Season review, what needs to be done and expectations

[Dier Hard]

*Long post warning*

So the season's done, one that I think all of us will be happy to forget, albeit it ended with a small ray of light having secured Europa League football for next season, though that speaks volumes for how bad the quality was this year. We embarrassingly crashed out of both domestic cups against sides we should be beating. The CL campaign wasn't really great either, albeit we did face a decent Leipzig side whilst we were struggling with injuries to key players.

Son picked up our POTY awards and whilst statistically he had yet another strong season, performance wise he left a lot to be desired, as did everyone else. I'm honestly not sure who I think deserved it.

Our recruitment proved to piss poor for the most part, a lot of money was spent and we got a very little return.

We've also seen far too many players decline, this has been coupled with the club persisting with too many mediocre players and so along with the poor recruitment (plus lack of recruitment in 18/19), it's culminated in a squad that's delivered poor football for over 18 months as well as the sacking of a much loved manager.

If I were to grade this season it'd be a D/ E (out of A+ to F). We came in with high hopes and big money signings but ended up massively underperforming, playing poorly but just scraping a guaranteed Europa spot on the final day in 6th spot, ensuring we at least maintain a "big 6" finish.
If I were to grade Jose on his first 9 or so months, I think a B- would be fair. He picked up a solid amount of points even if the football wasn't pretty but ultimately couldn't get CL football whilst the FA Cup exit to Norwich was extremely disappointing.

We certainly need to act quick and smart in the market now, I'm hoping for a good few additions but expecting around 3 or 4 (at the least a RB, DM and ST, ideally though another RB, CB, possibly a LB, CM and a WF too - unrealistic but needed in my opinion). I think the club needs to be brutal with outgoings and cut the deadwood plus those who no longer offer enough, especially as we'll likely need funds to reinvest into the squad as I can't imagine our starting budget will be too great. Most if not all of these should be binned - Aurier, KWP, CCV, Foyth, Winks, Dele and Lamela. There's also decent cases to be made for Sess and Ndombele, though I am holding hope that with a new DM, Jose will give Ndombele a second chance in a three man midfield and help provide that creative spark alongside Gio that we've lost since Eriksen's decline and departure.

In terms of next season, it's where I'll begin to truly judge Jose too. I'm expecting top four and a trophy, anything less is simply a failure. I'd also like to see us be more dominant in certain matches, I'm completely cool with counter attacking against strong sides who like to play a possession based game but against bottom half teams we need to be the alpha because trying to counter attack a side who'll likely sit back won't end well.

So yeah... might add more in the comments if I think of anything but what's everyone's thoughts on things?
How would you grade the season and manager impact?
Did you have a POTY in mind?
What would you like done in the summer?
What are you hoping/ expecting from Jose and the players next season?

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

It's the usual problems that need to be addressed....

• Get in someone to take the strain off Harry Kane;
• Stop recruiting so late that players take until Christmas to settle;
• Don't let the senior management buy players that the manager won't use;
• Don't **** up possible critical transfers by quibbling over tuppence and playing 'Transfer Chicken' before losing out. We need and want Hojbjerg...let's ****ing get it done and hopefully, get in done in July...?
• Stop avoid the use of good young players, whilst insisting upon using senior players who have zero form or fitness instead;
• Buy the players that we need to improve the first team as a priority, before buying players like Foyth, Clarke and Sessegnon, who are years away from being able to contribute;
• Be prepared to sell players for a realistic sum, rather than holding out for unrealistic values and filling the squad up with players who shouldn't be at the club anymore, so we can't bring in replacements, even if we wanted to;
• Be prepared to loan players in to fill spots we can't afford to fill with a permanent transfer;
• Plan to rest players before they get injured and spend months on the sidelines, not after;

It's all overly familiar stuff that we've been getting wrong for years...and I've little confidence that we'll successfully address any of it.

Maybe this year we'll try a bit harder?

 

[The Huddlefro]

Also a long post.

This season has been hugely problematic for a number of reasons, which we've all gone over enough times, so I won't thrash them out all over again. Appointing Jose didn't get us CL but it did get us Europe and his record has been encouraging, even if there have been some dud performances. As far as the players go:

Lloris: form since the restart shows he's still got some of the old quality left in him. Question marks about him as captain but I'm not sure that's going to change, though since the restart you can hear how vocal he is with his players.
Rose: the less said the better. Expect him to leave this summer, a sad end for a player who was once a fan favourite, though ultimately not a surprising one
Toby: been shaky at times but looks like he's coming back under Jose. Signed a new contract so I suspect he'll be first choice with us for a couple of years yet, which is no bad thing
Jan: somewhat anticlimactic end for a much loved player. Thanks for everything Jan, we'll miss you, but the time is right for him to move on
Dave: Jose needs to work on him still, it seems. Competing with Dier for that second CB slot and it looks like he's losing the battle. If Jose can work on cutting out his errors then he's a fine CB. Let's see
Son: great stats, but some very poor performances this term. Not worried about him long term though, still a very good player
Winks: squad player at best. Gives his all but has his limitations. Expect him to stay and play his part
Kane: the talisman. Can't be without him. Desperately need some sort of backup to help the wear and tear. Enough said
Lamela: has his place for Mourinho who clearly values his attitude and versatility. An excellent option (please stay fit)
Vorm: came back to help us out even though he's some way below the quality he used to be, when he could easily have been 1st choice for a PL team while being our backup. Leaves with a lot of goodwill
Dier: having a renaissance under Jose after many had written him off. Expect him to be a key player at CB for us in the coming seasons having signed a new deal
KWP: looks like he's off. Good luck to the lad
Sissoko: lots of heart but the same as Winks really. We need a specialist DM.
GLC: been playing through injury since before the restart really so hard to make a true assessment. But he looks a proper player and if he can get right over the summer break, I think we'll see the best of him, especially as he's had more freedom in recent games and has started to contribute more in the final third.
Sess: really disappointing season for the lad. Doesn't seem to have a position nailed down. He is still very young despite his experience, so maybe he will develop. Feel like it needs to be decided if he's going to play LB or LW before that can happen though. Jury very much out.
Dele: a real mixed bag. Initial signs were promising under Jose but since those first few games he's regressed. If we were going to have to sell one 'big' player this summer, I suspect we'd all pick him. Graded a 'must do better'
Foyth: Jose doesn't seem to be a fan. Suspect we might offload him. Has the makings of a good player but not the right environment for him right now
Gazza: a fine backup keeper and extremely handsome. Keep
Bergwijn: some promising signs for the young Dutchman since he joined in January. Expect him to get better in his first full season
Aurier: flip a coin and you find out what performance you're getting. Showed admirable mental strength since his tragic family event. Needs consistency and to work on the final ball if he's going to stay as 1st choice, presuming we sign a RB this summer
Moura: nothing new to say here - he's a streaky player who I feel does best coming off the bench. Jose seems to have awakened some Lamela-esque energy in him recently which is a great sign. Expect him to challenge Bergwijn for one of the wide positions alongside Sonny
Ndombele: really, really disappointing. Wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him in a Spurs shirt again, if we can find a buyer that is. Seems to have an attitude problem that Jose just won't take. Would love to see him sort his fitness and attitude out and succeed here but I'm just not sure he will.
Skippy: lots of praise from Jose for the kid, let's hope he gets more gametime or even a good loan next season to keep developing
Gedson: sometimes I forget he exists. Needs to play in CM I think to really make an assessment. Let's see what happens with a full season under his fellow Portugese
Ben Davies: become a key player under Jose. We need competition at LB (or just decide to play Sess there and commit to it) but Ben is steady, if unspectacular.
Japhet Tanganga: the great new hope at CB. Looks promising but raw. Hope to see more next season.

Of the other loanees, I have no idea what to do with Jack Clarke. Luke Amos will probably be off unless he wows during preseason (even then if we move for Eze he would be the makeweight) and CCV will probably go too.

My expectations are broadly similar to yours, DH, for next season. Top 4 great but top 6 and a trophy would honestly do it for me. Jose is here to do one thing and one thing only, and that's win silverware.

We need a RB, maybe a LB, possibly a CB, definitely a DM, maybe a progressive, deeper CM if Tanguy leaves, and backup for Kane. Oh, and a 3rd choice GK if we decide neither Whiteman or Austin are ready.

Hoping for something like this on day 1 of 2020/2021:

Lloris
New RB Toby Dier Davies
New DM Ndombele (if he works out, literally and figuratively)
Sonny GLC Bergwijn
Kane

 

[PowerSpurs]

Not sure why everyone is so down. We've finished top 6 for each year for the last eleven years. We've never done that before even in the 60s. We've still got a lot of good players and we are a pretty young side on average. If we can sign a couple of solid players and get some value out if Ndombele and Sessegnon we should be fine to challenge for top 4 and winning the Europa League is well within our capabilities.

 

[The Changing Man]

That was a painful season. Very few of our players have enhanced their reputations and although I am happy that we sneaked into 6th and pinched the last definite Europa place that was not what we started the season looking for. Rating D (on DHs A-F)

In my mind Poch had to go, it was a terrible wrench at the time but we were going nowhere when Levy sharpened the axe. I am still not fan of Jose, but results have been better but the football is not an easy watch. Hopefully with more time and with Ledley on board as a coach we will be better on the eye and with better results next season. I’ll give Jose B-

Players – Tanganga was a bright spot, and Lo Celso showed glimpses as did Bergwyn, I think that in the latters case it was good to get him in January and aclimatise him to the league, and I hope he will be pushing Lucas hard for the 2nd wing forward position next season. Harry is not immune to criticism but he remains the top man and must be retained and given more support in terms of adding someone to take the some of the burden off of him.

I would bin Ndombele and Dele if we can get back most of what we paid for Tanguy, he just doesn’t look to have the mental strength for our league and if we can find someone to take Dele for a sensible price, I think that the move may benefit both parties. He is stale with us, and needs a change maybe overseas, and I am not sure he fits into the side the way Jose plays. I would also sell Sissoko he is just not good enough with the ball to be in a side aiming for top 4. Add Serge into the sales too and we may get £120m+ into the coffers.

I won’t speculate on names of players, but if Jose wants them and we can afford them lets get them in. First up is a first choice RB and CDM, then we need a back up striker and another creative player who can unlock the door of stubborn defences. Would then be nice to add another LB and a box to box midfielder.

Glad its over lets hope that the next one is better. A trophy is a must and continuing the run of qualifying for europe via the league - as power says that is now 11 years in a row, and that's equal longest current run.

 

[PowerSpurs]

That was a painful season. Very few of our players have enhanced their reputations and although I am happy that we sneaked into 6th and pinched the last definite Europa place that was not what we started the season looking for. Rating D (on DHs A-F)

In my mind Poch had to go, it was a terrible wrench at the time but we were going nowhere when Levy sharpened the axe. I am still not fan of Jose, but results have been better but the football is not an easy watch. Hopefully with more time and with Ledley on board as a coach we will be better on the eye and with better results next season. I’ll give Jose B-

Players – Tanganga was a bright spot, and Lo Celso showed glimpses as did Bergwyn, I think that in the latters case it was good to get him in January and aclimatise him to the league, and I hope he will be pushing Lucas hard for the 2nd wing forward position next season. Harry is not immune to criticism but he remains the top man and must be retained and given more support in terms of adding someone to take the some of the burden off of him.

I would bin Ndombele and Dele if we can get back most of what we paid for Tanguy, he just doesn’t look to have the mental strength for our league and if we can find someone to take Dele for a sensible price, I think that the move may benefit both parties. He is stale with us, and needs a change maybe overseas, and I am not sure he fits into the side the way Jose plays. I would also sell Sissoko he is just not good enough with the ball to be in a side aiming for top 4. Add Serge into the sales too and we may get £120m+ into the coffers.

I won’t speculate on names of players, but if Jose wants them and we can afford them lets get them in. First up is a first choice RB and CDM, then we need a back up striker and another creative player who can unlock the door of stubborn defences. Would then be nice to add another LB and a box to box midfielder.

Glad its over lets hope that the next one is better. A trophy is a must and continuing the run of qualifying for europe via the league - as power says that is now 11 years in a row, and that's equal longest current run.

While I think winning a trophy would do wonders for the squad morale it can't be a 'must'. There just isn't a way to guarantee it. In all three cups we will likely end up playing three clubs in the quarters onwards who are about as good as us and factoring in the chance of a slip up earlier on, the chance of winning any of them can't be more than one in ten. A top 6 team should win a trophy every five years or so which makes us overdue so fingers crossed.

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

Positives
- Hang on, I'll think of something...
- The season finally ended
- Lo Celso and Bergwijn look like they could be very useful for years to come
- Tanganga breaking through
- Getting shot of some of the deadwood, even if it was 6-12 months later than we should have
- The fact that we actually didn't dick around on transfers, with Ndombele and Bergwijn brought in quickly

Negatives
- Axing Poch
- Our fanbase increasingly turning into the sort of toxic, entitled, whining wastes of blood and organs you see on AFTV
- Getting utterly humped by Bayern in the CL
- The sad decline of several key players, notably Eriksen's collapse when his attempt to engineer a move to Barca failed as Barca weren't interested
- Getting dumped out of the CL by the most obnoxious team in the Bundesliga
- Getting dumped out the FA Cup by Norwich. After a replay
- Colchester seemingly existing to inflict pain and misery on us, first by knocking us out of the Season Killer Cup, then being determined to nobble any player out on loan who faced them
- Lo Celso getting injured almost immediately after arrival and Sessegnon arriving injured messing up their introduction to the team
- Various players, most obviously Dele and Dier, taking so long to recover from the previous season's injuries (or not...)
- The weird Narrative from our fanbase, especially on r/coys, where Poch was a failure who shouldn't be mourned while the Ubermensch has succeeded and should be praised and anyone who doesn't wants our club to fail...again, we couldn't beat Norwich in he FA Cup in two attempts with him in charge
- Some particularly wasteful loans, most obviously Jack Clarke at Leeds and Kazaiah Sterling at Doncaster
- The bleed of our top prospects continued with Luis Bink's leaving to join Montreal Impact in January
- Sky and BT being so determined to not lose subscribers that we ended up with a Norwich player who tested positive for Covid in our stadium, which could have been catastrophic

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

I've basically been pissed off at the club for the last 2 seasons, at least.
We could all see the issues in the squad and what needed to get done, but it didn't happen and we've suffered the inevitable fallout.
This season has been bloody awful and I've no idea how we've managed to scrape back into the top six, to be honest.

 

[The RDBD]

Have not watched a single game (live or highlights) this season since the lockdown.
Only read "broadsheet" match reports on each Spurs fixture, and watched vid clips of games.

I consider it just that Spurs did not qualify for the CL this season.

Some angst that the Corona saga allowed the squad to heal and may
have cost other clubs their place in the PL/CL/EL next season
(the Spus squad formations/form/morale was in a seemingly inescapable stagnant
trough before then) .

As far as Mourinho goes, IMHO he is "yesterdays' man" .
And now he is effectively going to be operating on Porto era budgets
with his "special one" era ego, that will only end one way.

For THFC in general, Corona-chan is absolutely <standard> .
New venue that is highly geared towards getting people into the place
and spending on food/drink (whatever the event) , and now it cannot
be utilised thus until God knows when.

As for ENIC, well if you love financials so much then have I got a project for you.
Not quite 1991 levels, but navigating the creditor minefield caused by
all the above may well truly be a "you reap what you sow" for Uncle Joe.

 

[Dier Hard]

Some angst that the Corona saga allowed the squad to heal and may
have cost other clubs their place in the PL/CL/EL next season
(the Spus squad formations/form/morale was in a seemingly inescapable stagnant
trough before then) .

Yeah I think that's a very accurate point. We wouldn't have made top 6 without the return of a number of players through lockdown where initially they'd have missed most/ all of the remaining games. It's **** that such a horrible thing actually helped Spurs but nonetheless it did. Leicester on the other hand... They suffered one of the biggest bottle jobs in a long a while because of it. Thought they were nailed on for a top three, let alone top four finish before the break.

 

[Billy The Spur]

Ideally we get another CF to take some workload off Kane, preferably physical and good in the air, pacey upgrades at both RB and LB, an AM to replace Eriksen (we have missed the Dane`s creativity), a mobile DM who gets around the pitch and is good at recovering the ball with a decent range of passing and a left footed CB to replace JV. Six new players is unlikely with the way Levy operates, so it will be interesting to see how much of this gets done.

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

Ideally we get another CF to take some workload off Kane, preferably physical and good in the air, pacey upgrades at both RB and LB, an AM to replace Eriksen (we have missed the Dane`s creativity), a mobile DM who gets around the pitch and is good at recovering the ball with a decent range of passing and a left footed CB to replace JV. Six new players is unlikely with the way Levy operates, so it will be interesting to see how much of this gets done.

If we play 433 next season, as has long been assumed we will, we won't need an AM - although that does make a DM even more of a priority

 

[Blue and White]

I reckon I am in a minority of one but:

I was not looking forward to the return from March BUT I am looking forward to next season. I saw a good improvement and feel that Jose has got what it takes to win something with this team which will be stronger after the window.

 

[redwhiteandermblue]

I reckon I am in a minority of one but:

I was not looking forward to the return from March BUT I am looking forward to next season. I saw a good improvement and feel that Jose has got what it takes to win something with this team which will be stronger after the window.

This is a squad that made it to the CL finals last year. That can't happen to a squad without a lot of talent.Think about Arsenal getting bounced out of the first knockout round seven years in a row, usually hard.





Now go on thinking about it.






While there have been a number of departures since the CL final, including one very important player (Eriksen), there have also been some significant arrivals (lo Celso, Bergwyn).

There is enough talent in the squad to get a top four place and at least a small cup (though they may need a little luck for that, agreed). There may even be enough to do better than that.

The question is whether the players and the manager can get their bodies, minds and tactics fit for the challenge. One prerequisite, I think, is for Mourinho to change his tactics against teams that won't attack. Hoping to get the first goal and then trying to close down shop didn't work this year and won't work next year, I think.

I'm not really optimistic or pessimistic overall. Given recent history, I'm expecting the unexpected.

I'm in the group of Mourinho doubters, but hope he proves me wrong.

What I wonder is if ENIC didn't try to get the club to advance too far, too fast. Being the ideal penultimate destination for stars served the club very well for a decade. Trying to move on from that has not exactly gone smoothly.

While I hope the club has a great year next year, I find myself wishing for a return of a youth-oriented manager, an attacking style and a policy of signing the best young players.

 

[Spurlock]

We need Levy to back Jose who has done a great job of getting this declining, imbalanced squad from 14th to 6th in a very disruptive season

As much as the defence needs sorting...I’d want a whole new back 4 but that isn’t realistic plus it’s clear to see that the manager has got them organised as a unit. I’d say our midfield is where our problems lie. Collectively their goals and assists return is almost non existent. Your midfield has to count for more.

Lo Celso is our bright spark in the middle and yes he shows glimpses but nowhere near enough as is expected...however it is his first season, I expect him to improve. Ndombele won’t be sold but let’s be honest he’s not much use to us, Seems to lack the minerals, hope I’m wrong. Winks is often described as ‘neat and tidy’ but ‘neat and tidy’ is not enough at our level. Sissoko is at his best when he’s not on the ball...love the guys work rate but quality isn’t good enough for us. Dele is cruising...I don’t know what’s happening with him...seems to have become a bit of a passenger for one reason or another dare I say it his career is stalling big time. So all in all I’d say we have a massive gaping hole in the middle that I feel needs an upgrade and would elevate us not with expensive signings but useful relevant signings

when all is said and done I don’t have the faith in Levy to do his bit anyway

oh well

 

[PowerSpurs]

We need Levy to back Jose who has done a great job of getting this declining, imbalanced squad from 14th to 6th in a very disruptive season

As much as the defence needs sorting...I’d want a whole new back 4 but that isn’t realistic plus it’s clear to see that the manager has got them organised as a unit. I’d say our midfield is where our problems lie. Collectively their goals and assists return is almost non existent. Your midfield has to count for more.

Lo Celso is our bright spark in the middle and yes he shows glimpses but nowhere near enough as is expected...however it is his first season, I expect him to improve. Ndombele won’t be sold but let’s be honest he’s not much use to us, Seems to lack the minerals, hope I’m wrong. Winks is often described as ‘neat and tidy’ but ‘neat and tidy’ is not enough at our level. Sissoko is at his best when he’s not on the ball...love the guys work rate but quality isn’t good enough for us. Dele is cruising...I don’t know what’s happening with him...seems to have become a bit of a passenger for one reason or another dare I say it his career is stalling big time. So all in all I’d say we have a massive gaping hole in the middle that I feel needs an upgrade and would elevate us not with expensive signings but useful relevant signings

when all is said and done I don’t have the faith in Levy to do his bit anyway

oh well

So Levy sanctioned our record transfer fee on a player who is no use to us but doesn't back the manager. Wow!

 

[Spurlock]

So Levy sanctioned our record transfer fee on a player who is no use to us but doesn't back the manager. Wow!

im talking about what’s next

he needs to back Jose

Yeh well done on eventually backing Poch with a signing

It’s not Jose’s fault that Ndombele is a useless sack of ****. Before Jose turned up everyone would carry the mantra that the new manager needs his own squad/team...funny how that seems to have changed for the new man.
Cold hard facts are the one time we spent a shed load we seemed to have spent it on a dud...that’s not on Jose.

So moving on...we need to get rid of the massive flop and back Jose with the change or send Ndombele to hypnotherapy or something similar


It’s not about spending lots, something we seem to be bang average at anyway..it’s about shopping for the manager. It can be done.

 

[The Changing Man]

It’s not Jose’s fault that Ndombele is a useless sack of ****. Before Jose turned up everyone would carry the mantra that the new manager needs his own squad/team...funny how that seems to have changed for the new man.
Cold hard facts are the one time we spent a shed load we seemed to have spent it on a dud...that’s not on Jose.

It's not Levys fault either he bought the player that the Poch wanted, most of us were excited by the signing, but its clear he is not what we hoped we were getting.

Agree with the rest though its not neccesarily about the amount we spend its about bringing in the players that Jose wants.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

It's not Levys fault either he bought the player that the Poch wanted, most of us were excited by the signing, but its clear he is not what we hoped we were getting.

Agree with the rest though its not neccesarily about the amount we spend its about bringing in the players that Jose wants.

He looks exactly like David Bentley and GDS...and KPB...and Taarabt to my eye. He's got all the ability in the world but just hasn't got the desire to work like a bastard to go with it.

I could probably chuck in Pav, Bent and a number of others. It's shocking how often we buy players who haven't got the heart that all top players need.

He needs to go and we need to learn the lesson...finally.

 

[Dier Hard]

Hopefully Hojbjerg or whoever the new DM is will help solve some issues as it’ll give Lo Celso and Ndombele more freedom to go forward whilst adding that extra bit of protection to the back four like Parker/ Sandro/ Dier/ Wanyama once did. If Ndombele stays, he has to play in my opinion, if he‘s sold, a new creative player is 100% needed, whether that be someone in the 10 role (a new Eriksen basically - although easier said than done) or someone who can join Lo Celso and Hojbjerg/ DM in a three man midfield. If I see Winks and Sissoko in the XI at the start of the season I’m gonna be so pissed off at Jose/ the club because they’re a Championship calibre partnership playing for a team chasing top four/ six in the Premier League.

To think in roughly in the last decade we went from:

Modric-Parker
Modric-Sandro
Dembele-Dier
Dembele-Wanyama
Winks-Sissoko

It’s so painful. Even Mason-Bentaleb was a better partnership for that first season under Poch.