I’ve been waiting for an upturn in fortunes before writing again, but feared that I might never get the opportunity for some catharsis if I waited that long!
In my last blog entry, I displayed the typical optimism of a true Spurs fan. In hindsight, reaching the conclusion that maybe the sale of Berbatov and Keane would free us up to play an effective 4-5-1 appearsludicrous. In my defense, at that point in time, it was expected that we would have more in the way of striking replacements. However, the line-up I had envisioned has been tried and found wanting. That is my mea culpa, but there is plenty of blame to go around.
In the end, while much has been written about the loss of striking options, I believe that the sale of Tainio, Chimbonda and Malbranque to Sunderland provides a far more significant signpost to our problems and how they have occurred. At least with regard to Tainio and Malbranque we appear to have chosen to unload Premiership experienced solid players. As to Tainio, his injury-hit limitations were well known, but why sell Steed? The only logical answers I can come up with for selling one of our better players from the previous season are: (1) Ramos never rated him or (2) We thought we were going to obtain an upgrade or (3) It was amoney thing. It seems to me that “1” is unlikely given the number ofappearances he made last year. If it was “2”, who was the upgrade? None of the signings combine Steed’s tackling and forward threat. If it is “3”, that would surely signify what is wrong with the current regime’s approach. Whichever is the case, and the “everyone is to blame and no-one is to blame structure” may never reveal the true position, the result has been catastrophic. Moreover, it is notable that once sent to the Ramos discard pile, there is no way back (see Rocha,Lee, Stalteri et al)
I can’t help feeling that we have engaged in a Spurs version of the ill-fated Real Madrid “Galacticos” after Makele left. The water carriers have been dispensed with in favor of the flair players—Bentley and Modric instead of Malbranque and Tainio. The spine of the team has been ripped asunder and we have too many players "adjusting to the pace of the Premiership." We only look like a team in flashes and are even more vulnerable to the “up and at ‘em”style practiced by the lesser teams in the division. We are not creating and our strike force is anemic. Confidence is understandably low.
SO—where do we go from here? The first stage to improving is to recognize that there is a problem. While our lowly position indisputably seems to provide an objective indication of this, the vested interests may not always acknowledge this because to admit it is to admit their failure. For example, it may be tempting for the person that was the moving force behind the signing of X or the playing of X in a certain role to contend that he is“adjusting” or has been injured rather than acknowledging that he erred insigning X or in deploying him in a certain way. That seems to me to be the main argument for bringing in a new broom---he is more likely to make a change which the current incumbent may not make because it would be an admission of error.
My thoughts on Ramos’ position hinge on factors that we do not know about---the behind the scenes stuff that clarify whether he can turn it around. We don’t have that knowledge, but the signs are not good. I’ve not seen any indication of a redeployment of available resources that suggests that we can improve. I’ve heard the same “we must work harder” that we heard from Christian Gross. It is not necessarily working harder that is the answer (aren’t we already supposed to be fitter?) but working more effectively in this environment with this group of players. My thought is that if there is someone who can inspire the players out there, now is the time to make a change. But that is a big “if”. I would be shocked if the hierarchy aren’t looking---its their M.O. after all ---but finding an effective turnaround artist is not easy.And whoever they are, they will be looking to follow the standard playbook—buy those gritty physical players who are prepared to battle to eek out a few ugly wins. Think Redknapp at Portsmouth.One would expect this anyway from the Levy/Comolli/Ramos hydra if we were not Spurs. Instead, who will be surprised if we sign an Arshavin rather than a Savage in January?
It is hard to see obvious moves to turn things around with the current personnel. There isn’t a lot of obvious steel in the squad. There is no-one to come back from injury,King included, who can confidently be seen as a saviour. At this rate, January may be too late. Maybe at a time when the stockmarket has tanked, my move to the pessimistic side will presage a recovery----if that doesn’t sound too optimistic. But let me be clear--we appear devoid of ideas to breakout of this rut.
One last thought—I’ve got the highlights of the last Spurs-Arsenal game at Highbury on my phone and have viewed it several times recently. It seems an eternity ago. Only Lennon and Dawson remain from that team. And Lee makes two good crosses with his left foot to indicate what might have been. We looked like a spirited team that was on the cusp. Unfortunately, we have lost our way---it appears like we gambled on upgrading and whoever is to blame, we lost. The next roll of the dice on personnel—both players and management is for the highest stakes---fingers crossed.