Tag Archives: soccer

Spurs just about survived, now who should stay and who should go?

And breath. Finally Spurs are safe from the threat of relegation after making supporters sweat until the final moments of the final game. It feels so cathartic, especially as everything now resets. We begin next season level with everyone else. It almost feels like cheating.

Big changes are clearly necessary, but who should stay and who should go?

The Board

Spurs problems begins at the top. Vinai Venkatesham should be the first to fall on his sword. The amateurish decisions, from the failure to take the initiative when Frank was clearly not performing, to the Tudor debacle, were a lesson in how not to run a football club. Vinai has to go.

Recruitment

Second out the door should be Lange. While we have recruited some promising young players, squad building has been appalling. The balance of the team from the overindexing on youthful potential, to the lack of balance in midfield has shown a lack of high level planning. The fact that we failed to address these problems in January, in the middle of an injury crisis was at best negligent. He is a good scout, not a director of football.

Players

We clearly need more technical ability, especially in midfield. Despite the return of James Maddison, we need younger creative midfielders, to replace the surplass of hard working box-to-box players.

Depending on who we can sign and who the manager feels fits his system, we will clearly need wholesale changes. This is as much about balance as any individual but I would definitely look to move on:

  • Dragusin – zero technical ability, why did we sign him?
  • Bissouma – checked out a while ago.
  • Muani – showed nothing on loan, and was replaced by a defender in the final game.
  • Palhinha – full of effort and scored some key goals but his lack of technical ability will hold us back.
  • Richarlison – still scores goals, but the injuries have taken a toll.
  • Sarr – we just have too many similar midfielders.
  • Vicario – Kinsky’s excellent end of season performances showed up the Italian’s flaws with the ball and at crosses.

On top of this It remains to be seen what happens to our two starting centre backs, we need a backup to Kudus, a reliable starter up front, and we need to swap one or two more of our midfield options for different profiles.

Despite all this, I think we have the key appointment right. Roberto De Zerbi’s impact saved us from relegation. I think he has the personality and philosophy to turn Spurs around, he has certainly earned the right to try.

Who do you think should stay and who should be immediately shown the door?

Spurs players at the World Cup – Should we all be supporting Belgium?

Spurs stars at the World Cup

 

With less than two weeks to go until the World Cup, it’s worth taking a look at which Spurs player will be involved.

For the first time in sixty years, they’ll be no Tottenham player in the England side. It’s a depressing statistic but Continue reading

Why Mauricio Pochettino is a good choice for Spurs

Mauricio Pochettino joins Spurs

 

This week, after what seemed like an age, Daniel Levy finally revealed Mauricio Pochettino as the new Spurs manager. This wasn’t a great surprise, the Argentine coach had been strong favourite to take the post for a week or two prior to the announcement. The news came a fortnight after Tim Sherwood’s sacking but in reality Spurs fans Continue reading

He’s finally gone – Spurs say their goodbyes to Tim Sherwood

Sherwood in his Gilet

 

This week finally, inevitably, the axe fell on Tim Sherwood. Strangely, when he was eventually sacked I felt a pang of sadness for him. He probably wasn’t treated that well by Daniel Levy but then which manager has been?

Despite this, the overwhelming feeling was one of relief. Sherwood was ridiculously  Continue reading

West Ham Spurs Preview – Can Tottenham cope with Carroll?

Spurs West Ham

 

West Ham are Spurs’ hosts this Saturday, in the lunchtime kick-off. The equivalent fixture at White Hart Lane is etched into my memory, a shameful 3-0 reverse – for me the worst game of the season, and I was there.

The east London side are still Continue reading

Tim Sherwood – Lies, damn lies and statistics

Tim Sherwood has some great stats

 

Tim Sherwood has been pushing his credentials as Spurs manager again. With all the signs pointing to a summer exit, this may be more an attempt to tout himself for other jobs rather than to keep hold of his current position. A minority of fans have taken up his cause, seizing on  Continue reading