Ryan 'Mates-On' will be recalling Harry Winks from his Sampdoria loan. 'Do one of those long crosses from deep that accidentally goes into the net. That was great.'
I'm not going to defend that as a tactical approach to our attack ... but had we given that a shot today, the results couldn't have been worse.
Let's talk about players that need to go. There's enough to fill out a whole team. Already leaving: Moura Lenglet Danjuma On loan and should not return: Ndombele Lo Celso Reguilon Winks Rodon Not good enough: Sanchez Tanganga Over the hill: Lloris Perisic So many players to move on, and so many needs to fill. With Paratici's situation up in the air, who knows what will happen? It's a huge mess, whether Conte stays or goes.
And you can add Daniel Levy to that list - that would be the best departure as he is still involved in transfers - it is looking more and more like the Danjouma move was another Levy solo job. For anything to happen at the club, Levy has to at least fook off on the football side. I can't see Poch or anyone accepting to work under Paratici. I remember when Redknapp came, he insisted that the then director of football, Damien Comolli, be sacked, or he wouldn't sign. I would imagine that would be one of Poch's many conditions - he is not only in the driver's seat, he is occupying the whole car. But one thing is for sure: if Conte is unwilling to commit beyond this season, he has to go.
It’s total hypocrisy from Conte to say Spurs are a project and then not sign on long-term. As far as I can tell Levy has backed him like no other manager. Maybe he wants to get sacked so he can say it wasn’t him it was Levy.
I don't follow Italian football, so I really don't know much about Conte's career. But from what we've seen the last year and a half, I don't understand how he was successful. He is so inflexible with his system, he is basically trying to fit square pegs into round holes. No mid-game tactical adjustments, or just subs for fresh legs, until it's too late to make a difference. Playing the same guys until they drop, even with other quality players available. It just makes no sense. And now the players are starting to turn on him. Richarlison has not been very productive, but I can understand his frustration. And imagine how guys like Spence, Gil and Danjuma feel. The squad is much stronger this year, but Conte has turned them into zombies (or roombas, as Golara says - love that analogy).
At least the Roomba accomplishes something. I give up trying to rationalize his decisions. But like many other managers, he is quick to blame everyone but himself. Just for his post-match comments last night he should be sacked. As much as I despise Levy, I can't believe he would accept those remarks.
It's easier to list the ones we should keep/build around. I'd say... Romero, Porro, Udogie, Royal, Bentancur, Kulu, Richy, Son. Maybe Sarr and Skipp. If Kane wanted to leave I wouldn't be afraid of that.
Conté just wants a payout to leave. He doesn't want to be here. His friends have died and he got ill. He wants to be in Italy with his family. He doesn't give a toss. His football is worse than Mourinho's, if that's possible. What gets me is that José and Poch never took the smaller euro competitions seriously, but then José immediately goes and wins it with Roma.
I dunno. Bash Jose Mourinho as much as you like - I know I do - but if there's one thing you have to give him, it's that he has always taken every competition seriously. There is no trophy too small for him. In addition to his Champions Leagues and League titles, he's got Four League Cups and one FA Cup in England, domestic Cups in Portugal and Spain, UEFA Cup/Europa Leagues with Porto and ManU, and the Europa Conference now at Roma. He wins trophies big and small everywhere ... but Spurs. And to be fair, he might well have won one here, had he not got the sack before the League Cup final. **shakes head**
Seems all but inevitable now. I know it’s going to end in tears, but bring back Pochettino now and get it over with. The “one day/unfinished business” is distracting.
Stellini for the remainder of the season, then - Mason assisting. I'd think that doesn't speak well to Poch's chances, because he's available now, and according to the rumor mill, ready to go. Said mill says that Nagelsmann is the first choice, but that he's unwilling to come to England until the summer. It kind of makes one wonder if CL qualification might color his (or whomever's) decision, but that's obviously pure speculation on my part. One thing's for sure, if it's Nagelsmann, he'll have us playing 'Tottenham football'. His teams will attack from every part of the pitch. It's an exciting proposition. I'd've preferred Poch, solely because he knows what he'll be walking into (and still wants to!), but one can't really complain if we're able to get Julian Nagelsmann in, can he? Time will tell, I suppose.
According to ze Press, Conté refused to return from Italy after the press conference, which left Levy no choice. Basically, it was a constructive resignation.
Levy had a choice - if he were more decisive, he would have sacked him on the spot and brought in Poch. But as usual, he chose the worst option, dithering and then appointing Stellini with the results that are there for all to see.