Article by e-Spurs correspondent Graeme ClarkeSign our 'vote of no confidence' petition against Levy/Enic here
A few short weeks ago when we lost 4-0 to Chelski, Tim Sherwood all too publicly criticised his players for showing a lack of character. I, on the other hand, chose to defend them.
On that occasion we went down to ten men – to a penalty and red card decision later overruled by the FA – and two nil down to the then Premier League leaders and favourites. We held out with players like Vertonghen, Sandro and Walker being forced to play, on Sherwood´s instructions, in unaccustomed positions but we conceded two very late unfortunate goals.
I thought we did reasonably well, under the circumstances.
Today we lost to the new Premier League leaders by that same margin but the manner of that defeat leads me to wonder what Sherwood would have said in private – it cannot have been pretty. What he thought from his position high in the stands where he could not influence matters on the pitch is anyone´s guess.
Today we were pathetic, apathetic and showed a total lack of control, of the ball as well as of composure.
We have seen numerous poor results this season, quite a few poor performances (even if we won) but today has quite simply got to be the worst. Not just of this season but of any season I can remember.
The only crumb of comfort is that we only conceded four goals, we were so bad it could and should have been far more. Liverpool were so much better than us in every department that they really should have scored 6, 7 or even more.
When Liverpool beat us at the Lane in December, they simply tore us apart. All their goals came from fantastic attacking play, but today it was so different.
Individual errors have cost us dearly far too frequently this season and today was no different.
Eriksen cannot defend – we all know that – so why does Sherwood insist on playing him wide left where he has responsibility for assisting the full back. Yet again he was caught napping as Johnson came on the overlap, out-muscled him and with Vertonghen missing the opportunity to clear, Kaboul could only prod the ball into the net and the match was not even two minutes old.
Within seconds of coming on to replace Vertonghen – who looked seriously disinterested from the start – Dawson played a poor ball down the line to Naughton who, again out muscled, could only steer the ball forward where it was cleared by the Liverpool defence. Instead of hoofing the ball forward and out of danger Dawson chose, without looking, to play it infield where Kaboul miscontrolled and allowed Suarez – Suarez of all people – the chance to run at goal and we all know what that normally means.
That we were not punished more heavily as we allowed Liverpool time and space is the only positive to come from this appalling display.
We have now conceded 44 goals this season, that is more than teams such as West Ham, Hull and even Crystal Palace, but of those 20 have come in just four games, the four games home and away against Citeh and Liverpool.
Add the 4 goals at Chelski means 24 from 5 or put another way we have conceded just 20 goals from the other 27 games – including home and away to Le Arse and Manure.
It is our abject failure to compete against the very best teams in the League that have lead us to the position we now find ourselves in – sixth - and with very little hope of ending any higher even though we only have teams way below us to play against.
It is abject failure at every level. No-one can be excused. And by that I mean from Levy, Baldini and Sherwood downwards.
But my thoughts on that will have to wait for another day.
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What do you expect when you see Danny Rose and Kyle Naughton in the line up.
ReplyDeleteits so disgusting I can't watch anymore. AVB started this. Now Sherwood compounds the problem. FFS I have never seen anything like a Manager sitting in the oppositions directors box during the entire game. The place needs an enema (sic). Start with Levy, get rid of Sherwood, Naughton, Rose, Dawson, Vertongen (because he doesn't want to be there), Paulinho, Livermore, Gomes, Lennon (I know he tries hard but no end product). This horrible, if it were another club I would be saying, those poor supporters have to endure total incompetence. Sherwood don't blame anyone anymore but yourself.
ReplyDeleteDim Sherwood is not up to the job. He might not know it but 40, 000 fans do. How do we end up playing a 19 year old rookie and a bit-part attacking midfielder as our two DMs when we have Sandro and Dembele on the bench? We play eriksen .....a natural number 10.....in front of a full back who cant defend? And Chadli....who can at least tackle.....in the No.10 role? Liverpool could have scored 7. I was there in 78 when they did and we had a midfield of hoddle ardiles and villa ....we couldnt defend then and we dont defend now. But at least we knew how to attack. This disjointed dispirited dysfunctional team has gone backwards even since AVB left and I hope those who led the calls for his dismissal are happy.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to see the fallout of a poorly managed team starting with the chairman MANY PLAYERS WERE BOUGHT AND NEVER PROPERLY GELLED TOGETHER. Sherwood is not a manager for this level of the game his interview tells you he has run out of ideas and is no longer interested. What is baldini doing he advised to buy players who are flops- soldado Lamela , Copue plus we have some homegrown flops -Naughton who is useless.The best we can hope for is to get the best -from the next 6 games and finish sufficiently high to get some form of self-respect. AVB was responsible for these failings and Sherwood does not know how to address it.For all his faults Rednapp was a good and innovative manager.. We have a talented players but no one knows how to make work together.Hopefully the rest of the season will be less painful. We need a manager who s how to make players play and how to win games with control and confidence and fight the game until the last whistle . Players must be prepared to to be creative and play a game for at least `100 minutes never giving up and always challenging . Spurs have lost spirit and he team needs leadership on and off the field -hopefully in the summer we will get someone who has the qualities to do just that.
ReplyDeleteThank Mr. Levy and ENIC. Remind me what was wrong with Harry Redknapp? Think we've improved since he left? Sacking the manager that got us out of from the bottom of the table and into 4th place twice, and having Baldini blow all the Bale money on piss-poor signings.....I could go on but it hurts. Our club are a joke at the moment thanks to them.
ReplyDeleteI thin ENIC and Levy have done a great job. I remember how it was before. But I did think that sacking AVB in mid-season was a rare mistake, albeit he was asking for it. And loaning out top players for a whole season to QPR, Hull, etc., is never a good idea.
ReplyDeleteNow we are where we are. Tim has lost the plot and has to go as soon as possible. But please let's keep ENIC and Levy.
seriously - the disease has spread so much - only a life saving op will redeem Spurs - how many many years have Spurs fans suffered? No matter who, someone with passion has to take over the Club and save it. ENIC and Levy try shrewd ways all for profits - it has failed. They must go along with the entire staff and dispassionate players who cannot kiss their badge. That includes the trainers - who have never taught the team how to position, rotate, cover spots, defend corners, take corners, speed the game up (not stroll like on a beach), take free kicks, shoot at the goal accurately, nick in lose balls or crosses, attempt attempt and attempt (out of 10 shots 2 are bound to find the net?) - the goal difference speaks and sadly our game and position are cheating us - were we in Championship most likely we would be struggling to survive we these same players ( there a few good young players who need grooming - Why Sterling can do well and our youngsters cant? - attitude and passion) - Wake up - I suggest for the next home game - PLEASE all spurs supporters who love the club - DO NOT TURN UP for the game. Enough is enough. We will live in hope
ReplyDeleteSpurs have really become a joke. Most of the players should be sold and new ones brought in. No more cohesion and spirit in that team
ReplyDeleteThe management fee that Levy and ENIC take monthly is the same if Spurs win or lose and Lewis does not spend his own money so what incentive is there for any improvement.There will be no new stadium until a sponsor is found and if the quality of football continues as now there will be no need.If Levy luvvies wish for Spurs to be mid table under=achievers so be it,they have their man,but I disgusted with the quality of football being played and that is a reflection of the Club's management ambition.
ReplyDeleteSpurs players hit an all time low yesterday for playing a game of no commitment, thought and certainly lacking in skill plus the manager seems devoid of what to do to correct it.
ReplyDeleteThis continual rotation of players is just madness,pick your strongest side and only change through injuries and play players in their right positions.Example don't play Bentaleb and Sigurdsson as defensive midfielders when you have the likes of Sandro,Paulino and Dembele.Eriksen should be allowed to play right across the midfield and so be allowed to influence the way Spurs play he is wasted tracking back to cover a very poor left back.Vertonghen could be moved into this position as he certainly does not seem to enjoy playing centre back at the moment and how about Fryers at centre back he cant be any worse than was on show yesterday.I would love to know who decided to buy 7 players in summer and attempt to settle all 7 in the team in a new country all at the same time,a sure sign of a complete disaster,sad but true.