The Wait to Reclaim the Title Continues….
The twentieth season of the Premier League finished exactly how Sky and MOTD wanted it, full of drama, red cards, flaps and late late goals.
Manchester City deservedly broke Man United’s reign as Champions in spectacular fashion as a £84 Million strike force combined to hit two late goals. The Citizens ended 44 years of waiting to finish as the top club in England.
This fact, as soon as I had got over Marton Fulop’s incredible inept performance, left me thinking:
Which current Premier League clubs are enduring a similar wait to be Champions again?
West Bromwich Albion: 1919-1920 (92 years)
In spectacular fashion West Brom signed off the 2011-2012 season with three goalkeeping howlers, but 95 years ago they were smashing records, not Spurs fans hopes.
The Baggies cruised to the league title in 1920 bagging a record 104 goals and 60 points. These days West Brom, after a few years of yo-yoing between divisions, have become a regular part of the PL season, but a return to be champions looks as unlikely as Roberto Mancini splashing out 20 Million on Marton Fulop.
Interesting facts of 1920: Government introduce £1 car tax and the Scots vote against prohibition (shock.)
Newcastle United: Champions 1926- 1927 (85 years)
For a team that claims to be one of the biggest in the country, it has been over a eighty years since they were crowned champions.
Newcastle thanks to some astute transfer purchases this year may be back on the right track but there is no denying that 80 years is a long time to still claim you are a big team.
Interesting fact of 1927: 1600 people ended up in hospital after slipping on the icy streets of London. Born Slippy.
Sunderland: 1935- 1936 (76 Years)
On Sunday they may have been taunting United fans with the Poznan, but its doubtful that any of those involved were old enough to remember their last day at the top of the pile. The 75 year wait may be shorter than that of their enemy Newcastle, but nevertheless for a club with aspirations and a rather large transfer budget it remains a long time.
Will Sunderland ever hit these heights again? With a team boasting Titus Bramble, John O’Shea, Nicklas Bendtner and Phil Bardsley, perhaps not.
Interesting fact of 1936: The first Butlins opens in Skegness, setting in motion the future careers of Jimmy Tarbuck, Des O’Connor and legendary house party host Michael Barrymore.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 1958 – 1959 (53 Years)
Wolves remain eligible for this list, just. With their Premier League status about to disappear as fast as a Defoe one night stand to The Sun, Wolves can sink happy with the knowledge that in the 1950’s they were declared “Champions of the World” by the national press. (Over exaggeration it seems is not a modern disease.)
The Wolves side of the late 1950’s dispatched Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and the Honvéd team that included Ferenc Puskás and many of the Hungarian “Magical Magyars.” Their successes over the greats of Europe in exhibition matches helped create the Champions League née European Cup. It’s a shame Wolves will probably never play in it.
Interesting facts of 1959: The first section of the M1 opens and the Mini goes on sale.
Tottenham Hotspur: 1960-1961 (51 years)
For a few moments this season, even the most down beat Spurs fan must have thought this record might be broken. Spurs were playing fantastic flowing football, sat in the Shelf at White Hart Lane, an old man leaned over to me and said:
“You know what? I have seen all the Spurs teams since the late 50’s but this is the best, easily.”
Unfortunately he turned out to be wrong; technically its not even Redknapp’s best ever Spurs team. The 2009-2010 team collected 70 points to the 2011-2012’s 69 points. The season that offered so much promise went downhill thanks in large parts to poor performances, bad refereeing and a manager who was already picking the furniture for what he thought was his Wembley office.
Fifty one years for a club who have won the Double, helped found the Premier League and have aspirations of glory, is a long time, as Arsenal fans like to remind us.
Interesting facts of 1961: Songs of Praise airs for the first time and the Beatles play the Cavern Club for the first time.
Football fans endure an incredible amount of pain and disappointment through the season. For these five clubs listed, the pain of seeing the years tick by has been exacerbated by countless false dawns and broken promises.
Newcastle saw their team throw away a 10 point lead to eventual champions Man Utd in the 1995-1996 season as their wonderful attacking team, was undone by horrific lapses in defence and Sir Alex’s Jedi mind tricks.
Wolves were nearly bankrupt, have been promoted and relegated for fun, and this season had to witness Sebastien Bassong at centre back. I truly hope they make a swift return to the PL, the manner in which Terry Connor has handled the sinking ship with grace and composure reminded me of the captain in Titanic. Heroic, but he really should have seen it coming.
West Brom have bounced up and down between the divisions, enduring managers such as Bryan Robson, Ron “I love Marcel Desailly” Atkinson, Gary Megson and John Terry’s puppet Roberto Di Matteo. Now with Roy Hodgson off to the England job, the appointment of a good successor looks likely to be a defining moment in their modern history.
Sunderland meanwhile under Martin O’Neil, are sure to improve but the financial gap between the top clubs and them will probably see the clock keep counting, especially if they continue to sign and then get rid of top strikers within a year and loan Nicklas Bendtner.
As for Tottenham, another season ends behind Arsenal, but at least the gap has closed. Should Gareth Bale and Luka Modric stay, and Robin “I will always love this club” van Perise leave, perhaps next year we can finally get rid of the ridiculous St Totteringham day.
(BTW technically this wasn’t the worst Arsenal team ever, it scored more points than the 1995-1996, 2006-2006 & 2010-2011 team.)
The Alternate Team of the Year 2011-2012
For those players and clubs shunned by the media spotlight, recognition has finally arrived. After studying hours of non hyped, no diving, no fist shaking football, arlombardi is proud to announce his winners.
Some of last seasons (click Link to View) winners went on to bigger and better things. Gary Cahill went to play alongside Chelsea Player Manager, John Terry, whilst Kyle Walker became the only right back at Tottenham and Ali al-Habsi became so proficient he can even catch chickens.
However, for every arlombardi good spot there are the Jermaine Pennant’s, DJ Campbell’s and gap toothed Charlie Adam’s.
The rules: To qualify you must not play for a team that is in the top 6. Loans from a Top 6 to a Non Top 6 are eligible.
What will the future hold for the new batch? Without further delay, this is my selection (along with some Honourable Mentions):
The Non Top 6 Team of the Year 2011-2012
Michel Vorm (Swansea): From his very first appearance against Man City on the opening week, the man named like a lady has shone. Fantastic reactions, slick back hair and ability with his feet have led Vorm to be linked with top 6 clubs a plenty. Whether the Dutch man remains at Swansea is probably dependent on whether manager Brendan Rodgers stays, but either way it has been a debut season to remember.
Honourable Mentions: John Ruddy (Norwich), Ben Foster (West Brom)
Jose Enrique (Liverpool): It is a strange feeling to include Liverpool players in my hunt for the Non Top 6 XI, but their league form, especially at Anfield means they are in the pot. Their summer signings may have hit the headlines for flawed performances, but the former Newcastle man can hold his head up. Defensively sound and good going forward he only needs to add the occasional goal to his repertoire.
Honourable Mentions: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ashley Williams (Swansea),
Gary Caldwell (Wigan): His transformation has been similar to that part in Shrek 2 where Eddie Murphy’s character drinks a potion and changes from a donkey to a stallion. The Scottish centre back’s performances over the closing few weeks has led Wigan to Premier League safety. Against Man United, Arsenal, Blackburn and Newcastle he was immense leading his team to key victories. I doubt he will attract many suitors this summer, but the former Celtic man will enjoy a relaxing summer safe in the knowledge that his form has helped Wigan avoid the drop again.
Honourable Mentions: Liam Ridgwell (West Brom), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke)
Russell Martin (Norwich): The “Norfolk Cafu” has had a spectacular season, but strangely enough not in his regular right back slot but at centre back. The former Peterborough man is one of a number of players who lacking PL experience have settled in nicely and adjusted well. Martin over the course of the season has pulled off some memorable goal line clearances, with his best coming against Arsenal at Carrow Road.
Honourable Mentions: John Hetinga (Everton), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
Victor Moses (Wigan): The JJB based team has a knack of finding talent and allowing it to blossom then selling it on at a big profit. Wilson Palacios, Antonio Valencia and Carles N’Zogbia have all left at a profit and now it seems that Victor Moses is next. His speed and directness has been a contributing factor to Wigan’s strong end to the season and their Premier League survival. Its doubtful whether they will hold on to him, but the former Crystal Palace man finally looks to be fulfilling his potential.
Honourable Mentions: Jordi Gomez (Wigan)
Clint Dempsey (Fulham): Out field American Soccer players have been hit and miss in the Premier League, there has been the failures such as Roy Wegerle and Cobi Jones and reasonable successes such as Brian McBride and Landon Donovan but the true success is with out doubt Clint Dempsey. The Fulham man has bagged 17 Premier League goals so far this season making him the top American marksman in PL history. Adept with his head, or both feet he can score from anywhere, had he not been entering his 29th year, there would be a serious transfer furor round him. The Cottagers have a star that looks likely to stay for next year.
Honourable Mentions: Joe Allen (Swansea),
Leon Osman (Everton): When you are surrounded by hard grafting players in a team built on spare parts, it’s hard to get noticed, especially by England managers who are Champions League obsessed. One player though, who may benefit from the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager is Leon Osman. The creative midfielder may have been a fixture in the Everton team for a few years now, but with a injury free run he has started to deliver on his promise. Osman has linked well with Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelvaic to form a fearsome attacking trident for the Toffees, a Euro 2012 place may not be as absurd as it seemed 12 months ago.
Honourable Mentions: Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)
Stepane Sessegnon (Sunderland): A player who showed glimpses last year, finally proved himself this season. Even when Sunderland where suffering under Steve Bruce, he was the only player to show some quality. Nippy, skillful and the ability to score make him Sunderland’s stand out player. Even playing alongside Boy Racer and Adebayor’s best friend Niklas Bendtner hasn’t taken the shine off him. He should start the season at the Black Cats again, but their ability to lose top players like Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan, should serve as a warning to Martin O’Neil.
Honourable Mentions :Steven Pienaar (Everton), Seb Larsson (Sunderland)
James McClean (Sunderland): Tall, fast and left footed,Mclean is an Irish Gareth Bale. Plucked from obscurity at Derry City McClean looks odds on to finish his football year at Euro 2012. Since Steve Bruce parted ways with Sunderland, Martin O’Neil’s faith in him has been rewarded. Mclean looks set to replace veteran Damien Duff on Ireland’s left wing for the next decade.
Honourable Mentions: Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Moussa Dembele (Fulham)
Grant Holt (Norwich City): The fact that some are demanding the chunky Cumbrian’s inclusion in the England squad pretty much defines what an incredible season he’s had. Grant Holt has surprised everyone by adapting to the Premier League and his goals have propelled the Canaries to safety. The ease in which Grant Holt has adjusted to the English top division has however brought one question to mind: Is he that good or is the PL that bad?
Honourable Mentions Franco Di Santo (Wigan), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Peter Crouch (Stoke)
Yakubu Ayegbeni (Blackburbn Rovers): Blackburn’s relegation can be pinned on many people at the club, but one man who has done his upmost (along with keeper Paul Robison) to try and secure their survival is the former Pompey, Middlesborough and Everton striker. His signing was so low key it didn’t even register with most people outside of Lancashire but the Nigerian has spanked in the goals. Described by Gary Neville as having a backside like a bus, Yakubu can hold his head high after a fantastic season.
Honourable Mentions: Steven Fletcher (Wolves), Danny Graham (Swansea)
The media often overlook the lower reaches of the PL, but this selection of players has proven there exists more to football that the Sky 4, 5 or 6.
Norwich and Swansea have shown us that good football from newly promoted teams can be successful, whilst Stoke has once again demonstrated how physicality and directness can upset even the most expensive squads.
With the final round of PL fixtures, the Champions League Final, Euro 2012 and Olympic Football to come, there is still plenty of football on the horizon.
By the way for those of you living in London there are still North Korea v Gabon tickets up for grabs, if you get desperate over the late summer months……
Redknapp, Kaboul and Lennon: A Rain Swept Sunday
This Sunday as Spurs cruised to a 2-0 win over a toothless Blackburn Rovers, three things dawned on me as I made my way down Seven Sisters away from White Hart Lane.
1. We’ve Found a Kindred Spirit.
Disappointment and a feeling of being let down are the overwhelming emotions of a Spurs fan, it seems to be our fate in footballing life, but this morning Harry Redknapp joined our ranks.
For so long the man, who took Spurs on a half season title challenge, was the toast of the media. The press room at White Hart Lane, were so enamored with our manager that they sung “Happy Birthday” to him. Ex-footballers, pundits, cabbies and hair dressers alike proclaimed Harry to be the saviour, yet this morning he looks like second choice.
This may be a ruse by the FA to force Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to drop his compensation fee, but more than likely perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be.
Redknapp during his tenure has fallen out with his English players: Darren Bent, Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe, as well as ostracizing mercurial talents such as Kevin Prince Boateng, Gio dos Santos and Adel Taarabt; seriously damaging his “arm round the shoulder” persona.
West Brom manager, Roy Hodgson, may not be the peoples choice, but the future may reveal that the cheaper, less complicated manager may be the right man over Redknapp.
I may have called for his head many times during his tenure, but now with no office at Wembley waiting for him, maybe just maybe, he can start sorting out Spurs and drag us back to where he put us.
2. Kaboul Is On Fire.
Younes Kaboul returned to the starting XI and immediately reminded us what we have been missing: A centre back with power, pace and a pocket big enough to fit a strong, bustling African striker.
If the Frenchman had been pitted against Didier Drogba at Wembley, the score may have been completely different, but now focusing on the future, hopefully Kaboul can restore some resilience to our back line.
Gary Neville, pundit and lover of all things Torres, described Blackburn striker Yakubu as a handful and with a “backside like a bus.” At White Hart Lane the way Kaboul pocketed the Nigerian like an Oyster card was highly impressive. In a season which has slowly drifted away, the emergence of Kaboul as a Premiership class centre back has been one of the highlights.
He was so effective on Sunday that captain for the day, William Gallas, looked like a top class centre back also.
3. The Return of Road Runner.
Sandro rightfully deserved the man of the match tag, but Aaron Lennon’s industry and pace made him a close second.
From the very first minute Lennon was a thorn in Blackburn side, attacking from the right hand touchline and cutting in or outside, the width he offered opened up spaces for VDV and an at times wasteful Luka Modric. If our little Croatian put in a fraction of the heart and determination that Lennon did, the score would have undoubtedly been greater
It wasn’t Spurs back to their late 2011 best, but it was close, or the closest we’ve been in three months. Lennon’s work rate and combination play with Kyle Walker were a key factor in Spurs nullifying Blackburn’s Junior Hoilet and Tottenham claiming the three points. It was Lennon’s cross that set up the first goal and he was the player fouled for Walker’s incredible free kick.
Width, speed and two attacking players, marshaled by one anchor man in central midfield is what makes this Spurs team tick. Harry its not rocket science.
In Conclusion:
There are still many things we need to address, but perhaps this weekend a club in freefall and found a spare parachute. Victories against Bolton, Villa and Fulham are needed, but we are more than capable of this.
Harry please remember these words: Bale- he plays on the left, Lennon- he plays on the right, Kaboul- plays at the back and Ledley should stay on the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur: The Season That’s Gone Full Circle.
The optimism that surrounded the club as Spurs thrashed Newcastle United 5-0 was finally wiped out by another inept performance that saw QPR run out 1-0 winners at Loftus Road.
The Hoops have already beaten Chelsea,Liverpool and Arsenal at home this season, but against a team still smarting from a 5-1 Wembley humiliation, Saturday evening was meant to be redemption not the final nail in the 2011-2012 coffin.
Tottenham Hotspur’s fall from grace has been well documented over the past couple of months; I myself have questioned the clubs DNA, the signings, the board room decisions and the players’ ambitions, now there remains only one course of action.
Harry Redknapp must be sacked.
Once again Tottenham Hotspur has become a laughing stock. When Redknapp swooped into pull us away from
relegation and into a quarter final of the Champions League, there was nothing he could do wrong. He even managed to sign a 40 year old keeper who could catch and the next England captain. Spurs rose to the dizzying heights of a title race before a combination of bad transfers, tax trials and the lack of an England manager threw our season into disarray.
When Chelsea and Liverpool sacked Andre Villas-Boas and Roy Hodgson for less than spectacular league form, we joined the masses and proclaimed that time and patience are key to a manager.
Now sat outside of the CL qualifying slots and no big day in May to look forward to, perhaps we should have patted Redknapp on the back and allowed him to take the job at England. With only four games left in our season, the former Pompey and West Ham manager will be ushered out of White Hart Lane to a chorus of boos rather than the applause that some of his teams’ performances are due.
Had we experienced this run of form in August-October, there is no doubt that Rednkapp would have been sacked, so what is stopping Chairman Daniel Levy from firing him now?
Once again it is Levy’s love of the Pound Sterling. Sacking Redknapp will cost money, we will have to pay out his contract and receive no compensation from the FA, Spurs instead will continue to freefall and from this disaster, recovery will be long and painful.
Rafa van der Vaart has pledged his allegiance to Spurs, but Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, two players who have never experienced a World Cup final or the thrill of playing week in week out at the Santiago Bernabeu, will surely depart. Modric has been proven right to seek a move last summer, as a player he sees three to four passes before they happen and as man he could see that Spurs were held together by the weakest of threads.
Redknapp’s ego and inability to respect other clubs and their players has propelled us towards self implosion. Only Redknapp has the self belief that a misfiring/injury prone Louis Saha would guide us to the top. The decisions to loan Steven Caulker, Verdan Corluka, Steven Pienaar, Kyle Naughton and even Sebastien Bassong, whilst replacing them with Ryan Nelsen, shows us exactly how much of a God mentality he developed.When Spurs travelled to the Emirates to face a broken Arsenal, he totally and utterly disrespected rivals that we haven’t finished above since 1995. The 5-2 thrashing was at the time seen as a blip, but now it can be seen as what it really was; the end of the road.
This season Tottenham Hotspur has within its ranks players that all bar Man City envy. For them to finish below Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea is beyond belief. Strip away the Sky fanfare, state of the art training and facilities, football remains a simple game. Eleven players who know what and how they have to perform, unfortunately for Spurs, our First XI are guided by a man who has lost his way and his touch on reality.
The 2011-2012 season has gone full circle, we now find ourselves back where we started; a club in a dire mess, the cause Redknapp, the fault Levy and the people who have to suffer once again? The fans.
Tottenham Hotspur will start next season probably without their stellar players, but definitely still in an antiquated stadium and once again without the financial rewards a Champions League campaign brings. We may have enjoyed a few months laughing at Arsenal, but as the old saying goes: “he who laughs last, laughs……..”
Where Did It All Go Wrong???
Tottenham Hotspur were handed out a thrashing by London neighbours Chelsea, in a game which will probably come to define the Lillywhites. The bigger the stage, the bigger the collapse, Spurs have a knack of imploding to a global audience.
Last week I blogged that Tottenham lacks the mental fortitude and the belief that they deserve to win big games, at Wembley on Sunday they demonstrated this faultlessly. With the game poised at 2-1 the tide had turned and the onus was with Spurs, but one tactical substitution later a place in the final was gone and five goals had been conceded once again.
As 2011 closed the key areas for Spurs to strengthen in order to maintain their standing as top London club were central defence, wide right and up front. These weaknesses could have been remedied by concise judgment and a basic understanding of football. Players such as Gary Cahill, Junior Holiett, Chris Samba, Papiss Cisse, even Nikola Jelavic were all available at a knock down price. Instead the management signed Ryan Nelsen and Louis Saha, neither of whom were deemed good enough to appear at Wembley.
Harry Redknapp, the longest serving Spurs manager since Terry Venables, must bear the brunt of the clubs collapse. For the rest of the season he will hide behind Martin Atkinson’s ludicrous decision to award Chelsea a Ghost Goal, but the failings of Tottenham rest squarley on his shoulders. Devoid of a plan, belief or system Spurs were taken apart by a team who sit below them in the league, have half an eye on a Champions League semi final (against Barcelona) and have the majority of their players dancing a swansong.
Failure to reach the Champions League would be a catastrophe, Tottenham’s future plans are dependent on the money generated from reaching Europe’s elite competition.
So where exactly did the season go wrong?
The Luka Situation.
Hailed as a masterstroke and a victory for the small club versus the Oligarch, keeping hold of Luka Modric was a sign of Tottenham’s intent.
The little Croatian was promised a title challenge and a new contract, neither of which arrived. However, as Spurs were above Chelsea and Arsenal, Modric and his advisors were content to wait and see what the summer brought, now with the Red and Blue parts of London rejuvenated, once again the Croatian has had his head turned.
Rumours are a foot that an agreement is already in place with Chelsea, it would certainly explain his loss of form and desire. Should Spurs claim a Champions League slot, it would deny his future employers their place.
The Loaners.
There is no doubt that Kyle Walker is a tremendous prospect, his pace, passion and energy have been a highlight of 2011-2012, but there is no way a 20 year old should be expected to play every single game.
The drive and penetration he offered early in the season has gone, he now looks physically and mentally exhausted. Spurs have two other right backs on their books, Kyle Naughton and Verdan Corluka, both of whom could have given Walker a rest as well as apply pressure on his current guaranteed starting berth.
Another two loanees who could have given Spurs the extra push and cover this season are winger Andros Townsend and England under 21 centre back Steven Caulker. At Wembley Spurs’ central defence were blatantly out of their depth, surely Caulker would have acquitted himself better than William Gallas or Ledley King?
The decision to loan out three defensive players came back to hurt Spurs this Sunday.
John Terry.
It is quite amazing that the overrated former England captain can have such and influence on football in this country. When his alleged racial comment towards Anton Ferdinand occurred it started a chain reaction that resulted in Capello’s resignation and the tabloids, ex players and pundits alike showering Redknapp with praise.
What Tottenham needed at this point was a statement from the FA, chairman Daniel Levy or Redknapp himself stating exactly what the future will bring. The Spurs boss should either have taken the job at the FA immediately or announced his intention to stay at Spurs.
A friend and fellow Spurs fan Mark Saunders commented:
“Had he walked Spurs would have been able to give the new man time to get to know the squad as well as protect a healthy lead over Chelsea and Arsenal. Levy will end up waiting until mid summer before announcing a replacement, which will once again leave us behind our rivals. We are forever playing catch up.”
Another issue which Spurs may not have calculated is competition for managers. Chelsea, Inter Milan, possibly Man Cityand Real Madrid may all be vying for a new manager. Add to this the usual departures from national teams after Euro 2012 and you have a market where managers and agents call the shots.
Tottenham possibly without Modric and Gareth Bale will no longer be the attractive proposition they were in January 2012.
Spurs Once Again Demonstrating a Genetic Defect
Tottenham Hotspur has an unforgivable habit of instilling hope into their passionate fans. When the 2011-2012 Premier League season started, not even the most optimistic fan would have predicted a title challenge, yet at one stage that is exactly where the Lillywhites were.
Trailing 2-0 at the Etihad, it seemed as if Spurs had found their level as the 3rd best team in the country, then suddenly we were 2-2 and Jermain Defoe was an inch away from closing the gap to the top. The rest is history, but it was at this point that our season collapsed.
The failure of Tottenham to claim 3 points in Manchester, when they were there on offer has come to symbolise the genetic defects that have been incorporated into our DNA.
As a firm supporter of the club it is a realisation that has gradually crept upon me. I grew up with Chris Waddle, Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne brilliant players that mesmerized a young fan, but actually flattered to deceive.
Through the dark days of Christian Gross, George Graham, various caretakers and Jacque Santini’s short reign, I kept the faith.
Then through luck or fluke we found ourselves managed by Martin Jol, who with his honest post match comments and on field attacking flair promised to deliver us, not only to the Champions League but an above Arsenal finish. However, this never materialised, instead we were defeated by a determined West Ham and food poisoning. This may have been fate, but in cold reflection it is just another example of Spurs crumbling at the least opportune moment.
Tottenham since then have had many more false dawns, Jol was replaced by Juande Ramos, who delivered a Carling Cup but was then sacked with the club flirting with relegation.
Then in swooped Harry Redknapp, who as we all know is rather fond of reminding us, took us to the promised land of Champions League football and delivered us the best Tottenham team in decades.
Despite the experience gained on this foray into the world’s elite footballing arena, still we squander opportunities and a 13 point lead over Arsenal. Now with Newcastle and Chelsea gathering momentum we face the very real possibility of a 6th place finish.
Where should the blame land? The supporters? The management? The players? Or should we face the facts that like Manchester City we are not equipped to win. Unlike Manchester United, Liverpool and the early Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, we lack the genetic make up to win no matter what.
Entertainers, flamboyant attackers, builders of talent, but not the kind of club to add silver to skill.
Over the years we have seen Teddy Sheringham, Sol Campbell, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick, Kevin Prince Boateng and Freddy Kanoute all depart and find the medals to match their skill.
Spurs fans love to remind Arsenal about their trophy drought, but one Carling Cup doesn’t hide the Premier League titles and FA Cup’s collected during Wenger’s reign.
One player who has survived countless managers and the Arsenal Invincibles is Ledley King. This wonderful defender however, has the unfortunate ability to sum up everything it is to be Spurs. Immensely talented, yet lacking in luck and strength.
Capable of moments of brilliance, described as the best defender in the league by Thierry Henry, he has now become better know for his weaknesses, than his diminishing strengths.
This season against Manchester City, when Spurs were at 2-2 it was his foul that gave away a hard earned point. At the Emirates the sight of Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky waltzing past him will haunt every Spurs fan for years, and on Monday the way Grant Holt bullied him out of the game, officially ended his reputation as a top centre back.
If Spurs are to change and finally become a long lasting force, rather than a form team, the first step must be dethroning King. No longer is he a talisman, he is now an effigy of our failings.
Tottenham have a fantastic opportunity to redeem themselves at Wembley on Sunday. An FA Cup final appearance, coupled with a top four finish is no disgrace, but in a season where Arsenal,Chelsea and Liverpool are in transition is this enough?
With talent such as Gareth Bale, Rafa Van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Emmanuel Adebayor should we be satisfied? Spurs should have challenged for the title, they should have finished above Arsenal and there should be no doubt in our minds about playing Chelsea on a wide expansive pitch.
Chairman Daniel Levy must move with precision this summer when replacing Redknapp, who is sure to swap the Cockerel for Three Lions. Whoever takes the role must put aside sentiment and instead instil strength in a club that continues to expose a soft under belly.
Europa League: Why Spurs Need to Get Serious.
When Arjen Robben fluffed his penalty deep into extra time at the Allianz Arena, the “nightmare” of the Europa League became a reality. Trips to far flung corners of Europe, a lack of Saturday 3pm kickoffs and perhaps worst of all, ITV4 or Channel 5 commentary.
But then something occurred to me:
Why don’t we go out and win the bloody thing? Where’s the shame in lifting the Europa League cup?
The Europa League is the amalgamation of the Cup Winners Cup and the UEFA cup, which in order to appeal to the masses has taken on a Champions League format. It is without doubt the second tier of European competition, but the reward and glory shouldn’t be tarnished by CL spoilt Arsenal and Man United fans.
With the input of foreign money into the Premier League the possibility of domestic glory has diminished. Today the league title is a closed shop to be fought over by the Manchester duo and Chelsea, the days when a club was allowed time to gather together a team capable of challenging is over. Money buys great teams, not time.
The FA Cup, the premier domestic trophy meanwhile has similarly become a closed shop. Only Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth and big spending Man City break the Chelsea, Man United and the occasional Liverpool victory parades. Tottenham Hotspur hasn’t won the competition since Des Walker powered a header into his own net at the old Wembley back in 1991.
The quest for domestic silverware has become so scarce that 3rd and 4th (this season apart) are celebrated as if they are trophies, they may not bring out the open top buses, but there is no doubt that being in the 3rd or 4th from best now counts as an imaginary trophy.
The Carling Cup has even become of significance over the past few years; it offers teams the chance to claim a slice of glory in a silverware famine. The teams now participating in the finals are recognised as the power houses of the Premier League. Since 2003 only Birmingham and Tottenham have interrupted the Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool domination. The cup once described as Mickey Mouse has gone all Academy Award.
Therefore on this basis, Spurs should not disregard the Europa League. This season the quality of football on show from the Spanish and Portuguese contenders swept away the Premier Leagues top two and put Chelsea’s Champions League winning style to shame.
Arrogance is a disease that has swept through most of the Premier Leagues followers. SKY repeatedly tells us the PL is the best, but the National’s team failure to reach a major final since 1966 tells a different story. The Europa League remains a top competition, which is still valued across the continent, if SKY had the rights to the competition, they would quite happily bombard us with this fact.
When Andre Villas-Boas’ Porto team stormed the trophy in 2011, it made Radamel Falcao and Hulk household names. It allowed a team of relative unknowns to step on to a global platform and announce themselves. The former striking partners thanks to that initial success, are now viewed as the answer to the worlds top clubs striking problems.
The Champions League may be lucrative and may not exist on Channel 5, but in reality it remains a cup competition for a select few.
In 14 years of competing in it, Arsenal have reached the final only once in 2006, and since then haven’t really come close. The winners over those years has been spread between United, Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Porto, Bayern and Inter collecting a solitary trophy each.
The interesting fact however, is that in the majority of cases the Champions League runners up came from this select group. The majority of teams that enter in to this competition are there as well paid pace makers.
The Europa League meanwhile is open to any team that first of all takes it serious and second, plays good football. In the 14 consecutive years that Arsenal has been qualifying for the Champions League, only Sevilla and Atletico Madrid have collected the trophy more than once. Tottenham Hotspur as inaugural winners of this competition back in 1972, need to take this competition seriously.
In the current Spurs squad there are very few who have collected a cup winning trophy with the Lillywhites, a generation of winners needs to be bred. When Jose Mourinho took his Porto side to Europa League glory in 2003, they followed this up by claiming the Champions League in 2004.
As the Special one knows all to well: Success breeds more success.
With key signings this summer, Spurs can strengthen their squad enough to ensure passage to the later stages, then once it enters the knock out stage, the only difference between EL and CL is it’s a day later.
This is a trophy Tottenham can win. On its own it may not convince Gareth Bale to stay for 2013/2014, but perhaps it will kindle a spark in the squad. When the 2012/2013 season ends, I personally would love to hear the phrase:
“Tottenham Hotspur Europa League Winners.”
There exists life outside the Champions League and SKY Sports.