This was a point made by a caller last night as i drove home from the game against West Brom. Although he was given short shrift by the presenters on 606, although I don't think many journalists out there are objective when it comes to Redknapp as he seems to be their darling. I am sure many Spurs fans are thinking the same thing.
We have all heard that we were bottom when he took over, The fact was we were not exactly a bottom three side at the time. In fact we had finished 5th only a year before. We were left in a state due to the departures of Robbie Keaneand Dimitar Berbatov. The new summer signings of that season were not gelling and there was discontent over Juande Ramos' attempts to change the culture through the club.
Furthermore there was confusion over recruitment due to the triumphate of Chairman, Coach and Sports Director all having cross purposes. So we threw out the baby with the bathwater sacked all the staff and brought back a traditional manger in Redknapp with his own coaching staff.
Redknapp then brought back to the club Keane and Defoe as well as adding Palacios.After such an appalling start to the season we only finished a Gomes fumble away from a Europa League place.
Last season we added Kranjcar, Crouch and Kaboul to the squad and managed to finally achieve Champions League qualification. Besides winning the FA cup this was probably Harry Redknapp's finest achievement in management.
This season has been a landmark for Tottenham. On our first occasion we managed to reached the quarter finals. Although our loss in the Bernabeau was disappointing, it was an occasion we would not have dreamed of in the days of Christian Gross. This past week Gareth Bale was awarded the Players Player of the year, remarkable achievement as only 18 months ago he could not get into the side.
However, our league form this season has been patchy. I cannot remember ever feeling comfortable in any game. We have only won by more than a goal on a handful of occasions and have not had an easy win all season.
We have amassed a total of 13 draws this season and yet have only lost on six occasions which is less than Chelsea, the same as Manchester City and only one more than Arsenal. I look back at our solitary defeat at Home to Wigan and our draws to Sunderland, West Brom, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham.
Ultimately these games may have decided our fate for this season. Our inability to see off games where we should be winning is our downfall this season as much as any other season. All Tottenham fans knew where our weakness was at the beginning of the season. We failed to sign a striker of quality in the summer and again failed in January. Redknapp can sight wages but I don't buy that at all. We apparently had £30 million in January to splash out and if you add another £15 million in wages over five years that adds up to £45 million available.
I am sure that with a bit of creativity we could have managed to sign the quality striker that we need to finish teams off.
However if Redknapp has to work with the players now at his disposal, the question is does he use them effectively. Most teams we play will play with eight men behind the ball and rarely over commit. We play a slow tempo and play usually breaks down on the edge of the box. When the opposition pushes up we don't use Defoe's pace to get in behind opposition defences and we don't have a player strong enough to win the ball in the air consistently from long kicks or set pieces.
We need to play a side and formation to create as many chances as possible and to get Defoe on the ball. So many times yesterday Defoe was in a good position it would have only taken a decent chip over the top to play him in, otherwise he will be restricted to shots from the edge of the box.
At times this season we have played some attractive attacking football if not naive at times. Redknapp has been slow to make changes when needed and spends much time with his hands in his pockets whereas his assistants seem to be more vocal.
Overall though it would be hard to doubt his qualities in that his man management amongst his favoured players is second to none. He has got the best out of Bale, Modric, Lennon and Huddlestone. On the other hand he failed to use Bentley, Keane, Taarabt and Dos Santos effectively which has lead to their departures.
It is questionable if another manager could have done better this season and if another manager will be able to deliver the league title to Tottenham in years to come, hindsight is a wonderful thing but had we made the right decisions both on and off the field this season perhaps it would be Spurs and not Chesea and Arsenal chasing Manchester United this season.
Sunday 24 April 2011
Saturday 16 April 2011
Wholesale changes for Spurs not just neccesary but mandatory.
There is the usual amount of speculation regrading transfer activity involving Tottenham for the next transfer window, some changes considered necessary, however taking a look at our squad some changes will be mandatory. After looking over our squad I found we have currently 39 players who may have ambitions to make the first team squad. Not forgetting the 25 man squad rule, several players including Gareth Bale and Giovani Dos Santos will no longer be considered under 21. So without change that leaves us with 32 players.
Let us assume there will be three additions in the summer, there needs to be ten players sold or sent out on loan. First things first here is the list of players who are still under 21 for these purposes:-
Walker, Caulker, Rose, Townsend, Parrett, Bostock, Mason and Obika. This list is not exhaustive as I am not as knowledgeable about our youth players as some.
I have put together a list of players I am almost certain will leave in the summer:-
Alnwick, Hutton, Naughton, Bentley, O'Hara, Dos Santos, Keane. Most of these players will leave fans divided but the facts are that they are surplus to requirements as all players are out on loan at the moment (apart from Hutton) and have made little impact this season. Alan Hutton has probably burnt his bridges with Redknapp this season and whose performances have failed to impress when it matters. Hence why I would say he is almost certain to go.
Those departures would take our squad down to 25 but still room will need to be made for any new additions. These are the players who I think we need to consider moving on for one reason or another.
Ledley King
King has been an excellent club captain, defender and leader, however injuries have limited him to only a handful of appearances this season and I don't expect an improvement on this in the future. We need four reliable central defenders in coming seasons. I am afraid King does not fall into that category.
Jonathan Woodgate
He shares the same injury problems as Ledley King. He is a quality player when fit but has not started a game for a year and a half and must consider his future.
Wilson Palacios
The Honduran came to Spurs when we were were struggling following the Ramos era. He gave us bite in central midfield and helped catapult Spurs up the table. His form since the discovery of his brothers body last year has been below his previous standards and has found it difficult to operate in a midfield blessed of talent and has fallen behind both Huddlestone and Sandro in the pecking order, He will probably be looking for a new start.
Jermaine Jenas
He is Tottenham's Marmite man. he is a player capable of so much but on so many occasions goes missing. In this squad he will only ever be a bit part player and May look for a new challenge.
Jake Livermore
Livermore may be an unfortunate casualty of the 25 man rule. He is no longer in the under 21 category so will either need to go out on loan for more experience or be sold as he will not likely challenge for a first team place at this stage.
Nico Kranjcar
I understand his frustration. There has been limited opportunities for him since the emergence of Bale. His problem is he is not an out and out winger nor can he be considered in the same role as Modric or Van Der Vaart. There are too many in front of him at the moment and will never be first choice. He is a luxury I wouldn't like us to lose but will respect his decision.
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Since he came to the club he has wanted to leave. On his day he can be an excellent finisher, however on most occasions you wouldn't even know he was on the pitch. He still has a communication problem, this has done Roman no favours as he still doesn't speak English well enough if at all. He is the most likely to make way for a new striker.
I would very much doubt that there will be 14 departures this summer but there would be room to do so. Overall we have a strong squad and I expect it to be a little stronger next season but not without some hard choices being made.
I expect Kyle Walker to compete with Corluka for the right back position and maybe Caulker could play a few games next season especially if Woodgate and King leave. As for incoming players, we definitely need a new strikerif not two who will get us 15-20 goals a season. I am not sure if we brought in two strikers where that would leave Van Der Vaart, Defoe and Crouch as surely one would be surplus to requirements.
We could also do with a back up left back as I wouldn't want Bale back there if Assou-Ekotto was injured. Furthermore an experienced central defender such as Gary Cahill, again I think maybe Bassong would then be surplus to requirements.
One other position that needs to be considered is goalkeeping. Gomes has looked shaky on a number of occasions this season and if a better keeper becomes available then we should consider a bid.
It will be a very interesting transfer window.
Let us assume there will be three additions in the summer, there needs to be ten players sold or sent out on loan. First things first here is the list of players who are still under 21 for these purposes:-
Walker, Caulker, Rose, Townsend, Parrett, Bostock, Mason and Obika. This list is not exhaustive as I am not as knowledgeable about our youth players as some.
I have put together a list of players I am almost certain will leave in the summer:-
Alnwick, Hutton, Naughton, Bentley, O'Hara, Dos Santos, Keane. Most of these players will leave fans divided but the facts are that they are surplus to requirements as all players are out on loan at the moment (apart from Hutton) and have made little impact this season. Alan Hutton has probably burnt his bridges with Redknapp this season and whose performances have failed to impress when it matters. Hence why I would say he is almost certain to go.
Those departures would take our squad down to 25 but still room will need to be made for any new additions. These are the players who I think we need to consider moving on for one reason or another.
Ledley King
King has been an excellent club captain, defender and leader, however injuries have limited him to only a handful of appearances this season and I don't expect an improvement on this in the future. We need four reliable central defenders in coming seasons. I am afraid King does not fall into that category.
Jonathan Woodgate
He shares the same injury problems as Ledley King. He is a quality player when fit but has not started a game for a year and a half and must consider his future.
Wilson Palacios
The Honduran came to Spurs when we were were struggling following the Ramos era. He gave us bite in central midfield and helped catapult Spurs up the table. His form since the discovery of his brothers body last year has been below his previous standards and has found it difficult to operate in a midfield blessed of talent and has fallen behind both Huddlestone and Sandro in the pecking order, He will probably be looking for a new start.
Jermaine Jenas
He is Tottenham's Marmite man. he is a player capable of so much but on so many occasions goes missing. In this squad he will only ever be a bit part player and May look for a new challenge.
Jake Livermore
Livermore may be an unfortunate casualty of the 25 man rule. He is no longer in the under 21 category so will either need to go out on loan for more experience or be sold as he will not likely challenge for a first team place at this stage.
Nico Kranjcar
I understand his frustration. There has been limited opportunities for him since the emergence of Bale. His problem is he is not an out and out winger nor can he be considered in the same role as Modric or Van Der Vaart. There are too many in front of him at the moment and will never be first choice. He is a luxury I wouldn't like us to lose but will respect his decision.
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Since he came to the club he has wanted to leave. On his day he can be an excellent finisher, however on most occasions you wouldn't even know he was on the pitch. He still has a communication problem, this has done Roman no favours as he still doesn't speak English well enough if at all. He is the most likely to make way for a new striker.
I would very much doubt that there will be 14 departures this summer but there would be room to do so. Overall we have a strong squad and I expect it to be a little stronger next season but not without some hard choices being made.
I expect Kyle Walker to compete with Corluka for the right back position and maybe Caulker could play a few games next season especially if Woodgate and King leave. As for incoming players, we definitely need a new strikerif not two who will get us 15-20 goals a season. I am not sure if we brought in two strikers where that would leave Van Der Vaart, Defoe and Crouch as surely one would be surplus to requirements.
We could also do with a back up left back as I wouldn't want Bale back there if Assou-Ekotto was injured. Furthermore an experienced central defender such as Gary Cahill, again I think maybe Bassong would then be surplus to requirements.
One other position that needs to be considered is goalkeeping. Gomes has looked shaky on a number of occasions this season and if a better keeper becomes available then we should consider a bid.
It will be a very interesting transfer window.
Monday 11 April 2011
Time for the boo boys to shut up!
Let's face it, the last twenty years have been pretty barren. Only two League Cup wins to our name and 3 top 5 finishes really is not acceptable and is the worst run in our post war years. So last Tuesday we faced Real Madrid at the Bernabeau. This was the biggest match we have faced since Benefica in 1962. I think back to some of the soul destroying defeats of recent years, the six we conceded against Chelsea and Newcastle and the 3-0 we conceded against 10 man Man City, we have come a long way.
So the game didn't go the way we would have liked, yes Peter Crouch was silly and everything seemed to go wrong for us. But I am sure that we will have learned so much from this game. I always say you lose more from losing than you do from winning. It doesn't mean I am not disappointed but I like to take a philosophical view. Getting to the quarter finals of the toughest competition in the world at the first attempt is a great achievement, something that I am sure Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have not been able to do in the current format.
So at the Lane last Saturday when the team was read out there seemed to be a number of boos when Peter Crouch's name was read out, one being my son who I quickly corrected. I said to him he will score today which he certainly did. Don't get me wrong, I am no Peter Crouch fan but as long as he is wearing a Spurs shirt I will always support him.
Although I didn't notice it, there have been several stories about Corluka having a go at a fan. Personally I don't blame him. I hear every week abuse from our so called supporters and frankly it gets on my nerves. I hear some supporters who say they pay for their tickets and they can say what they like. But I look at this as our players workplace and anyone who wants to abuse the Spurs team, would they like people to come into their workplace and abuse them every time they make a mistake. I think not.
We have eight matches to play this season and I hope all the Spurs fans get behind the team and show their appreciation for what has been the most exciting and intense season in our recent history with the hope that more will follow.
COYS!
So the game didn't go the way we would have liked, yes Peter Crouch was silly and everything seemed to go wrong for us. But I am sure that we will have learned so much from this game. I always say you lose more from losing than you do from winning. It doesn't mean I am not disappointed but I like to take a philosophical view. Getting to the quarter finals of the toughest competition in the world at the first attempt is a great achievement, something that I am sure Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have not been able to do in the current format.
So at the Lane last Saturday when the team was read out there seemed to be a number of boos when Peter Crouch's name was read out, one being my son who I quickly corrected. I said to him he will score today which he certainly did. Don't get me wrong, I am no Peter Crouch fan but as long as he is wearing a Spurs shirt I will always support him.
Although I didn't notice it, there have been several stories about Corluka having a go at a fan. Personally I don't blame him. I hear every week abuse from our so called supporters and frankly it gets on my nerves. I hear some supporters who say they pay for their tickets and they can say what they like. But I look at this as our players workplace and anyone who wants to abuse the Spurs team, would they like people to come into their workplace and abuse them every time they make a mistake. I think not.
We have eight matches to play this season and I hope all the Spurs fans get behind the team and show their appreciation for what has been the most exciting and intense season in our recent history with the hope that more will follow.
COYS!
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Season 2010/2011 a year of missed opportunities.
From the start let me say I am not angry about last night's performance just a little disappointed. It is a testament to how far we have come when we feel sad about a quarter final performance in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
When I say missed opportunities I mean in the course of the whole season. We missed the boat at the start of the season by failing to sign a quality striker, we know that we cant afford the wages but tell me what is the difference in spending £10 million in wages over two years than wasting £17 million on a player like Bentley only to send him out on loan.
If you include transfer fee and wages over three years i expect a top quality striker may cost us £35 million, but then again what is the difference between us and Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United? Well its obvious.
Look at the stats, even with our problems with injuries all season in defence we are still pretty profligate defensively comparable with the top 4. However in attack we have I believe 19 goals at home in 14 matches. This has included six draws, three of them 0-0 and a poor loss to Wigan.
Away we have failed to beat West Brom, Wolves and Wigan and were beaten by Blackpool. However our away record compared well with the sides ahead of us but we still face trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
We have failed to play great football at any time this season with 2-1 being a very common scoreline this season and only the 4-2 to Balckburn standing out as comfortable. We have failed to dominate any team this season and when we have good spells have been unable to score.
Our cup performances have been woeful. Our game against Arsenal was embarrassing as too was the match against Fulham. In both cases given the way the draw panned out should have seen us through to the final in both competitions.
The highlight of the season may have been Bale's performance at the San Siro but the emergence of Sandro for me is much more important. We now have a midfield capable of dominating the best with the right approach.
The miss of the season in my opinion is the failure to land Suraez who looks a quality player.
My hope for next season is that first of all we sort out the impass over a new stadium for gods sake Levy get it sorted. Second is we can get rid of the deadwood in the squad, we have too many players who will not get a look in why keep them unhappy. My third hope is we can get some real quality up front who can lead the line for the next five years and make us the force in the Premier League we all wish we can be.
I hope all Yids will get behind the boys this Saturday, lets not let this season fade away.
COYS!!!!
When I say missed opportunities I mean in the course of the whole season. We missed the boat at the start of the season by failing to sign a quality striker, we know that we cant afford the wages but tell me what is the difference in spending £10 million in wages over two years than wasting £17 million on a player like Bentley only to send him out on loan.
If you include transfer fee and wages over three years i expect a top quality striker may cost us £35 million, but then again what is the difference between us and Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United? Well its obvious.
Look at the stats, even with our problems with injuries all season in defence we are still pretty profligate defensively comparable with the top 4. However in attack we have I believe 19 goals at home in 14 matches. This has included six draws, three of them 0-0 and a poor loss to Wigan.
Away we have failed to beat West Brom, Wolves and Wigan and were beaten by Blackpool. However our away record compared well with the sides ahead of us but we still face trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
We have failed to play great football at any time this season with 2-1 being a very common scoreline this season and only the 4-2 to Balckburn standing out as comfortable. We have failed to dominate any team this season and when we have good spells have been unable to score.
Our cup performances have been woeful. Our game against Arsenal was embarrassing as too was the match against Fulham. In both cases given the way the draw panned out should have seen us through to the final in both competitions.
The highlight of the season may have been Bale's performance at the San Siro but the emergence of Sandro for me is much more important. We now have a midfield capable of dominating the best with the right approach.
The miss of the season in my opinion is the failure to land Suraez who looks a quality player.
My hope for next season is that first of all we sort out the impass over a new stadium for gods sake Levy get it sorted. Second is we can get rid of the deadwood in the squad, we have too many players who will not get a look in why keep them unhappy. My third hope is we can get some real quality up front who can lead the line for the next five years and make us the force in the Premier League we all wish we can be.
I hope all Yids will get behind the boys this Saturday, lets not let this season fade away.
COYS!!!!
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