Article by Mark FrenchThe $60,000 dollar question (or is that 26m to 86m?): -
Are we better off this Season than last Season? I’ll try and make some salient points on this and perhaps you can add some I’ve missed and decide on the pros and cons.
Last Year
- We were a team and played as a team
- We were light on quality replacements/substitutions
- We relied too heavily on one player BUT he delivered results
- We only had one asset of real value
- We had pace to scare any defence and attacked incisively
- Winning against top 8/10 teams was still in doubt
- We lost/drew against teams we should beat
- We had limited attacking options and didn’t score enough goals
- We had 17 points at this stage last season
- We were already 10 points behind the leaders
This Year
- We’re a squad not playing yet as a team
- Now have strength in depth across most positions
- We have players who can deliver BUT aren’t (not yet anyway)
- We have a squad full of current and future assets
- We have pace but don’t use it properly
- Winning against top 8/10 teams is definitely achievable
- We lost against Wet Spam but have beaten Palace, Cardiff, Hull & Villa (the rest is too early to tell!)
- We have more attacking options but are still not scoring many goals!
- We have 20 points this season, 3 better than last year
- We are only 5 points behind the leaders
Now, keep in mind that EVERY team goes through a poor patch of form/results in the season, United have had theirs and seem to be coming out of it; City and Chelsea seem to be having theirs now; Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Swansea and Southampton have yet to have theirs. Have we had ours already?
Here’s my last point. There are 27 games left. 81 points up for grabs BUT to beat last season’s 72 points and have a chance to finish in the top 4 we have to get another 53+. That’s a 2 points per game average or winning 2 out of 3 matches.
Have we the team to do it? Yes. Do we have the tactics to succeed? Maybe. To finish top 4 and get a Champions League place? My heart says yes, but as much as I hate to admit it, my head says no.
Tell me I’m wrong. PLEASE!
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where is the patience? We buy 7 new players and have 2 come back from injury and 1 from loan and you expect them to gell straight away - it usually takes a little longer for one player we have practically a new team!!!
ReplyDeletePoints 1 and 3 of last year are pretty contradictory to say the least.
ReplyDeleteSpurs will not finish in the top six under this manager.his shortcomings were masked by the unbelievable play of bale last year. I do not see a settled team after 11 games -i dont think he even knows his best 11 . I dont understand his constant change as no on the field relationships are developing .the situation should be the first 11 with players ready to step in because of injury ,lack of form or different tactics in europe.and everybody understanding the set plays and pattern of play.none of our players have done their world cup chances any good by PL form including Townsend who is undoubtedly fast but is not providing service .The next two fixtures will see us slip down the league and reality sets in.
ReplyDeleteI really do like a optimist . Always look on brigh sid of llife ... COYS
ReplyDeleteBrian, I wasn't trying to express my opinion but attempting to get other peoples thoughts. Like you I think it will take time to bed so many new players in and to find the best players and formations for each game. Perhaps I wish we didn't appear to be a team in transition still BUT I'd rather this situation where we are at least looking to stay with 'the big boys' (& I mean those with vast amounts of money at their disposal every season).
ReplyDeleteMark F
Anonymous: Points 1 & 3 are not contradictory. We played as a team but only had one player who really delivered the goals. A bit like UTD with Van Persie last season.
ReplyDeleteMark F