Gazzasrightboot
Pascal Chimbonda
How have we gone from playing in the champion's league to being happy with two transitional seasons in a row in a matter of few years?
How have we gone from playing in the champion's league to being happy with two transitional seasons in a row in a matter of few years?
How have we gone from playing in the champion's league to being happy with two transitional seasons in a row in a matter of few years?
Or three in a row, if hugo, eriksen and kane leaves next summer...
Spurs twtter guy, is that you?
I guess we will wait and see. But there are a number of other factors that could impact this. No doubts, he is setting out his expectations so you are right, we should measure him on what he has publically said.
So the strategy has changed from last year, when we bought Stambouli and Fazio? Were they part of the foundation for the future? It's hardly a strategy if you change it every year.ONE season in the CL. It's not really transitional, we're trying to build solid foundations this time. The nature of the transfer windows makes the process seem slower than it could be if we were able to make tweaks when necessary.
Loved that statement. Leaving work today I was starting to think that some of Levy's tactics were beginning to be a bit dated. One of the nice things about the ridiculous amount of money clubs in the EPL have nowadays is that player power has eroded. I always hated the idea that a club would bend over backwards and alter often strategic, long term plans because a player decides he wants to go. Player power is dead and it means clubs don't and won't sell. The old style of brinksmanship, waiting until the deadline draws near because a club will have to sell eventually because they need the money, it's gone. I like that. But I don't think Levy had forseen this entirely.
On the other hand. The reason I loved that statement wasn't necessarily just because of what was said, but because it clearly showed Poch and Levy on the same page. We are a club pulling in one direction, finally after all this years. Alignment between Chairman and Manager. Poch is backing Levy in strong terms on the tactical point around where goals can come from in modern football, and I must say I agree with him. The idea that we need to sign any old striker just to say we have a position filled isn't relevant any more.
There seemed to be a clear plan for the window. Shift the deadwood. Strengthen the defence. Add pace in attack, but don't overspend. Bar Ade, we nearly achieved it. But Poch seems to be actively telling Levy not to invest for the sake of it, because he'd rather leave space open for young players. And that seems to be music to Levy's ears. I think it was actually that Poch didn't want Berahino that much, and would rather the money kept back for a better player when available if we had to pay over the odds for him. The beauty of having a Chairman and Manager aligned is, we will reap the benefit of that. The difference between AVB and Harry demanding Tevez, Moutinho, Hulk etc but getting Levy style signings because he is the ultimate decision maker (leading to the manager throwing toys out of pram) is huge, and the advantage cannot be overstated.
Finally, Poch says he is proud to lead a squad with heart. Let that sink in because I think it is important. We are going to build a great spirit at this club, with young players who will grow together. I actually truly believe too that Levy's sackings of AVB, Harry, Sherwood and Ramos were not strictly around results or league position. I think it was because in each of those men he couldn't strategically align with how they wanted to manage the team. But Poch is his man, and this is a project to get us into the stadium while remaining competitive. That is something you don't cast aside because of poor results, so I think people needn't worry.
Poch is Levy's man, and has his backing because they are aligned. We have a young squad and are building a stadium. We will have topsy turvy times. But we are playing the long game and it seems that finally, after over a decade, we have a coherent strategy in place right across the club to actually make it happen. It isn't about making the top 4 in the odd year, so put it out of your mind for this and enjoy watching a club build itself. We are finally, finally getting there.
So the strategy has changed from last year, when we bought Stambouli and Fazio? Were they part of the foundation for the future? It's hardly a strategy if you change it every year.
is it just me who pictured Levy holding a gun to Poch's head while he read the statement?
What are the other factors, because for me they can't be Kane gets injured/needs a rest/is out of form/loses motivation/ is suspended. They can't be the new players need time to adapt, to a new league/culture language/ culture.... POSITION!!!!!! They can't be that "x player didn't convert to the position that we thought he could/would. It can't be the new system that are intending to implement, needs time for the players to understand.
Because if it's any of those things, which are all risks...... Which should have been mitigated to a degree with the purchase of a forward,then that just won't cut it.
So what are these factors?
Levy: Our pragmatic player trading has been important in the way we have run the business of the Club and in getting us to the position where we have now been able to start work on a new stadium - the one thing that has the ability to take this Club to the next level of competitiveness.
This is a key statement for me. Due to our low net spend we've been able to sink money into the stadium project. Not as funds in the bank, but buying up land and starting the work before getting any financing in place. That mean less debt in the future.
The general consensus amongst fans or managers? I think Poch's view is quite common amongst his peers.
Also, why should a manager be given less time because you disagree or do not understand a decision? If we had signed a six foot three hulk of a striker who turned out to be a turkey, I think that would be worse and show Poch in a worse light than if the decision he made this summer does not pay off.
It's common amongst his peers??? Why are we the ONLY club in our league to have ONLY one senior central striker in our ENTIRE squad?
If we signed Turkey, that would be horrible but I would understand that we didn't knowly sign a turkey. But we have KNOWINGLY been locked into January with only Kane up top..... So it better work out or heads should roll.... No excuses.
So the rumours and gossip about the money going in Levys pockets or a new yacht for Lewis are not true? Well I never.
As someone who had friends and family closely involved with Portsmouth and someone who used to eat/drink in the same place as a lot of Portsmouth players I can tell you that most facts about Redknapp would see you on the wrong end of a libel case.I thought I was being nice, can not put what I really think of the fraud.
How have we gone from playing in the champion's league to being happy with two transitional seasons in a row in a matter of few years?
Or three in a row, if hugo, eriksen and kane leaves next summer...
As someone who had friends and family closely involved with Portsmouth and someone who used to eat/drink in the same place as a lot of Portsmouth players I can tell you that most facts about Redknapp would see you on the wrong end of a libel case.
It's common amongst his peers??? Why are we the ONLY club in our league to have ONLY one senior central striker in our ENTIRE squad?
If we signed Turkey, that would be horrible but I would understand that we didn't knowly sign a turkey. But we have KNOWINGLY been locked into January with only Kane up top..... So it better work out or heads should roll.... No excuses.
Well this is where I will disagree with you. If Son does not settle, then that is a mitigating factor. It does not mean that at this point in time that was the best option. The world moves on. Instead of looking for spacegoats to lay the blame for any failing, it is better to aim to improve each year. You may not agree with Poch's stance, but I do.