Riding the wave of optimism

[THFCSPURS19]

I really don't think the squad we have at the moment is good enough to do much at all this season. It would be an achievement just to get 5th again. If we don't address our midfield and forward issues before the window closes I honestly think the performances and results will be quite poor, the pressure on Pochettino will be ramped up, and there is a very real chance that he'll be sacked before the year is out.

No doubt SC's resident superfan and a few other passive-aggressive optimists will have an issue with that opinion, but it's not as if it's how I want things to pan out.

A midfield of Mason and Bentaleb just won't cut it if we want to finish top 5 this season. Bentaleb is getting better all the time, but he's still going to make mistakes due to his inexperience. Mason's also inexperienced, but I don't think he has the potential to develop as much as Bentaleb, and lacks Bentaleb's ability.

We all know the striker issues with Soldado and Adebayor. We also don't have much pace or much depth in attacking midfield positions. If we can address those areas in this window, and make the great performances we saw against Chelsea, Everton, and Arsenal the norm rather than the exception, I'll start to think this could be a good season. If not, I can see Pochettino being Levy's latest fall guy.

More positively, I'm optimistic about Pritchard and Alli, and switching up the defence can't be anything but a good thing.

I agree that if we don't address midfield (by adding a first-team DM) and forward issues (we need more pace with 1 first-team winger/WF and 1 striker IMO), we could be fucked.

 

[CowInAComa]

It's all a waste of time if Levy doesn't back the manager and get moutinho.

 

[tototoner]

Yeah I also don't think it's anyone's fault that we've lost ground when City have just spent £50m on one player (off our closest rivals), are going to spend another £40m on another one, and United are into their 56th cheque book of the summer and have effectively turned into another bankroller money club just like City and Chelsea.

Of course we've lost ground to the likes of those doped-up wideboy clubs and we always will, especially since they voted, along with the other most successful and richest clubs in Europe, to close off their little exclusive club to new members with the introduction of FFP.

Does my head right in when I see posts like this. Maybe we should really one-up the big clubs and do £100m to get Pogba in yeah? Screw the stadium, don't need it anyway.

Stop talking nonsense

Of course we are not going to buy Pogba or meet the demands of Sterling's prick of an agent.

BUT we could have attracted the likes of Schneiderlin or Benteke to our club if we really wanted to instead of them going to our immediate rivals for CL football.

As for the new stadium, ENIC will not put a penny into that, they will get the naming rights sponsor or new owner to pay for it.

We are supposed to be one the richest and well run teams in England and Europe yet we never invest in quality or strengthen, players come Yes but others go out the revolving door at the same time.

Might as well remove the FC from our name and change it to Player Exchange.

 

[jurgen]

I'm happy with what we've done so far, but the proof will be in the pudding of who we end up with in more important positions we need to address. Optimistic generally as I'm quite sure we are in good hands with ENIC for delivering on the business side of things, but it will be a bit worrying if the likes of Victor Moses is seen as an answer going forward on the football side.

 

[willy white wonka]

I reckon success this season will be finishing above the bindippers and getting EL. I think that's being realistic. Unless we get some new signings that can take us to the next level over the next few weeks. Probably this squad is too young to peak yet, hopefully the plan is for it to really come good at around the time of the new stadium. That's what I keep telling myself anyway!

 

[Bobbins]

Stop talking nonsense

Of course we are not going to buy Pogba or meet the demands of Sterling's prick of an agent.

BUT we could have attracted the likes of Schneiderlin or Benteke to our club if we really wanted to instead of them going to our immediate rivals for CL football.

As for the new stadium, ENIC will not put a penny into that, they will get the naming rights sponsor or new owner to pay for it.

We are supposed to be one the richest and well run teams in England and Europe yet we never invest in quality or strengthen, players come Yes but others go out the revolving door at the same time.

Might as well remove the FC from our name and change it to Player Exchange.

WALOB

I've made enough comments about the Player Exchange in the past and my frustration but what a big old load of wobbly shite that 'we could have attracted Schneiderlin if we really wanted' - really? Since the player really wanted to go to United, and United really wanted him? What exactly do you want Levy to have done in order to make him change his mind and make sure United didn't outbid us?

And Benteke? What are you even talking about - we clearly didn't want him, and why would we even want him, especially for £33m, only to have him sit on the bench behind Kane?

Honestly what are you talking about, actually thinking we can get players we either have no chance with or no interest in.

 

[tototoner]

We could of signed Schneiderlin last summer if Levy hadn't fucked about haggling like usual

 

[sendmark]

Last summer we could have got him if the club had gone in a week or two earlier and offered 20 million. Dithered, tried to get him on the cheap and therefore lost out. The last minute stuff has often felt to me like an excuse not to sign players the manager wants. Not progressing rapidly also means our best players will always be vulnerable to poaching, and then it's a constant rebuild just to stay 5th/6th.

I like that they got Alderweireld, Trippier and Wimmer so early this window, but that's not all the holes in the squad plugged. Levy's comments afterwards about the last two weeks of the window worried me. Most clubs aren't looking to wait until then, as if you want someone who is a first teamer it gets harder to sign them once the football starts. Looking at our centre mid area, it's clear we need experience in there and they need a good attitude for the pressing game, that's not going to come from someone's discard pile.

I'm optimistic that the club is just looking to sort a few more outs this week, Stambouli and Chiriches hopefully, before making a big move for a cm. Then a move for a couple of forwards as we move each one of Soldado/Ade on. I can understand not rushing to sign a forward while we still have those two on the books, would kill our negotiating position and put a big hole in the budget.

 

[lukespurs7]

We seem to be doing things differently this year. Completing transfers early, addressing problem areas intelligently, moving on deadwood.

Our commercial activity is ramping up and we're pressing ahead with exciting development projects.

We've got a talented, young, hungry and increasingly balanced squad, one year on in their understanding of Poch's philosophy. We're largely injury free. We seem to be agro free too.

Do people think we can achieve something this season? If we can foster a sense of adventure and purpose in the team what can we achieve?

The perennial question - could this be the season?

I think the optimism, however this is a long-term game and until we get the stadium and give our young squad time to develop I'm afraid i can't see us 'achieving' something of note for a few seasons yet but we did make a final last year so you never know.

It all depends on a few factors such as:
-How do the young players develop
-Is Potch the right man
-Do we keep our best players e.g. Lloris, JV,Eriksen, Kane etc.

It is as if Levy has woken up and smelt the coffee regarding the on the field related transfer and manager mistakes of his past, this new strategy is exciting, refreshing and also is a better fit given our long-term aims with the stadium etc.

If the players keep developing well then who know what we could achieve after all Real Madrid spend millions on galacticos every year and yes they are successful and wont the CL and Domestic Cup 2 seasons ago BUT Barcelona via mostly young and homegrown players with a smattering of world class purcahsed talent have massively outperformed them for the last 10 years so it just shows it can work although slightly different to our current situation in the PL. Heres to hoping hey.

 

[lukespurs7]

Top 4 is a no goer now and for the foreseeable future. I just hope the management aren't going to give priority on chasing the impossible.

But there's no reason why we can't win the FA Cup. None of the top 4 will give it priority but we should be going all out to win this and the Europa league. It's been way too long since we won the FA cup and I'd give my right arm to see Lloris lifting that in May.

SPOT ON! Lets fucking win something

 

[sundanceyid10]

If our forward signing is Moses I suspect this wave of optimism will soon be parting.

That would be one of the worst most disappointing signings we would have ever made. I can't believe we are considering it.

 

[tez1503]

I feel that we are building a "team" for the first time in ages.
There will ups and downs as the season progresses but we have a young and hungry group at the heart of it all.
Will we get top 4? Maybe...maybe not, but as long as we are putting players together that we feel can be moulded together into a successful team in the future, I care not.

The other teams can spend their millions upon millions on "star" players for instant gratification, I would rather we kept the squad together and build on it with players that will fit Poch's team ethic and tactics despite the lower £££ values. I do agree we probably need to spend a little more to get the quality experienced DCM/CM to guide the youngsters and a back up ST/WF.

Jesus, in 2-3yrs time we are going to have an amazing side, if Levy can just hold off on that trigger finger.......

Or that could all be bollocks and we'll be scrapping against relegation and Poch will be sacked before Xmas, only to be replaced by Sam Allardyce.

 

[Flashspur]

well i am riding the wave of optimism but a great white shark could just as well eat my surboard dude...we could be great then we could be shit or we could be a bit of both....young squad could kick on but with only one real striker in Kane..no real cover for Benteleb or Mason...it could all look Stalag 17 by Christmas if luck goes against us

 

[dontcallme]

Not sure we really have done our business early.

Alderweireld an Trippier was meeting the release clause and Wimmer was straightforward signing.

The areas we need our quality signings in are midfield and upfront. In midfield we have sold the deadwood but not bought anyone and upfront we don't appear close to signing anyone. Rumours are Poch wants to keep Soldado and we are struggling to find a buyer for Ade so we have not yet reinvigorated that position either.

My level of optimism with the transfer window will be determined by the business we have done by the end of it.

I am most optimistic by the fact that we look likely to be holding onto our key players which for me is always more important than any signings.

I think we are looking strong for another 5th or 6th place finish. Hopefully with a stronger, more together squad we can compete in the cups.

 

[CammyCOYS]

So its that time of year again

While I feel we've obviously been here before, I've certainly never felt as optimistic for a season as I do now.
At times last season we were very good, and despite our form falling away at the end, finishing 5th in the league and reaching a cup final was very much over-achieving with the squad we had. There were obvious holes in the first team but ITK mutterings of our much improved transfer approach this summer with Paul Mitchell makes me believe that any further signings this summer will be first team additions, as opposed to the Stambouli/Fazio of previous windows. In this regard, I don't think some on here realise how good a signing Toby actually is. A back 4 of Rose / Jan / Toby / Walker is very solid, much more than can be said for those around us. What feels different is that there is finally some unity between the chairman and the manager, stability is what we've been needing for too long to remember. Those who think Poch will be sacked next year, think again. As Friedel confirmed on twitter, the club is unified.

What is also made apparent is the Pochettino philosophy of graft and hard work shining through. Even through the social media coverage of pre-season, its obvious that what we have/hope to have is a tight squad, working tirelessly as a unit. While we aren't star studded, we make up for that with our attitude. Any big ego's or doubters in this squad (Ade, Capoue, Lennon, Kaboul etc.) are quickly frozen out and you have to commend Poch as this sends a clear message.

What makes us unique is the attitude of our youth prospects. In the top 6, minus Southampton, we are realistically the only team where there is no "glass ceiling" for the academy to get in the first team. This gives our academy boys (Kane, Nabil, Mason, Rose etc.) a fantastic attitude and willingness. Take Bentaleb for instance, everyone is aware of his attitude to training, first highlighted by Sherwood, then reinforced by Poch. With a full season in him now and a new contract to prove, watch him become an absolute beast next year.

With this new stadium coming too, we are a few tweaks away from something really special at White Hart Lane.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

We have the potential to finish ahead of Arsenal and Man Ure this coming season. Finish above either one and it will be CL footie for us as far as i can see.

 

[dontcallme]

We have the potential to finish ahead of Arsenal and Man Ure this coming season. Finish above either one and it will be CL footie for us as far as i can see.

TBH I can't see us doing better than any of the current top 4.

Chelsea are favourites for the league. Arsenal have been very consistent with the playing style and are now getting the right signings. Utd had a dip but have now added real quality to an already impressive squad.

City are the only ones that are stagnating. But they are still a class above us imo.

For me at the moment I think we are hoping for 5th again and have a real go in the cups.

 

[talkshowhost86]

TBH I can't see us doing better than any of the current top 4.

Chelsea are favourites for the league. Arsenal have been very consistent with the playing style and are now getting the right signings. Utd had a dip but have now added real quality to an already impressive squad.

City are the only ones that are stagnating. But they are still a class above us imo.

For me at the moment I think we are hoping for 5th again and have a real go in the cups.

Agree.

It's far from impossible for us to break into the top 4 but they definitely have the edge.

Chelsea are a ludicrously strong squad, and City will bring in more players to bolster their team before the window is out. Arsenal are a good striker away from being a very good team and United seem to have finally worked out that they need defensive players as well as attackers.

Obviously we can't tell yet because we haven't finished our spending, and neither has everyone else, but it's going to be a very very tricky task to overhaul the top 4 from last season.

 

[spursram]

My tactics for next year. (You may need a pinch of salt handy). Its all to do with consistency, past performance and expectations.

There are 3 statistical facts over the past couple of seasons. Firstly, we very rarely take points of the top 4 (plus Liverpool) sides. (OK we did get results against Arse and Chelski last year, but that was a staggering improvement). Secondly, we get poor results following Europa games. Thirdly, related to the previous point, we have failed to get top 4 because of some crap results aginst teams we should beat.

Another fact, compared to "top" clubs, we don't have a lot of (quality) squad depth.

But there are 14 teams we "should" beat. Agreed? Thats 84 points.

Here's the gameplan. We play our best team only against those 14 clubs (plus Arsenal of course as bragging rights are still important). Play a strong team in FA Cup also. Against City, Utd, Chelsea, Liv play the youngsters (those that aren't in the first team) and other fringe players. Don't even try. Let the first team go play golf or something. Just not worth it against those clubs according to most posters above. Also, play the young and fringe players in Europa and Carling Cup. Let the firsties stay at home watching on TV and checking the selfies sent from the youngsters that go to the back and beyond..

Focus only on the 14 teams plus Arsenal. Thats 90 points. Treat every game really really as a must win.

That's it. Top 4 guaranteed. Possibly good FA Cup run. Great experience for the youngsters.

You heard it here first.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Our attack is not good enough. I doubt Kane can repeat last season with his one inch inside the post finishes every time and will be double marked in most games...Eriksen has not shown the ability to operate as a playmaker in the middle and did most of his damage from set pieces...Chadli is wildly inconsistent, Lamela only showed up like we hoped he would in the last 2 games of the season, Townsend is an enigma, Pritchard is untested. We need a world class winger.

Our defense last year was atrocious, hopefully the signings alter that but it may be a case of the way we play.

Midfield probably needs another body, hopefully Alli is as good as some make him out to be.

Analytics suggest we were the luckiest team in the Prem last season and still didn't get top 4 in a very down year for the Prem.

I think a 7th or 6th place finish is on the cards if all goes to plan, and I actually think Southampton or West Ham will finish above us. I'm not very optimistic about this season, but hey, I may be totally off here. Just not convinced by our play under Pochettino at all.