A Fortune Teller's look back at our season.

[Paul Finch]

        Riff,
              I completely agree with everything you have said about Parker, you do not become a bad player overnight, and people must realise that he had a very serious injury, which takes quite sometime to completely repair, and people must also realise that Sandro's injury is also very serious and he will quite probably take quite a while to fully recover, he has had a full knee reconstruction, which is far more serious than many people realise, he has to get over mental side of it as well(which also applies to Parker) also I don't think Dembele has been 100% fit all season, which would account for him not being at his best.
 
 

[RiffHard]

        Riff,
              I completely agree with everything you have said about Parker, you do not become a bad player overnight, and people must realise that he had a very serious injury, which takes quite sometime to completely repair, and people must also realise that Sandro's injury is also very serious and he will quite probably take quite a while to fully recover, he has had a full knee reconstruction, which is far more serious than many people realise, he has to get over mental side of it as well(which also applies to Parker) also I don't think Dembele has been 100% fit all season, which would account for him not being at his best.
 
 

It seems to me that at least half of our players are not 100% fit and have been playing with knocks and on painkillers. For example, Parker missed the game against Southampton because he failed the pre-game fitness test, although he has not been reported to be injured. Dembélé has come off many times this season and so has Lennon.

[RSS61]

IMO we concede far too many goals, and dont score enough.

The culprits I would be looking at are Dawson BAE Parker Lennon Huddlestone Defoe Adebayor.

Walker Caulker Holtby and Siggy I think are still young enough to improve.

Kaboul Dembele and Sandro we need to see if they are ever going to be fit enough.

[dimexi]

As some of the older members remember I said many years ago that Parker should be signed for Spurs and I got some stick for that. After we'd signed him and he'd turned in some great performances, opinions where somewhat different. However, I admit that Parker has not had the season he had last year. Injury has probably affected him and he's not getting any younger either, but I believe he could still be an important player for us.

Parker is one of the players who is doing the dirty work and is therefore not as prominent as some other players. Parker is still breaking up plays, throwing himself around and when opportunity arises, starting attacks (not many have noticed that his long passes to Lennon have lead to quite a few goals this season). I agree that he has also had some trouble marking his players and goals have been scored against us because of that (Oscar at the Chelsea game, for example).

Parker is a respected leader and a role model who can be a real influence on younger lads. I don't think that a player will turn from one of the best midfielders in the league into crap and I believe he can still be an influential squad member for us. Also, we must be prepared that Sandro who returns might also not be the Sandro he was before the injury as there is never a guarantee with injuries.

I agree with you and think we should keep him as he can still offer the team something. I would just like to see us move for a player that would keep him out of the first XI. He would be great to bring on when the midfield is being over run, but still able to play in the first team when you need cover.

Also agree, we will have to wait and see on Sandro. Even more reason to get a quality player in that can play different roles.

[dimexi]

I just read that if we win today we will acquire the highest points total since 1967 accounting for the change in points from 2 to 3 points for a win. With the fourth highest tally ever. Now we can bitch and moan all we like to me that is pretty darn impressive. It does not change what I would like to see change or done differently but that is based more on what I think we are capable of rather than being negative about the here and now. Baldbloke I think you are going to have to concede some ground on certain matters. Yes, we both agree that we prefer a different style of football. But it isn't like we have always been that good now is it?

[ugs]

Same s**t different season !!!!
 
 

[RSS61]

There is talk of Parker going to QPR next season. He has done well for us but I do not think he should be any more than a squad player if he stays. This made me start to think seriously about how and where we need to shake things up a bit, if we are going to make our move, as it were. Watching our recent games, I was already thinking that Parker is no longer dominating the centre of the park like he did, so he was one I would let go. Huddlestone for me is just painfully slow, yes at times he can pick a pass, but too often he loses the ball trying to make a short easy pass to a better player in space.

Obviously Sandro coming back would help loads, but we need another ball winning player, or better still a box to box jack of all trades to support Sandro. Dembele, may be able to fill that role, but not 100% convinced yet. As has been previously said, Sig, Holtby and Dempsey are not really at the standard we need in our first 11, for all of their positives, there is just too big a lack of quality in their play. If this area is sorted out properly, I think the defence will be far more effective, so do not think we need any first team defenders to come in necessarily. Although a left footed LB would be useful to help Ekoto.

If we keep Bale and he continues to play centrally / stroke all over the park, we need balance on the left to give us width and pace. A player that can swap with Lennon and or Bale would be perfect.


Nothing needs to be said about the striker problem, it is too obvious and often discussed.

I have picked this post as one of the best I've read, and for me sums up our season pretty much, as did yesterday's match against Sunderland.

Parker does not dominate the midfield as he once did. Huddlestone is far too slow, and was caught out badly yesterday.

Dembele looked annonymous when he came on, as did Siggy, and Defoe. Holtby wasn't played. Dempsey tried hard but acheived nothing. Adebayor looked sharp but occasionally his first touch was poor, as was some of his passing.

Walker and Verthonghen I thought had good games. Dawson yet again gave 100% but is slow. BAE just does not do it anymore, and was nowhere to be seen when the cross came in for Wickam to nearly score.

Lloris saved the game for us, and once more Bale won it.

To sum things up, I think we need a CB ( Kaboul ? ) LB, a box to box midfielder who can really create things, and a centre forward, so that Bale ( if he stays ) can revert to his left wing role, and bring some more width and balance back to the team.

All the top 4 side teams made mistakes, its just that over 38 games we made more than them against inferior sides.

[Glenn R]

I just read that if we win today we will acquire the highest points total since 1967 accounting for the change in points from 2 to 3 points for a win. With the fourth highest tally ever. Now we can bitch and moan all we like to me that is pretty darn impressive. It does not change what I would like to see change or done differently but that is based more on what I think we are capable of rather than being negative about the here and now. Baldbloke I think you are going to have to concede some ground on certain matters. Yes, we both agree that we prefer a different style of football. But it isn't like we have always been that good now is it?

I totally agree. Even though we finished 5th we actually did better than previous managers since 1967. In the programme notes Levy has said he will strengthen the squad and AVB had confirmed that. Hopefully we will also keep Bale and then challenge for the top 4th spot or higher.

[RSS61]

I just read that if we win today we will acquire the highest points total since 1967 accounting for the change in points from 2 to 3 points for a win. With the fourth highest tally ever. Now we can bitch and moan all we like to me that is pretty darn impressive. It does not change what I would like to see change or done differently but that is based more on what I think we are capable of rather than being negative about the here and now. Baldbloke I think you are going to have to concede some ground on certain matters. Yes, we both agree that we prefer a different style of football. But it isn't like we have always been that good now is it?

I totally agree. Even though we finished 5th we actually did better than previous managers since 1967. In the programme notes Levy has said he will strengthen the squad and AVB had confirmed that. Hopefully we will also keep Bale and then challenge for the top 4th spot or higher.

As someone who was regularly at The Lane in 1967 as a 14 year old in the boys enclosure, I can tell you this. We had Pat Jennings Joe Kinnear Cyril Knowles Alan Mullery Mike England Dave Mackay Jimmy Robertson Jimmy Greaves Alan Gilzean Terry Venables Frank Saul as our regular starting 11. All of the above were, or had been, internationals, apart from possibly Saul.  That year we finished 3rd and won the Cup.

Our current 11 can in no way be compared to that team, apart from maybe 4 players. The overall standard of the Prem has obviously dropped since that time.

However, I do agree that if we can keep Bale and add 4 or 5 players then we can reach the standards of that era.

[Paul Finch]

RSS61,
           I totally agree with everything that you have said, how can anyone with a modicom of common sense compare our present team with that of 1967, but I am sure that we will be accused of dwelling in the past, unfortunately we now have a Chairman who is only interested in making money for his shareholders, whereas in 1967 we had a Chairman and board who weren't frightened to invest in players in order to bring success to the Club.
          In my opinion this season has been a failure, we managed to achieve our highest points tally since 1967, SO WHAT, we reached the Quarter Finals of Europa League at what cost, I'll tell you, it cost us Top 4 and a place in Champions League next season, why because AVB put too much importance on trying to win it, he got his priorities WRONG, VERY WRONG, this should have been his list of priorities:-
1. Win the Premiership
2. If we fail to win it finish TOP 4(Thus qualifying for The Champions League)
3. Win the FA Cup
4. Win Europa League (Give younger players experience)
  This is only MY opinion, but I also think that it is an opinion shared by the vast majority of Spurs Supporters, you only had to see the expressions on their faces at the end of the game on Sunday to realise that.
    We now have to suffer a summer of constant fear of the possibility of losing our BEST PLAYER, and please don't anyone dare tell me that we won't, speculation is already rife and the season only finished two days ago.
 
 
 

[Glenn R]

I just read that if we win today we will acquire the highest points total since 1967 accounting for the change in points from 2 to 3 points for a win. With the fourth highest tally ever. Now we can bitch and moan all we like to me that is pretty darn impressive. It does not change what I would like to see change or done differently but that is based more on what I think we are capable of rather than being negative about the here and now. Baldbloke I think you are going to have to concede some ground on certain matters. Yes, we both agree that we prefer a different style of football. But it isn't like we have always been that good now is it?

I totally agree. Even though we finished 5th we actually did better than previous managers since 1967. In the programme notes Levy has said he will strengthen the squad and AVB had confirmed that. Hopefully we will also keep Bale and then challenge for the top 4th spot or higher.

As someone who was regularly at The Lane in 1967 as a 14 year old in the boys enclosure, I can tell you this. We had Pat Jennings Joe Kinnear Cyril Knowles Alan Mullery Mike England Dave Mackay Jimmy Robertson Jimmy Greaves Alan Gilzean Terry Venables Frank Saul as our regular starting 11. All of the above were, or had been, internationals, apart from possibly Saul.  That year we finished 3rd and won the Cup.

Our current 11 can in no way be compared to that team, apart from maybe 4 players. The overall standard of the Prem has obviously dropped since that time.

However, I do agree that if we can keep Bale and add 4 or 5 players then we can reach the standards of that era.

According to what I was reading today - if you can believe it - Bale will stay with a better contract. They will also build a new team around him.

[Metalanimal]

Rumours are a deal deal worth 135k per week, fingers crossed!

[Glenn R]

Rumours are a deal deal worth 135k per week, fingers crossed!

Yes. Let's hope.

[ugs]

RSS61,
           I totally agree with everything that you have said, how can anyone with a modicom of common sense compare our present team with that of 1967, but I am sure that we will be accused of dwelling in the past, unfortunately we now have a Chairman who is only interested in making money for his shareholders, whereas in 1967 we had a Chairman and board who weren't frightened to invest in players in order to bring success to the Club.
          In my opinion this season has been a failure, we managed to achieve our highest points tally since 1967, SO WHAT, we reached the Quarter Finals of Europa League at what cost, I'll tell you, it cost us Top 4 and a place in Champions League next season, why because AVB put too much importance on trying to win it, he got his priorities WRONG, VERY WRONG, this should have been his list of priorities:-
1. Win the Premiership
2. If we fail to win it finish TOP 4(Thus qualifying for The Champions League)
3. Win the FA Cup
4. Win Europa League (Give younger players experience)
  This is only MY opinion, but I also think that it is an opinion shared by the vast majority of Spurs Supporters, you only had to see the expressions on their faces at the end of the game on Sunday to realise that.
    We now have to suffer a summer of constant fear of the possibility of losing our BEST PLAYER, and please don't anyone dare tell me that we won't, speculation is already rife and the season only finished two days ago.
 
 
 

You are as in many cases spot on the money Mr Finch, it dosen't matter if we had 100 points we failed to finish in the top 4 and therefore run the risk of losing players rather than signing the quality we need !!! Another season of signng the likes of Dempsey and Sigardsson and Voice defending AVB and Levy for nearly getting there and  nearly signing some great players !!!!
 
 

[RSS61]

RSS61,
           I totally agree with everything that you have said, how can anyone with a modicom of common sense compare our present team with that of 1967, but I am sure that we will be accused of dwelling in the past, unfortunately we now have a Chairman who is only interested in making money for his shareholders, whereas in 1967 we had a Chairman and board who weren't frightened to invest in players in order to bring success to the Club.
          In my opinion this season has been a failure, we managed to achieve our highest points tally since 1967, SO WHAT, we reached the Quarter Finals of Europa League at what cost, I'll tell you, it cost us Top 4 and a place in Champions League next season, why because AVB put too much importance on trying to win it, he got his priorities WRONG, VERY WRONG, this should have been his list of priorities:-
1. Win the Premiership
2. If we fail to win it finish TOP 4(Thus qualifying for The Champions League)
3. Win the FA Cup
4. Win Europa League (Give younger players experience)
  This is only MY opinion, but I also think that it is an opinion shared by the vast majority of Spurs Supporters, you only had to see the expressions on their faces at the end of the game on Sunday to realise that.
    We now have to suffer a summer of constant fear of the possibility of losing our BEST PLAYER, and please don't anyone dare tell me that we won't, speculation is already rife and the season only finished two days ago.
 
 
 

You are as in many cases spot on the money Mr Finch, it dosen't matter if we had 100 points we failed to finish in the top 4 and therefore run the risk of losing players rather than signing the quality we need !!! Another season of signng the likes of Dempsey and Sigardsson and Voice defending AVB and Levy for nearly getting there and  nearly signing some great players !!!!
 
 

I think its unfair to bash AVB.
For me, he has done a pretty good job for his first season in charge. He has had to come in on the back of a top 4 finish, and follow a very popular manager in Redknapp. Firstly he had to take the difficult decision to drop Friedal, which I am sure we all agree was the right one. Then he had to re-shuffle the defence following the injury to Kaboul. Then he had to re-shuffle the midfield when Sandro got injured. Then he was deprived of a striker in January, and succesfully adapted Bale to partly fill that role. He seems to have accelerated the signing of Holtby, which hasn't quite worked out so far. He pretty much tried every player at his disposal in an effort to find the right formula.
All of this without so much as a word of complaint or excuse. Not bad in my book, and I think that the applause he received as he walked around the ground after the game on Sunday bears that out.

Now I think that by far the most important step is for the club to immediately sort out Gareth Bale's situation. They need to make a statement of intent by saying he has signed a new and improved contract. That alone will go a long way to attrecting the sort of players that AVB needs to really push on next season.