I guess the logic behind that is that the weakest areas need protecting more...like putting two plasters on the deeper cut.
I disagree on Bergwijn, who by many accounts was a player the club liked and picked up because he was suddenly available, rather than Jose requesting him. He clearly likes the player now to an extent but he can’t buy a goal atm and I agree with the Lamela sub because he always lifts our tempo when he comes on. Bale has been disappointing. Vinny needs more game time 100%, there’s clearly a player in there and Jose is underusing him especially when it’s so clear that Kane doesn’t need to play as a 9. Alli needs to go, either on loan to rediscover his mojo, or we sell. But until we can shift some of the non-HG deadwood he’s going nowhere I think. Yes Jose could perhaps be managing him better but we aren’t privy to conversations behind the scenes and there’s no doubt he was in decline long before Jose arrived at Hotspur Way. I don’t think you can pin this one entirely on the manager. I totally agree with your point about the concentration of goals. Tanguy, Lucas, Lamela, Bergwijn, Gio, Alli. None of them score enough. It’s a problem with the whole team - Højbjerg clearly isn’t a goal scorer, Winks has an abysmal record, Sissoko ****s himself most of the time in the final 3rd. You’d hope the CBs would get 2/3 each per season too which would chip in. The structure of our attacking play in possession is no -existent, and that’s hurting us badly. I don’t agree this is Jose out, but if we miss top 4 and end trophyless this season then questions will have to be asked.
Vinicius has only had about 30 minutes of Prem football though, all as late cameo subs. How we meant to know if he has the minerals or not if he doesn’t get a proper chance? His record when starting games is nothing short of brilliant to be honest, even if the opposition is of a lower standard, he can only beat what’s put in front of him. As for dogshit defenders, I’d agree to an extent but Jose chose to sanction new deals for Toby and Dier. That suggests he wanted these guys as part of his defence.
He was running out of steam after 65 minutes...looked like he had a knock. It was obvious he needed subbing. Everyone on the mstch thread could clearly see it ... so JM should have.
I don’t defend him at all costs...I just don’t think everything is always down to tactics. I’m also fully aware that this is his first full season and if that was someone you fancied as a manager you’d be well behind his project at this stage. As for exciting football...I’ve said it before and still say it again...exciting football without end product is pointless. I don’t feel great having knocked it about a bit and lost. I recall many nights like this under free flowing Poch’s football when we failed to break down teams...even with prime Alli and Eriksen. The guy deserves time and my posts reflect that...just like many posters opinions reflect that the guy better pull rabbits out of a hat or he’s out because that’s why we bought him in hence the harsher judgement on him. He came to Spurs...perennial bottlers...maybe we are rubbing off on him instead of him rubbing off on us since one of the greatest managers in modern football is past it now.
because his options due to finances would have been a lot worse. He wanted Dier at United, he was always going to work with him and see what he can get out of him. He’s just doing what every manager does when he walks through the doors and hedging his bets on the best reputations and working from there. If we had got our summer defensive targets...we wouldn’t have Dier/Alderwereld as first choice
Which other club in world football would have offered him the contract that we did? He came in with a lot to prove...I remain unimpressed...and rightly so.
Sorry mate but if you pay through the nose to go to games then entertainment is very important. Some of my favourite games I have been to are... Sunderland 1992 ... 3-3 draw Villa 2007 ... 4-4 draw Chelsea 2008 ... 4-4 draw Arsenal 2011 ... 3-3 draw Wycombe 2017 ... 4-3 win They were exciting, tense and memorable. I will remember them til I die. I struggle to think of a single JM that I will remember in the same way other than the united 6-1.
That surely makes it worse though? Because he clearly likes Dier. As you say he wanted him at Utd and he gave him a new deal when here. Giving Toby a new deal was one of the dumbest things this club has done too and I was vocal about it at the time, he was on the decline under Poch - and he downed tools under Poch too whilst also whoring himself out in the hope Utd would make a bid - but then somehow got Jose to sanction a big money deal for him. As for not getting summer defensive targets, the only one was Skriniar, though we did get Rodon as an alternative who’s yet to have a sniff really. He’s probably been unlucky in that by signing after the Europa registration he hasn’t been able to prove himself in lesser fixtures but the reality is he likely wouldn’t be much worse than any of the current trio of CBs if he was given a run in the side. Jose’s sticking with the same dross and expecting better results. Poch was doing similar too and look how it ended.
Would I be happy with it? I honestly don't know. I want a trophy and have said as much on here. We all want a trophy of course. What's better for the club is of course a CL qualification, though I wonder if that on its own will be enough to keep key players. Jose is here to win trophies and if he does that this season then I might be able to accept that and top 6 for the EL. No Europe in any form would be a serious issue. When he came here I was excited and told myself I was willing to accept a few seasons of less than attractive football if the results came on the pitch and we won something. I stand by that. Of course the results in the league haven't been coming always so readily so of course questions should be asked.
Not really bothered about the league cup but will enjoy it if we win it and when all is said and done it’s a lot more than our free flowing managers have delivered. I want the Europa league though and that would be vindication in my eyes. It’s about the glory not the tippy tappy
I’d happily sacrifice pretty football for results and that’s what Jose’s been about most of his career but it’s also the danger of Jose’s style because if he doesn’t win, it’s ****ing awful. He has to win games because losing/ drawing whilst playing in a boring manner will only multiply the heat on the manager. I really want the guy to come good, on a personal level I really like Jose, he’s got that sense of dry humour and likes winding up the opposition but ultimately this is a results business and over the last month and a bit, results haven’t been good enough and the football he’s serving up has been even worse. Those two put together only ends one way.
Is it Jose out time or will a League Cup win make you want him to stay. Would it be enough to keep Kane/Son or will they leave
(It’s about the) glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.
I am bored watching us. It is not entertaining...it is simply tedious...week in and week out. Winning the carling Cup and watching boring dross did not make me want us to keep bloke in a coat so it aint gonna make me wanna keep JM.
