Glass half full or half empty?

Article by e-Spurs Correspondent Les Gillings

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So, we’re approximately two thirds of the way through the 2013/14 season and what can we deduce from our performance to date? Tottenham are in 6th position in the EPL, still in the Europa Cup but have been eliminated from both domestic Cup competitions. Is the glass half full or half empty? What’s your view as I prepare this report card? We read many articles about Spurs, some partially complimentary, many critical and some simply concerned about a lack of direction. Let’s analyze….

The first thing to remember is that I’m judging Spurs by the very highest standards of world football, given that they have a squad full of internationals, many of whom will be representing their countries in Brazil next July. And the other critical fact is that the club spent close to 100 million pounds in the transfer market during the last European Summer which, to my mind, signalled a serious intention to succeed this season. I will list the poignant facts that have contributed to the club’s fortunes so far:

• Naturally, losing a superstar such as Bale was destabilising, especially as it was a prolonged saga.
• On all that we’ve witnessed, the seven players that were brought into the squad have failed collectively to deliver the kind of performances that management and supporters had envisaged. Only Eriksen and Paulhino, possibly Chiriches in patches, have looked comfortable in the EPL. Soldado clearly has not scored the goals that he did on a regular basis in Spain; and as for Lamela, we are all bamboozled given that he is the most expensive player that Tottenham have ever recruited. His lack of English is a feeble excuse and is unacceptable.
• Equally disappointing has been the lack of exhilarating football played by the team this season, a trademark of many Spurs teams of the past. Almost every victory this campaign has been hard fought, settled by the odd goal and without a sense of authority. On the other hand, some of the defeats have been disastrously heavy, and I can’t ever remember conceding 5 goals at WHL twice in the space of a few weeks. Maybe it has happened, but not to my knowledge. Add to that a drubbing away to Man City, embarrassing losses at home to Newcastle and West Ham (twice) and several unconvincing performances against second rate opponents in the Europa Cup.
• There is no denying that Spurs do not flow and score the way that Man City and Arsenal have all season. Spurs do not have the resolve and nous that Chelsea possesses. And they are simply not as deserving of 4th spot as Liverpool are, the 0-5 defeat only confirms this assertion. Everton have been far more consistent and resilient and it’s simply fortunate that Man Utd are having a rare poor season by their lofty standards.
• It’s strange that seven new players were introduced during the summer, when three or four would have been sufficient, yet none have been drafted in during the most recent transfer window when it was abundantly clear that several positions needed to be strengthened.

Now I will get to the changes that have to be implemented if the team is to regain confidence:

The constant revolving door for the club’s Manager must stop, although I dare say Sherwood will be replaced some time in the summer, so I have little confidence in my request. A manager needs both time and unconditional Board support to control and build his team, without having to look over his shoulder on a daily basis for fear of losing his job.

There is clearly an ”elephant in the room” situation behind the scenes at Tottenham because we seem to lose our best player every year or two - Carrick, Berbatov, Modric

The team needs a natural leader who can captain the squad, control situations that occur on the field and motivate the players when appropriate. My belief is that the club has a player ready to take on that role, Jan Vertonghen, and I would appoint him as club captain, immediately if it meant that he would stay with Spurs.

It is undeniably evident that the combination of Dawson and Chiriches is not good enough against the top teams and even most other teams. If Kaboul ever recaptures his fitness and form, then I think pairing him with Vertonghen is the optimal central coupling at the back.

The flanks have been an issue all season long, with little penetration eventuating down the left and Lennon proving mostly ineffectual (especially in recent weeks) down the right. Townsend’s absence has hurt the team’s forward drives and ability to take on defenders. A new left back is an absolute must to provide balance on that side of the pitch.

Although we have plenty of midfield players, the team does not possess a midfield maestro in the style of Modric, who, when at his best, could dictate the pace and direction of the side. His defection to Real Madrid was a major setback to the squad and the failure to sign Moutinho as his replacement can only be described as a major faux pas.

And then there is the striker situation. Adebayor and Soldado are both very experienced and capable front men but my feeling is that Spurs need another striker, but a player with bulk and bite who can intimidate defenders. My view is that Benteke fits that mould and I would love to see him playing at WHL as he would worry defenders in a very different way to the other two strikers.

Well, I don’t expect to see all these recommendations implemented before next season, but I do live in hope (I am a Spurs supporter, after all !). This weekend will surely tell us if Tottenham have any chance of reaching that elusive Top 4. A win is an absolute must………

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