Article by John CoppinAs we near the end of a hectic Christmas and New Year fixture list it is hard not to look at the Premier league table and feel great sadness. This has been by far the most open league and we can only wonder what could have been if we had built on last season.
Even now with all the disappointing results and upheaval, we are not that far away points wise from achieving what we set out to do. I know we are missing Bale but any team in the world would. The big question though is with all the different formats and changes to the team set up, are we any closer to being a consistent side?
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Tim Sherwood has a huge job on his hands and we will only be really able to judge him once there is time to get a settled squad together and time to work with the players. At the moment there is no time to draw breath because the games come around so fast. Any system that is to be implemented is fraught with danger because there are injuries in crucial areas and the training ground is really where his tactics can be reinforced. At the moment he is using a 4 4 2 system without using Sandro, Townsend and Lennon who are injured. Lennon played when Sherwood took over and it is fair to assume he is vital to the attacking formation that TS is looking to play. I believe that Spurs are set up to be a 4 3 3 team and if we are going to play such a high line, why is Capoue not playing when Sandro is injured? At the moment Spurs are wide open and will continue to concede soft goals.
This could and should have been a season when Spurs made a major step towards establishing themselves. The teams around them have all beaten each other and results each week continue to throw up surprising score lines. Spurs have been in and around the Champions league spot the past three seasons so it was expected after an outlay of 100 million that this squad would hold up to this hectic period and kick on. Our defence was the basis of our early season points tally rather than inspiring play, however, everyone expected the players to gel and goals to come. What happened was the reverse and Spurs have laboured all season and it brings a lump in your throat to see quality players fold like against Liverpool. That was unacceptable. That Liverpool side has a world class striker, of that there is no doubt, but they were missing the England captain Gerrard and a quality England striker in Sturridge. To put it another way with key players missing they were there for the taking if Spurs are to be considered genuine Champions league contenders and future challengers for the title. That was a must win game, that being said , to fold 5 – 0 in front of your fans does not in any way show the resolve needed. I will go as far as to suggest that Liverpool will not beat a side 5-0 away again this season let alone a so called minnow. Teams are fighting hard in the EPL this season and games are hard to win. That soft centre displayed sends shivers down your spine and fills even the most patient person with rage. It is not what is expected of this team.
When this spell of fast and furious games comes to an end TS will have more time to get his ideas across better, have important players back from injury and then we will be in a better position to see if he can take us forward. At the moment with so many games coming thick and fast, and losing players through injury and suspension, it would be harsh to judge him. One thing is clear; we dropped the ball this season. Liverpool and Everton are now a lot closer to us than they have been in previous season. They are improving quickly and seem to have young sharp managers. They are on the rise for sure. Spurs need to get back on track and have a vision of where we want to be in two years. It will be very difficult with the changes to manager, format and with a transfer window about to start to get a settled environment. However, more now than ever we need to build a team that plays the Spurs way and give the full backing of who is chosen to take us forward. There must be no more short term investments. This is still a very strong squad and if strengthened in key areas there is no doubt Spurs can and will be a match for any team.
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Don't be silly. Liverpool were not there for the taking. Spurs were also missing key players, don't forget.
ReplyDeleteYou're living in a dream world mate. We're not going to 'kick on' past 4th or 5th until such point as a billionaire comes in and starts buying £30m players on a whim and/or paying them £200k a week - like the top teams do.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have one of the world's best players, and Everton would not be close if they didn't benefit form somehow getting Lukaku on loan. Neither have the poxy Europa to worry about.
Finishing above any of Man U, City, Arsenal or Liverpool will be a major acheivement