End of Season review thread

[Shea]

It's difficult to describe how this season met my expectations

On the surface it met them perfectly and even exceeded them in some respects

I expected us to finish between 5th-7th so we did that at the high end of my expectation

I didn't expect a cup final so again we exceeded

I didn't expect to see so many youngsters flourish and become mainstays of our team, especially the rise of Kane.

However, I did expect to see more in the way of us becoming a solid unit and showing that we were becoming a team who had "got" the managers agenda. A team showing that although this season was one of transition we had built and grown and next season would be one to look forward to

Perhaps had we ended the season like we played in January I'd have been thinking that, but we actually played as poor as we ever had in recent weeks and sneaked in to fifth by default as both Southampton and Liverpool fell to pieces worse than we did

We achieved all the landmarks I wanted to see us reached but I sit here thinking the summer requires a near complete overhaul still and that in itself brings problems bedding in a new bunch of players. It feels like next season will continue to be transitional where as I was hoping by now we'd be looking quite settled and showing that we'd developed into Poch's system and were starting to become consistent

We did show signs after X-mas though, I do think the potential is there and one can't argue with our regaining 5th spot from Liverpool. So I think overall we have to say we met expectations if not exceeded them all things considered but I'm a little worried we didn't really show that we'd become that unit yet and still looked a little disjointed and imbalanced toward the end of the season

Hopefully the right signings and more time together will still see us come out strong next year and be back to competing with the top four

 

[Bus-Conductor]

It's odd one really. We have achieved a placing I didn't really think we could. But we didn't really play much of the football I thought we would.

I thought our philosophy was going to be higher press, higher tempo football. With the exception of a couple of games it never really materialised.

In AVB's fifth place we scored 8 more and conceded 7 less. Both teams benefitted from a high scoring forward. In AVB's first season I don't think a single game was as good as the two we played against Arsenal and Liverpool under Pochettino, but none were as bad as several we played under Pochettino.

Both managers were blinkered in terms of their tactical inflexibility in formation and both made counter-intuitive selections within that framework. For all the hammerings we received last season under both AVB and Sherwood, we conceded 2 more goals this season. And despite spending half a season under the supposed risk aversion of AVB and the ineptitude of Sherwood's tactical lottery, we still only scored three more goals this season with Kane's contribution.

The one thing I would say is, this league gets harder every season IMO. Money is now rife, scouting, analytics, coaching and tactical awareness is at an all time high - generally speaking - in the EPL now. IMO. So to finish fifth is no mean feat.

Where Liverpool had the perfect shitstorm of circumstances last season they suffered almost the reverse this. Having lost about 30 goals and a tireless, tenacious pit bull of a player in Suarez, they then lost another 25 in Sturridge. They now had CL football every week, a rebellious teenager (trouble as any dad knows) and a load of signings to bed in including one predictably terrible one in Balotelli. This definitely helped us finish 5th, but to be fair, Pochettino managed the Europa (of a fashion), the youngest squad in the league, a league Cup final and still hit fifth. So kudos.

This season only four teams conceded more than us, and only four scored more than us. When it comes to creating chances we have the sixth highest shots in the league, but the 11th highest in the box and 16th in the six yard box. Pochettino has clearly not solved our deficiencies when it comes to creating quality chances.

These attacking and defending deficiencies are partly due to personnel, we surely know this now, but the disappointing thing is that Pochettino hasn't really improved either aspect with coaching or tactics. So far.

We did plenty of good things, we have plenty of the ball, third highest in the league, we make the second highest tackles in the league. We have the youngest team in the league.

You guys all know my feelings about the sacking/mutual consent bullshit of AVB, I think it was the first one I think was plain stupid Levy. I think he was doing a very decent job under difficult parameters and it would have been nice if he'd been given the kind of backing with personnel problems that we've seen Pochettino get this year. I think people not on board or with strong personal agendas (be they players like Adebayor or back room like Sherwood and Freund) should have been cleared out sooner, I think youth integration should have been prioritised over 4th place and allowances made clear for this and I think we'd be two years further down the line. I think we'd have a coach who knows how to win things, who also had a good philosophy and clear ideas and was a better organiser, if slightly more risk averse.

From the get go I have had reservations of Pochettino's ability to marry the defensive discipline required to go with high octane football. I don't think his Southampton team did it well either, conceding 16 goals more than Koeman's. But our defensive foibles this year haven't exactly come as a cost of high tempo football.

Personally I think we made the (slightly) wrong choice of manager for the right reasons. We should have given FDB the keys to the castle, if we really wanted true top to bottom integration and a coach that would oversee a singular youth to first team philosophy.

But If we are going to hire managers with clear philosophies we have to give these guys real time to impart them. We have to try and create an atmosphere, a culture at the club and we have to be understanding as fans.

Pochettino seems to have created a good strong mentality, because despite the criticisms I have we have achieved a damn good fifth place finish. The youthful age of the team excites me, my biggest disappointment is that he didn't get even more kids involved. I think they would have done a better job than the selections he made in their stead.

It's pointless scouring Europe for players to fit a unique type system when you have the raw material to bend and shape in your back yard. Our academy groups play a better brand of high press, high tempo than our first team does, Pochettino should have no hesitation to use them, give them his trust and they will almost certainly reward that trust, at the very, very worst they won't let him down any more than the likes of Paulinho, Davies, Chiriches, Stambouli, Fazio, Soldado etc el.

Bonus points for Pochettoino for sticking with Mason, Bentaleb and Kane and the improvement he's got out of Rose and Vertonghen has looked like his proper self again post Sherwood.

I really want to see more intensity to our play next season, and better organisation, cohesion, going forward and defensively. And if first team players can't get with the program then I want Pochettino to have the bollocks to trust the kids we've spent years training to fulfil that remit.

 

[tommyt]

Shea and BC - two fantastic posts.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

The balanced schedule means that the Premiership doesn't work like that.There is great consistency over the years in the points required to finish in any given position. Points gained by one contending team wil be points lost by another. The highest finishing total (not "points required", which is different, as I posted) ever for 5th was our own record of 72.

This season:
Winner: 87
4th Place: 70

2013/2014
Winner: 86
4th Place: 79

2012/2013
Winner: 89
4th Place: 73

2011/2012
Winner: 89
4th Place: 69

2010/2011
Winner: 80
4th Place: 68

I think i see a pattern here where the fourth qualifying place for the CL place is getting tougher.

75 points will get Spurs into the CL. Less than 75 will see us fifth or worse.

 

[Nebby]

I reckon 5th was a good finish. We are a long way short of Chelsea, City, Arsenal and United, but we are close to Liverpool. Had Sturridge remained fit I reckon we would have finished 6th, which is where I think we should be. Good to see Kane, Mason and Bentaleb all do so well. If we keep Lloris we are doing well.

 

[homer hotspur]

I would say we met expectations overall, as really Europa League qualification, be it from finishing 5th or 7th, is much of a muchness. Strictly, Liverpool's poor end to the season has placed us one above where most would have seen us finishing at the start of the season. The League cup final is really not a great achievement, just a nice day out for those who got tickets. Having received a bye, we then struggled to overcome lower division opposition to reach a final we all expected to lose. It was only Chelsea's negative tactics which gave the impression of a closer contest. Personally, I find the League Cup more irritating than the Europa League, especially when we are in both. If you get through the early round, it leads to a pile up of fixtures especially with the 2 legged Semi- final in January, just as the FA cup gets started and, on 2 occasions, we have had to play in Europe on the Thursday before the final.



It concerns me that our 5th place finish is hugely misleading and rather flattering. (i.e. 'the best of the rest'). I have never known a season where we have gained so many incredibly lucky points (I counted 20). Also, I have never known a season where we have had so few serious injuries (usually quite the opposite). It doesn't bear to think what would have happened if Kane had picked up a serious one.



I have seen lower placed teams (eg Leicester, Palace, Stoke, Swansea) look so much better than us on several occasions in the last few months. They seem to play with more pace, have far more striking options and are better defensively.



I have been disappointed by Poch's apparent lack of tactical awareness and ability to change things. The rigid 4-2-3-1 whatever the situation/opposition is frustrating. The absence in all but a handful of games of his famed ‘pressing game’ has also been something of a mystery and his post-match interviews do not help.



Having said all of the above, we really do have to acknowledge the obvious reality of just how impossible it is to compete against the established top 4 and that this will get harder each season. We had a ‘window of opportunity’ with the Bale money but that went badly wrong and now we have to rely on some shrewd buys and youngsters coming good. This could be very rewarding but it has its limits and, at the moment, that limit is 5th place and probably no realistic chance of a trophy unless the draw helps us out.



It seems Levy will stick with Poch next season unless there is a particularly bad run or danger of getting sucked into a relegation fight. We desperately need to offload a number of players who don’t seem to even be considered part of the squad but that is easier said than done. All areas need improving if we are to have any chance of achieving our ‘limit’ again next season.

 

[Japhet]

Above expectations for me. No significant signings and a season for Poch to assess what we have and we ended up a few points short of CL. Made a Cup Final and the later stages of the EL. Don't think we played the type of football Poch is after and I'm expecting quite a few changes in personnel to address that. Thought 7th would be about right but did a lot better than that so looking forward to next season now. Main concern is Poch's tactical rigidity but hoping some new signings will address that.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I've been away for the last few days so am a bit late to the party with this thread, but I agree with what a lot of others have said.

In terms of position in the league we've exceeded expectations. On paper we had the 6th best squad in the league, so to finish 5th represents an excellent finish.

But we all know it's been a bit of a struggle, and that our performances at times have been a bit woeful, even when we've got the points. We've also exited all of the cup competitions a bit pathetically, even if the Chelsea final can perhaps be excused by just coming up against a much better team on the day.

It's always worth remembering though what Poch has had to deal with considering it's his first season. He came in hoping he could rely on the senior players, and almost to a man they seem to have let him down (particularly Kaboul and Ade who he initially wanted to lead the squad). He was obviously given pretty limited resources to bring players in, and I think it was right that he gave our expensive flops time to prove themselves. Unfortunately most of them didn't, and as a result he's had a very limited squad to pick from.

None of that hides the fact there have been mistakes, and when you see how close we ended up being to 4th it's frustrating to think how poor our home form has been this season.

But overall, I don't think anyone can be unhappy with a 5th placed finish in a season where Poch was trying to pick up the pieces of a squad containing too many expensive primadonnas.

I expected it to be a difficult season and it has been. But we've finished it higher than most of us thought we would do, and I think that despite everything, we've got a great base to work from for next season.

So I think we've exceeded expectations, albeit not by much, and certainly not by as much as is going to be demanded of Poch and the team next year.

COYS!

 

[gazzeh]

I reckon 5th was a good finish. We are a long way short of Chelsea, City, Arsenal and United, but we are close to Liverpool. Had Sturridge remained fit I reckon we would have finished 6th, which is where I think we should be. Good to see Kane, Mason and Bentaleb all do so well. If we keep Lloris we are doing well.

6 points off Utd, is not a long way. It's a win at stoke, newcastle and liverpool away from pipping them.

 

[willy white wonka]

Next season will be the true test. Poch can be excused the sub par performances in his first season because he inherited the squad in which a number of expensive additions were underperforming and others were seemingly taking their wages but just not interested. Despite those handicaps we moved up a place on last year and topped Liverpool, in addition we were only 6 points off 4th. We produced 3 outstanding performances and by so doing hinted at what could be.

We also ground out some results when we weren't playing that well which is an essential attribute to get in the top 4. Now the coach needs to be allowed to bring in the players he wants and just as importantly shift those that don't fit in or are simply underperforming, plus Ade who seems to fit both categories! Hopefully those outstanding performances can then become the norm rather than the exception. The defence badly needs attention, but happily goal scoring is not a problem, but it might be if Kane gets injured. Generally things are looking good as we've successfully pitched a strong base camp for an eventual assault on the summit. Now over to you Poch.

 

[nicdic]

When it really comes down to it, and people reflect on their expectations from the beginning of the season rather than early January, then you can only say that we've exceeded expectations. Lots of people are coming out now saying they thought 5th-6th, but in reality, lots of people were saying 7th-8th this season would be OK.

We all know there are still issues in the squad, and we didn't see as much of a clear philosophy as we thought we might, but nonetheless, I think the general expectations have all been exceeded. Granted, not by a long way, but exceeded regardless.

Nearly every Spurs fan I know of and most of the media too acknowledge that there are big problems with the squad and when you take that into account also it's all positive.

The real graft starts here though. Poch has been able to steady the ship and bring in a better league position than many expected, now we need the fine tuning and tweaks to push on. Next season I feel there is more space to be critical of style and the like, particularly if he's able to achieve what he wants in the transfer market.

 

[double0]

It's been a great finish to the league. Baring in mind how poorly the senior players performed during the season and the integration of Mason Bentaleb Lamela Dier Kane into an inexperienced side Pochettinho has done well. He's stubbornness to stand by his choices and philosophy when others were demanding tactical adjustments has too shown a determination and mental strength that will only benefit the players and club moving forward.

The EPL is getting more difficult by the season Teams are improving below us the teams above Liverpool including in terms of spending are exercising their financial clout, imagine Manc spent 30M on Bony who cant get into the team ManU smash the British transfer record Liverpool spent millions on players that can't get into their team....yet people still bring up the Bale money that was spent a few seasons back. Pochettinho had to assess those players manage the europa and support senior players ie Adebayor. Imo it's been a good season and I'm proud of the boys especially Mason Bentaleb Lamela Dier Rose Kane.

 

[Nebby]

6 points off Utd, is not a long way. It's a win at stoke, newcastle and liverpool away from pipping them.

A goal difference of +5 versus +25 (United), +35 (Arsenal), +45 (City) and +41 (Chelsea). We are miles behind the top four.

We conceded 53 goals this season, with only Leicester, Newcastle, Villa and QPR letting in more.

 

[Lilbaz]

A goal difference of +5 versus +25 (United), +35 (Arsenal), +45 (City) and +41 (Chelsea). We are miles behind the top four.

We conceded 53 goals this season, with only Leicester, Newcastle, Villa and QPR letting in more.

Someone else did the math. If we beat Man Utd 7-0 at Old Trafford we would be 4th. 6 pointers are 6 pointers.

 

[talkshowhost86]

A goal difference of +5 versus +25 (United), +35 (Arsenal), +45 (City) and +41 (Chelsea). We are miles behind the top four.

We conceded 53 goals this season, with only Leicester, Newcastle, Villa and QPR letting in more.

You do realise that points are more significant than goal difference right?

Yes our poor goal difference reflects the fact that our defence in particular had a pretty torrid season, but you can't just ignore the fact that we were only 6 points off top 4 and say we were 'miles behind'.

 

[Mikegold]

6 points off Utd, is not a long way. It's a win at stoke, newcastle and liverpool away from pipping them.

As someone pointed out the other day, if we had won 7-0 in the game we lost to them 3-0, we'd be above them.

 

[Mullers]

I didn't vote as it was above my expectations and I want #Levyout.

 

[kungfugrip]

I voted 'above expectations' simply because I thought we would finish 6th behind the usual suspects. Would definitely like to see more cohesive attacking play next year with a bit of flair thrown in. Unless the planets align and we get a few excellent signings and our existing players raise their efforts substantially, I think 5th next year is the best we can hope for. Not being negative, just realistic.

PS a few more clean sheets might be nice as well!

 

[prawnsandwich]

Was there a thread before the season to express fan's expectations?
Because I can't get my head around the fact 248 are claiming they thought we would do worse than last year and 137 thought we would do even more worserer.
Captain Hindsight .
After the last results of last season I was excited about this season and I was expecting the new manager to do better.
I thought we had a good squad and some great kids ready to break through. I still do.
We have multi million pound players that can't get a game.

 

[gazzeh]

A goal difference of +5 versus +25 (United), +35 (Arsenal), +45 (City) and +41 (Chelsea). We are miles behind the top four.

We conceded 53 goals this season, with only Leicester, Newcastle, Villa and QPR letting in more.

Yes the goal difference is horrific, but points are where it actually counts.