Situation under control at Tottenham
Spurs fans are a funny lot, many don't bother putting anything into perspective and form knee-jerk opinions or for the anti-Levy anti-ENIC brigade, who fail to put a credible alternative path forward, simply interpret everything to suit their pre-determined agenda.
The rest of us look at things in perspective, area we see can be improved we discuss, but always with the overall picture in mind, just as any chairman at any club should, and generally do, do. It seems to have been forgotten that our greatest weakness last season was in defence, I say in defence, but the whole team defend so personnel and implementation changes were called for.
With fans wanting early signings, we secured Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier, with Dele Alli arriving from MK Dons. We also made a strong effort to sign Danny Ings, but the player himself chose Liverpool, possible because he couldn't see himself ousting Harry Kane. Clearly Tobu Alderweireld had been spoken to and we had to with until his loan at Southampton ran out before we could sign him from Atlético Madrid.
Thus three defenders arrived, Dele Alli impressed so much in training that he became the understudy for the Ryan Mason and it isn't hard to envisage him being a regular starter this season. Eric Dier having played at centre-back and right-back with some aplomb has been moved to a holding midfielder role. We tried to buy top quality youngsters, but when they were not materialising stuck with Dier.
Now many may believe Dier is unaccustomed to the role, but in Iberia growing up you have to learn to play in every position, thus you have an understanding of your opponent and improve your technical ability on the ball. When Eric Dier forced his way into the Sporting side he played as a defensive midfielder, dropping back to centre-back when needed. It is a role he is familiar with even if he is inexperienced, it isn't a role he has just suddenly found himself in.
I think fans are now seeing why I spent 2 years writing we should buy this guy, I don't follow everyone abroad, but being English he was an obvious player to keep an eye on and target.
Defensively then we have five players to strengthen our major weakness and performances this season have shown we are definitely stronger in that department.
When buying players you should only purchase those who will improve the team now or in the future, buying for buying's sake, as if anyone would alleviate a problem, that is not the answer. If you buy a player and don't want him you have to sell him and that as we know to our cost is not always easy. Suggesting we should virtually give players away is not looking at the overall or long-term picture, which at the end of the day is the only picture that matters.
You are either building towards something in a controlled manner within a defined strategy or you are fire fighting each season, panic buying to alleviate one problem that simply creates another problem elsewhere. As a coach, you look for the root cause of a problem and address it within long-term planning. Sometimes you have to work with a problem because you don't have the resources to deal with it, you find a way to minimise the impact until you can tackle it.
The rest of us look at things in perspective, area we see can be improved we discuss, but always with the overall picture in mind, just as any chairman at any club should, and generally do, do. It seems to have been forgotten that our greatest weakness last season was in defence, I say in defence, but the whole team defend so personnel and implementation changes were called for.
With fans wanting early signings, we secured Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier, with Dele Alli arriving from MK Dons. We also made a strong effort to sign Danny Ings, but the player himself chose Liverpool, possible because he couldn't see himself ousting Harry Kane. Clearly Tobu Alderweireld had been spoken to and we had to with until his loan at Southampton ran out before we could sign him from Atlético Madrid.
Thus three defenders arrived, Dele Alli impressed so much in training that he became the understudy for the Ryan Mason and it isn't hard to envisage him being a regular starter this season. Eric Dier having played at centre-back and right-back with some aplomb has been moved to a holding midfielder role. We tried to buy top quality youngsters, but when they were not materialising stuck with Dier.
Now many may believe Dier is unaccustomed to the role, but in Iberia growing up you have to learn to play in every position, thus you have an understanding of your opponent and improve your technical ability on the ball. When Eric Dier forced his way into the Sporting side he played as a defensive midfielder, dropping back to centre-back when needed. It is a role he is familiar with even if he is inexperienced, it isn't a role he has just suddenly found himself in.
I think fans are now seeing why I spent 2 years writing we should buy this guy, I don't follow everyone abroad, but being English he was an obvious player to keep an eye on and target.
Defensively then we have five players to strengthen our major weakness and performances this season have shown we are definitely stronger in that department.
When buying players you should only purchase those who will improve the team now or in the future, buying for buying's sake, as if anyone would alleviate a problem, that is not the answer. If you buy a player and don't want him you have to sell him and that as we know to our cost is not always easy. Suggesting we should virtually give players away is not looking at the overall or long-term picture, which at the end of the day is the only picture that matters.
You are either building towards something in a controlled manner within a defined strategy or you are fire fighting each season, panic buying to alleviate one problem that simply creates another problem elsewhere. As a coach, you look for the root cause of a problem and address it within long-term planning. Sometimes you have to work with a problem because you don't have the resources to deal with it, you find a way to minimise the impact until you can tackle it.
We need to address the striking department, but we don't need just anyone, we need someone happy to play second fiddle to Kane or who needs to develop and have the confidence that they will oust him. It is clear Mauricio Pochettino like adaptable players, players who can play in more than one position to give the squad depth.
Clinton Njié is a central player primarily, not a winger as seems to be the popular myth put about by the writers in the national press, people seem to forget that these guys are not former coaches, neither have they played football at any standard, they are writers who are football fans, they are no different from the man in the street. Last season Njié started 1 game on the wing and 13 central.
Kane can and has played as a striker and as the man behind a striker, Njié played primarily as one of two up front, but personally I don't know enough about him to know whether he would be effective in the lone striker role and I doubt the fans complaining do either.
Son Heung-min is someone we looked at before and if memory serves we looked at him when we were looking for a striker before buying Roberto Soldado. He is a player we have followed for a few years so we will know his game.
In the 2012/13 season, Son was playing for Hamburger SV (Hamburg) and for 14 of his 31 appearances he was a centre-forward, scoring. He played behind the striker in 1 game and from the right in 13 games. For Bayer Leverkusen, he only played on the right once, spending all his tile on the left.
It would seem he van play across all three positions and is two-footed so not restricted to a particular side on that score. he isn't the striker fans wanted and clearly strenuous efforts were made to secure Berahino, we offered the £25-million they requested, naturally that had to be, as every other transfer involving big money is, paid in instalments over the term of his contract.
Kane can and has played as a striker and as the man behind a striker, Njié played primarily as one of two up front, but personally I don't know enough about him to know whether he would be effective in the lone striker role and I doubt the fans complaining do either.
Son Heung-min is someone we looked at before and if memory serves we looked at him when we were looking for a striker before buying Roberto Soldado. He is a player we have followed for a few years so we will know his game.
In the 2012/13 season, Son was playing for Hamburger SV (Hamburg) and for 14 of his 31 appearances he was a centre-forward, scoring. He played behind the striker in 1 game and from the right in 13 games. For Bayer Leverkusen, he only played on the right once, spending all his tile on the left.
It would seem he van play across all three positions and is two-footed so not restricted to a particular side on that score. he isn't the striker fans wanted and clearly strenuous efforts were made to secure Berahino, we offered the £25-million they requested, naturally that had to be, as every other transfer involving big money is, paid in instalments over the term of his contract.
We have addressed areas of the team and the striking area will have to wait a little while longer to get the right man instead of any man. The squad is young and should develop together so that when we build the stadium we have a team ready to play n it and challenge for the Champions League places. Now is important of course it is, but being ready and in a healthy position when the stadium is built is perhaps even more important.
If we have little money then we can't build a team, we have to have built it by then so that when we lose a part of the machine we can replace it. How we will fare with our striking options I do not know, I don't have a crystal ball. Everyone can guess. but to be doom and gloom on a guess that may or may not ever happen is no way to lead a happy or successful life. We are
One questions whether some Spurs fans want either.
If we have little money then we can't build a team, we have to have built it by then so that when we lose a part of the machine we can replace it. How we will fare with our striking options I do not know, I don't have a crystal ball. Everyone can guess. but to be doom and gloom on a guess that may or may not ever happen is no way to lead a happy or successful life. We are
One questions whether some Spurs fans want either.
Further Stories
Click the link for a chance to WIN £3,000 to spend at MORRISONS
Click this link if you prefer £1,000 at TESCO, ASDA or SAINSBURY
Post a Comment