I am one of the few Spurs fans on here who is not demanding the head of the chairman on a silver platter, or expect our owners to suddenly bank roll a massive splurge on star players.
I know & accept we operate within our means and while it is very hard at times to truly understand exactly what our means are we are one of the top clubs in terms of our spending power.
Pre-new stadium our means were quite limited, so it was modest spending and a bit of a dependency on selling a big name to reinvest.
The accusation that i fully accept is that that reinvestment has rarely been targeted at taking the next step, more often its about building for a future. That glorious future has never come into full focus. Bumps in the road have lead to bad decisions & changes in direction that have taken us further from that future.
What we had under Poch was almost perfect. A decent and loved coach. the basis of a very decent squad that was already challenging although it needed refreshing. The Stadium was just coming on stream, so the finances were building up too, we were primed to build from there.
BUT Levy's pursuit of top 4, to show case his mighty new stadium i believe influenced the short sighted decision to sack Poch. Yes Poch had just been backed significantly, but the bumps in the road were a symptom of a failure to spend anything the year before. Who knows where we would have been had he been given some patience, but i think most are pretty certain it would have been better than much of the following 5-6 years
Fast forward to now and we have passed through covid & its financial mess, a decline of the core Poch squad, the loss of Kane, seeing the back of some failed big signings and we are now in a position of much greater and more stable financial strength. We have rebuilt much of the squad. We have the trophy monkey off our backs, we have a young squad of players, there isn't much deadwood to trim, and we have UCL competition and money to come.
Within the squad I would say there are perhaps 2 starting positions that require filling with star quality and a further 2 that need to provide reliable, good quality back up. For me these are LW, DM/CM, FWD and LB in that order or priority. These are not massive changes, it's not starting from scratch, it's adding that small amount of real quality to move us to the next level and NOT building for a distant future.
So, first card on the table - I want and expect to see at least 2 players who will truly improve us in the here and now. Then a couple players who will give us quality back us to allow us to manager players time and efforts over the season without weakening the match XI.
The word ambition is thrown about a lot but in this moment in time I think the club is now positioned, in almost every metric, to deliver greater ambition in the transfer policy. We have a lot of young players 17 - 23 who can make up the core of this team for years to come. Now is not the time to add more potential. Odobert (19) Tel (19) Gray (19) Moore (17) should not be the mainstays of the team, they should be the ones coming on or sometimes starting as they continue to develop and improve.
We have made room in the wages budget. We have just won a trophy, the vibe is good. We really need to show a bit of ambition with who we target now. We have shed Kane's £250k a week & NDombele's £200k/wk. There is scope there to bring in players who expect north of £200k a week. If Son doesnt leave this season i doubt he'll be here more than 1 year and his heir needs to be in place now if we are to build and not take a step back.
Ange is the elephant in the room no offence big guy! but IMO this squad is primed for any decent coach to take over without too much disruption. The formation is pretty standard, we've played inverted & orthodox FBs, 1 CM sitting, Deki & Madds in midfield, we've gone all out attack, all defence, high press, mid press, park the bus, we have gone from never crossing the ball to continually crossing the ball. Nothing any manager can throw at them will be new, other than if we go for a 3 at the back (please god no!!). After many years of trying it looks like we have finally reached a position where a new manager does not mean a mass of player changes. The foundations are all there.
2nd card on the table. If Ange stays, so be it but he needs to start to deliver and find a blend between the swashbuckling Angeball that sees us lose as many as we win, and the more passive European style that made us solid and very hard to beat.
Levy, time to deliver. No more excuses. I will be judging him more than ever on this window. It has always been our failing that we do not build for the now. I dont expect a +£250m splurge but a summer of kids with potential will be unacceptable and just more of the "jam tomorrow" failed promise.
Cards on the table....
posted 1 day, 13 hours ago
Fantastic post Devonshire.
Interesting and informative to read your thoughts.
I'd just say that just because things would have (probably) worked out better than they have if Poch wasn't sacked, it doesn't mean that it wasn't the right decision to sack him. It just means we've made bad decisions since then.
Personally I felt that Poch was on the decline, and I have no reason to change that opinion now, even if we have ended up with Mickey Mouth in charge.
What a brilliant squad it was for a couple of seasons back then though.
posted 1 day, 4 hours ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 9 hours, 39 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 5 minutes ago
Good article as usual Dev ….i don’t agree with everything you always say but you always put your piece well
I do have to disagree with poch not being hounded out …..he most certainly was and levy bowed to fan pressure in sacking him
Most (me included) on here were baying for him to be sacked …..the form was atrocious and he was burned out and needed to go for his and the clubs sake …..the rebuild he wanted didn’t happen and it took its toll on him
Poch’s sacking at the time was the correct decision
A refreshed poch I’d welcome back but only if Ange can’t turn the league form round early next season
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poch wasn`t hounded out by the fans. I called for his head admittedly towards the end. But it was inevitable he would be sacked after presiding over an awful season, after being at the club for five years without delivering. He certainly was not being hounded anywhere not what Ange has been by the fanbase. And Ange has delivered in two seasons what Pochettino could not do in five.
Personally I thought Pochettino`s time was up. I don`t think Ange`s time is up. He still has plenty to offer in my opinion.
I also would not want Pochettino anywhere near Spurs now. He had his stint. It didn`t work out first time, and it wouldn`t 2nd time around, judging on what he has achieved, or not achieved in the six years since he left. Stints at PSG and Chelsea were hardly worldies and he is now not doing a great job with the USA national team. So not sure why anyone would want him back. It would be a backward step.
All about opinions though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a lot of extenuating circumstances in his last (part season) which you can't ignore. Extenuating circumstances you seem to extend to Ange I might add.
Not sure its accurate to say he presided over an awful season. He never got the chance to finish it and I'm convinced he would have turned it around. We were only 12th (I think) and it was quite tight if I recall correctly.
It's funny how league position mattered to you then but now its not important for some reason.
Poch had enough in the bank to stay on in my opinion. We were playing good football and he got us close to competing for league titles as well as navigating us to a Champs League final, playing proper teams to get there. The team fluffed the final as much as he did.
In the end, Levy had his head turned by his managerial hero, Mourinho, and we all know how well that went.
I do agree though that him coming back prob isn't wise. I love him but my head says it won't work. He did have his chance, as you say, even if it did end very prematurely.
As for Ange, yes we got our long awaited trophy which was incredible, and deserved, but I don't think it was overly difficult and not sure it's a measure of how good he and the team really are. Time will tell I guess.
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It wasn't just the league season. Although six months without an away win was shocking. Even Ange managed away wins. It was that he had been at the club for five years and delivered nothing. That is why he was sacked.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We’ve been here before Sandy. As you well know, more than half of those 6 months was between seasons! When you look at the actual facts, it’s not as dramatic as you think. Unlike loosing 22 league games in a season, as an example.
As ecstatic as I am about the Europa win, it was a relatively weak competition and we got very lucky with the run of teams we faced. Which is fine by me, we were well overdue some luck and we capitalised on it.
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No comparison mate. One won Spurs biggest trophy in 40 years, one won nothing in five years despite having better players.
I will remember the Europa win. I don't care about top four finishes. I suspect most fans will be the same.
posted 1 day, 4 hours ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 10 hours, 15 minutes ago
Levy, time to deliver. No more excuses. I will be judging him more than ever on this window. It has always been our failing that we do not build for the now. I dont expect a +£250m splurge but a summer of kids with potential will be unacceptable and just more of the "jam tomorrow" failed promise.
**************************
This is the bit I like........
I guess "Kids" means more like Gray and Bervall. Yes, that's the way the squad is going. I think we need to keep our current back four, first and foremost.
They are the foundation.
Then bring in the new kids.
I do not know where Son fits....he seems to be getting past it now.
Then we have Kulushevski...out for some months injured.
And then there's Maddison...what happens to him?
So...all in all, Levy has one hell of a lot to do...
replace Postecoglu....hire kids, shuffle the squad...keep Romero....
Good luck with all of that!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you paid the £20 charity bet yet Ted?
posted 1 day, 4 hours ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 10 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 5 minutes ago
Good article as usual Dev ….i don’t agree with everything you always say but you always put your piece well
I do have to disagree with poch not being hounded out …..he most certainly was and levy bowed to fan pressure in sacking him
Most (me included) on here were baying for him to be sacked …..the form was atrocious and he was burned out and needed to go for his and the clubs sake …..the rebuild he wanted didn’t happen and it took its toll on him
Poch’s sacking at the time was the correct decision
A refreshed poch I’d welcome back but only if Ange can’t turn the league form round early next season
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poch wasn`t hounded out by the fans. I called for his head admittedly towards the end. But it was inevitable he would be sacked after presiding over an awful season, after being at the club for five years without delivering. He certainly was not being hounded anywhere not what Ange has been by the fanbase. And Ange has delivered in two seasons what Pochettino could not do in five.
Personally I thought Pochettino`s time was up. I don`t think Ange`s time is up. He still has plenty to offer in my opinion.
I also would not want Pochettino anywhere near Spurs now. He had his stint. It didn`t work out first time, and it wouldn`t 2nd time around, judging on what he has achieved, or not achieved in the six years since he left. Stints at PSG and Chelsea were hardly worldies and he is now not doing a great job with the USA national team. So not sure why anyone would want him back. It would be a backward step.
All about opinions though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a lot of extenuating circumstances in his last (part season) which you can't ignore. Extenuating circumstances you seem to extend to Ange I might add.
Not sure its accurate to say he presided over an awful season. He never got the chance to finish it and I'm convinced he would have turned it around. We were only 12th (I think) and it was quite tight if I recall correctly.
It's funny how league position mattered to you then but now its not important for some reason.
Poch had enough in the bank to stay on in my opinion. We were playing good football and he got us close to competing for league titles as well as navigating us to a Champs League final, playing proper teams to get there. The team fluffed the final as much as he did.
In the end, Levy had his head turned by his managerial hero, Mourinho, and we all know how well that went.
I do agree though that him coming back prob isn't wise. I love him but my head says it won't work. He did have his chance, as you say, even if it did end very prematurely.
As for Ange, yes we got our long awaited trophy which was incredible, and deserved, but I don't think it was overly difficult and not sure it's a measure of how good he and the team really are. Time will tell I guess.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't just the league season. Although six months without an away win was shocking. Even Ange managed away wins. It was that he had been at the club for five years and delivered nothing. That is why he was sacked.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We’ve been here before Sandy. As you well know, more than half of those 6 months was between seasons! When you look at the actual facts, it’s not as dramatic as you think. Unlike loosing 22 league games in a season, as an example.
As ecstatic as I am about the Europa win, it was a relatively weak competition and we got very lucky with the run of teams we faced. Which is fine by me, we were well overdue some luck and we capitalised on it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure Spurs got lucky at all. Roma, Frankfurt. Galatasaray and Rangers away were not easy ties. Even playing serial winners Man United in the final could not be classified as easy. Think to much is being made that Spurs only played pub teams, they didn't. Most teams Spurs played had won trophies domestic and European over the previous few years.
posted 1 day, 1 hour ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 12 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 5 minutes ago
Good article as usual Dev ….i don’t agree with everything you always say but you always put your piece well
I do have to disagree with poch not being hounded out …..he most certainly was and levy bowed to fan pressure in sacking him
Most (me included) on here were baying for him to be sacked …..the form was atrocious and he was burned out and needed to go for his and the clubs sake …..the rebuild he wanted didn’t happen and it took its toll on him
Poch’s sacking at the time was the correct decision
A refreshed poch I’d welcome back but only if Ange can’t turn the league form round early next season
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poch wasn`t hounded out by the fans. I called for his head admittedly towards the end. But it was inevitable he would be sacked after presiding over an awful season, after being at the club for five years without delivering. He certainly was not being hounded anywhere not what Ange has been by the fanbase. And Ange has delivered in two seasons what Pochettino could not do in five.
Personally I thought Pochettino`s time was up. I don`t think Ange`s time is up. He still has plenty to offer in my opinion.
I also would not want Pochettino anywhere near Spurs now. He had his stint. It didn`t work out first time, and it wouldn`t 2nd time around, judging on what he has achieved, or not achieved in the six years since he left. Stints at PSG and Chelsea were hardly worldies and he is now not doing a great job with the USA national team. So not sure why anyone would want him back. It would be a backward step.
All about opinions though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a lot of extenuating circumstances in his last (part season) which you can't ignore. Extenuating circumstances you seem to extend to Ange I might add.
Not sure its accurate to say he presided over an awful season. He never got the chance to finish it and I'm convinced he would have turned it around. We were only 12th (I think) and it was quite tight if I recall correctly.
It's funny how league position mattered to you then but now its not important for some reason.
Poch had enough in the bank to stay on in my opinion. We were playing good football and he got us close to competing for league titles as well as navigating us to a Champs League final, playing proper teams to get there. The team fluffed the final as much as he did.
In the end, Levy had his head turned by his managerial hero, Mourinho, and we all know how well that went.
I do agree though that him coming back prob isn't wise. I love him but my head says it won't work. He did have his chance, as you say, even if it did end very prematurely.
As for Ange, yes we got our long awaited trophy which was incredible, and deserved, but I don't think it was overly difficult and not sure it's a measure of how good he and the team really are. Time will tell I guess.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't just the league season. Although six months without an away win was shocking. Even Ange managed away wins. It was that he had been at the club for five years and delivered nothing. That is why he was sacked.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We’ve been here before Sandy. As you well know, more than half of those 6 months was between seasons! When you look at the actual facts, it’s not as dramatic as you think. Unlike loosing 22 league games in a season, as an example.
As ecstatic as I am about the Europa win, it was a relatively weak competition and we got very lucky with the run of teams we faced. Which is fine by me, we were well overdue some luck and we capitalised on it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TBF, Poch went from 20 Jan to 3 November, spanning 12 away games, without a win and picking up just 2 points - 10 losses. That is two-thirds of an away season and an utterly diabolical record.
Poch's last 24 games (12 each side of the 2019 and 2020 seasons), we won just 6 games, losing 11. extrapolated over a season that's just 39 points.
You would have to say that while Poch's team was probably suffering from a bit of burn out/fatigue, the problems Ange has faced with fitness of players in particular were far more acute. Not only that, Poch's team was the culmination of 3 or 4 seasons work, not 1 and a half.
posted 1 day ago
The point is there were extenuating circumstances for both manages but Poch's don't count for some reason. It's an odd stance. I'll never understand Sandy's hate for him. Of all our managers to hate on, that the one he goes for?!
And Sandy suddenly thinking Bodo Glint are prime Barca! I've got no issue with our Europa run, we can only play who's in front of us. We're going to face far tougher teams next year though.
posted 23 hours, 33 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 34 minutes ago
The point is there were extenuating circumstances for both manages but Poch's don't count for some reason. It's an odd stance. I'll never understand Sandy's hate for him. Of all our managers to hate on, that the one he goes for?!
And Sandy suddenly thinking Bodo Glint are prime Barca! I've got no issue with our Europa run, we can only play who's in front of us. We're going to face far tougher teams next year though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poch's circumstances were that the squad needed refreshing but I still do not think the squad was so poor as to see the level of decline we saw spanning 2 seasons. It was poor at the end of 18/19 and that overran into 19/20 and included some shocking results like losing to Colchester, being hammered at home by Bayern.
If Poch was shorn of 4 or 5 key players for 2-3 months, if Vertongen, Aldi, Rose & Lloris were out for months how much worse would our form have got?
posted 16 hours, 18 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 8 hours ago
The point is there were extenuating circumstances for both manages but Poch's don't count for some reason. It's an odd stance. I'll never understand Sandy's hate for him. Of all our managers to hate on, that the one he goes for?!
And Sandy suddenly thinking Bodo Glint are prime Barca! I've got no issue with our Europa run, we can only play who's in front of us. We're going to face far tougher teams next year though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have never hated Pochettino. Just thought his time was up, and we should all move on. I have always maintained he was a pretty average manager that just happened to be around with the most talented bunch of players in a generation. He has more or less proved me right, with him doing next to nothing in the six years since he left.
I have long moved on. It seems though some cannot move on.
posted 16 hours, 15 minutes ago
comment by Hawkeye78 (U22468)
posted 8 hours, 4 minutes ago
The point is there were extenuating circumstances for both manages but Poch's don't count for some reason. It's an odd stance. I'll never understand Sandy's hate for him. Of all our managers to hate on, that the one he goes for?!
And Sandy suddenly thinking Bodo Glint are prime Barca! I've got no issue with our Europa run, we can only play who's in front of us. We're going to face far tougher teams next year though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Five of the better teams in the CL are sides Spurs face every season in the Prem. So I don't really know why it would be a problem.
posted 11 hours, 52 minutes ago
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 16 hours, 28 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 10 hours, 15 minutes ago
Levy, time to deliver. No more excuses. I will be judging him more than ever on this window. It has always been our failing that we do not build for the now. I dont expect a +£250m splurge but a summer of kids with potential will be unacceptable and just more of the "jam tomorrow" failed promise.
**************************
This is the bit I like........
I guess "Kids" means more like Gray and Bervall. Yes, that's the way the squad is going. I think we need to keep our current back four, first and foremost.
They are the foundation.
Then bring in the new kids.
I do not know where Son fits....he seems to be getting past it now.
Then we have Kulushevski...out for some months injured.
And then there's Maddison...what happens to him?
So...all in all, Levy has one hell of a lot to do...
replace Postecoglu....hire kids, shuffle the squad...keep Romero....
Good luck with all of that!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you paid the £20 charity bet yet Ted?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
what bet was that?