It is while trawling through the numerous articles citing reasons for where Spurs went wrong last season that a few nagging reminders are brought to the fore. Whilst some of the comments expressed are wildly exaggerated or, at best, tinged with unreflective bias, there is often a common and lucid thread amongst them. It is common and widely accepted that there are areas which Spurs must address and blame has rightly been apportioned in the direction of Daniel Levy whose transfer policy often borders on the downright shocking to the point that it effectively derails Tottenham's ambitions and scuppers their targets.
There is no point following the current trend of identifying which positions need to be strengthened and speculating on those players who may or may not be available. Even now, some contributors to articles are behind the times and are still championing the talents of Mouthino. Undoubtedly he has merits, but it is a ship long sailed, even before the decisive move by Monaco.
Instead, with the summer open to enable preparation, lets look at some of the more positives to be gleaned from last season and look ahead to next season with anticipation. Without doubt, the most positive performance I witnessed last season was the home victory over Milan. what impressed me was the speed in attack, the high line but, significantly, the urgency displayed in midfield throughout the game. Spurs were hungry, ferocious and terrifyingly quick to the ball. There was a desire to take possession followed by quick and incisive passing leading to numerous goal attempts. The speed and urgency with which Tottenham passed and moved the ball simply mesmerised Milan into submission.
The only disappointment came when Spurs took their foot off the gas - they have never been a team able to sit on and retain a lead by slowing things down and playing for time as evidenced by many of the late minute goals they conceded early in the season. So, I implore Spurs for next season - play to your strengths and play with confidence. This doesn't meant gung - ho but it also doesn't mean become beguiled by caution (look what happened to the hapless Kyle Walker against Liverpool when he decided to fore go his natural instincts to move the ball forward!).
Indeed, Spurs will need replacements but they also have the players within the squad to play to these strengths. Carroll may be slight but he is blessed with quick feet and he is agile, nimble and looks to be incisive going forwards. Likewise, release Dembele from his shackles because he has the ability to ghost past players and create space and openings.
On their day Spurs can beat anyone. It is now up to them to ensure that day becomes the norm as opposed to the exception. A few inspired signings coupled with the attitude and skill evidenced against Milan at WHL and Spurs could be truly awesome!
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Great article! id love to see us go out and spend big this summer and really send out a message of intent. agree about Tom Carroll I think the boy will be great. COYS
ReplyDeletei look at 5 matches, defeats at home to Wigan and Fulham, drawing at Wigan and defeats at Liverpool and Everton. And with all those we ended up with our highest ever points score in the Premiership! Oh woe is me!
ReplyDeleteThe only problem may be when is Sandro back?If not till October can we risk a month of Parker and Huddlestone playing.Carroll is a great player with fast feet and is everything Tom is not but without Sandro they will all find it tough.I say get rid of the guys who are too old or too slow and bring in quality and lets start the season on the front foot and win games like Stoke Fulham Palace Cardiff and Hull .We can only do this if we get the right guys in so the team as a whole is strong throughout. We don't need lots of strikers so lets bin the slow unfit and greedy ones and bring in guys who play for the team ,know where the net is and are not tired or more worried about what colour of hair they will have this time.We as you have stated don't need much added to get us there maybe four players but lets make them quality and lets kick on next season and aim for at least second because if it had not been for poor play and lack of the player we needed we would have got it this season.
ReplyDeleteLets do Palace a big big favour and flog sorry sell them Livermore , Defoe , and Adebayor for 20ml.All three players get to stay in the area mostly we could then buy a quality striker. Sell Huddlestone Parker and Naughton to Fulham for 12ml and buy a quality holding player to ease the work of Sandro and lets have Mr Lewis look down the back of the sofia to find the money for another striker and maybe a deep playing playmaker.Do this and we will win them games.
ReplyDeleteLike all Tottenham fans,I like to try and be as postive in my thinking about the clubs transfer policies,as it would appear the other correspondents on this site.Then again,when it comes to Mr.Levy.One gets the jitters,While overall,he has handled ,Tottenham finances prudently,his overall performance in the transfer market,and very be slow in the our pursuing of the top quality players(Strikers),It has come back too haunt us.So it would pay for us not to get to excited,and be defalted yet once again.Hopefully AVB has put some home truths forward.
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