Hugo Lloris

[demotw]

Anyone questioning why Hugo is captain needs to watch this. That is an outstanding interview. He isn't grandstanding or playing to the crowd there. That's a man who is angry, hurt and disappointed in himself, his club, his manager and his team mates. Giving that interview in his second language makes it even more incredible.

The answers were articulate, honest and considered. You can see him pausing before each answer. Hats off to him. Sadly, we clearly have big problems behind the scenes.

Agreed - i expect this has been talked about behind the scenes already resulting in his frustrations spilling out into that interview. Some key points in there as well, seems he was focusing on players on the outside who get their chance which must be the likes of Aurier/dele/sissoko/Bergwin perhaps/winks and to be fair its lack of effort that we have all been saying for awhile, can play the perfect tactics/gameplan but if they players dont put in the required effort it will look terrible and disjointed. One of the biggest ways to judge effort is 2nd balls and we have been appauling at putting bodies on the line and getting those 2nd balls.

 

[parklane1]

A new manager coming in with the benefit of a part season to evaluate the squad should have been able to sort the wheat from the chaff by now - can't be using it as an excuse 17 months in.

If these players were a problem for Poch's last year in charge and are still a problem now then they were sure as hell a problem during the last 3 windows that Mourinho has been here and yet here they still are...

Disagree with you but as they say Stop! Hammer time.

 

[DeanoAustin]

A new manager coming in with the benefit of a part season to evaluate the squad should have been able to sort the wheat from the chaff by now - can't be using it as an excuse 17 months in.

If these players were a problem for Poch's last year in charge and are still a problem now then they were sure as hell a problem during the last 3 windows that Mourinho has been here and yet here they still are...

It's a good point but, to be fair to Mourinho, there are rumours he wanted to let Dele go in January and Levy blocked it. Not saying Dele is or isn't a problem but I guess it comes back to the fact that we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Mourinho did also complain about having too big a squad at the start of the season and, in attacking positions, he was absolutely right. I could make a case for any of our attacking players to be a starter so I'm sure the 7 of them all feel they should be in one of the 3 starting positions.

 

[Modric THFC]

Does anyone else have an issue that 4 days after the first team had their most pathetic performance of the season, the captain of the first comes out and has a go at the second string players? They weren't the ones that didn't turn up on Sunday. Sort your own self out. He doesn't have a leg to stand on after his recent performances. But he is playing to the gallery and will get much praise.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

Does anyone else have an issue that 4 days after the first team had their most pathetic performance of the season, the captain of the first comes out and has a go at the second string players? They weren't the ones that didn't turn up on Sunday. Sort your own self out. He doesn't have a leg to stand on after his recent performances. But he is playing to the gallery and will get much praise.

Plays like the tinkle head he is.

 

[Mikey10]

Does anyone else have an issue that 4 days after the first team had their most pathetic performance of the season, the captain of the first comes out and has a go at the second string players? They weren't the ones that didn't turn up on Sunday. Sort your own self out. He doesn't have a leg to stand on after his recent performances. But he is playing to the gallery and will get much praise.

If the bloke had any balls himself then I’d listen. He’s one of the weakest of them all and has been in goals, and captain (allegedly), for most of our humiliations in recent years.

Like a lot of this squad he talks a good game.

 

[SteveAWOL]

 

[afsoc4life]

A new manager coming in with the benefit of a part season to evaluate the squad should have been able to sort the wheat from the chaff by now - can't be using it as an excuse 17 months in.

If these players were a problem for Poch's last year in charge and are still a problem now then they were sure as hell a problem during the last 3 windows that Mourinho has been here and yet here they still are...

Lol. There is a difference between knowing that there is a problem and the timeline to correct the problem.17 months - 3 transfer windows with people not lining up to buy second string Spurs players.

 

[Mikey10]

Lol. There is a difference between knowing that there is a problem and the timeline to correct the problem.17 months - 3 transfer windows with people not lining up to buy second string Spurs players.

And two of those transfer windows have taken place in the midst of a global pandemic.

 

[billyiddo]

If Dier is a problem play Rodon
If Davies is a problem don't loan out Sessegnon
If Winks is a problem don't loan out Skipp


See where I'm going with this?

Lol.

 

[Bishop]

Lol. There is a difference between knowing that there is a problem and the timeline to correct the problem.17 months - 3 transfer windows with people not lining up to buy second string Spurs players.

This is on Levy, he would need to make their prospective sale attractive enough for the purchaser.

 

[afsoc4life]

If Dier is a problem play Rodon
If Davies is a problem don't loan out Sessegnon
If Winks is a problem don't loan out Skipp


See where I'm going with this?

Lol.

Yet their wages keep been paid. There is only so much that can be done. Levy has to keep an eye on finances. I thought we had our contracts on point back in the days at least based on gist - basic wage plus performance bonus etc. I don't know what the structure is now but it doesn't look like these guys feel interested in giving their all. We are now looking for a grown man to motivate adults who should at least have self pride to perform well.

 

[DubSpur]

This is on Levy, he would need to make their prospective sale attractive enough for the purchaser.

You can make the sale attractive enough for the purchaser and then leave you with not enough to buy replacements. At some point, it makes more sense to keep a player.

 

[SteveAWOL]

You can make the sale attractive enough for the purchaser and then leave you with not enough to buy replacements. At some point, it makes more sense to keep a player.

True... although when that player is costing Levy £3m per year in wages whilst also being a negative influence within the squad, then maybe selling at a loss is the lesser of 2 evils?

 

[thfcsteff]

It's a good point but, to be fair to Mourinho, there are rumours he wanted to let Dele go in January and Levy blocked it. Not saying Dele is or isn't a problem but I guess it comes back to the fact that we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. Mourinho did also complain about having too big a squad at the start of the season and, in attacking positions, he was absolutely right. I could make a case for any of our attacking players to be a starter so I'm sure the 7 of them all feel they should be in one of the 3 starting positions.

I think this is a very fair point, and one I have also made. I also think Bale was a Levy signing. It is hard not to acknowledge the consistent issue here. Covid also buggered the metric/plan because as someone else said, there was going to be a fat revenue stream from new stadium, which theoretically would've left Mourinho getting exactly what he wanted.

However, and I flagged it at the time, Bergwijn was not his first choice (he let it slip in an interview) and that was a pre-covid signing. So it is entirely fair to assume that Levy would not have handed him a war chest. Indeed, maybe with justification? Wasn't it Mourinho who claimed he could do loads with this squad? And you have to wonder what was whispered in Levy's ear leading up to the appt?

I have some sympathy for Mourinho as he is not a project manager and this is what we now are, but he's had time to work with players he said were more than good enough and he has failed. But yes, there is absolute truth in your post. It is no secret I don't like him, but equally I have always said he is our manager and he must be supported, not just by us, but by his fudging boss. Apparently that was never quite part of the plan either, Covid or not.

 

[thfcsteff]

Lol. There is a difference between knowing that there is a problem and the timeline to correct the problem.17 months - 3 transfer windows with people not lining up to buy second string Spurs players.

What do you think one of the big issues under the previous manager was?

 

[Bishop]

You can make the sale attractive enough for the purchaser and then leave you with not enough to buy replacements. At some point, it makes more sense to keep a player.

Sometimes you don't need to replace the player, or they have already been replaced in the squad and the managers thinking. At that point any money you can possibly achieve for them no matter how small is better than just holding on and continuing to pay their wages while waiting for a bigger fee to materialize that never will.

 

[afsoc4life]

What do you think one of the big issues under the previous manager was?

Sorry you asked for one but I gave a few below.

1. The belief that our squad was good enough and didn't require additions as the players were top top level. That is one assertion I personally strongly disagreed with. Even now I don't think our squad is as good as we assert on this forum. I refer in technical and mental terms.

2. Pochettino needed a break. I don't know how it can be structured that managers can go on a short leave away from football. The intensity and demands on them is a lot. I believe if Mauricio had been able to go on such a break, we would have seen a better performance and him lasting longer.

3. I believe that there was a plan for Spurs overall success and that the plan was no longer followed after earlier success than expected. I recognise that in life no plan survives kick off and requires modification with time.

4. Player attitudes. Some players when their names were mentioned with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid etc began to 'misbehave'.

5. The way we treated the loan system. Players need to be exposed to different environments and cultures. It has a positive impact on mentality and view on life.

Still have more and I could possibly write a bit more on this. However this is enough for now. Note the above are my opinions.

 

[DubSpur]

Sometimes you don't need to replace the player, or they have already been replaced in the squad and the managers thinking. At that point any money you can possibly achieve for them no matter how small is better than just holding on and continuing to pay their wages while waiting for a bigger fee to materialize that never will.

Yes, sometimes, but we don't know that is the situation with players. We don't know the in's and outs of what players we are trying to get rid of, if offers have been made, whether players are willing to move, drop in wages etc. It's not Football Manager where transfers are easy.

 

[Bishop]

Yes, sometimes, but we don't know that is the situation with players. We don't know the in's and outs of what players we are trying to get rid of, if offers have been made, whether players are willing to move, drop in wages etc. It's not Football Manager where transfers are easy.

I've never claimed it to be easy but when you have 'thr best chairman in the game' then you'd hope he be able to make things work even if difficult.