Article by John CoppinThe madness that is the Christmas period is over and Tim Sherwood finally has a few days to look over his squad and see what he has available for the Crystal Palace game. It is a must win game for Spurs but then again there are no easy 3 points in the EPL so I am stating the obvious. Given our flattering home record I am sure that Tony Pulis is planning another smash and grab. If you look at the Palace results since his arrival even City who ran riot over us and Arsenal only put one goal in against them. It is fair to say they will fight right up until the final whistle so we will have our work cut out to gain maximum points.
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A lot has been made of our loss to Arsenal in the FA cup this past weekend but I honestly think that is the reality check that we needed. This team has had a great Christmas period points wise and that has really opened us up again regarding our ambition. We started the season as a team fancied for automatic qualification for the Champions league and in some quarter’s dark horses to mount a decent title challenge. Unfortunately we have had a terrible run resulting in a new manager without a coaching badge and a desperate need for a lift in morale and hopes. Tim Sherwood to be fair to him has brought back some belief. We have started to score goals again and even though sometimes we are wide open there are not many Spurs fans that would not have ripped your arm off if they would have been offered that points tally before the Christmas madness began.
Spurs sit 2 points off the elusive Champions league spot but there is a lot of football to be played. TS has a lot of time to work with his squad now and transfer his ideas regarding the formation he prefers. There is a lot of talent and ability in this squad and when we get the major players fit we are a match for anyone. What cannot surface again is the soft centre that showed its head against City and Liverpool. There is no other way to put it than to say we must fight and not give in. I think we threw the towel in those games and that is not acceptable for the ability within this squad, Palace did not concede 6 and even though it can be said City had made changes it is hard to imagine this team the way Pulis has set them up folding and waving the white flag. That is totally scary because if we are honest who in that Palace squad could even find a place on our bench. What message is that sending to us?
There is a long hard road until the end of the season and to be fair we have to be realistic regarding our aims for what is left of our season. We could win the Europa league but the aim for a club our size that has spent that amount is the Champions league. The upheaval is over and there has been a lot of damage done, however, points wise we are extremely healthy and to be within sight of 4th place with the season we have had is remarkable. That spot will take some getting so we cannot relax but it is not impossible. There has been some investment in big name players who so far have not delivered or bedded in. There is no way to tell when that will happen or if indeed that will happen this season. If Spurs gel, there is every chance we can go on a run and give the fans something to cheer. We really must get behind Sherwood and stay strong because we are a work in progress and some results will go against us. There is no reason to believe that this season will suddenly become one without unpredictability. I think that TS has to play Sandro or Capoue and any other 2 or 3. It is that simple, we need a barrier in front of that defence if we are to play this fast pressing game. I am still amazed that Capoue did not feature against Arsenal. Ade had nothing left after so many games in such a short time and it told on him. He is desperately short of match fitness after no pre season so again we must be careful with expectations. There has been a lot made of the 4 4 2 system or the 4 3 3, but these guys are very talented and they must be flexible and adjust to different systems. To move to a totally different system and thought process is not always an easy transition and to me it is remarkable that we got so many points considering the little time TS would have had with this squad.
There is now a lot more time to transfer ideas and tactics. A lot of time to get major and important players back on the park, however every team in the EPL can say the same thing. There will be challenges but support for the rest of the season is needed. Give TS time to bed in and judge him over 10 or 15 games and see the points tally and more important, how he adjusts to crisis and dangerous situations. Will he be stubborn or flexible? He seems a very confident person, but management in the EPL is fraught with danger and time is something no longer available to even the big names. He has been thrown in at the deep end and it has been a sink or swim situation. He really has to show and prove. This will all be easier if we get behind TS and the team and let them gel and perform anywhere near their true potential.
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Capoue was not 100% fit hence he did not start.
ReplyDeleteFor once, a spurs fan who comments without first ripping off the Chairman, Manager, Team, staff and anybody else who genuinely support Tottenham. Well done John, I look forward to further articles in this mode. I am sure the squad will perform between now and end of season well enough to put a big smile on all of our faces, even the most cynical spurs supporter.
ReplyDeleteSherwood has the luxury of being a completley unknown quantity to even himself. There is no pressure on him to succeed except from himself. Everyone is expecting him to fail, because he doesnt even have his Pro licence. That in itself guarantees success incidentally. AVB proved that, as did many managers over the years. Unlucky Tim, you are going to try hard, but if only you had that pesky licence we could have won the league!
ReplyDeleteI actually think, he may well turn out to be one of the best managers we have had. He is singled minded and ambitious enough to convince the board and the players to listen to him, he has played the game at the top level relatively recently and is the only manager we have had who has won the premier league! He may just have some good ideas hidden behind his lack of formal licences and if he turns out to be as good as Di Matteo we will finish 5th and win the Europa at least.
Jedinak, Ward and Speroni would all probably improve your team
ReplyDeleteI think football fans are mugs.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2536418/Rich-listDont-worry-Moyes-United-STILL-league-Rooney-Premier-Leagues-richest-star.html