- Oct 25, 2004
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I've been meaning to do this one for a while. Apologies if it has been done previously.
We've certainly had a very busy month or so, in fact, unlike the majority of my time as a spurs fan the last 6 or so years have been very eventful indeed. We have gradually gone from midtable mediocrity personified to regularly challenging for the top 4. Last season we even flirted with being title challengers, even though we all knew deep down that it would end horribly, after all we are spurs, there was a brief period in January where I actually allowed myself to dream of glory.
This brings me to the subject of the thread, what are we missing? What is the secret ingredient or ingredients that would push us that extra mile?
Since Harry was sacked I have been trying to justify my relative happiness with the decision. I can't just say that it was because I didn't really like him; or that he couldn't keep his mouth shut; or that there was just something unsavoury about him; no, there has to be a footballing justification.
Now, when I look at last season, I think that we finished roughly where we deserved to. We had a great run, we gained momentum and we had some favourable fixtures. From September to December we were imperious. But in reality we were always going to have to play those difficult fixtures and we were inevitably going to drop points. When we look at that difficult run in more detail, the Norwich game at home and the scum at the emirates aside, we actually played very well and were probably "unlucky" not to get the points that we needed to finish 3rd. We were Defoe being an inch taller away from winning at the Etihad, we certainly deserved something against Man U and Everton and we also should have won at Aston Villa. Were any of those results REALLY down to Harry being tactically naive or limited? Or because he was flirting with the FA? Perhaps, but probably not.
So if we accept that we got what we deserved based on our squad and manager, what do we need to add in terms of players and tactics? What will AVB bring that will add those crucial points to push us on? We really weren't that far away and I honestly believe that both Mancini and Fergie took us seriously, if only for a while.
We've certainly had a very busy month or so, in fact, unlike the majority of my time as a spurs fan the last 6 or so years have been very eventful indeed. We have gradually gone from midtable mediocrity personified to regularly challenging for the top 4. Last season we even flirted with being title challengers, even though we all knew deep down that it would end horribly, after all we are spurs, there was a brief period in January where I actually allowed myself to dream of glory.
This brings me to the subject of the thread, what are we missing? What is the secret ingredient or ingredients that would push us that extra mile?
Since Harry was sacked I have been trying to justify my relative happiness with the decision. I can't just say that it was because I didn't really like him; or that he couldn't keep his mouth shut; or that there was just something unsavoury about him; no, there has to be a footballing justification.
Now, when I look at last season, I think that we finished roughly where we deserved to. We had a great run, we gained momentum and we had some favourable fixtures. From September to December we were imperious. But in reality we were always going to have to play those difficult fixtures and we were inevitably going to drop points. When we look at that difficult run in more detail, the Norwich game at home and the scum at the emirates aside, we actually played very well and were probably "unlucky" not to get the points that we needed to finish 3rd. We were Defoe being an inch taller away from winning at the Etihad, we certainly deserved something against Man U and Everton and we also should have won at Aston Villa. Were any of those results REALLY down to Harry being tactically naive or limited? Or because he was flirting with the FA? Perhaps, but probably not.
So if we accept that we got what we deserved based on our squad and manager, what do we need to add in terms of players and tactics? What will AVB bring that will add those crucial points to push us on? We really weren't that far away and I honestly believe that both Mancini and Fergie took us seriously, if only for a while.