The downfall of this club started at a certain point in April 2021, when we sacked Jose, just a few days before he was going to win the Carabao Cup vs Manchester City. We were in 7th place and in the cup final. But 7th wasn't good enough. Now we have thrift store manager and no Kane and near relegation. This club has lost identity and leadership.
So ... I'd been thinking about relegation, and how my kneejerk reaction is a quasi-"eff it ... I love the Championship, and if we're in it ... we're in it. Whatever." But then I think of the reality of it, and my thoughts go back to the stadium build ... and taking on the better part of a billion quid in debt ... and how I would, in my more pessimistic moments, make reference to (what I would then call) 'doing a Leeds' ... you know, some situation like relegation (or some kind of pandemic? ) that could severely interrupt our projected revenue streams ... and, you know ... 'could we cope?' And I guess at some point I just stopped worrying about it. Until recently. Now, I didn't think I should bore anyone with my shudder-inducing thoughts on the subject, as they're 98% conjecture and based upon almost 0% actual quantifiable figures. And so I won't. You're welcome. But I did just stumble upon this. So I'll leave these also-conjecturing-but-still-vastly-more-procedurally-informed-than-I fellows to spread the joy. I'm not trying to scaremonger, and it's still quite more likely that we stay up than go down. And it's not all bad ... but it's still pretty sobering. Anyway, watch if ya want (but ya might not). What Relegation Would Really Cost Spurs
We just need to stay up by hook or by crook. Then we need a squad clear out and rebuild. And the Board can eat sh1t too.
My concern is the other clubs around us (Leeds, Forest, West Ham) look solid and are giving a good fight every game. The same can be said about Burnley and Wolves, although they are just about toast at this point. Our lot, however, don't give a toss. I don't think these players have the fight to avoid the drop. The Athletic reported that after the loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, Frank laid into the players, who responded by turning up late to the next training session. If that had happened at a top club, those players would have been fined 2 weeks' wages. At Spurs, however, the actions went unpunished, as usual. Frank should have been sacked at that point; once the players turn, there is no going back. If we go down, and it's looking more and more likely with each game, the club is in big trouble, and I would not be surprised if we dropped into League 1 with these owners and limp-wristed players. We will be forced to sell players like Vdv and Romero, among others, and will have a shell of a squad to compete in an unforgiving league. For visiting teams, playing at Nouveau WHL will be like their cup final. Our attendance would drop considerably, and we would not be able to attract proven PL quality players, not that the Danish Pastry and our owners would be capable of finding or signing them.
Totally agreed about the fight in these players. Most look like they can't get out quick enough, and its disturbing to know that they know that the one thing that will virtually guarantee their exits is relegation. That's not suggesting they'll be wishing for it, by any means. But it undermines the 'fight'. There's a video out there of Tudor shouting at Van de Ven to get higher up the pitch, and Mickey, after looking over and seeing/hearing the admonition, just pretty much ignores him. I dont have time to find it now, but ill try later. At any rate, its very, very disappointing.* If we lose to Fulham, I'll be shitting bricks. *to be fair, one cannot be 100% certain that things are as they appear in the clip. But they appear bad.
Yep. I listened to a podcast today that made this point. Our rivals for the drop - Forest, WHam and maybe Leeds - are able to scrap and fight for their lives. Our lot seem to think they are too good for that, and many of them likely have one eye on playing in the world cup this summer. The Van de Ven video was discussed also and their interpretation was Tudor was raging at Dragusin not Mickey. I haven't studied it. Still, Van de Ven's attitude and application was questioned, more broadly. I am still hopeful about avoiding the drop, mostly because of the brutal fixtures West Ham have to face.
Yeah, I mean, if we go out and win at Fulham on Sunday, I'll be fine. Hell, we do that and I can go back to focusing on our casual jog to Champions League glory. But eff me, it's just so easy to envision us losing. To anyone. To everyone.
Oh, for sure. But once we put in a decent performance (should we ever do so) my fear that we're incapable of doing so will evaporate. edit: I didn't say that we'd be fine if we win at the Cottage, I said that I'd be fine. I was commenting more on my mental state than upon that of the team.
West Ham down two early to Liverpool at Anfield. This is what a relegation fight looks like, by the way ... looking over your shoulder to see how the likes of West Ham are faring. Edit: and a third just before halftime. 3-0. Isn't this fun?
Pretty cool moment just before kickoff: they had a lady signing the You'll Never Walk Alone song in front of the stand.
A ropey start to the 2nd half from Liverpool as they concede an early goal to Soucek, but Gakpo has restored the 3-goal cushion, 4-1 to the Reds into the final 20 minutes. Elsewhere, Burnley not ready to throw in the towel, they have rallied from 0-3 down to 3-3 vs Brentford.
But this is Liverpool, 2025-26 edition: Castellanos scores the softest of goals from a corner to make it 4-2 with a quarter hour to play.
Now Brentford lead 4-3 with a goal in stoppage time. When Spurs are not involved, the PL is actually decent entertainment.
More madness. Ashley Barnes (remember him?), equalizes in the 98th minute, but after a lengthy review, the goal is ruled out for hand ball. Brentford win 4-3.
So we've gotten the results we wanted to this point, West Ham and Burnely lose, with Leeds v Man City the late game.