is it going to be a bad season?

[mis-e-one]

Or is it too early to complain?

Most Spurs fans would have predicted a top 4/5 finish in the Premiership this season. And we wouldn't have been wrong to, IMO. We spent wisely in the summer, so we had every chance to build upon last season.

But we've already lost 3 games. Is it really to early (after only 4 games) to start worrying?

[Danners9]

Look at what other teams are doing too.. Arsenal, Liverpool.. all dropping points in games you wouldn't expect. Portsmouth and Everton up at the top.

Teams that buy a lot in the summer need time to settle down. Spurs showed yesterday the makings of a good side, just need to get on a run. Starting on thursday.

[THFC1]

I think it is too early, we have brought in alot of new players, now the window has closed the squad should settle down.

I'm sure will will put a good run together soon.

[Colm]

Far to early to tell, around December/January will be a better time to judge.

[DigitalTron]

As I posted in the "Results for other teams" thread, I think our main competition for CL and UEFA spots will not be Manchester United or Chelsea--both of which will grab CL spots--but rather Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle. At the moment, we're 1 point behind Liverpool, 1 ahead of Arsenal and tied with Newcastle. So despite the horrible start, we've played at Old Trafford and still are only 1 point off the lead for a CL spot. Good fortune.

Realistically, this is a bit of a rebuilding year, but the talent is top notch. We're pasting together a team with 4 of 10 field starters being new. Berbatov, Zokora, Ekotto, Chimbonda. That's 2 spine players and 2 backliners. So, it's going to take time to build chemistry. Additionally, King (injury), Mido (just re-signed) and Ziegler (loan) just came back. Then we added Malbranque (injured) as well. So, I can't see Spurs gelling for the first couple of months until the players get used to one another. My hope is that we can use superior talent to offset other teams' cohesive teamplay until we start to gel.

By Christmas we should be fine, as long as we're not too far off the pace by then. My theories on our competition really make that a realistic goal, here's why:

Liverpool: Didn't add much in the offseason, but still a very solid and well coached team. Talent-wise we probably gained on them.

Arsenal: They won a LOT of games at the tiny library last season, but did poorly away from that tiny library. This season--in their brand new stadium--they'll have to play a lot of games on a big field, and I think they will not have anywhere near the home-form they showed last season. No Dmid and mediocre midfield defending in general will allow them to be exposed in midfield. IMHO, their flank defending has always been a weak-spot, and the addition of Gallas doesn't turn that into a strength. I expect them to continue to drop points away from home and to gain significantly less points at home this season. Their team was built for the small field, and when they played on larger fields their results suffered.

Newcastle: Improved manager, and some good additions, but IMHO, they just don't have the talent this season to secure a CL spot. If Spurs finish behind Newcastle this season it'll be because Spurs took too long to gel and dropped too many points against teams 6-20.

Everybody else: Big talent gap. Sure West Ham have Tevez, Mascherano, Ferdinand, and a couple of other good players ... but not a full team, and no depth. Blackburn's style will be emulated by Bolton, Watford, Sheffield United, and a handfull of other teams, so I doubt they'll bully their way ahead of us. Grinding out results will become the norm this season. Everton, and a few other teams might surprise, but honestly, they don't have the talent 1-11 muchless 1-16 that Spurs have.

In sum, Spurs are going to struggle at first, then find their form sometime between October and December (hopefully sooner!), so the only question in my mind is how many points behind will Spurs be by Christmas? I see a very strong post-Christmas run for Spurs.

-Digital

[tomas_brolin]

too early, but i have noticed an early trend.. spurs lose games played on saturdays... but that is beside the point. if we are barely above relegation zone, by xmas time, i might start to worry a little bit... but im confident the spurs can regroup and do well again.

but, our losses are against good teams... and the next 2 matches a win can be easily attained.. watford and west ham..

[CelticOnFire]

no, ******** this, it will not be a bad season

[PoshSpur]

All Spurs fans (myself included) have that "itch" embedded in our DNA. We start off a little rocky and then our itch kicks into play.

I propose we carry out a little experiment.

I think that this thread should be closed and then reopened in January 2007. I think a lot of you will read what was written and laugh.

If you want it closed, please send me a private message.

[Danners9]

I watched the 88-89 and 89-90 season reviews last night, for a bit of nostalgic perspective.

Spurs were shite to begin with, in 88-89. Bottom three up until October, but then won 14 out of 19 after christmas and finished 6th.

Next season they started well, had a few blips, but finished 3rd.

Point is, a few games can easily be turned around. The major parts of the season are christmas and easter. While last season's top 4 keep dropping points, and I mean Arsenal and Liverpool mostly, we're still ok.

[pookspur]

we're fine.

[KHowe]

Excellent reply, DigitalTron, and I agree with most everything you said. We have too much talent, especially up front, to contain our offense all season and our defense is nothing shabby either. If Lennon can have a strong season this team could really take off. I hope he sees the ball more, if he does I dont think there will be any problem getting Berbatov/Keane/Defoe/Mido the ball. As soon as the ball hits his feet, the kid just explodes. He really makes shaking defenders look easy and can potentially get a good many assists this season. The only disagreement I have is Liverpool. Getting Bellamy to replace Cisse was a great move, I believe Crouch will put up even more goals this season, and Kuyt looks very strong from what I've seen. I certainly hope the Spurs can pass Liverpool (my best friend's a Liverpool fan, nothing would please me more). We'll see around Christmas time.

[pylon]

Don't really like the look of us in 16th, but then Pompey are top so I'm reminded it's early.

Things went well in Prague. I'm not panicing...yet. ;)

[AllWhitebeliever]

"Huh?"

*looks at watch and checked the date on the calendar*

"Huh?":confused:

*Wiggles his thumbs around and thinks*

"Early days yet."

:D

Hang loose.

[PoshSpur]

We'll be fine when Martin can figure out a system that can accommodate 4 central midfielders.

[OrlandoSPUR]

...typical knee jerk reaction that goes with being a Yid....its happening on all Spurs boards. Even murmerings of wanting a management change, and Levy giving a talking to Jol...its still early days but what worries me is the team finding it hard to get the ball in the net, that really was not the case last year. Hope that changes quickly our next few fixtures will tell a lot, Portsmouth at home imo will be huge.

We will be in the top 6 by the end of the season, i'm confident of that.

[tapper]

I thought we'd slide back a little this year in the league (maybe a spot or 2) but make some cup runs and hopefully lift a trophy by season's end.

I'm much more concerned about staying in Europe until the squad settles. Hopefully we can play well against Slavia in the return leg and by the time the group stage starts be back to good form.

Honestly, its Fulham and Everton matches that were worrying...especially Everton just because it was a home match AND they played an hour with 10. But, ultimately, Bolton and United are tough away matches, and I Everton was one of the teams I thought would jump over us this season if they stayed healthy (which they are at the moment). So the results have not been quite so brutal. THe Fulham one was the most disappointing on paper.

I hope to everything that the Zokora's and Jenas's last two games haven't been abberations and will continue to exhibit improving form. The back line is completely sorted ATM. The midfield seems to be coming around. We just have to figure out what the problem is with the strikers. 1 goal from Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, and Mido through 5 games. Scoring from this bunch should be a GIVEN. There's just too much quality for them not to put some balls in the back of the net.

I do think the Carrick/Zokora role is maybe the hardest to settle into quickly with a new squad in a new league.

As far as tactics go...everybody knows what I want to see, so I won't mention it again.

I don't think its going to be a bad season at all. Too much quality not to make a move up the table at some point. As long as Spurs keep Europe alive for the time being I'm optimistic of a lot of fun in that competition.

And while the Carrick deal has hurt us early. I would maintain that business like that is exactly what clubs have to do to make sustained moves towards the top over long periods of time.

In my little mental notebook, I put down that top 6 and a cup final would be a great season this year, and I think both are still there for the taking.

[Joe E]

for one reason and another, i've been reading up on bird flu and its potential consequences recently. It's thought it could cause a lot of chaos - but mainly because of what they call "the emotional reaction". they predict that as soon as a few thousand people in the western world are diagnosed, all hell will break loose - people will refuse to go to work. global trade and travel will grind to a halt. it will cost billions and ruin lives - but all because of people's tendecy to react hysterically and disproportionately to a relatively minor and entirely solveable problem.
if tottenham fans remain calm and logical, the side will start scoring, regain form and win games. if they barrack and boo, create a mood of anxiety and unrest and start clulessly mouthing off, there WILL be a crisis - and the fans will have created it.
i've waited too long to have a manager like jol and players like we have at the moment, and european football, to have idiot fellow fans get whiny and bitchy and stamp their feet at the first setback and screw it up for me.i'm astonished by the way a lot of fans (not on this board but on many others) are conforming to the stereotype of the spurs fan as fickle, spoilt, illogical and downright ********ing moronic.
ok. that will be all.

[PoshSpur]

Well said.

[soccernutter]

But Lennon is injured. We're doomed!


































;) :D

[AdamS]

We just have to figure out what the problem is with the strikers. 1 goal from Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, and Mido through 5 games. Scoring from this bunch should be a GIVEN.

It was an error to sell Rasiak.