General feeling moving in the right direction or way off?

[rossdapep]

It's too early to tell how things will shake out. We need to see how we do in these last 12 games, many of which we should win. It seems many people forgot that we actually finished with 69 points last season, which I believe was our third biggest haul in the PL era. Finishing 5-10 points worse off from that would not represent a good season in my opinion. Not when we spent so much money on shoring up our defense and had a stunningly injury free season from most of the key squad members.

There's also the unforeseeable in regards to how the transfer window will shake out. NO ONE thought we'd sell Modric, Bale, Sandro, and Van der Vaart within a two year span at this same point in 2012. 2.5 years later, they were all gone.

This game against Swansea is pretty important for us. Lose to them and things could go to shit really quickly, as we'd be only one point ahead of them in 7th, and the race for top 4 would be finished, as we'd possibly be sitting 9-10 points out of 4th. Who knows how this squad would react with nothing to play for.

I think you have to take into account that points have been shared out a bit more this season across the league. Look at United they didn't have much more than last season yet occupy 4th and have been 3rd. Our very slow start has contributed to this, which was to be expected with the complete mess which has been left thanks to AVB and his tantrums and Sherwood alienating the squad. I think he's doing a good job but we'll get a much clearer picture next season.

 

[glacierSpurs]

for me the greatest take away this season, while it has not yet being over, is the fact our players are so fit and their determination in games were far greater than ever before.. for most players to really wanting to prove their worth is a very healthy environment for competitiveness and improvement to breed on..

additionally, the trust in youth, off-the-ball plays and one-touch football are bringing some kind of excitement back to what is defining of Tottenham Hospur! can't stress enough the importance of positionings from the off-the-ball plays, preventing static but encourage movements, making the game so fluid!

while generally it is good Poch can, hopefully, get the players he wants, I think one thing very crucial for our future to go even further is Poch needs to be upgraded as well.. not him as a personnel change, but his knowledge! he is still very young and raw and to me personally, many times, he had been outwitted with no responses, timely responses, back to win back any initiatives.. I think Fiorentina games were the most obvious to see.. games against Big Sam too.. meet more game with Pulis and then Rogers, Poch must be tactical-apt to suit the game plan.. our set up and performances were like persona of Poch, young and raw and raring to go, but still lacking maturity to really play with the big boys.. mature performances this season hardly came to mind; there were always some silly mistakes here and there underlining our naivety..

Poch is not the finished product yet as the head coach.. unless he is 85% close, we never will be as polished as we would like.. with that, I really hope Poch takes up this as the biggest challenge and responsibility for the next season and in doing so, I have no doubt he will very much be the One bringing us some glory days to come not long from now..

 

[rossdapep]

The reason Europa was such a struggle this season was because we only have maybe 9-12 players who truly fit in Poch's system, which has left us having to choose every Thursday whether to use players we need at the weekend, or use players who don't fit and play like shite. Let Poch shape the squad, let Europa be a proving ground for blooding youth and for players trying to break into our top XI, and I don't think we'd have a problem really. Very unfortunate how the timing coincided with the cup final this season.

Whilst I like the idea of giving the youngsters the game time in Europa, and I do want us to succeed in the competition, it's the distraction caused that hinders our premier league performances. It means all the coaches and playing staff get one single training session to work on tactics and familiarize them with their roles, that's why we've generally been slow out of the blocks after Europa week. I guess you could leave 10 or so players behind but they wouldn't have the coaches working with them, and you can't just send only the kids.

It's time they changed something as it doesn't benefit anyone. They could play same day as champs league matches, but @ 5 or 6 instead of 7:45. Gives fans a full night of football and leaves teams with adequate match preparation.

 

[Timbo Tottenham]

Whilst I like the idea of giving the youngsters the game time in Europa, and I do want us to succeed in the competition, it's the distraction caused that hinders our premier league performances. It means all the coaches and playing staff get one single training session to work on tactics and familiarize them with their roles, that's why we've generally been slow out of the blocks after Europa week. I guess you could leave 10 or so players behind but they wouldn't have the coaches working with them, and you can't just send only the kids.

It's time they changed something as it doesn't benefit anyone. They could play same day as champs league matches, but @ 5 or 6 instead of 7:45. Gives fans a full night of football and leaves teams with adequate match preparation.

Or the premier league could help us out by putting our post Europa games on Mondays and at home.

 

[WestBelfast Spurs]

if you gave me a cup final and still a chance of top four at the start of season I'd broke your hand for it

 

[worcestersauce]

As someone said yesterday, if Pochottino can get here with the players he's got imagine what he can do with the players he wants.

 

[Bobbins]

if you gave me a cup final and still a chance of top four at the start of season I'd broke your hand for it

Bit harsh, I thought you'd like that

 

[CheeseGromit]

Cautiously optimistic

Under Jol we made progress but there were flaws and didnt seem to be being addressed. We looked as though we could go backwards as easily as go forwards

Under Redknapp What You Saw Was What You Got The team as good as it was lacked true structure to get it through the big games and grind out results on bad days

AVB had all the hall marks o making it big but came up short when compensating for a lack of a full talent squad. You just cant lose a significant number of games by a big margin His system was better suited for away games and was not robust enough to cope with the fact every week was a tough game

MoPo has a similar system to AVB but is more flexible in play and choice of player We are still better away from home because as a relatively high ranked league club opposition at WHL come for a point not a win

Youth is important but it is a mix that is needed MoPo will need some lieuenants in the ranks that dictate what goes on around team and they need to be the best we can aford That will have a major impact on how we do

 

[shelfboy68]

The club appears to be moving in the right direction that cannot be denied even yesterdays result cant dent that.
If poch is allowed to bring in some game changers for next season we should be back among the top four hopefuls, this year we wont make it but maybe next.
The game yesterday was always going to be a step too far without the players to stretch chelsea and so it proved with no real chances on goal apart from the free kick.
But the future is rosey as long as the club sticks together on its long term plans what can go wrong.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

It's a bit like two steps forward and one back, it's patchy but we are a much better squad than we were imo.

 

[rossdapep]

Or the premier league could help us out by putting our post Europa games on Mondays and at home.

True, that would be nice. Come to think of it, arewe the only team not to have played on a Monday evening? I can't recall the last time we did.

 

[Mullers]

I predicted that we would finish 7th if we do that then were actually in decline so in that sense it isn't the right direction. We have some promising youngsters coming through and some that are makings strides in the right direction. We've wasted most of the 100 million we got for Bale and I think it's actually set us back as a club and will probably do so for years to come.

I'm very concerned the defence could prove to be the downfall of Poch, I don't have the confidence that Levy will stick with him come what may. It's the first season and he's obviously done enough to keep his job even though the season hasn't ended yet, next season however is a different matter.

 

[Good Doctor M]

Moving the right direction. We're much better than last year. There's been a foundation laid this year to build something genuinely fruitful next year and the year after that. Average age of the team yesterday, playing in a cup final was 23. If that's not moving in the right direction, what the hell is?

 

[Yorkville Spur]

I'm crazy optimistic about the future. I just hope Levy and company don't bring in too many players next year so the young core we have now can continue to grow together and some of the academy players can be worked into the squad. I feel yesterday was the darkness before the dawn. This is the first time in my Spurs fandom I've ever wanted Levy NOT to spend money, that's for sure! Obviously we need some cover at the striker position and at CB, maybe another wide forward, but other than that, let Pochettino mold all of this young talent into an all conquering super team.

 

[Monkey boy]

As someone said yesterday, if Pochottino can get here with the players he's got imagine what he can do with the players he wants.

I understand the point you're making BUT lets not pretend that we had to work very hard to get into the final.

Forest (rested most of their players), Brighton (utter crap under Hyppia) Newcastle (generally not very good) and 2 legs to scrape past Sheffield Utd.

 

[Mullers]

I'm crazy optimistic about the future. I just hope Levy and company don't bring in too many players next year so the young core we have now can continue to grow together and some of the academy players can be worked into the squad. I feel yesterday was the darkness before the dawn. This is the first time in my Spurs fandom I've ever wanted Levy NOT to spend money, that's for sure! Obviously we need some cover at the striker position and at CB, maybe another wide forward, but other than that, let Pochettino mold all of this young talent into an all conquering super team.

I don't think you need to worry about that. I believe it's going to be a very quiet summer

 

[Bowlesinho]

For me, we are 100% moving in the right direction.

Yesterday's spine gives me real hope for the future, Lloris, Verts, Dier, Bentaleb, Eriksen and Kane should continue to form the base of our team.

I still think we are desperately missing a partner for Bentaleb in midfield, whilst I like Mason I think he is more a squad player and someone creative (the Modric replacement that we have never found) to play alongside Bentaleb next season would give us a real chance to improve further.

 

[CowInAComa]

For the first time in years I feel like we know what we are doing and what we are trying to achieve. Plus I really like the players that comprise the current squad.

Yesterday was a fantastic day out shame about the game, amazing fans.

 

[Lawrence]

I don't think you need to worry about that. I believe it's going to be a very quiet summer

I agree. There's a lot to be optimistic about but I am not convinced we can shift out Kaboul, Ade, Soldado, Lamela, Capoue due to Levy's valuations and hence we will not buy anyone. Our next season will be the same as this year. After that, the big name players will leave. Then Levy will sack Poch.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

We needed this whole season to instil those attributes anyway. I don't think we're 'behind schedule' so to speak.

Definitely early days though. One of the most important things for me is that you can see poch's ethos running through the age groups in the youth and dev. teams. Now that is exciting stuff.

Levy has finally seen the light. Cohesion.

We could build something very special here for years to come.

Unless he builds a new defence or defensive strategy we won't be winning anything anytime soon. We are heading for our highest amount of goals conceded in five seasons, and are currently on par with how many Villa have conceded. Think about that for a minute.

Poch has changed a great deal at the club, with a determined, young hungry side but the fact is that NO TEAM in the past half dozen years has conceded more than forty three goals (i think) and made fourth place in the PL.

Food for thought moving on, and as positive as we all should be seeing this seasons football it's a fact that our defence is among the worst in the league of those teams expecting CL football, and certainly not one to carry us forward next season.