Let`s cut to the chase. Pre match, everyone said Spurs were going to get royally hammered, except me who had a cheeky fiver at 10/1, more in hope than anything else. When they do lose, everyone then throws their toys out of the pram, like something unexpected happened. Seriously what did you expect a team with so many players missing, visiting Anfield to play Liverpool, who were almost at full strength, at a ground where Spurs have won exactly three times since 1912. And that includes sending some of Spurs greatest ever sides up there. Yes performance was poor from the few senior players on the pitchy, but frankly whether you lose 1-0 or 10-0 whether the performance is good or bad, in a cup, result is all that matters. You all need to get a grip.
As I said early December, nothing really changes until all the main players return, a settled back four and goalie are in place, settled midfield and a settled forward line. Expect more of the same at Villa Park this weekend. I am fully prepared for another loss, unless miraculously half a dozen of the injured players miraculously reappear.
It will be more pain before gain. But the ultimate target this season has to get a fully fit settled team in place for March when the Europa resumes. That has always been the only target now for the rest of the season. If the Europa is the only viable target, then it makes it easier to manage players coming back from injury. They can be rested for longer. And hopefully a team can be put on that pitch that remains unchanged for say half a dozen games minimum. As it is Spurs have used four goalies in four months, dozens of different CB partnerships, same with the midfield, and have had constant injuries with their strikers. Is it any wonder results are suffering.
By the beginning of March this is the sort of side I would expect to be seeing
Vicario
Spence
Micky
Romero
Udogie
Gray
Maddison
Kulu
Odobert
Johnson
Solanke
Subs any from these
Kinsky
Porro
Danso
Bentancur
Bissouma
Sarr
Bergvall
Son
Richarlison
Odobert
Mikey Moore
Tel
Not included Davies, time for him to be put out to graze.
Decent first XI, with options off the bench. It will 100 per cent make a difference. Problem is will we ever see this line up, given that everytime a player comes back, two more get injured.
I am still Ange in, at least until I see a how a full team performs on a regular basis. Something that only happened in the early part of last season, the last time Ange had a fully fit squad to pick from. He has additions since then, which makes it even more annoying with all the injuries, he just has not had the luxury of picking from his best players.
Anyway it is what it is.
COYS
Ok we all move on from last night
posted on 7/2/25
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 14 seconds ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 20 minutes ago
Sandy always talks in such certain tones, as if his is the only valid argument. The way you construct sentences echoes the blinkered nature in which you debate.
My guess if that of those that voted one star for this article didn't even read it and just saw your name.
And you know what, I don't blame them
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I say it as I see it. Plenty of criticism, but exactly what team would you have put out last night? And would your team be on the way to Wembley this morning?
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If you packed the defence and midfield with one up top that first goal never happens. May have still been knocked out but it would not have been so easy for Liverpool.
posted on 7/2/25
comment by Hod idol (U5117)
posted 23 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 14 seconds ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 20 minutes ago
Sandy always talks in such certain tones, as if his is the only valid argument. The way you construct sentences echoes the blinkered nature in which you debate.
My guess if that of those that voted one star for this article didn't even read it and just saw your name.
And you know what, I don't blame them
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I say it as I see it. Plenty of criticism, but exactly what team would you have put out last night? And would your team be on the way to Wembley this morning?
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If you packed the defence and midfield with one up top that first goal never happens. May have still been knocked out but it would not have been so easy for Liverpool.
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First two goals were errors from a midfielder and a defender. So wouldn't have made much difference.
posted on 7/2/25
comment by Sir Tottenham of Hotspur (U17379)
posted 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
Wow levy has completely brainwashed fans like Genius
Saying we can’t compete on the wages market yet we are the 8th richest club in the world, is laughable
It’s not that we can’t compete on wages- it’s that we WONT
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We also have a large debt to service and that is a priority. No brainwashing but anyone who has worked at senior level within a large commercial organisation will tell you, debts only bring problems and continuous debt brings potential downsizing or even bankruptcy.
It’s easy to say just pay the wages, but my belief is that you earn the wages by performing in football. Wages should be performance related,look at Rashford, £325,000 a week with no performance criteria.
posted on 7/2/25
I’m not blaming Ange at all for last night… he set the team up, exactly how I would have done… so proof that he can adapt…
I blame the players… that were timid & look frightened… rabbit caught in headlights!
Spineless & devoid of brain cells… We need to have a serious look at the playing staff, for next season.
The seasoned players must be seriously looking over their shoulders… we can’t afford charity here!
I’m talking :
Bentancur
Bissouma
Son
Richarlison
Werner
Davies
We have to invest in top quality now… not just for the future… last night’s performance was completely unacceptable & gutless!!
Even when we had seasoned winners like Conte & Mourinho… it’s proved impossible to get anything out of these players… need to look at a players character & will to win…
Of the young players Gray & Bergvall has it
Brennan Johnson does not!
It’s a shame about Richy… he battles for everything & puts himself about… & has heart… but it’s just injury… after injury, with him!
posted on 7/2/25
Last night is definitely on the players for me
If you can’t get yourself up for a semi final then when can you….you shouldn’t need a manager to motivate you for a big game
They were pathetic
posted on 7/2/25
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 7 hours, 54 minutes ago
comment by Sir Tottenham of Hotspur (U17379)
posted 8 minutes ago
Wow levy has completely brainwashed fans like Genius
Saying we can’t compete on the wages market yet we are the 8th richest club in the world, is laughable
It’s not that we can’t compete on wages- it’s that we WONT
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Yeh let's just throw ridiculous wages at players like United, Chelsea and Arsenal do. They are not exactly hoovering up trophies these days.
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They’re a damn sight closer at doing so season after season than we are Sandy!
Rather be close and respected than nowhere near and a perennial laughing stock
posted on 7/2/25
That’s what poch gave us
We were never a laughing stock and always competing ….we may have fallen at the last hurdle everytime but we could be proud to watch us play and be in the mix
I know Sandy won’t agree with this but salt beef is right …..we are a laughing stock right now and it hurts (on a football level)
posted on 7/2/25
comment by Conn & Duncan..Scottish Legends (U15636)
posted 3 hours, 8 minutes ago
I’m not blaming Ange at all for last night… he set the team up, exactly how I would have done… so proof that he can adapt…
I blame the players… that were timid & look frightened… rabbit caught in headlights!
Spineless & devoid of brain cells… We need to have a serious look at the playing staff, for next season.
The seasoned players must be seriously looking over their shoulders… we can’t afford charity here!
I’m talking :
Bentancur
Bissouma
Son
Richarlison
Werner
Davies
We have to invest in top quality now… not just for the future… last night’s performance was completely unacceptable & gutless!!
Even when we had seasoned winners like Conte & Mourinho… it’s proved impossible to get anything out of these players… need to look at a players character & will to win…
Of the young players Gray & Bergvall has it
Brennan Johnson does not!
It’s a shame about Richy… he battles for everything & puts himself about… & has heart… but it’s just injury… after injury, with him!
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keep Davies as squad player. I agree with the rest of your list and would add Romero to it.
posted on 7/2/25
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
That’s what poch gave us
We were never a laughing stock and always competing ….we may have fallen at the last hurdle everytime but we could be proud to watch us play and be in the mix
I know Sandy won’t agree with this but salt beef is right …..we are a laughing stock right now and it hurts (on a football level)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poch never had to deal with an unprecedented injury crisis though. When he rested players for cup games it usually ended in embarrassment. Lost to Colchester, home to Leicester and Palace in the FA Cup, scrapped past Wycombe at home one year after being 3-1 down. If he didn't have a full strength team on the pitch, it usually ended in defeat.
posted on 7/2/25
I’m willing to see what Ange does when the bulk are back from injury but if things didn’t improve sharpish his time is most definitely up
I do feel sorry for him….your article earlier was an excellent point can’t be denied
Would I want poch back over Ange tomorrow even under these circumstances? Yep
I have a horrible feeling things will be the same
I like Ange , I like the guy and what he is trying to do but part of me thinks he is just simply out of his depth