Being at the game, Sunday was just so utterly clueless and what I find most curious is the complete turnaround from Redknapp. Famous at Spurs for having the single tactic of a rough 4-4-1-1 then swapping lennon for Super Pav on 74 minutes regardless of the score. He has suddenly come over all reactionary by changing an entire squad around based on a formation he saw on the telly over the summer. Oft criticized as a footballing dinosaur, I was quite impressed by this new outlook and even overlooked the signing of a 36 year old defender who had never really played in a back three before (and who will no doubt retire after one season) to base this new team around. I guess some of Redknapps traits will never change, but this crass short term-ism could be overlooked if there was a semblance that there was actually a plan there, but Redknapp has turned into a bit of a footballing magpie under Fernandes, jumping on the first shiny thing he is presented with, rather than actually appear to have a place to put them. I don't really think many of us have high expectations this season. Our promotion last season was akin to caking yourself in makeup to win the beauty pageant at a burns clinic. We had just enough expensive gloss to get through but it wasn't pretty, so we do need to be realistic of course. I think we have made some excellent signings though and on paper our squad doesn't look as bad as it played on Sunday, it isn't as bad. I just hope that Redknapp actually does have a plan, he does have a reason behind changing his footballing philosophy all of a sudden because we didn't get it right in pre-season and from what I saw this weekend we are a world away from getting it right any time soon, and the next game is now looking vital- lose to Sunderland and Hull at home, at the end of the season those six points could be huge. All I want to see is players and management putting in the effort. From the players, we need so much more from all of them. Remy, Fer and Philips were an embarrassment. We need energy and spirit, but that also needs the management to be decisive and know what they want from a team, who they want in it and truly believe that it will work. I saw absolutely none of this at the weekend and I know its so early, and we were playing a good team. But sorry guys, that wasn't on, not for professionals and I hope they are as disappointed as those of us who paid a lot of money to cheer them on. So come on Redknapp and the boys, prove to us the system works! Roll on Saturday, onward and upwards and all!
Great post Kampala. We've got one good performance and one bad so far- so maybe the truth is that we're somewhere in between. I'm hoping we can get through Burton & Sunderland without losing, and then really train hard over the international break. They should make it a mini preseason (particularly if the proper one was as poor as claimed). Play a behind doors friendly halfway through or something. It'll be a relief to get the transfer window shut- maybe that'll settle everyone down a bit.
Don't know about the system kampala, but agree wholeheartedly with you about the lack of effort. Think you said you were in the spurs end, as was I. How was it for you? I tried to keep my head down, though my two spurs mates on either side blew my cover by asking questions about our players. We were so **** it didn't matter though. When the 4th goal went in someone patted me on the back- they felt sorry for me! Have to say it was a bit surreal watching my team implode and not be able to moan about it to anyone. Still, could be worse. Could support Man U!
I got very lucky with my seat surrounded by dads and mums with kids etc. Didn't need to hide and was openly cheering and jumping up and down- latterly in anger then just gave up. Stayed till the end and clapped off spurs. They were very good but we were Sunday league level at best. No one seemed to want the ball or know what they were doing. Barton at least tried and green did nothing wrong. I don't know if I can add too much else
Good point about the international break Grifter. The first one I think I've ever looked forward too. We just need to commit to the system and work our asses off or drop it. I don't think we have the players for it yet we've now brought in several specialists leaving us looking very lob sided and not particularly strong at any one system. I said before the spurs game that if our wing backs were caught out we lacked pace in the wide cereal defence. This MUST bd addressed if we continue with this experiment. And that is what it is still- which is crazy
If as reported , Bressan and Robinson were to join , then I think HR is addressing the problem . This to me makes sense as I see Dunne and Traore as the week links . The midfield will improve as each game arises as you can't expect Fer and Mutch to click straight away . HR has had very little time in which to recruit these players ( we finished our season later than everybody else plus it was the WC year ) . However , I do appreciate that time is not on our side but I do see it all coming together after we have played 6/7 games .
Faint Hearted, Lopsided and poorly prepared teams will always lose. Question is why are we in this shape? If I see us defending corners in the manner of the last 2 games again I will blow a fuse. Someone has made a decision there as it wasn't a mistake. Rob Green must have the authority to command his area a little better, if he wants men on the post then punch the nearest player in the head until they understand who's boss. I played in goal and my defenders were as scared of me as the opposition attacks were. Even Friendly games I took to seriously but we often won, get in their faces get physical call them every name the opposition got a whole lot more. Greeno could do with getting whole lot less friendly in games. Not scape goating him for Sunday but the corner not going in could have changed that game. As for which formation we play, I've alluded to it before, but we should be doing our homework on teams find their weakness and turn it to our advantage. However 442/4411 is by far the most stable platform on which to build a new team. Glenn may be best used watching our upcoming teams if we don't see any improvement soon. Bloody hope we do, now back to the holiday.
Over the last 10 years or so, I can't remember us coming back from the international break and doing better.
