The Spurs Thread

[footle]

slightly amusing for the Spurs manager to give a definition of "spursy" though

[Gabe]

3 hours ago, Smoothy said:

I'm just surprised it wasn't Mourinho, he's used to doing this sort of thing just before he exits.  Spurs needed this though, we can make excuses many times but the fact is that we should be beating bottom-of-the-league Southampton every single fucking time by 5 or more.  We've been here time and time and time and time and time again, shitty club draws or beats Spurs.  

 

BlahblahConte'spartlyatfaultexcusesexcusesexcuses - who gives a shit?  We've had 20 years of managers who are supposedly "partly at fault".  Or maybe once a fucking gain the real rot is at the top - the ones who pick these fucking managers then proceeds to squeeze them time and time and time and time again?

 

It's a miracle we're fucking 4th, to be honest.  Utter miracle.  Cos the team are piss poor.

 

 

Sorry, but as an outsider, where on earth does that sense of entitlement come from for you to say the bolded?

 

As a club you have a board that has never really committed to investment required to push on, always to do 'just enough' (which we all know means CL qualification). I get it - to take it up to the next level costs a lot of money (now) but nowhere near as much had it been done 3/4/5 years ago. Conte may well not be a great fit for the club, but whenever I've dipped into this thread (which is very infrequently, to be fair) I always see people pining for Pochettino to come back - a man who couldn't even win the French title in his first season with the easy mode for that league (insert winky emoji here).

 

What would he even be coming back to, anyway? Kane & Son have wasted their best years, the squad needs depth and, if we take Conte at his word, an attitude adjustment - but it will keep coming back to 'Will this board commit to (probably) at least £100-£150m to get in quality first XI players?' Until that changes, I don't know what anybody really expects regardless of who is in the hot-seat.

[Stoppy2000]

1 hour ago, Gabe said:

 

Sorry, but as an outsider, where on earth does that sense of entitlement come from for you to say the bolded?

 

As a club you have a board that has never really committed to investment required to push on, always to do 'just enough' (which we all know means CL qualification). I get it - to take it up to the next level costs a lot of money (now) but nowhere near as much had it been done 3/4/5 years ago. Conte may well not be a great fit for the club, but whenever I've dipped into this thread (which is very infrequently, to be fair) I always see people pining for Pochettino to come back - a man who couldn't even win the French title in his first season with the easy mode for that league (insert winky emoji here).

 

What would he even be coming back to, anyway? Kane & Son have wasted their best years, the squad needs depth and, if we take Conte at his word, an attitude adjustment - but it will keep coming back to 'Will this board commit to (probably) at least £100-£150m to get in quality first XI players?' Until that changes, I don't know what anybody really expects regardless of who is in the hot-seat.

I just want football that is entertaining. This Conte team is diabolical to watch. It's quite often left me feeling like I've wasted my time bothering to watch it. 

[Smoothy]

10 hours ago, Gabe said:

 

Sorry, but as an outsider, where on earth does that sense of entitlement come from for you to say the bolded?

 

Cos if we are supposedly challenging for the title, title-chasing teams shouldn't be losing or drawing games such as these, and we lose too many of these games.

  

10 hours ago, Gabe said:

As a club you have a board that has never really committed to investment required to push on, always to do 'just enough' (which we all know means CL qualification). I get it - to take it up to the next level costs a lot of money (now) but nowhere near as much had it been done 3/4/5 years ago. Conte may well not be a great fit for the club, but whenever I've dipped into this thread (which is very infrequently, to be fair) I always see people pining for Pochettino to come back - a man who couldn't even win the French title in his first season with the easy mode for that league (insert winky emoji here).

 

What would he even be coming back to, anyway? Kane & Son have wasted their best years, the squad needs depth and, if we take Conte at his word, an attitude adjustment - but it will keep coming back to 'Will this board commit to (probably) at least £100-£150m to get in quality first XI players?' Until that changes, I don't know what anybody really expects regardless of who is in the hot-seat.

I agree with you.

[Jammy]

Conte was absolutely right, and whether the board are buying players that cost a fortune or not, the simple facts are that the core of this side, Son and Kane included, do not have the nerve required to either dig in and grind out a result, hold on to a lead as soon as they’re put under any pressure, or turn up for an important game. How many semi-finals and finals do we have to watch with this core of players where none of them have it in them to take a game by the scruff of the neck and drag the team over the line ? How many times do we have to sit and watch them lose meekly in what should be a relatively comfortable game when teams around them have dropped points ? When it matters, none of them stand up to be counted. Has anyone seen Son or Kane play well in one of those semi-finals or finals ? Because I haven’t. Pochettino and Mourinho have both stated publicly in the past that the players haven’t followed instructions or tactics.

 

So yeah, Conte is right, but at the same time has made his position untenable, so the cycle will continue, with the same players and a new manager.

[Stoppy2000]

Some of these players will never leave spurs as they'll never get any other offers. We'll be stuck paying their wages even if we can get them loaned out. 

Just be nice to not be playing 3-4-3 though. 

[redbloodcell]

12 hours ago, Jammy said:

Conte was absolutely right, and whether the board are buying players that cost a fortune or not, the simple facts are that the core of this side, Son and Kane included, do not have the nerve required to either dig in and grind out a result, hold on to a lead as soon as they’re put under any pressure, or turn up for an important game. How many semi-finals and finals do we have to watch with this core of players where none of them have it in them to take a game by the scruff of the neck and drag the team over the line ? How many times do we have to sit and watch them lose meekly in what should be a relatively comfortable game when teams around them have dropped points ? When it matters, none of them stand up to be counted. Has anyone seen Son or Kane play well in one of those semi-finals or finals ? Because I haven’t. Pochettino and Mourinho have both stated publicly in the past that the players haven’t followed instructions or tactics.

 

So yeah, Conte is right, but at the same time has made his position untenable, so the cycle will continue, with the same players and a new manager.

 

Didn't Stellini also allude to that, or am I imagining things? 

 

@Gabe, I think a big reason people are pining for Poch is that he was the first manager in a long time to have the determination put his foot down and clear out the toxic overly comfortable core of players at the club, then saw that it needed to be done again but instead got the boot for pointing it out. The situation if anything has got worse in his absence and that makes letting him deal with his unfinished business very appealing. Would it be the right choice? I don't know. It's relying in Poch being entirely ruthless in regards to a lot of players he's personally close with, for one. But as he said before he got axed - the squad requires a painful rebuild. 

[Jammy]

3 hours ago, redbloodcell said:

 

Didn't Stellini also allude to that, or am I imagining things? 

 

@Gabe, I think a big reason people are pining for Poch is that he was the first manager in a long time to have the determination put his foot down and clear out the toxic overly comfortable core of players at the club, then saw that it needed to be done again but instead got the boot for pointing it out. The situation if anything has got worse in his absence and that makes letting him deal with his unfinished business very appealing. Would it be the right choice? I don't know. It's relying in Poch being entirely ruthless in regards to a lot of players he's personally close with, for one. But as he said before he got axed - the squad requires a painful rebuild. 

Yes, after they got pumped by Leicester the other week he questioned the players’ mentality.

 

If Poch returns, and I’m not sure that’s my favourite option to be honest, the painful rebuild should include getting rid of every player that was here last time he was, including Son and Kane. So bye bye Dier, Sanchez, Davis, Lloris, Lucas (already going), Winks, Sessegnon, Son and Kane. Lo Celso and Ndombele are outliers here, as he never really got the chance to work with them, but they should probably go for good. Same with Hojbjerg - you can’t have someone making noises in the press about how people who don’t play for the badge need to fuck off, and at the same time meekly usher a Sheffield United player past you to score the winner in the FA Cup, without making even the merest hint of a challenge.

 

Romero, Richarlison, Bentancur, Porro, Spence, Kulusevski, Skipp, Gil and Danjuma can stay for now. I’d probably have Reguilon back as well, and Destiny Udogie looks awesome. So we need a new No 1, at least two CBs, two CMs, a creative, and a couple more strikers.

[Stoppy2000]

The problem is always going to be selling any of those players (apart from Son & Kane). We've got loads on cushy deals who would get nowhere near another big club. I don't think I could stomach seeing Lo Celso back at spurs. He was a complete waste of money. Still at least he'd be able to have a catch up with the medical team. 

[SaintAnselm]

18 minutes ago, Jammy said:

Yes, after they got pumped by Leicester the other week he questioned the players’ mentality.

 

If Poch returns, and I’m not sure that’s my favourite option to be honest, the painful rebuild should include getting rid of every player that was here last time he was, including Son and Kane. So bye bye Dier, Sanchez, Davis, Lloris, Lucas (already going), Winks, Sessegnon, Son and Kane. Lo Celso and Ndombele are outliers here, as he never really got the chance to work with them, but they should probably go for good. Same with Hojbjerg - you can’t have someone making noises in the press about how people who don’t play for the badge need to fuck off, and at the same time meekly usher a Sheffield United player past them to score in the FA Cup without making even the merest hint of a challenge.

 

Romero, Richarlison, Bentancur, Porro, Spence, Kulusevski, Skipp, Gil and Danjuma can stay for now. I’d probably have Reguilon back as well, and Destiny Udogie looks awesome. So we need a new No 1, at least two CBs, two CMs, a creative, and a couple more strikers.

My sentiments exactly.

 

We also need to sort out scouting and the academy as I feel in those areas we are light years behind most of the Premier League.

[redbloodcell]

28 minutes ago, Jammy said:

Yes, after they got pumped by Leicester the other week he questioned the players’ mentality.

 

If Poch returns, and I’m not sure that’s my favourite option to be honest, the painful rebuild should include getting rid of every player that was here last time he was, including Son and Kane. So bye bye Dier, Sanchez, Davis, Lloris, Lucas (already going), Winks, Sessegnon, Son and Kane. Lo Celso and Ndombele are outliers here, as he never really got the chance to work with them, but they should probably go for good. Same with Hojbjerg - you can’t have someone making noises in the press about how people who don’t play for the badge need to fuck off, and at the same time meekly usher a Sheffield United player past them to score in the FA Cup without making even the merest hint of a challenge.

 

Romero, Richarlison, Bentancur, Porro, Spence, Kulusevski, Skipp, Gil and Danjuma can stay for now. I’d probably have Reguilon back as well, and Destiny Udogie looks awesome. So we need a new No 1, at least two CBs, two CMs, a creative, and a couple more strikers.

 

I'd keep Sessegnon as he's still pretty young and I don't think Poch ever got to actually work with him, but I agree everyone else should be shipped out including the big boys. You've left out Bissouma & Sarr from your second list too, need a creative CM or two but apart from that the midfield is pretty well stacked. I want to see whomever does come in dip into the youth team more, there's a whole bunch of talent there ready to break through that needs an opportunity. 

[Jammy]

49 minutes ago, redbloodcell said:

 

I'd keep Sessegnon as he's still pretty young and I don't think Poch ever got to actually work with him, but I agree everyone else should be shipped out including the big boys. You've left out Bissouma & Sarr from your second list too, need a creative CM or two but apart from that the midfield is pretty well stacked. I want to see whomever does come in dip into the youth team more, there's a whole bunch of talent there ready to break through that needs an opportunity. 

Yes, you’re right, I totally forgot them. Bissouma is a very good player hampered by his current role, and Sarr looks really bloody good (and that was no way a pen on Saturday). Creatives is what’s missing. And decent CBs and goalie. Parrott and Scarlett must be ready for some involvement by now.

 

I should add that Emerson might be worth keeping if the new manager wants to play with four at the back.

[Stoppy2000]

1 hour ago, redbloodcell said:

 

I'd keep Sessegnon as he's still pretty young and I don't think Poch ever got to actually work with him, but I agree everyone else should be shipped out including the big boys. You've left out Bissouma & Sarr from your second list too, need a creative CM or two but apart from that the midfield is pretty well stacked. I want to see whomever does come in dip into the youth team more, there's a whole bunch of talent there ready to break through that needs an opportunity. 

Sessegnon is too injury prone. He might be alright as a backup for Udogie. Boissouma feels like he would work in a Poch system. Under Conte he's not suited for that 2 man midfield. I hope he comes good though.

Still amazed Conte hasn't been sacked yet....

[redbloodcell]

1 hour ago, Jammy said:

Yes, you’re right, I totally forgot them. Bissouma is a very good player hampered by his current role, and Sarr looks really bloody good (and that was no way a pen on Saturday). Creatives is what’s missing. And decent CBs and goalie. Parrott and Scarlett must be ready for some involvement by now.

 

I should add that Emerson might be worth keeping if the new manager wants to play with four at the back.

 

I'd 100% keep Royal, he's had a tough time of it for sure but the way he's put in serious effort to improve himself as a player off the pitch shows he's got the right attitude to succeed. 

 

30 minutes ago, Stoppy2000 said:

Sessegnon is too injury prone. He might be alright as a backup for Udogie. Boissouma feels like he would work in a Poch system. Under Conte he's not suited for that 2 man midfield. I hope he comes good though.

Still amazed Conte hasn't been sacked yet....

 

He needs to have his training looked at to try and reduce them but I don't think it's time to write him off yet, the club's had a lot of success sorting out injury prone young LBs and seeing them flourish. 

 

Apparently today is a rest day so nobody is due in until tomorrow, so I guess we'll see what happens when Conte is back in then. I'd imagine there'll be a very long, serious team meeting for one. 

[meatbin]

Royal has been picked for the Brazil international squad, which will help with his confidence.

 

I

1 hour ago, redbloodcell said:

Apparently today is a rest day so nobody is due in until tomorrow, so I guess we'll see what happens when Conte is back in then. I'd imagine there'll be a very long, serious team meeting for one. 

 

Will have given the board plenty of time to think about Conte's future, and consult with lawyers etc.  I expect talks to be held with Conte tomorrow, and he will leave on mutual agreement.  

[Gabe]

If they do sack Conte, doesn't that just prove him right? That the club wants a manager to go along with what the board wants? It was said above that Pochettino got sacked too when he pointed out the club needed to invest, so getting rid of Conte just confirms the cycle is working as intended.

 

Tottenham seem to have fallen into the old Arsenal "4th place is a trophy" mentality; the board are unwilling to make serious efforts to push the club on but, unlike Wenger, you've at least had some managers willing to speak out (even if it hasn't achieved anything yet.)

 

Conte is definitely out regardless, but I think when his contract ends versus now is probably a better sign the club are taking his fury seriously.

[Stoppy2000]

Unfortunately from a purely business perspective you'd have to consider 4th place as a success. We don't spend top 4 money. 

The owners don't want glory. Unless they can do it on the cheap almost by accident (as nearly happened with Poch). 

[Plissken]

As an outsider, I'm not exactly seeing much in the way of support for Conte.  He might be right (in certain ways) but it's pretty obvious that he's setting everything on fire in an effort to get sacked, not to make any changes.  If the board were to sack him early and made a statement was "we thank him for his work" with a undercurrent of "but we're sick of the drama", I don't think that too many would hold it against them.

[Smoothy]

David Squires on... Antonio Conte

🤣
 

 

[Stoppy2000]

Still patiently waiting for the announcement....

[Stoppy2000]

Conte gone!

[cultofweaver]

Stellini in. We're going to win the league.

[Stoppy2000]

5 minutes ago, cultofweaver said:

Stellini in. We're going to win the league.

I hope Stellini hates 3-4-3

[cultofweaver]

Consider how miserable the crushing weight of Conteball has made all the fans and players after 18 months. Stellini has put up with the cunt for years. Now he's free he'll make Ardiles look like the ghost of Otto Rehhagel.

 

Front fucking 8.

[Jammy]

Quite an unusual situation for the assistant and coaching staff to take over. This lends a bit of credence to the rumours that there is something more serious wrong with Conte than has been let on, and he’s retiring.

[redbloodcell]

15 hours ago, Jammy said:

Quite an unusual situation for the assistant and coaching staff to take over. This lends a bit of credence to the rumours that there is something more serious wrong with Conte than has been let on, and he’s retiring.

 

Conte's farewell message was hardly a "fuck you" either, although there's a bit of a parting shot aimed at someone in there:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqTMGUZMuPQ/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

 

I hope it's just that he needs time to reflect after the horrifying year he's had personally and to not be so far away from his family, rather than anything medical. 

 

[Stoppy2000]

Wasn't Conte's first game a 0-0 Vs Everton? I can't help but think we'll see exactly that for Stellini.

[Jammy]

Interesting that when interviewed, some of the newer players have said they enjoyed working with him, but not seen one social media post saying “Thanks” from any of the senior players.

[Shimmyhill]

I wish him well, genuinely think off field issues and lack of ambition from the board are more of an issue than Conte the man himself - whatever happens he got us top 4 against more than 4 clubs that outspend us and was hanging on to the same dream, part of the issue I feel would be the brief given to him was top 4 consolidation and he only saw one way to do it…

 

I just hope we play the last games of this season with the brakes off, not too fussed about the results if we actually play football and entertain.

[Smoothy]

Fabio Paratici's ban extended worldwide (source).

 

🤦🏾‍♂️