Quotes from an interview with Toby today are brilliant, some of you may have seen them but for those that haven't here you go: “The most important thing is we have no heroes in this team.” “We have a team with a lot of quality that wants to improve. Everybody works hard for each other. When one makes a mistake, the other one picks it up. We have a togetherness. We want to achieve something this season and I think you can see that on the pitch.” “There is confidence and self belief - not arrogance - that we can beat everybody. We know that if we don’t put the effort in, we are a normal team.” “He only puts in guys who work very hard,” said Alderweireld. “A lot of guys have left the club. If you do not follow the path, you don’t belong in Tottenham.” “We can run all game and that is the way we want to play. We have quality and young guys who are eager to make the difference.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just love the mentality in this side and the respect and commitment that Poch expects from every one of them in order to bring good times to our club. The fact it's still such a young team just really excites me at how good it can become.
There is definitely a Narrative (TM) currently adopted by the club. As was shown yesterday by posting all that player Twitter stuff, the kind of "on message" remarks that would have brought tears to the eyes of New Labour politniks everywhere. And similarly, for Pochettino. I have noticed in several post-match interviews that whenever being asked about the good performance of a particular player, it goes : yes ... blah blah ... (then very quickly to) ... but the team.
Yeah I've noticed it too, also when he himself is praised he's too modest to accept it and just directs it all to the players.
Despite ourselves and our long history of not quite being good enough, this season is becoming the exception that proves the rule. Like all games it looks very easy when it's played well and I can't remember a season when I have been able watch in such a relaxed fashion. All over the field players look confident and assured. The passing is so good a misplaced one is a surprise. From Lloris and Toby at the back through Dembele and Ali to Eriksen and Kane there is solidity and invention. The first signs that Pochettino was about to become the manager we craved was fitness levels improving. The introduction of young players, the selection of the team without favour, and perhaps most significant of all the last transfer window. The window that gave the squad Pochettino wanted. Our defence which for so long had a been a patchwork quilt, was now sorted. The rest started to slot into place as players became integrated into the system. It's very exciting!
"Things must be going well because even I can't find anything to rant about Poch at the moment" The coaching stuff not improving Lloris' near post saving and general clearance kicking ?? Something to moan about AND GK-related. <amateurs, the lot of yer>
I think Lloris get's a little overconfident with the ball at his feet,but overall I think he's up there with the best in the league. anyway,whose perfect?
Yeah, maybe thats it rather than his passing. Whatever it is he's typically the only regular cause of me nearly soiling myself during games at the moment
Well said. I, too, have been far more relaxed this year though I should add this is entirely relative. This year while watching a game I’m just about jumping out of my skin. In previous years I was aiding the process by flaying myself alive.
I would be able to watch games in a relaxed fashion...if we had someone more qualified than Stephanie from the club canteen to cover for Kane in the event of an injury.
The main thing for me, apart from the fact that he has built a real team, is the mental toughness that he has instilled in us. Something that's been missing for a long time now.
I googled Stephanie please log in to view this image I don't think she would have much problem scoring.
I am an enormous supporter of M. Pochettino. A man with a vision. A man who seems to be able to motivate individuals and build cohesion. The players obviously believe in him completely. Hugo says he would have left if not for his appointment. Levy trusts him. John McDermott says his strong working relationship with him is part of the reason for him to stay. He has transformed the mood and aims of the club. What I struggle with is that his win ratio at Espanyol was 33%. Yes, the club were broke and he had to work with the kids but he didn't last 3 full seasons. He spent a season and a half at Southampton, where his win ratio was 38%. They finished 14th and 8th (between a desperately poor Man Utd and Stoke City). We put a lot of faith in him given that his managerial record was worse than AVB's and only slightly longer. Fair play to Levy. Either by some 6th sense or blind luck we've found a real winner.
That's cheating though Spurf. You have to google the full description of 'Stephanie the tea lady', which lands you this scorcher:
Well, the fact that Spurcat was so quick to 'like' the picture can only mean one of two things: 1) The old rascal likes a nice solid pair of...sandals. 2) The club do actually have a woman at the canteen called Stephanie, and she looks like that!
