Chimbo!
Well-Known Member
- Jan 7, 2007
- 3,588
- 3,323
8 weeks ago Spurs stood in 3rd 10 points above the teams below them. They are now outside the top 4 by 3 points. Their season has swung drastically away from what it promised not so long ago. There is always hope but what was once a formality has now fallen out of Tottenham's hands. The autopsy, however, begins now: what went wrong?
Many have claimed that Redknapp's link with the England job derailed the season. With only 2 league wins since Capello's departure the connection appears more than speculative. People argued that without knowing who would manage them the Tottenham players would, at least sub-consciously, play differently or with less intensity. The argument, however, fails when you consider how the team performed against Newcastle in the immediate aftermath of the breaking story. The 5-0 drubbing was one of the best performances of the season.
Form is often dependent on confidence and that was lost against Arsenal. To surrender a 2 goal lead against your bitter rivals can cause significant damage. The side was thrashed in relentless fashion. Arsenal were hurt by the widening gap between the sides and aimed to close it. Psycologically they succeeded in doing so by reminding the team soaring above them that they were ready for their fall. This, however, is a symptom of a deeper underlying problem and not a cause of Tottenham's collapse. After all, Spurs were humiliated by Manchester United and City in the opening 2 games of the season. Tottenham followed those games with 9 wins in 10 matches.
Some have mentioned Spurs's difficult run that included Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United over 5 weeks. The excuse weakens when you consider Tottenham had beaten 3 of them earlier that season. There should have been enough in the squad to have collected sufficient points to at least avoid catastrophe. Instead they collected a solitary point from those fixtures.
The real reason why Spurs have collapsed in spectacular fashion is not straightforward but can be explained. While Newcastle added Cisse and Chelsea signed Cahill Spurs failed to add a player who would add extra energy to the squad and more importantly form. Tottenham allowed it's rivals to catch up.
In addition Spurs never metamorphised from it's 4-5-1 formation. It failed to adapt to a changing Premier League where sides have become more pressing and energetic recently. Space is hard to find and unless a formation is formed to maximise space and exploit it then the team will struggle. With Lennon out injured for most of the time and Bale the only winger Spurs have became too narrow and predictable.
Plan B has also contributed to Tottenham's demise. 4-4-2 was supposed to squeeze more attacking players into the team. Instead it created an open and rudderless side that was easy to open up and simple to close down. Spurs have become predictable and out of touch with recent changes. Without a fresh change Tottenham will slip further behind.
It's not because England want Harry or because the opposition have more talent but because Tottenham's competitors have changed and adapted while Spurs have stayed the same. The side has not changed much from the one that won 9 out of 10 matches and that is the problem. Unless you constantly improve and develop then you will fall behind. Unfortunately, Harry Redknapp and co. have found this out the hard way.
Many have claimed that Redknapp's link with the England job derailed the season. With only 2 league wins since Capello's departure the connection appears more than speculative. People argued that without knowing who would manage them the Tottenham players would, at least sub-consciously, play differently or with less intensity. The argument, however, fails when you consider how the team performed against Newcastle in the immediate aftermath of the breaking story. The 5-0 drubbing was one of the best performances of the season.
Form is often dependent on confidence and that was lost against Arsenal. To surrender a 2 goal lead against your bitter rivals can cause significant damage. The side was thrashed in relentless fashion. Arsenal were hurt by the widening gap between the sides and aimed to close it. Psycologically they succeeded in doing so by reminding the team soaring above them that they were ready for their fall. This, however, is a symptom of a deeper underlying problem and not a cause of Tottenham's collapse. After all, Spurs were humiliated by Manchester United and City in the opening 2 games of the season. Tottenham followed those games with 9 wins in 10 matches.
Some have mentioned Spurs's difficult run that included Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United over 5 weeks. The excuse weakens when you consider Tottenham had beaten 3 of them earlier that season. There should have been enough in the squad to have collected sufficient points to at least avoid catastrophe. Instead they collected a solitary point from those fixtures.
The real reason why Spurs have collapsed in spectacular fashion is not straightforward but can be explained. While Newcastle added Cisse and Chelsea signed Cahill Spurs failed to add a player who would add extra energy to the squad and more importantly form. Tottenham allowed it's rivals to catch up.
In addition Spurs never metamorphised from it's 4-5-1 formation. It failed to adapt to a changing Premier League where sides have become more pressing and energetic recently. Space is hard to find and unless a formation is formed to maximise space and exploit it then the team will struggle. With Lennon out injured for most of the time and Bale the only winger Spurs have became too narrow and predictable.
Plan B has also contributed to Tottenham's demise. 4-4-2 was supposed to squeeze more attacking players into the team. Instead it created an open and rudderless side that was easy to open up and simple to close down. Spurs have become predictable and out of touch with recent changes. Without a fresh change Tottenham will slip further behind.
It's not because England want Harry or because the opposition have more talent but because Tottenham's competitors have changed and adapted while Spurs have stayed the same. The side has not changed much from the one that won 9 out of 10 matches and that is the problem. Unless you constantly improve and develop then you will fall behind. Unfortunately, Harry Redknapp and co. have found this out the hard way.
