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Is Spurs' Carling Cup win covering over some huge cracks?
The glory, glory day at Wembley hides some gory performances by players who don't seem up to it when it comes to playing Bolton or Birmingham.
by Pete Lyons-McCarthy on 24 April 2008
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Since the victory over Chelsea at Wembley, I have thought long and hard as to whether or not this season has been good, bad or plain disastrous for Tottenham?The highlight without doubt was the Carling Cup. Apart from Championship side Blackpool, we faced only Premier League opposition, and dispatched them without too much of a problem. The FA Cup was an unfortunate away draw against the best team in the land, perhaps in Europe – only time will tell. Had Michael Dawson not had a rush of blood, then who knows? But, overall, it was a defeat with honour as Manchester United put out their best X1 and we were in it until the end.The UEFA Cup was a strange tournament, losing to Getafe and facing teams reminiscent of my playing days on Hackney Marshes, but going out to PSV on pens was again defeat with honour, I'd say.But the league performances were my biggest concern. At times Spurs showed a lack of class, guile and invention, with players sulking or disinterested. Then against Man Utd and Chelsea, the same players looked quality and had a positivity about them, giving their all until the 90th minute.So what’s going on? Are Bolton not good enough to play against? Do we merely turn up and allow lesser teams, such as Birmingham, to dominate and thrash us? Or give early Christmas prezzies to Newcastle?Surely that's where good management comes into play? Gus Poyet says the right things irrespective of the result at the post-match interviews, and I have no problem with either him or Juande Ramos. It's far too early to judge their capabilities – not until this time next year would I offer any opinion about a player or manager in his first year.It's players who should have made their mark on the club by now who give the greatest concern.They can do it, they have done it, but one in 10 performances are not going to elevate them or the club to bigger and brighter things. It's the questionable attitude against lesser opposition that is frightening me. Without the desire to turn over teams that are lower to mid-table, you remain lower to mid-table yourself.I mentioned defeat with honour earlier – what I mean is giving your all over 90 or 120 minutes, and the guy in the stands knowing your team couldn't have given more, whether it's a victory over Chelsea or a loss to PSV or United. They're both the same, in my opinion.Those defeats against Newcastle and Birmingham were the really hurtful ones. They made me feel embarrassed to wear the cockerel, and that's unacceptable for any fan. So was it good season? No, I still cannot answer that question – can you?
Comments (29)
by sir billy nick on April 24, 2008
it's like weve come up for air, we will be back next season im sure of it? i think most team's take their feet off the peddle once they have saved themselves from the drop or the chance of europe has fallen by the way side? i am 100% sure had we not won the cc then said results would not have occured, as for next season with a fit back four (pls not tel ben haim) a new keeper (pls not gomes) a complete overhaul of the midfield and some one of equal presents should berba go, then like most of us in our youthfull past im sure we can gate crash a party????
by janek formella on April 24, 2008
i think ramos is playing a very astute game. we played some great footbal, with a purpose for 2-3 months of the season when it mattered. along the way ramos displayed tactical nous and a desire to beat teams that jol couldn't manage in his 3 seasons. once we were out of the uefa cup we turned it off like a switch. last summer jol produced a strong finish to the season and everyone started lording it about nicking 'that lot's' place in the champs league. will there be the same hype this summer? i doubt it. does that take the pressure off? yes. are we in the same place as we could have been if we'd won all of our remaining fixtures after the carling cup? yes (uefa). job done. painful as it is at the monet as a season ticket holder, better times are on the way.
by K Babs on April 24, 2008
We had around 30 Points to play for after the Carling Cup and we couldn't be bothered, not acceptable.
by David Kirby on April 24, 2008
I saw 3 magnificent performances from Spurs this year. The hiding given Arsenal, The Carling Cup final v Chelsea and the game against Man U at WHL, which will come to plaay a big part in the title chase as Spurs were cheated out of full points by constant harassing of the ref by Utd and a very weak ref. Any team who can play like those games has great potential. The mistake has been not to realise the opportunity given by the end of season games and give their youngsters such as peckhart, Tarabat, Rose, Bent etc a good run out to show what they can do. I think the future is really bright.
on April 24, 2008 on April 24, 2008
The last few games at the Lane have been an absolute shambles, If the supporters adopted the same attitude as the team and manager then the ground would have been empty since the Chelsea home game!
by Grr Tbbz on April 24, 2008
Very odd season. After all the hype and the utter disaster that last summers transfers were - not bad players per se - but so not what Spurs needed to push on. Then the seaon begins and the wheels fall off. Might it be reasonable to assume the players believed the hype? The team is still based around the players that came 5th for 2 seasons in a row and Carrick and Berbatov aside, no major in's or out, so it would be reasonable to expect them to perform to that standard again So, I'd call this season where all the players got big headed about their chances, believed the hype, got caned, Jol lost his job and then the Arse game, winning the cup and qualifiying for Europe in February means there's been no impetus. We've been in 11th place since Mid-January and everyone, Ramos and Poyet aside is in cruise control. Compare what would be said had Spurs NOT won the Cup and were still in 11th and drifting....
The higher up the league you finish the more money available for players next year.
by Gerry Watters on April 24, 2008
I could not agree with you more it is exactly how I have been feeling.Some really great days,the wonderful semi win over Arsenal and the final against Chelsea. The fight shown away against PSV we could have really progressed in my opinion if Robinson had shown a better aptitude with regard to keeping against penaltys. The rest of it especially the league form made me want to stay in bed the next day.Some of our players were shameful in the lack of performance and pride the way they folded. Six points lost to both Birmingham and Newcastle those stats should give them nightmares. Lets hope Ramos can get players in the summer that will show pride of performance and sweep such teams aside.
I watched the PSV game and all I saw was Robinson trying to play route one football, I lost count of the times he kicked it and bypassed the midfield.
Dont want to sound padantic but we havent played Bolton since the Carling Cup
by Rob Davies on April 24, 2008
The reality is that there is no point analysing this season really. The Jol era is in the past and what Ramos has done in the league really doesn't reflect how we'll play next season (at least i hope not). We just won't know whether we've moved forward until January 09 i reckon, when the new players have bedded in and Juande's got his plan sorted. Personally, i've stopped worrying this season (although i'll still be there on Saturday) and am looking forward to a football tournament where, for once, i don't really care who wins. Roll on Swisstria 08
ps, i'd just like to add that i can't think of a worse signing in goal than Heurelho Gomes. Went to the first leg against PSV and he was worse at commanding his area than Robbo. We mustn't replace one flapper with another
by JON DUCAT on April 24, 2008
ITS AS THOUGH THE ATTITUDE OF ALL THE PLAYERS WAS IS THIS NOT ENOUGH NOW WHER`S MY BUCKET AND SPADE , BLOODY DIVA`S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by doctor on April 24, 2008
The best thing we did all season was to bring in Ramos and his team. Straight away in his first couple of games you could see tactics that were completely different. West Ham away was an example where Alan "Curb you enthusaism" admitted he had no idea what system we were playing!! In the games that really mattered, Ramos got it spot on. I agree with Janek, the pressure is off and there will be a massive revolving door this summer. I can't wait for it to begin next year - I know we always say the same for each season but the great thing about Ramos is he seems to have input over transfers thank god. The media will ridicule us before the season starts which will make it even better.
by Noah Spur on April 24, 2008
This the first time that you(sportingo) have had any rational/biased comments about The Spurs. Look forward to next season, and the same rubbish to appear on this site. What a load of sh1t.
by Sean Sean on April 24, 2008
Spot on about the cups - and there was a certain 'CChangover' effect to the first leg of the UEFA at the Lane. In the league, once Ramos got things sorted out, things were looking pretty decent. But the bottom dollar is that once the Cup was in the cabinet far too many of the players have been a little bit lazy, basically, and no where near committed enough. understandly, perhaps, but not acceptable. I wouldn't consider it in any way in evaluating the season though - European qualifiacation and a trophy has to be seen as a success, right (?).
by robert couch on April 24, 2008
why degrade teams that play over the marshes
by king ledley on April 24, 2008
i agree with what you say about his agent but not about berba he is the best player we've had in years and he is one of the big reasons i go and watch spurs we can't afford to sell him if we want to be getting champions league football COYS
Don't you think that the agent is the emloyee of Berbatov and he does as he his instructed?
to be fair i do agree about berba being a bad apple he constantly shouts at team mates if he doesn't get the ball that can't be good for team morale. similary in my local football team we've got a player who is playing in academy sides on a saturday but like berba he is lazy and constantly shouts at team mates this makes everyone wary of him this is what must be happening at spurs i've only seen one player have a go back at berba and of all people it was micheal dawson but not for second would i want a player of this quality to leave
personally considering all the things you said if we got a £30million offer i think the club will accept it. but to me berbatov is typical spurs player; classy, an entertainer his link up play is exceptional and his goals tally isn't bad. if we could find a player similar to berba then we should sell him but i don't think there is a player anything like him around if you disagree please say and state the player. COYS
by Martin The Viking on April 24, 2008
What's dissapointing me the most is that we haven't put out any youngsters and given them a try! I actually can understand, that after the Carling Cup victory we had little to play for, and that the performances of some of the players would drop. But not giving academy talent and fringe talent a go, when first team players perform below average; is not understandable and almost not acceptable! Wake up Ramos! I'd rather we lose a game with youngsters giving a go, than some halfhearted performance from some so called first teamers! Why Ramos every game starts with Zokora and Chimbonda, when we could have looked at Livermore and Daniels instead, is dissapointing!
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