By Mickster
February 13 2007

We are currently three quarters of the way through a season. Languishing just below half way in the Premiership but as we speak still fighting in two cup competitions and we were only a fraction of an inch from reaching the League Cup Final. Results;

We are currently three quarters of the way through a season. Languishing just below half way in the Premiership but as we speak still fighting in two cup competitions and we were only a fraction of an inch from reaching the League Cup Final. This through a mixture of poor performances and if you believe everything you read on the net, mismanagement.

Where do you start? If you go back to pre-season you have the sale of Carrick. The club were put in an almost impossible situation. Carrick's eyes had been turned by the large spectre of United and rather than having a Campbellesque situation, Spurs did rather well out of the transfer, financially at least. In hindsight it’s rather easy to say we shouldn't have sold and that Carrick was irreplaceable within the system. But it’s not a lie to say that maybe the large majority of Spurs fans thought we had done rather the better out of the deal (as co-incidentally did most of the football world). I wonder now who’s willing to admit to that.

The signings;

As per usual we entered the transfer market rather heavily. We signed Berbatov, a hugely gifted player who at times has been a delight to watch at White Hart Lane. Away from home in domestic competition Berbatov, whose style can best be described as languid, has failed to impress. It may not be entirely down to him but for a player as talented as him to have not produced away is a huge disappointment.

Zokora could be described as the other major signing. He came highly touted from the French League. He was seen as the natural replacement to Carrick, however neither his performances nor style of play can be compared favourably on what we have seen so far.

There were additional signings and it is perhaps no surprise that the biggest success by far of all the signings has been Chimbonda who already had the benefit of having played one season in the top English League. Perhaps the others need time but in retrospect and in particular for a club that had provided for itself with its English core, the lack of any English players to bolster the squad has perhaps had an adverse affect on the sides durability.

The Manager;

I am not sure that the criticism has been entirely justified which is more an opinion rather than based on any hard facts. Certainly away from home the lack of results is a real concern. It would be fair to say that at times the performances haven't been all bad. But a side that doesn't score goals will not win many matches and less than 10 away speaks volumes. Simply a side with the talent we appear to have ought to do better. I can't begin to put my finger on why.

Tactics? Perhaps we can be negative away from home. At times away the primary concern seems to be to contain the opposition which is exactly the opposite at White Hart Lane.

I am not sure that this is the entire story as over the years all the good sides have to some degree played the same way, quietening the opposition crowd and then winning the game. The failure has in my opinion been our trouble in retaining the ball which is illustrated more away from home. The problem eventually becomes a mental one and this side doesn't exactly seem to have a hard streak throughout, though it is undoubtedly blessed with good footballers.

Leadership;

I am not sure that it is easy to buy leadership. We have tried several times over the years and failed. The management of the club needs to, in my opinion work at changing the sides durability and fight. Players do hurt when they lose but the lack of an on field leader is clear. Perhaps we miss Davids though personally I don't think so. King has been a huge miss for the last few months as his defending is imperious but is he a leader? The strange thing is that much like last season where winning was a habit it becomes all too easy to get used to accepting defeat and blaming others.

A Positive Note;

Given everything we still have some very talented players. There are limitations but we are still in two cups and would not Sunday be a good day for the Players, the Management and the Supporters all to forget the last two miserable weeks and get a decent result and push us further towards getting back to Wembley.

I think so!