Spurs fan Marc Ashed gives us his latest views on the lillywhites and the future of the club from the U.S
Christian Eriksen, Bruno Martins Indi, Jordie Clasie, Adam Maher, James Rodriguez...that's not the lineup for some under-21 Ultimate XI. Those are players linked with Spurs in recent weeks. The fact that Spurs, a team that doesn't break the bank or spend lavishly to compete with Man City, Chelsea or Man Utd's of the world and still being linked with top talents--who already have earned their stripes in a top 6 European league and feature regularly for their national team--says something.
Christian Eriksen, Bruno Martins Indi, Jordie Clasie, Adam Maher, James Rodriguez...that's not the lineup for some under-21 Ultimate XI. Those are players linked with Spurs in recent weeks. The fact that Spurs, a team that doesn't break the bank or spend lavishly to compete with Man City, Chelsea or Man Utd's of the world and still being linked with top talents--who already have earned their stripes in a top 6 European league and feature regularly for their national team--says something.
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| Bruno Martins Indi |
Hugo Lloris, a top 5 goalie (in the world, not just EPL) joins Spurs despite not guaranteed Champions League football. Jan Vertonghen chooses us over Arsenal & rumored Barcelona. Gylfi Sigurdsson chooses Spurs over his familiar digs at Swansea or coach at Liverpool.
It is important during these last 9 games to remember that we are exactly what I mentioned before, a project. Qualifying for the Champions League is the biggest boost to this project, an injection of much needed money. It would be nice to win the Europa League, winning trophies is the goal and would provide a boost around the club but it won't get these young players in.
When I watched the Liverpool game, it was apparently that we did not deserve to lose. The first 25 minutes was an endless onslaught by Liverpool but that was expected, a team at home against a top 3 club and a win needed to keep their own top 4 hopes alive. Until the mishap in the 66th that led to the 2nd goal, we were in full control despite missing Aaron Lennon. Livermore should not have a spot in this team and Mousa perfomed admirably on the wing but he needs to be in the center of the pitch. A striker up top is needed as Defoe looked a little rusty & Adebayor has forgotten where the net is. With a player like Christian Eriksen in the squad, these games are no longer question marks.
Whether you know it or not, we have a lot of internal options as well. Shaq Coulthirst who was on the bench is a year away from getting run in the team, Soulimane Coulibaly is one of the best young strikers in Europe and should be getting opportunities in the next year or two as well. On the wings, Alex Pritchard & Bale clone (literally, look at pictures) Kenny McAvoy are coming through the pipeline with Pritchard being by far the brightest spot in our youth system.
The future is bright, this Sunday's result was not but let's remember what we are playing for, a spot among Europe's elite. 9 games, we could drop points in perhaps 3 of them and still be in solid shape.
We are a project that people want to join and be a part of. The times they are a changin' at WHL and we are on the brink of seeing a long run of quality football & winning with a Champions League qualification this year.
To be fair, it's not even like we were suffering that 25-min onslaught, either. After the first 5 mins we calmed play down nicely, and up until their opening goal, we had about 70% possession. That goal came against the run of play, so we can feel even better about that game.
ReplyDeleteCOYS
Livermore did nothing wrong. He was in the side to do a job - shut down the supply to Liverpool's reasonably creative and attack minded front-line. The midfield, together did that.
ReplyDeleteJake Livermore is a young lad who may well improve. He is a squad player, and a versatile one, who doeesn't complain constantly about not playing. Not all squad players can be better than Barca's first teamers.
Just wish my fellow Spurs fans would get of his case a bit.
I am not saying that our squad players need to be Barca first teamers. I think we should have gone with Holtby on the wing and let Mousa do what he does best and control the middle of the park. Livermore is a one dimensional player who isn't that great in his one dimension. He didn't do anything wrong vs. Liverpool but for the direction that we are heading, a player like him just doesnt fit. What Champions League team would he play for? His 5 to 10 minute cameos here & there are okay but he isn't the caliber of player that belongs on a Champions League squad and I singled him out because he was the only player that we fielded that you could say that about.
DeleteAt the end of the day though, hes a Spur so I am going to support him and he put in a decent days work, but if we need to run him & Parker out there again, my confidence definitely goes down.
That being said, Come on You Spurs!
Totally agrene
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