Yeah it was always going to happen. The first 10 games were never representative of reality and I don’t think progress under Ange will be linear.
My fear a bit is that when we are on it, we look sensational but we very rarely control games or large portions of games and I don’t know if we can. We control parts of games and look irresistible while doing it. But when we lose that bit of control, we look very, very vulnerable.
I think it’s fine to criticise Ange but, for the arguments to hold up, they have to be consistent whether we win or lose IMO.
I don’t track poster’s history so this might be unfair but the overall tone of the message board seems to swing hard depending on the result. I don’t know if that’s because individuals are reacting differently based on results or whether people only come on to post to suit an agenda.
Naturally it’ll be a bit more negative when we lose and positive when we win but it does feel over reactionary at times.
And this place is the most sensible and balanced place to discuss Spurs on the internet IMO.
I think this board is pretty balanced, and what I mean by that is a range of views that are in the main reasoned and thought out (sans the OMT thread of course!). Probably that impression is enhanced by the state of football 'discussion' found elsewhere on the interweb.
I think the discussion/debates/arguments get a little conflicted when talking about what is happening now, and what is happening overall (ie the holistic view).
My holistic view is things have turned round massively from last season. The club, as a whole, is a lot more harmonious and, although many new faces behind the scenes are still bedding in, the noises are good. On the field, we are in a position above my expectations. The home and away form are both solid. It's exciting to have witnessed how we can play, with scintillating football for periods this season. The early honeymoon period for Ange has in some ways been a negative for Ange, as expectations rose. But fudge it, I loved those games and the thrill it gave, and it's still evidence of what can be. It was never going to be linear, and we are seeing those bumps in the road.
Some of those bumps are being pointed out, and that's fair. As things we see, if sustained for long enough, then become solid issues and evidence that we are struggling to progress. But we have to have faith that the work is being done (daily) to smooth those bumps out.
The 'now' issues I see are.
When the opposition are in a low block, we have resorted to two touch football. It's too slow. Perhaps it's safer. But too slow. I think we are capable of one touch but perhaps we are scared of being dispossessed and the consequences (which is off message with Ange)
We are not playing to Sonny's strengths, in fact we are playing to his weaknesses.
Richie being back could solve this, but probably means Werner has to sit out because Son has to play?
We are hunting for the midfield mix. That hunt is probably contributing to the defence being exposed.
Too many defensive corners are landing on an attackers head. Set-up issue?, probably.
I think when we concede it knocks us. I think that can sometimes be the type of goal we concede. Mentally we look rocked. Hence an Ange reset at half time has helped (or subs). We do keep trying, I'm not saying we give up!
Btw I don't think we are looking to control games...not in the traditional sense.
These things are only a problem if they persist. It's still early days for Ange, and as the season runs to it's conclusion, he is probably only fully learning now what each and every one of these players has to offer. Some would have surprised him, some disappointed.
If it does require new personnel(for example), we literally can't do anything about that until the summer.
And let's not forget it's a learning curve for him. This IS a tough league, top class players, smart players and smart managers.
