OMT ***Tottenham Hotspur vs Saudi Sportswashing Machine***

[the dza]

I'm normally positive but the lack of effort today was disgraceful, I can handle brick players running out of talent, good players phoning it in maddens (and saddens) me though, I'll be surprised if anyone tries to defend that.

I would have absolutely taken 3rd at the start of the season, but we've done it in the worst possible
way, somehow we've managed to qualify for the CL group stage, secure our highest finish since black and white yet still have nothing but apprehension for next season and anger at the players.

Only Spurs can break your heart.

Me too mate, the last time I felt gutted was when we lost at home to Leicester -- but I didn't feel bad towards our players, just gutted coz I thought we'd blown our chance. And I remember you were still positive about our chances after that game and your posts made me feel more positive about our chances, and we went on a good run.

This just feels different though, this feels like anger more than disappointment. And what right do I have to be angry at our players? We've had a great season and I keep telling myself that. I dunno if the last couple of games have ruined it as such...it just feels like we haven't achieved anything right now bar finishing below Arsenal again.

I dunno man....phuck. I didn't think a performance like today was in this team, I honestly didn't. It feels like a massive kick up the b*llocks.

 

[Baleforce]

funny cos it's true

 

[Baleforce]

Me too mate, the last time I felt gutted was when we lost at home to Leicester -- but I didn't feel bad towards our players, just gutted coz I thought we'd blown our chance. And I remember you were still positive about our chances after that game and your posts made me feel more positive about our chances, and we went on a good run.

This just feels different though, this feels like anger more than disappointment. And what right do I have to be angry at our players? We've had a great season and I keep telling myself that. I dunno if the last couple of games have ruined it as such...it just feels like we haven't achieved anything right now bar finishing below Arsenal again.

I dunno man....phuck. I didn't think a performance like today was in this team, I honestly didn't. It feels like a massive kick up the b*llocks.

I remember that, it was a bad result but a good performance, which certainly wasn't the case today

 

[Daisuk]

We started the 2011/2012 season by being punked 5-1 by city. Went on to fourth, which was largely seen as a great season, even though chelski ruined it.

Had we lost 5-1 in round two, it would've been different obviously. It's all about momentum in football. And we haven't got it going into the long break, so the depressing story of the last game will be repeated. That's the shame here. Had we at least had a game to rectify that impression.

 

[Baleforce]

We started the 2011/2012 season by being punked 5-1 by city. Went on to fourth, which was largely seen as a great season, even though chelski ruined it.

Had we lost 5-1 in round two, it would've been different obviously. It's all about momentum in football. And we haven't got it going into the long break, so the depressing story of the last game will be repeated. That's the shame here. Had we at least had a game to rectify that impression.

I agree, we were still building the side when the City (and United) defeats happened, there was kind of an excuse there, there is nowhere to hide in May, and we are (sadly), what everyone thinks we are.

 

[DubaiSpur]

This post is why today's result and outcome is damaging. The end meaning is probably not that important, with CL still guaranteed, but a lot and I mean a LOT of fans will be seriously pis$ed at this. And that undermines all the great work we had done for the previous 34 games and means that a large section will never truly trust this spurs side and worse than that this f*cking SP*RSY word will still have some meaning. Awful just awful.

We need to all have a break, hopefully recruit well and come back really strong. Don't lose hope, we were still very much the best side in the league for a large portion of it (Leicester deserved to win it overall)

Damn right. Trust has to be earned. The perfect chance to earn it was staring us in the face after 34 games, and we needed just three points to earn it. We got two. And were pipped to the post, failing horrifically in the SP*RSIEST way possible.

This team has not earned the trust to be placed on a pedal stool above others we've had. They had a chance, but they haven't earned it. So what on Earth is there to trust this Spurs side for? Cheer them on, sing for them, but they don't give a damn about finishing above Arsenal, as has been proven; so why *trust* them unconditionally?

Evaluating all the arguments about youth and inexperience, at best it's the famous 'trust, but verify' with this side. At worst, we're all just waiting for the next collapse after a promising start, as has happened with every side before them and will happen with every side after them. Are they a good side? Yes, very good. Are they mentally strong in any way?

F*ck no. Same as the rest. And only unprecedented cruelty will change that, starting this summer. Bin players who thought their side was secure, sign b*stards with points to prove, play ugly if that's what it takes to win, and *prove* you're not Sp*rsy. Until then, that term will never die, and nor should it. Because if we're being honest with ourselves, that's what we are, plain and simple.

 

[Craig_J]

Me too mate, the last time I felt gutted was when we lost at home to Leicester -- but I didn't feel bad towards our players, just gutted coz I thought we'd blown our chance. And I remember you were still positive about our chances after that game and your posts made me feel more positive about our chances, and we went on a good run.

This just feels different though, this feels like anger more than disappointment. And what right do I have to be angry at our players? We've had a great season and I keep telling myself that. I dunno if the last couple of games have ruined it as such...it just feels like we haven't achieved anything right now bar finishing below Arsenal again.

I dunno man....phuck. I didn't think a performance like today was in this team, I honestly didn't. It feels like a massive kick up the b*llocks.

It will probably feel like that for a while. It won't when we're playing in the Champions League again.

 

[the dza]

Ok, some positives -

1. We've got a lot to build on. Loads of progress made from last season in almost every department.

2. Poch doesn't have any false impressions of players based on things going well all the time. He's seen how they react to set-backs and he now has a more honest idea of who he can rely on, who will fight and give everything to win.

3. Champions League and a backable manager going into the summer transfer window. Now's the time Mr. Levy, incase you were in any doubt.

 

[afsoc4life]

Saw the interview. I feel a lot better. Those boys need to be flogged and the deadwood cut.

 

[Daisuk]

Ok, some positives -

1. We've got a lot to build on. Loads of progress made from last season in almost every department.

2. Poch doesn't have any false impressions of players based on things going well all the time. He's seen how they react to set-backs and he now has a more honest idea of who he can rely on, who will fight and give everything to win.

3. Champions League and a backable manager going into the summer transfer window. Now's the time Mr. Levy, incase you were in any doubt.

4. Wenger is probably further away from getting the sack.

 

[Baleforce]

Damn right. Trust has to be earned. The perfect chance to earn it was staring us in the face after 34 games, and we needed just three points to earn it. We got two. And were pipped to the post, failing horrifically in the SP*RSIEST way possible.

This team has not earned the trust to be placed on a pedal stool above others we've had. They had a chance, but they haven't earned it. So what on Earth is there to trust this Spurs side for? Cheer them on, sing for them, but they don't give a damn about finishing above Arsenal, as has been proven; so why *trust* them unconditionally?

Evaluating all the arguments about youth and inexperience, at best it's the famous 'trust, but verify' with this side. At worst, we're all just waiting for the next collapse after a promising start, as has happened with every side before them and will happen with every side after them. Are they a good side? Yes, very good. Are they mentally strong in any way?

F*ck no. Same as the rest. And only unprecedented cruelty will change that, starting this summer. Bin players who thought their side was secure, sign b*stards with points to prove, play ugly if that's what it takes to win, and *prove* you're not Sp*rsy. Until then, that term will never die, and nor should it. Because if we're being honest with ourselves, that's what we are, plain and simple.

this side doesn't really have an excuse, there were no big injuries, they didn't have redknapp flogging them into the ground, no distracting court cases or managers flirting with other jobs, no (serious) talk about key players leaving, no incredible run of form from the goons, they bottled it all on their own

Demebele was a miss yes but he couldn't get in the team earlier in the season, Alli is 19 years old, if we can't cover them then we are not the real deal anyway

we folded mentally, that is the long and the short of it

 

[diego_maradona]

I didn't even watch it. So glad. But being at a BBQ with 6 other gooners was pretty much hell.

Someone tell me whose fault it was so I can be angry at them and demand we sell them for the rest of the summer

Wish the spurs boys weren't playing the euros anymore

 

[Parklaner81]

Funny thing is, the Goons' players just love finishing above us. They rub it in, every chance they get. What is that club doing to get their players geed up in that way that we can't emulate? Where's the rivalry from our side? We both have multimillionaires aplenty in the squad - why are theirs more eager to finish above ours?

Spot on. I've been saying this for years......

 

[DubaiSpur]

I didn't even watch it. So glad. But being at a BBQ with 6 other gooners was pretty much hell.

Someone tell me whose fault it was so I can be angry at them and demand we sell them for the rest of the summer

Wish the spurs boys weren't playing the euros anymore

Most of the players, who didn't give a crap. Dembele, for getting stupidly suspended. Ditto Alli.

If I had to hazard a guess, Mason, Carroll and Chadli are off this summer, as much as I'd hate to see Mason in particular leave. Thinking more ruthlessly, Walker's place in the first team has to be in question, and if he were moved on or demoted just to make a point, I wouldn't be surprised. The captaincy should also be taken from Hugo and given to Kane, to make an important point; back-room respect doesn't mean f*ck all, but heart and fight does.

Some b*stards need to be signed this summer; really spiteful f*ckers who can put in a sly crunching challenge or an elbow to the face without getting banned for it, and players who can scare our own players into performing higher by sheer force of will. Where we'll find 'em, I have no clue, but we need those sorts of players.

 

[Baleforce]

I didn't even watch it. So glad. But being at a BBQ with 6 other gooners was pretty much hell.

Someone tell me whose fault it was so I can be angry at them and demand we sell them for the rest of the summer

Wish the spurs boys weren't playing the euros anymore

there is one guy I really want to lay into, he obviously can't do it all on his own but his performances rarely match his ability, and he hides so often, it's not just today, I've been frustrated with him for months

today WAS a complete failure though, even if he'd turned in a Bale performance we would still have lost the game, every single one of them was brick today, most of them were fudging lazy too, which is the real crime

 

[suffolkspur]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36296404

This is why i like Poch. Even after todays disappointments he gives me hope that he sees things and will rectify them. He has been talking about mentality a lot in the last couple of weeks and its importance in our development as a team. He sounds like he is as tinkled off as some of us are and also like he is questioning the committment of some in the squad. I like how he says the past couple of weeks has provided him with good information for the summer. Lets hope he takes the right action and decisions that will take us forward next year.

 

[DeanoAustin]

there is one guy I really want to lay into, he obviously can't do it all on his own but his performances rarely match his ability, and he hides so often, it's not just today, I've been frustrated with him for months

today WAS a complete failure though, even if he'd turned in a Bale performance we would still have lost the game, every single one of them was brick today, most of them were fudgeing lazy too, which is the real crime

I'll take a punt and say Eriksen?

 

[diego_maradona]

Most of the players, who didn't give a crap. Dembele, for getting stupidly suspended. Ditto Alli.

If I had to hazard a guess, Mason, Carroll and Chadli are off this summer, as much as I'd hate to see Mason in particular leave. Thinking more ruthlessly, Walker's place in the first team has to be in question, and if he were moved on or demoted just to make a point, I wouldn't be surprised. The captaincy should also be taken from Hugo and given to Kane, to make an important point; back-room respect doesn't mean f*ck all, but heart and fight does.

Some b*stards need to be signed this summer; really spiteful f*ckers who can put in a sly crunching challenge or an elbow to the face without getting banned for it, and players who can scare our own players into performing higher by sheer force of will. Where we'll find 'em, I have no clue, but we need those sorts of players.

Really? Walker has been superb for most of this season. Would be incredibly harsh. Agree with Mason, Carroll and Chadli. I'm a big fan of Mason but just don't think we've been able to rely on him but could do be down to the injury he's been carrying.

Need much better squad depth. My guess would be 2 CMs, a striker, a creative wide forward, poss a CB.
Would do very well to improve in at least 3 of those positions

 

[diego_maradona]

there is one guy I really want to lay into, he obviously can't do it all on his own but his performances rarely match his ability, and he hides so often, it's not just today, I've been frustrated with him for months

today WAS a complete failure though, even if he'd turned in a Bale performance we would still have lost the game, every single one of them was brick today, most of them were fudgeing lazy too, which is the real crime

Kane isn't it. We've been carrying that b*stard all season

 

[DubaiSpur]

Really? Walker has been superb for most of this season. Would be incredibly harsh. Agree with Mason, Carroll and Chadli. I'm a big fan of Mason but just don't think we've been able to rely on him but could do be down to the injury he's been carrying.

Need much better squad depth. My guess would be 2 CMs, a striker, a creative wide forward, poss a CB.
Would do very well to improve in at least 3 of those positions

Exactly my point. He's good enough for a side chasing top four, but he loses his head far too easily to be of use at the highest end of the table. It's harsh....


...but we *need* harsh. Send him off, get someone better, do a show-and-tell with the squad explaining why it happened, and warn them that their places too will be up for grabs if they don't up their game and take winning seriously.

Pour encourager les autres.