What have you got to lose?

Article by e-Spurs Correspondent David Levy

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“Waiting for perfection is merely a way of turning your back on reality, placing a higher value on what’s inside your head than what is evident around you”

Michael Marshall Smith

Most fans (and some players) have resigned themselves to our season being over. Even in this year of unpredictable results throughout the entire league, finishing even within touching distance of the coveted 4th spot is looking to be a big ask.

The draw against Benfica (loss of the tie) was another example of the fine margins that, when absolutely critical, have gone against us.

While we didn’t dominate with a flourish from start to finish we certainly didn’t collapse in the style some were predicting. Considering our makeshift team’s spine, our performance showed some guts, determination and that our squad may still yet provide some hidden gems and a few surprises in this final push to the end of the season.

Southampton came to town next and we started the game with our typical post Europa hangover. We played an incredibly high defensive line in the first half but our pressing further up the pitch was not intense enough. The high line was just an accident waiting to happen in the way that a single mistake would give Southampton a clear run at goal. They got one, scored, continued to press and scored again. (Article continues below).

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Kyle Naughton who had been playing better in recent games out on the right in his preferred position should have done better defensively for both of their goals but mild redemption came in the form of an assisted cross. 2-1, Eriksen slotting the ball home on 31 minutes to relax us somewhat and allow for us to go in at half time with the game tipping slightly in our favour.

In the second half we adjusted the height of our defensive line, playing it slightly deeper with Vertonghen dropping a little further than Kaboul to help cover those runs in behind us. This limited Southampton to very few chances and after our second goal right at the start of the second half we always looked the more likely of the teams to go on and win.

Which we did, near the death, thanks to a glorious half volley from Gylf.

And so the season continues.

7 points adrift of 4th with only 7 games left. Mathematics is still on our side but only really mathematics, and only just. The fractions have asked for their coats and the division signs are puking in bath, teetering on the edge of consciousness.

Because of this, many fans are already looking towards next season, disgusted by Tim and his antics and his football and seemingly his face. As disappointed as I have been the lack of consistency and the sometimes disjointed, un-spirited performances I am still behind the current team and Manager.

There is nothing else to get behind.

And I am going to continue to support them until they are no longer connected with our club and then I will support all the new people that way I have done the current ones.

There is not one thing I think Tim Sherwood has done for this club that has not been with the aim to make us succeed. You may think he sounds too common, or wears stupid clothes and shouts too much but so what? If you have a problem with the football or the time it is taking to look coherent then cool, come over, let’s have a cup of tea and a chat about football and let’s try and use circumstance to point out why we have failed. And if there is none let’s constructively criticise our manager who is learning and making some mistakes and lets praise him for the things he gets right.

Because he doesn’t always get things wrong the same way managers with all the experience in the world don’t get everything right.

Let’s consider the most premiership experienced manager in the league at the moment, Mr Wenger.

Since Tim took over for us Arsenal has played 15 premier league games.

W8 D4 L3

Vs Top 4 sides

Chelsea (h) 0-0, Liverpool (a) 5-0, Chelsea (a) 6-0,

Other losses and draws

Stoke (a) 1-0, Man U (h) 0-0, Southampton (a) 2-2

We have played 15

W9 D2 L4

We have lost to Norwich (the only loss we should have expected to win), to 3 of the 4 teams above us and had a couple of draws with teams we should be beating.

Why am I going over this?

Because people think Tim has an easy job, that managing the one of the Top 6 sides in the country is easy and because he hasn’t ‘fixed’ us in 4 months we should just aim vitriol at him and act like crying Arsenal fans. The truth is we are no worse off for having him at the helm.

The guy has admitted he was wrong for some of his recent actions, sought advice and changed his ways in a positive manner.

Absolutely none of us know who is going to be our manager next season. We can play the guessing game and wish away the season away or we can do what we are meant to do as fans and get behind our side for the remainder of the games.

There isn’t only glory in winning and I personally want to see the team remain focused and hungry for victory every game. If I am not then how can I expect them to be.

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