The Daniel Levy thread

[Misfit]

I think it's time we all faced reality. The original plan of us being a top power was a good one and one which ENIC and DL have done everything in their power to achieve. They've done a good job in that respect. Put us in position to take advantage of any slip-ups, even with the chavs already there. We'd be a near constant in the top 4 were it not for the likes of chelsea and citeh these last few yrs. Rather unfortunate but there you go. The only way for the owners to now further increase our value in the long-term is to get the stadium plans 100% wrapped up and sorted, if not built. The occasional appearance in the top 4 isn't going to do it and I don't actually blame DL or ENIC for that, and that isn't me reverting to my nut-hugging days.

Of course that can't be public policy but it's the situation we're in. Probably even the situation ENIC and DL are now living in, the TS appointment considered. Not one but two financially doped clubs have skewed things horribly. One has done so for the last decade +.

We've made mistakes but as a consequence of our situation those mistakes are usually punished, whereas others can go and drop £20m - £50m without blinking to cover them up quickly. Keep it top 6, have a reasonable squad and try and get a nice new shiny stadium twinkling in the shop window for any new prospective buyers.

 

[SteveH]

You've done this already Steve, the first time you did it, you were far more insulting. Debate with me and criticise my posts if you want, but don't get personal, I'm really not in the mood.

I'm not having a go at you - I think fans of a certain generation have a different outlook, thats all.

 

[Mullers]

I blame him for sacking AVB. I think, regardless of how well Sherwood subsequently does, sacking a manager in the circumstances AVB was sacked, when he should have been backed the way Moyes or Martinez (or SAF or Wenger even) have been backed at various times showed a distinct lack of bollocks and integrity IMO. Having qualified for the Europa wining every game, in a QF of the CC, a couple of points of fourth, 5 defeats in all comps in 26 games ( 3 of them to the top 4 teams) 7 new faces (after a few the previous season too) having sold off our best three players the two previous seasons, was piss poor IMO.

But, you say that he knows he can't compete with the investment of our competitors yet has an unrealistic expectation of CL football, but then you say it is not good enough that we haven't made it regularly to CL football.

So, do you agree that it's an unrealistic expectation ? If so, surely the fact that we have regularly over the last 6 years finished fourth or fifth 5 times means Levy is delivering what is realistic based on our budget compared to our rivals ?

We've made the CL once when we came 4th last time and was put in the Europa cup. So one CL appearance in 13 years is not good enough, it isn't delivering nothing. Understand this I'm happy to be in the Europa cup, it is Enic who raise the bar and sack managers who don't achieve top 4. Levy wants 4th place or better not 5th place.

 

[SteveH]

I think it's time we all faced reality. The original plan of us being a top power was a good one and one which ENIC and DL have done everything in their power to achieve. They've done a good job in that respect. Put us in position to take advantage of any slip-ups, even with the chavs already there. We'd be a near constant in the top 4 were it not for the likes of chelsea and citeh these last few yrs. Rather unfortunate but there you go. The only way for the owners to now further increase our value in the long-term is to get the stadium plans 100% wrapped up and sorted, if not built. The occasional appearance in the top 4 isn't going to do it and I don't actually blame DL or ENIC for that, and that isn't me reverting to my nut-hugging days.

Of course that can't be public policy but it's the situation we're in. Probably even the situation ENIC and DL are now living in, the TS appointment considered. Not one but two financially doped clubs have skewed things horribly. One has done so for the last decade +.

We've made mistakes but as a consequence of our situation those mistakes are usually punished, whereas others can go and drop £20m - £50m without blinking to cover them up quickly. Keep it top 6, have a reasonable squad and try and get a nice new shiny stadium twinkling in the shop window for any new prospective buyers.

Nice one.

I'm not sure those in their 20s will be so balanced in their views. They have only known mega mega rich clubs winning everything and are quite bitter.

 

[Mullers]

I'm not having a go at you - I think fans of a certain generation have a different outlook, thats all.

My outlook is very simple if we can qualify for Europe every season, with strong showing in cup competitions, stick with a manager and I'm ok with that.

 

[ginola99]

Don't have a problem with Levy over all but the complete lack of silence is giving me sleepless nights at times. The THST asked the club for a statement after the sacking of AVB, wishing to know the reasons behind the decision and what the board's plans for the future were. It sadly fell on deaf ears.

Whilst not every club is so transparent the frustration lies in the fact that Arsenal are so and sadly they seem to better for it as they're now challenging for the league title whilst there's doubts lingering around our top four hopes this season, although I feel that we still have a good chance of finishing 4th.

As for the stadium, please please don't get me started, I've reached breaking point with it. I don't doubt that the club is working very hard behind the scenes to make this happen but at times there does seem to be an argument as to whether the stadium sponsorship deal approach could be genius or simply delusions of grandeur resulting in the club waiting too long for the right deal. After all, our plans were first announced in late October 2008 with no official word from the club on the project for two years.

We've finished top 5 in six of the last eight seasons, something we could only dream of during the Sugar years, currently we sit 6th and only 3 points behind Liverpool so I personally see no reason for Levy to leave. Whilst Arsenal have Wenger, we strangely have Levy, both are the spearheads of their respective clubs and when things seem to be going down the swanny the finger is pointed at them but whenever a resurgence has happened it has been their backs that have been patted.

I don't think Levy should be judged this season on how we have managed to get into this position but more how he reacts to it and above all else how this season finishes. Despite all the frustrations that has filled this season as well as the thrashings I still feel that we can finish this season very strongly.

In Levy We Trust.

 

[SteveH]

We've made the CL once when we came 4th last time and was put in the Europa cup. So one CL appearance in 13 years is not good enough, it isn't delivering nothing. Understand this I'm happy to be in the Europa cup, it is Enic who raise the bar and sack managers who don't achieve top 4. Levy wants 4th place or better not 5th place.

What Levy wants and what he can afford are poles apart.

 

[SteveH]

My outlook is very simple if we can qualify for Europe every season, with strong showing in cup competitions, stick with a manager and I'm ok with that.

I'm all for that. AVB IMHO was a little too conservative in his playing style. Tim is the other way the effect though is not dissimilar. I would stick with Tim now, as his style is more to my personal taste.

 

[Mullers]

I'm all for that. AVB IMHO was a little too conservative in his playing style. Tim is the other way the effect though is not dissimilar. I would stick with Tim now, as his style is more to my personal taste.

Conservative or not he didn't deserved to be sacked. IMO Sherwood will be gone in the summer.

 

[SteveH]

Conservative or not he didn't deserved to be sacked. IMO Sherwood will be gone in the summer.

AVB's major flaw was his handling of 'certain' players to the detriment of the overall team. Ade we know can be a pain, but a pain that can scores goals. AVB will learn from this. Tim or AVB is irrelevant, Spurs are not going to be able to afford £50m for todays top players for some while if at all. We are where we are and I enjoy my football in the main. Constantly whining about the owners is such a footballing cliche. We are Spurs, warts and all. I dont want to be City or Chelsea. I want us to try and build the stadium, hope FFP helps and go forward in that way.

 

[Mullers]

What Levy wants and what he can afford are poles apart.

So why has this smart business man not realised this?

 

[SteveH]

So why has this smart business man not realised this?

Oh but he has - its us fans who haven't. (stadium & FFP )

 

[Misfit]

Besides which, an FA Cup victory just a couple of yrs into my Spurs life the notable exception, this last 10 yrs has been successful in a completely unprecedented way to me. I, literally, have never had it so good with THFC so that's colouring my somewhat relaxed outlook.

 

[Mullers]

AVB's major flaw was his handling of 'certain' players to the detriment of the overall team. Ade we know can be a pain, but a pain that can scores goals. AVB will learn from this. Tim or AVB is irrelevant, Spurs are not going to be able to afford £50m for todays top players for some while if at all. We are where we are and I enjoy my football in the main. Constantly whining about the owners is such a footballing cliche. We are Spurs, warts and all. I dont want to be City or Chelsea. I want us to try and build the stadium, hope FFP helps and go forward in that way.

Steve the owners keep firing coaches when they don't have money to spend. Tell me what is wrong with my criticisms which I believe are perfectly legitimate?

 

[Mullers]

Oh but he has - its us fans who haven't. (stadium & FFP )

So the board are no longer making a demand for regular CL football?

 

[WiganSpur]

Yep. Goal has to be the stadium now. Get that sorted and we might have a sniff.

ENIC's job should be to sell when that is built, make their profit and find a buyer that is prepared to invest a little more in the club, not unlimited funds like Chavs or Citeh, just an owner that is prepared to splash the cash at times.

But the stadium is my concern with ENIC, the more drawn out the process, the worse off we are. I just can't see it being up and running in the next 5 years even.

 

[Lilbaz]

Yep. Goal has to be the stadium now. Get that sorted and we might have a sniff.

ENIC's job should be to sell when that is built, make their profit and find a buyer that is prepared to invest a little more in the club, not unlimited funds like Chavs or Citeh, just an owner that is prepared to splash the cash at times.

But the stadium is my concern with ENIC, the more drawn out the process, the worse off we are. I just can't see it being up and running in the next 5 years even.

Why not?

 

[SteveH]

So the board are no longer making a demand for regular CL football?

Thats thier target allwright. CL is 'just' doable for us ATM and must be the aim, but it is not an 'at all costs' scenario.
Its a balancing act, top four BUT not at the expense of the long term goal, well I hope not and the little I've seen of Levy, I doubt he will risk everything on a role of the dice.

I'm 60 and I still have a very long wait to see Spurs at the very top of the tree like City - so I make sure I enjoy the ride or what is the point.

 

[Dharmabum]

Despite of his obvious short comings I dare say Levy is one of the best, if not the best, chairman in the EPL. He took over a debt ridden, middle of the table team and transformed Spurs into the best of the rest teams with a very healthy economy. Not as easy to achieve as many seem to think.

 

[jambreck]

Steve the owners keep firing coaches when they don't have money to spend. Tell me what is wrong with my criticisms which I believe are perfectly legitimate?

Do you think that AVB was sacked because he failed to get Spurs into the Champions League?

Do you think that Harry was sacked because he failed to get Spurs into the Champions League?

Do you think that Ramos was sacked because he failed to Spurs into the Champions League?