Tottenham; steady the ship and stand fast!
By Peter J Arnold
There has been much criticism of Nuno (and Levy) after we suffered our first season defeat against Palace. Let me assure you, it was just a blip.
We started the season well with wins over the league champions Manchester City, Wolves and Watford and now a slight wobble against Palace, away at Selhurst Park. And putting it into context, we were without a few of our star players through injuries and an unfortunate incident away in South America. In the greater scheme of things, it was just a blip. Nobody else in the Premier League has a 100% record, and as I pointed out, the current League Champions suffered their first defeat against us in the opening game.
Nuno knows the problems he has got and has identified them and will work on our hiccups, and by the time we face Chelsea, we will be back to a reasonable force and ready to take on the Blues of Chelsea.
Look at the table, after four league games, we are just one point behind the current league leaders. Most title-chasing teams would be happy with that, but our fans moan. On top of our chances for this season, we have a magnificent stadium that puts us in a league of our own. All thanks to Daniel Levy. Yes, I know our trophy collection is thin on the ground under him, but as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. However, our “Rome” is being built a lot quicker and will stand the test of time, unlike the Roman empire. As for trophies, one step at a time. I am sure that within the next 10 years, we will start competing with the top four clubs (City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool), and along the way, we might get a trinket or three. Arsenal have already fallen by the wayside, and I have no doubt that while we climb that money tree, others from the elite four will slip away and end up looking up at us.
Granted, I was not born in the 60s when most of the old Spurs codgers keep reminiscing about the past. The past is the past and belongs there, not being brought out and wafted in our faces like some pungent marijuana trip. What is important is what we have got to offer now, and it all started with the annihilation of the decrepit old White Hart Lane stadium (that was not fit for a modern era). In its place, Levy built us a world-class luxury stadium that is fit for purpose for all. We have magnificent Boxes for the rich, Premium for those that do not quite tip the rich scale and a season ticket section area for those of the working variety (in which I am one of them). Once the financial empire-building is in its ultimate swing and the money comes pouring in, we can build that football empire on the field. But Levy needs to get his priorities right first, making sure his creditors are paid, he and his directors are well looked after, and we must not forget the Tottenham shareholders that will want a large chunk of the investments they put in. It is a waiting game.
Nuno will either perform and achieve or, like all the other rejects, die trying. But I have no doubt that we are on the right track to greatness. It is not about one individual or even the fans but the whole picture; a wealthy empire that serves all; on and off the field. Fans come and go, but the name Tottenham Hotspur and our new stadium will be around for a millennium or longer.
When I talk to fans –Levy supporters and admirers – there is talk about building statues in his honour or at least once he achieves our dreams. Yes, I accept that the fans are split over whether Levy is a good thing for the club or not. Still, whatever side of the fence one is sitting on, he is not going anywhere, and one thing we all have in common is our love and support for the club and its glories, so let us all back Levy, the club/ stadium and the team. You know it makes sense!
When Tottenham Hotspur FC was first created (1882), those that followed were fans/ supporters, Levy has changed all that, and now we are clients and investors (investing our monies into the stadium). We are going into a new era where money decides one’s league position and not just by the players’ skill, and with Levy, we need a piece of that pie, and we are getting well equipped to do so. The likes of Chelsea, City, and United, might have stolen a march on us (wealth wise). Still, they certainly do not have what we have, Levy’s money-making schemes and empire stadium building (a multi-plex that will drag in everything that can make money for Tottenham).
Agree or disagree, but the future of football is where the money is and the young of today want a piece of that action.
By Peter J Arnold
My name is Peter, and I have just joined this wonderful Spurs website, and I am looking forward to writing down my football thoughts and then presenting them to you. Agree or disagree; all views are valid and should be respected.
It was the famous philosopher Voltaire who said, “I might not agree with you, however, I will defend your right to say it”. Free speech. I am a journalist by trade for a local news outlet. I’ve been a Spurs supporter since the 90s.