I'd say the long term plan has always been to turn Spurs into a major European side and that was something that couldn't be done overnight. Fast forward 17 years since he took the reigns and we're probably about 75% of the way there. There's been dodgy decisions along the way, the worst being the treatment of Jol but in general, his management of the club has seen us rise to become one of the best in the country, no one else has done a better job in my opinion without the money of Russians or Arabs. We have one of, if not the best training facility in Europe, a new stadium literally months away, regular European football qualification and a playing squad to be proud of, the final step is to start winning things. Overall, he's done a superb job, however he must help us take that next step and invest significantly in the squad to help us go from top four hopefuls to title challengers and trophy winners, failure to do so could have major implications at the end of the season and then all the hard work he (and Poch) has done, especially in the past few seasons, could be undone if a number of key players decide they want out, which is what I fear will happen if we don't push on this season.
You are talking such bollocks Luke. The most successful club in England (you will hate this ) is Liverpool they win a trophy on average every 2 years 60 trophies since 1892 Arsenal 43 trophies since 1886 approx every 3 years United 42 trophies since 1878 approx every 3.5 years Chelsea 28 since 1905 approx every 4 years Spurs 26 since 1882 approx every 5 years City 23 since 1880 approx every 5.5 years These are the most succesful clubs in England ALL TIME Not unsuccessful by any stretch Everton 15 since 1878 approx every 9 years West Ham 9 since 1895 approx every 14 years. So if we are to use winning trophies as a barometer of success most clubs might just as well pack up and go home and even the most successful English club in history fails every other year. It is such a useless way of measuring success and ask your self why should fans of most of the 92 football league clubs bother? They bother because they like watching a game of football and on that score Spurs are a resounding success for playing the game in the right way for many years of their existence. You could gaze adoringly into your trophy cabinet I'd rather watch a game of football.
Here's another way of looking at it: let the Goons concern themselves with our trophy cabinet, because they're the ones so obsessed with it they've taken to calling us "trophy dodgers" at a time where by complete coincidence we're finishing ahead of them in the league, they're failing to qualify for the Champions League, and they're fallback of winning the FA Cup didn't work out for them last season
I think you're being a bit curmudgeonly about this. Spurs have a good enough team to win trophies. Winning something is a tangible measure of success and is the buzz fans want to achieve - however fleeting it may prove to be. Steady progress and a sound balance sheet is not success. Doing as well as can be expected all things considered has no romance about it whatsoever
I thought I was happy and enjoying the football and you are arguing for those who must have a trophy before they are happy. I think the curmudgeons are on your side Luke. I am not the grumpy bastard moaning about Levy or MP or the lack of signings I am the happy bastard enjoying the football. Seriously if you measure success by cups you are in the modern sad bastard school who described last nights game as scrappy. I couldn't take my eyes of the game especially in the second half, it was a nail biter. That's what football is about if you count cups. you missed it.
I enjoy looking back and seeing Spurs skippers lifting cups.It's very uplifting....until our manager decides they are worthless and turns them into reserve tournaments.Which means we won't win any and we fall short every time in the PL.
…..and now we've shot ourselves in the foot in the CL.....so back to the our reserves tournament,the EC.
That is a slightly skewed comparison to make. If they were still at Highbury they would not be able to compete properly and would be mid table or worse. So in a way it has worked out got them. Plus in your trophy hunting terms, as they have won a few cups, it has worked out very well for them anyway.
Some people here have very short memories - Does anyone really think that we had a better season under Ramos when we won the league cup and then decided our work for the season was done and gave up? Or winning the league cup with the man in the raincoat in charge a truly awful cup final and equally poor mid table league finish? We are miles ahead of those teams now, very few people here (if any) have seen us be more consistent in terms of league performance constant top 6 finishes top 2 top 3, thats not how it was growing up supporting Spurs. I want to win trophies we all do, but we are better now than at anytime in my lifetime (54 years) of that I am sure.
The myth of Wenger has been truly demolished. His "methods" only worked in a PL 2 horse race in terms of financial power. The move to the Library was an attempt to bridge the money gap to the Man Utd empire (which was generating money due to consistent annual on-pitch success) . Giving silly money wages to the likes of Wilshere etc is also down to him.
Of course I want to win trophies! But I need to be realistic. There are 4 domestic trophies available and 6 top teams. I believe winning trophies is connected to how much money you have and we can't compete ( at present ) with the other 5. Even in the Carabao cup, those teams have a reserve team that is very strong ( because of their financial power ). So I need to be content that I am the best of the rest- Spurs are one of the top 6 clubs in the country. And I am happy that they are my team. On a personal level, I have to live within my means. I drive a 13 year old Hyundai. Live in a terrace house and buy value food from Tesco . I can't afford an 18 reg Merc, a 5 bed detached house in London and to buy my groceries from M & S. I am happy with my lot. I might not be able to compete with those that have but I am a lot better off than some.
I am very happy with the consolidation in league form. I do miss the "cup team" success/reputation the club had in the 80s though.
In terms of Wilshere getting silly money contracts, a lot of that comes down to Wenger treating players who would have been very good squad options such as Wilshere and Gibbs as if they were first team regulars, which had the knock-on effect of them believing they should have contracts that reflected this - which was always going to lead to problems when Ozil's wages were bumped up to £300k, as we're seeing with Aaron Ramsey's contract situation I remember people being up in arms when it was (wrongly...) reported that Sissoko was receiving £95k a week, but imagine if that's what we were actually paying Janssen?
I guess many fans are enjoying being "above average" instead of,like many,"below average. I'm not.I want to see success.What's wrong with that? An assistant coach would be nice who kicks butts when his players are "tottering!" I remember Eddie Baily's fighting words. "Over the top,lads!"
You can't go over the top now you end up with players sent off and suspended which does no one any good - the game has changed a tad since Bailey was involved. And yes I am enjoying us consistently being a top six side qualifying for Europe via our league position season after season, because in the 50 or so years I have been a supporter it has not been like this. They always used to say Spurs are a 'cup team' in a derogatory manner, saying that you only have to win a few matches to win a cup, and that the really good teams consistently finish high and challenge in the league - we have been doing that for the last few years and that in its own way is success.
That's like some one offering you 1 million pounds or 10 million pounds. I'd take the 10 mil. I'm greedy!
