On the match day thread there is a bit of a debate about Pochettino being out of his depth. Some think he is and we will struggle while others think he can be successful if we give him time. Lots are concerned about his lack of a plan b. My view is that he is making mistakes but seems to be learning and he has a clear ideology about how he wants us to play. I think we need to be prepared to give him this and next season before passing judgement on him. Last season was an improvement on the 2 before and although this has started poorly it can be a successful season for us.
I've gone with your third option, RCL. My one caveat, however, is how we measure success. I don't think Poch is a top 4 manager, and neither do I think that we are a top 4 club. There are probably not many who will disagree with my second statement, but a few who will debate with me on the first. The reason why I say that Poch could be a success for us, in time, is because I do think he is a good manager to have in charge whilst we undergo some development. I like the way he brings in the younger players, and I like the style of football that he is trying to get us to play. Under him, I certainly believe that we can make 5th spot our own, and have creditable runs in Europe and the domestic cup competitions; and all of this while our new stadium is being built, and whilst we continue to develop our academy. However, in the long run, if our board is serious about being a CL regular and title challengers, I think we are going to need someone who has greater tactical ability and appreciation. And the basic fact is, that, at the moment, Poch is about the only level of manager that we are going to be able to attract to the club.
I've made my views clear from day one and no need to repeat them as I'm sure Pochettino will give me plenty of opportunity to slate him as manager (not that I want to slate Poch), but I have voted yes. HIAG does make some valid points about his appointment, what it stands for and the vision the club have, yet his style of football (for me) isn't particularly attractive, bringing in a manager like Poch, I view as settling for mediocrity and one point to remember, is that the premier league isn't going to allow us to make 5th our own while we wait to move into our new stadium. The dynamics of the league are changing and smaller clubs are signing talented players, they are getting richer and I feel we have been fortunate in recent seasons and this year we will battle for 5th-7th with teams we would previously class as not being on our level.
I don't think that he is, but I've no idea what's going on behind the scenes with the squad, so it's hard to tell. We've cleared out a bunch of players who seemed to have attitude problems or simply weren't good enough, but replacements have been slow in coming. It's hard to criticise him at the moment, as his options seem to be rather limited in a number of areas. A weak pre-season also appears to have impacted the fitness of the squad, which was key to his methods last season.
Pretty much wait and see...my view is that come the end of next season (may 2017) we will be able to judge him as a success cos he has won us a cup or 2 or at least qualified us for CL...if we judge him now it'll be as a failure which I think is premature
Unless we have another 2 points from 8 games and Kane is out till Christmas, then I expect Pochettino to be here for at least two seasons. Yet after the club backed AVB with the Bale money, I didn't see Levy sacking AVB at the first sign of a problem that season, I expected AVB to be allowed at least two seasons, so as PNP said above, none of us truly know what is going on behind the scenes or what the chairman is thinking, but I'm sure you will all get your wish, for Pochettino to be given time. Yet I will be sure to speak up when he fails!
To be honest boss...I was underwhelmed by AVB, Sherwood and Pochettino being made our manager. I just can't see the benefit in not giving this one some proper time...i.e. 3 seasons ... my view on him eventually succeeding is based mainly on hope (I console myself that Keith Burkinshaw got us relegated, promoted (just), mid table, midtable and then started winning trophies...and hope Pochettino can achieve that success with time).
Agreed, RCL. Even though I have my doubts about Poch, I would rather we stick by him for a few seasons, than to continue searching for some kind of managerial Holy Grail. I don't consider that Poch is doing so badly as to warrant our getting rid of him now, especially when there is no one necessarily better than him who would take his place.
i dont think we are attractive enough for a manager of higher class,success,pedigree etc etc.....at the moment.
That's actually a very good post. The only bit I obviously would argue is the 5th spot statement. I think while Liverpool have clearly improved in a few key positions - RB, CM, CAM and CF, I feel Spurs (so far) in this window have pretty much stayed still, except clearing some deadwood. If you were to finish 5th this season I would certainly be surprised, and I would put my neck out and say so would most of the country. Although I would like to think Liverpool could snatch top 4, if I'm honest I think 5th is ours for the taking. Top 4 would be a bonus, but in reality Spurs will be fighting for 6/7/8th place, at best. Although I like your optimism HIAG, I think you're being quite deluded - perhaps too much time on 'Mouser Watch' has been detrimental to your thinking/mental health.
I think that the call would start, "What was that you were saying about spending £100m and challenging for the title?"
I still believe that 4th, 5th & 6th will be between us, 'Pool and Arsenal, and I don't see that changing for quite a few seasons.
They say you should only take one game at a time and not look ahead, but we soon have a run of games, City (home), Swansea (away), Liverpool (home). That will be a good test for the team and our ambitions this year as Swansea will fancy their chances of gatecrashing the battle for Europe, especially with Saints looking like they have been found out.
To be fair both clubs have tried it and failed miserably Although we nearly did it but 'slipped' at the final hurdle.
