back pairing has the potential to be the one of the best in the world. We already have a great GK. Get Sandro back to full fitness, and we will have quite the formidable defence. Another thing to note is that our squad is very young, so I expect us to improve each year, both at an individual level, and with overall team cohesion.

 

[dynamoSpurs]

We sorely miss Sandra and Cable guy.

Would be a shame to miss out on 4th.. Means we've just been static for the past 5 seasons