The Mauricio Pochettino thread

[Deleted member 27995]

When the fanbase turns, and I mean really turns, things change very quickly.
Levy's hand will be forced, sentiment won't come into it.

You can't beat newly promoted Sheff united at home in your money making cash cow on a saturday afternoon against a budget team of £30mill ... The blokes a fucking idiot. Levy deserves everything he gets.

 

[fecka]

hold on, all the experts in here keep saying Poch isn't coaching them well, and no good at tactics. Surely you need more than a day to pinpoint any weaknesses your next op has, and work on them.

we also played 3 games in 6 days which didn't help prepare, yet Sheff Utd had a full 7 days to turn up fresh. are you telling me we should have been as fresh as them?

I have to agree that most of your arguments are good but the main problem are that they are always in isolation and fail to look at the big picture.

We have had a pretty easy schedule so far with several home and away games we should have gotten points from but have repeatedly failed to do so which turn these isolated events like the sheffield game into a pattern instead.
It's not bad luck that has made us win 1 away game since january, lose 3 games from leading positions in the final stages against lesser teams during this season or pick up an average of 1 point per game for the last 25, the least total amount of points of all clubs in the prem during 2019.
The players aren't running, shooting or moving as much as they used to. They are getting niggling injuries that often seem to be soft-tissue ones and their body language scream of low confidence and tiredness along with Poch's that scream discontent and he feels more and more like a man that has stopped trying.

Physique, mental health and motivation are closely connected and when the latter starts to wane so does the former.
I've spoken about it before but all the signs and murmurings from players and agents as well as looking at what happens on the pitch point to overtraining and players who might still respect the coach but no longer fully believe in him which in turn lead to players not getting the best out of themselves.

We are collectively bad right now and it's obvious it has not mattered who we play but it is rather how we play that will turn the ship around.

 

[skaz04nik]

I don't get your point then, are you blaming our board for not backing the manager and getting rid of the unwanted players or are you blaming Poch for not making them so desperate to leave that they would take a step down?

Both. I think Levy did poor job not getting rid of some deadwood and Poch needs to be more tough, direct, demanding and consistent on that aspect.

 

[The Apprentice]

I'm not missing the point, I've completely hit it.

We can speculate on who's at fault for different factors all day long, but he's responsible for coaching, motivating, preparing and picking the team that he has at disposal now.

It's not been good enough for far too long now, and this current group is capable of a lot more.

This is nail on the head.
We can argue until the cows come home about recruitment and mismanagement of contracts, but the stark reality is that with the players he has at his disposal, 25 points from 24 games (or something like that) is woeful. Most of the squad are internationals, the rest are Prem standard at least. Lack of investment is a smokescreen for his inability to get the players he has performing.

 

[Gb160]

You can't beat newly promoted Sheff united at home in your money making cash cow on a saturday afternoon against a budget team of £30mill ... The blokes a fucking idiot. Levy deserves everything he gets.

He's not, I just think he's just torn right now, it took him years to find his 'Poch' and I don't think he can be blamed for waiting until he has no option but to get rid of him.
That'll be when the fanbase completely turns on him, which won't be long if we keep playing how we're playing.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

He's not, I just think he's just torn right now, it took him years to find his 'Poch' and I don't think he can be blamed for waiting until he has no option but to get rid of him.
That'll be when the fanbase completely turns on him, which won't be long if we keep playing how we're playing.

I think that's rubbish, he's pulled triggers before because it's effected/affected the bottom line for him. Poch is fucking up, because he fucked up, the only reason he's still here because if he does fire him it then implicates himself as not doing his job properly.

Brighton, Watford, Sheffield United ... Should be gone, still here stealing a living.

 

[Gb160]

I think that's rubbish, he's pulled triggers before because it's effected/affected the bottom line for him. Poch is fucking up, because he fucked up, the only reason he's still here because if he does fire him it then implicates himself as not doing his job properly.

I think that's rubbish...you're not using any context.
None of the managers he's previously fired had the credit in the bank that Poch has built up.

I think he should be done here, but I can also see the thinking behind him still being here right now.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

I think that's rubbish...you're not using any context.
None of the managers he's previously fired had the credit in the bank that Poch has built up.

I see, but the credit in the bank is due to Poch doing shit on a shoe string? So Levy see's that credit as his own making?

 

[Seafordian Spurs]

Eddie Howe U Get The Spurs Gig, Son? Incoming ??

All this talk of 'elite' managers wanting to come here because we serve craft beer and have enough exercise bikes for the whole first team squad....

ENIC and Levy don't care. They care that this club doesn't commit the gravest sin in the business of football which is dropping out of the top flight. They will say the stadium they have delivered will ensue that never happens and we should be grateful.

Alas, a club is only as ambitious as its owners. Their priorities are so different to ours.

Europa ish with occasional CL football is our level under the prudent stewardship of Levy and ENIC.

Sucks but there we are.

Happy Monday, yo!

 

[Deleted member 29446]

Media narrative mate, it's created to sell papers, we're now in a state of flux, not challenging the the established, there is no story in this. Spurs are what they 'narrate' we are.

So a CL-final-team last year, now struggling to stay above the relegation spots, doesn't sell papers?

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

Players who I believe we should be building the new squad around:

Sessegnon
Foyth
Sanchez
Ndombele
Lo Celso
Skipp
Dele
Son
Kane
Parrott

To me, that shows just how many new players we need. A goalkeeper is a priority, as is a new right back. We need a new DM so that Ndombele and Lo Celso have the freedom needed. We also need a couple of CB's as Sanchez although I've named him is questionable for me and Dier isn't good enough. Also, Jan and Toby will both leave next Summer I would imagine. I would also argue that we should look for a Eriksen replacement as we were clearly willing to do that when looking at Dybala.

So we will sign a few players as suggested in January as this transition needs to happen over the next few windows.

I've suggested that we need 6 new players which would give us a strong match day squad but it still wouldn't be a strong enough squad to challenge for serious honours. It's going to be a very tough period as we are finding out for the next couple of seasons. So now is the time to decide whether Levy backs Poch and gives him the opportunity to complete the transition or do you roll the dice and go with someone new? I love Poch and appreciate what he has done with limited resources in hard times but I really do think a change is needed, our form for the whole of 2019 is unacceptable!

If we are talking squad building levels, in a 25 man squad I would say of the current crop these ones would make the grade:

Gazzaniga
Foyth
Sanchez
Dier
Winks
Skipp
Sissoko
Ndombele
Lo Celso
Dele
Lucas
Lamela
Sessegnon
Son
Kane
Parrott

Throw Clarke into it if and when he's ready and it's 17 players, 19 if we choose to not be harsh on Lloris and Davies. Realistically the squad needs a further 6-8 players added to it. Most worrying is that only Foyth makes it as a potential fullback I'd keep and he's only played in that position 4-5 times and Sanchez is the only CB that makes the grade and even him I ain't sure about. I'd keep Dier purely because of his ability to add backup options in a number of positions but when I look at that squad I see many players that add depth but not a vast amount of worldy quality apart from the obvious in it.

 

[shelfboy68]

he had 1 day to prepare for the visit of Sheff Utd

Mate utd played the night after and won this weekend it's the same bag for everyone in European competition, if you want to be part of the big boy set you deal and embrace it not winge about it.

 

[Kspur]

So depressing to think we were on a similar level to Liverpool just 2-3 years ago. They showed the ambition to strengthen their weak areas, we sat on our hands and are now seeing the inevitable result. Just depressing.

agree!!

#levyout

 

[Gb160]

I see, but the credit in the bank is due to Poch doing shit on a shoe string? So Levy see's that credit as his own making?

No the credit in the bank is the consecutive CL qualification that none of the other managers Levy has employed have really got close to.
So Its understandable that Poch hasn't been given the elbow as quickly as previous managers.

 

[Mr Pink]

No point as Poch takes months to integrate most signings.

Anyone pinning their hopes on January business is clutching at straws imo...I mean, who are these players that are going to turn our season around who will also be magically available in January anyway?

And furthermore, does anyone really believe Levy is going to do major business when we'll get quoted insane prices for two reasons :

1) It's January
2) Everyone is aware of our predicament

These conditions go against every fibre in Levys's body ffs lol.

Personally I think we're being fed this in the hope that we calm our frustration in the interim.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

So a CL-final-team last year, now struggling to stay above the relegation spots, doesn't sell papers?

Why would it? Poch was the messiah when the United job was open, he was good print when Real were sniffing, spoken media created multiple narratives around the club in regard to the keeping of top players and backing the manager - and now?

 

[jurgen]

Absolute bizarre that no one in the press is putting on any pressure for Poch's head. I have no fucking clue.
Must be because we're a "small" club in the media and the happy-writers is all fine with the situation. Mental.

Again, it’s simply more likely that press people, including former players, can see what a good job Poch has done with limited finances at our club.

For instance, some of our more entitled fans wrote off our CL final as nothing to do with Poch and mere luck. I doubt anyone in the game thinks of it that way and so in their eyes Poch has significant leeway as nobody expected to see Spurs in a CL final ever.

It’s fine to have your opinion but don’t be too surprised if people that have seen (and reported on) many more managers come and go and appreciate the enormity of Poch’s achievements aren’t screaming for us to ditch him at the first sign of adversity.

 

[Kspur]

Sorry but I totally disagree. So a honest question, what would it take for you to “give up” on Poch. If by Xmas we are in the relegation zone, would that be enough? Because then surely your post could be aimed back at you by another poster?

We have been totally turgid for 10 months, playing horrendous football and being outclassed by nearly every team we have played. We seem incapable of providing any chances for Kane, and look totally and utterly clueless in midfield and defence. This isn’t down to the players, this is how we are being set up.

How can we have any cohesion as a team when Poch continually changes the formation and the players every single game, and sometimes within the same game. The players look like they have no idea of any game plan, amazingly evident yesterday when Sheffield United totally outclassed us in every single aspect of the game. I was at the game and I couldn’t believe how much better they were than us. It was like we were the Championship side, and that is no exaggeration.

This is down to one man and one man only, Poch. It’s so obvious to anyone who has played football that the team are tired of him, you can see it, none of them go over to Poch anymore, when they get subbed they react angrily, see Dele yesterday and they are running around like headless chickens arguing with each other.

Enough is enough, before we get drawn into a relegation battle we need to make the right decision.

What’s the point in wanting the best manager we’ve had since the 60s when the problem is the chairman though?

 

[Deleted member 27995]

No the credit in the bank is the consecutive CL qualification that none of the other managers Levy has employed have really got close to.
So Its understandable that Poch hasn't been given the elbow as quickly as previous managers.

Big football club with big ambitions. got it.

 

[rossdapep]

Mate utd played the night after and won this weekend it's the same bag for everyone in European competition, if you want to be part of the big boy set you deal and embrace it not winge about it.

I'm sure we played Chelsea two days after they lost a cup final in ET and we had an extra days rest.

We still lost.