Like many of us, I had had enough of Harry, too. I was against the appointment of AVB, but he's here now and deserves his chance. IF, and to me it's still a fair size if, the scenario you suggest takes place and we make no advances this season, but a proper base has been made for a quantum leap forward, then I think most of us would find that acceptable. I would, however, suggest that the lower we finish in the Premiership this season, especially outside of any European qualification, the harder it will be attract quality talent to come and play for us. Plus, it will make it hard to hang on to quality players we have now.
You'll almost certainly finish top 6, look at the gap between 6th place and 7th last season! We (Newcastle) wont do as well this year, though i think you wont either. If i had to bet on it i'd say you're nailed on for 5th, top 4 seem set. The real question is whether AVB will be given time if you're in mid-table at christmas (when i'd still back you for top 6 even if things are rocky).
Sorry - have been trying to read all these comments but had to give up cos I want my two penn o worth... Firstly I think some comments are being made purely to make a stick to beat AVB with. Any talk of less than 4th being a failure is a bit disingenuous. AVB is in a worse position than Harry was this time last year. Plus the playing squad and the coaching squad are less settled. (I'm not making excuses for AVB - I was never in favour of getting rid of Harry and amazed when people thought AVB should replace him). For me 5th/6th is like a par. Not really a success as such but certainly not a failure. Our aim has to be top four - that is success league-wise. And a cup would be lovely - am very pleased that AVB is taking the Europa seriously (so he says). League-wise I'm pretty sure that the target has to be what it has been for a while - finish above Arsenal. Then fourth/thrid should look after itself. Anything less than sixth is a failure, I think. HOWEVER - failure does not necessarily imply that we should get rid of AVB. I think sometimes we forget that - we inextricably link a manager failing for one season with him getting the sack. It needn't be like that. Ask Keith Burkinshaw. Failure at Spurs seems to have had more to do with changing managers over the years than failure cos we've stuck to our guns on appointments (Harry included).
Actually, I think the hardcore Spurs fans will blame Levy and the board, more than they will blame AVB. Levy needs to be aware of that fact, too. No hiding behind the AVB-scapegoat.
Ah - yeah - you said it first. Gave up reading all the comments on on page 2 after trying to read this thread for about two days but constantly interrupted. Personally I'd have stuck with Harry but, like you say, I'm not sure myself how he would have coped with losing three of his top players and not getting his playing staff settled til late in the window (again).
Anyone care to "adjust" their opinions on what we should consider as "success" now? Would you seriously still accept 5th as success after the weekend's match?
I expect us to be in the running for top 4. At the moment, I think 2 Mancs, Arsenal and Chelsea are better than us, but Arsenal are better than I expected and possibly flattering to deceive at the moment. Everton and Newcastle also have looked impressive, so it's going to be tough. I do wonder if Man Utd will qualify easily for top 4.
Yep, I'll adjust a little, a trophy and a top 8 finish is what I'm looking for, and if we get it that will be an upgrade on Harry for me, especially if that trophy isn't the League Cup. No disrespect to that comp and I want us to go all out for it, but win the Europa or the FA Cup, wow what a season that would be. Harry did great to get us in the CL, but we've done that, now it's about silverware for me. Naturally top 4 and a trophy would be fantastic, that would be our best season in the Prem era and probably since 1982.
A cup would be a success. AVB and the aura which follows him is an enigma. He wins the double in his first season at Porto and then when he comes to Chelsea they win the CL after he leaves and now he comes to Spurs and we beat Utd for the first time since when was it? This man's a,well,a mystery. We don't yet know what he can do because he hasn't yet had a full season in the PL and if he is successful with something at the end of the season he can claim justifiably harsh treatment at Chelsea. There'll be no fraud cases or England speculation so I expect better than 5th place. Top 4 would be acceptable and a success this season. This man seems to know what he wants and is nobody's poodle as he showed that reporter.
