I think people, including myself, talk out of frustration. Spectacular improvement over the past two seasons has bred a false expectancy that we should be challenging for the league. We are certainly at the best level we have been at for a long time in terms of the infrastructure (players, manager, stadium*, board members, facilities etc). And to end the season with the number of consecutive wins that we enjoyed, bar the West Ham loss, had many believing that this would be a very good season and that we had chance to finally achieve something of note, something that we had been building towards achieving - glory.
Yet, our form this season can, and has been questioned. I have raised my points in a prominent manner. We have not played as well as we are capable of for most of our matches. Wembley, of course, can be blamed but, let's face it, we did ok away from home last season at grounds which were not necessarily suiting our style. Yet this season, we can't play well at Wembley, and struggle even on our away days. We are top 6 but I feel we could be so much more.
I did raise the point about a lack of depth for Eriksen earlier this season. And so, it has proved as Eriksen is not on top form, he's been closed down more by opponents & we have no plan B, as we've also lost our wingbacks. I can understand why we are struggling at times...but...it doesn't mean that I'm not frustrated with our form. To be frustrated is a sign of passion, not apathy, so all those who shout 'plastic fans' at people who raise their concerns couldn't be further from the truth in most instances. I can't just close my eyes and pretend that everything is ok when we should be striving for more than 'ok'. Is that really our level when in the past we've talked about glory, and aiming for the highest that we can be?
So to those who will aim to shut down discontent, please appreciate that we are all on the same side and that frustration is every part a side of the game. I guarantee you that a LOT of you, if you watched us lose 1-0 and fail to turn up, wouldn't be full of words of support about how great we are. We talk about what IS, we talk about the NOW, not the past, as achievements mean nothing if they cannot be sustained. And no one can know the future, so whilst we all hope for the best, we do not know that it will be so.
I do think though that those with frustration could be served to employ some sense. Were anyone to call for Pochettino to go, then I too would think they were naive. Whilst I talk about now, we can't change managers every time we have a drop in form. We keep faith and see where that takes us. He has brought us to our highest level, but he will be judged on what happens from here.
I hope my post makes some sense.
