I’m not a catastrophe merchant either, but I do find the general mood music on here bizarre of late.
On the football side we are in a mess - yet again - unfortunately. It’s becoming a theme. Even the steady and sensible podcasts (such as View From the Lane) and the very reasonable Spurs media pundits (like Paul Hawksbee) see the handling of it all as a complete dog’s breakfast.
And yet there are still quite a few on GG who think the board are above having to explain things - which is now moving towards being plain weird for me.
The Paratici hostage video is simply the latest manifestation of a pretty blind approach to footballing (and PR) matters.
It begs the question, what actually has to happen before some begin to question the direction?
Oh I usually am a catastrophy merchant but I simply can't be arsed.
I don't know if the board can explain other than by saying they did what they thought was right at the time, and are going to continue to do what they think is right, but in a more fluffy flimflam PR kind of way. I thought the Conte departure statement was very needy too, no real recognition and a limp sentence begging fans to remember how loyal (code for long suffering but still forking out money) we are.
A sacking of a manager reminds me of a breakup where people start taking sides with different parties. To side with Conte is to break the delusion of where we're currently at, so it's easier to see him as a pantomime villain. I get it as it's probably nicer to be positive about whichever random direction we lurch in next, especially if it's a backwards step to Poch for that warm fuzzy (sickening) nostalgic feeling.
To bring it back to Paratici, although you can look at fair few signings and say they were successful, the big spends this summer didn't hit the ground running and the squad wasn't what Conte needed ie a proper centre back and a first team RWB. I don't mind the youth signings but for the right manager. The investment in to Spence, Gill and Udogie provided very little use to Conte this season and Porro was half a season late. High hopes for them (and Sarr) but we were already expecting Conte to leave by this choice of not giving him what he needs.
Added to that, the standard problem that nobody (for good reason) wants to buy GLC / N'dombele/ Rodon / Reggie so we're loaning out big mainly big money signings depreciating in value each season. We've also developed this strange habit of giving away players under contract for fudge all ie Doherty / Alli.
I'd say it'll be interesting to see which way we got next, a new dawn a new day but it has got a bit groundhog day for me.
Perhaps I expect too much, but it's not a lot to ask for: The feeling of being competitive what with our world class stadium / training facilities, supposedly incredible players, proven winners in charge that will absolutely no doubt win elsewhere but just not here.
Now added in to the brick storm, the brains of the club's footballing ethos being banned from anything to do with football. It's funny when you think about it I guess....