Spurs 2-1 Arsenal: as is usual with this derby, the team that is in more disarray going in comes up with a performance.
It is in my house. It's damn near the only thing that matters to me right now. Spurs are shite and football is shite. But beating them is always worth something in my eyes. I've only three wishes for the remainder of this season in ascending order of importance: 1) qualify for the Europa League 2) finish above them 3) just get it over already
It certainly is a bizarre time to be a football fan. But beating Arsenal will always make my day, no matter what. I read today that the manager's record after 22 games in charge is better than Klopp's beginning at Liverpool. My only solace for having my club be the vehicle for his ego is the track record of trophies he brings. Next season it will be put up or shut up for him.
Because, frankly, less than a full season with only one winter window is not adequate time for any manager to implement his program - and the level of investment in this particular one is a discreet finger on the 'patience' side of the scale. I don't like him any more than anyone else, but sacking the manager twice a year is not the way to run a football club.
I wonder, would it be better to qualify for Europa and get that extra money, or not qualify and be able to focus on domestic competitions? I suppose qualifying would make it easier to recruit new players - they always say they want European football - but is there going to be any money to bring players in anyway?
Top players only want to come if: 1. You are willing to pay them top wages. 2. You are in the CL. 3. You have a progressive manager and ambitious ownership with a proven track record of success. The last time I checked, we don't tick any of those boxes.
I would rather us not be in the Europa - we would play a bunch of games against teams like Gdansk FC and get knocked out in the round of 16, and then have to listen to Mourinho moaning about how he has to play on Thursday, while the other clubs get 24 or 48 hours more rest.
BTW, whatever happened to those blokes who were going to pay 650 quid to fly a banner over the stadium saying LEVY OUT? I bet Uncle Danny called the pilot and gave him 651 to stay on the ground...
But the current situation can't go on. We can't sign another good player at that position because nobody wants to sit on the bench behind Kane. So Kane plays every minute of every game until his body breaks. And there is nobody to take his place. Year after year. Maybe it would be better to sell him and bring in two players to compete for playing time at that position. I would hate to see Harry go, though. But as Jose says, the great teams have lots of good players on the bench. So you need to convince somebody who is already at Kane's level to come in and compete. And with no money and no CL, I don't see that happening, certainly not this year.
I don't mind the moaning - Poch did his share, too. But without really knowing the economics of it, I would rather miss the Europa league, too. Playing in Europe has really hurt the team's performance in domestic competitions, especially the last couple years. Our squad just isn't big enough. If JM has time to stay home and work his magic on the training ground, maybe we can finally win something next season (and then he can leave, haha.)
Won’t have any money to spend without selling thanks to COVID and the new stadium hanging round like an albatross. We’re in for an Arsenal. Fancy new stadium, ********-all ability to compete in the transfer market.
Equivalent of 5th place since he arrived. https://www.reddit.com/r/coys/comments/hqgl0p/spurs_are_5th_in_the_league_since_joses_arrival/
This is one of the few areas in which I'll back Mourinho. He's said he wants to be in it, and I believe him. And if we are in it, he'll try to win it. He goes after every trophy he can get - even the League Cup, whilst simultaneously chasing the League and the CL - which I've always respected. As to the moaning, he's going to moan about something anyway ... it might as well be this. My only fear about Mourinho ... well, aside from the dreadful football ... is the way that he ostracizes talent. I don't know how Ndombele is going to play out, but we can't afford very much of that stuff.
The way the money is working out for this season, it may be that getting the money from even Europa League is a substantial positive. Still, I don't have confidence we will find our way to it.
He also said he would get us into the CL this season and have a go in the CL and the FA Cup (by starting our 3rd string keeper against Norwich). Jose says a lot of things, that's why Levy hired him.