 "...I've long held the belief that a vast majority of football fans, from every club, haven't a clue regarding tactics or how good/bad a player/manger really is.
Whilst it may be a little harsh, i reckon it's mainly because as a youngster you don't actually 'see' everything that goes on in a match,if you do attend games regularly you are either too skint to sit in a decent position which enables you to view the game well (so you're stuck in a corner or behind the goal) or you are too caught up in the 'beer and chanting' side of things to catch everything that goes on during the match.
This can be the only reason why some fans (like D.Jones) would knock Chimbonda (a fantastic signing with a great attitude),**** of Jenas (our best midfielder who is still young enough to progress a fair bit further),chose Defoe over Keane (when Keane has buckled down to such an extent in the last 18 months that he makes the whole team tick) and call for Martin Jol to be sacked (not even worth discussing,so stupid is the idea).
Spurs are a team on the up,of that there is little doubt. Unfortunately the jump up to Top 4 is a sizeable, and difficult one.I noticed,in our recent draw at WHL with Arsenal,that only 2 of our team didn't get outmuscled by a gunners player when a direct confrontation for the ball took place. If you look at a team like Arsenal, they may be as young as many of our players,but they are physically much stronger, taller athletes.
While our ability and style of play will help us overcome the majority of the poorer sides,when up against similarly talented teams, the sheer size and strength,man against boy,Gilberto or Lampard or Gerrard against Zakora (for example) confrontation will always hold us back a little.
As for individual players,Dawson came of age last season without Ledley, with Ledley back they will be a formidable partnership.
Chimbonda is a top right back, but the left hand side will always be a little weak due to the age or height/strength of Ekotto, YPL and Bale.
Lennon is a real talent who gets you off your seat,but is too young to perform in every game and there needs to be a plan 'b' on a wet,slow pitch against big lumps,as he is often out muscled away from home.
Jenas has so much to offer,but he does infuriate me because he appears to be in a comfort zone.Good enough for England squad,not good enough to oust Gerrard/Lampard. Step it up Jenas,i know you've got it in you!. However, he is still better than the likes of Parker,Barton or Reo-Coker,even in his 'comfort zone' so he's a valuable member of the team (and the fact Jol
plays him every game would indicate i'm right).
Up front,Berba and Keane are developing a love affair for each others football, and long may it continue.Berbatov is simply different class and with Henry gone, we can boast about having the most skillfull forward in England (Drogba's a great striker but has the first touch and 'vision' of Gary Doherty).
Defoe has always been the best out and out striker at the club but without Kanoute or Mido he isn't half the player he could be.He doesn't work great with Berbatov and he doesn't work at all with Keane. Sorry Jermaine,i love you but it just isn't working.
The manager is spot on in trying to sign Bent.A player who has pace, height and strength, and the ability to play as a lone striker with 2 'supports' (Keane and Lennon?) like Drogba does, or as a 2nd striker alongside Berba,or as a main striker with Keane behind.When Defoe fans actually see the potential Darren Bent would give,they must see it's a very good idea (regardless of the price).
All in all it's a great time to be a Spurs fan and a 5th place finish, at worst, will again be ours next season.Hoepfully with an under performing Arsenal or some of our youngsters really blossoming (and i'll include Jenas in that) then a top 4 finish is not beyond the team...... Robinson - Overrated? Has to step up after a poor season compared to the season before. Confidence knocked and not sure he is rated by many anymore. Happy to have him though.
Chimbonda - What's the latest? Talented but i don't like his attitude. needs to play for the team and stop trying to take players on at every opportunity. Also could do with losing the gloves as it harms my 'Arsenal players are pussys' arguement.
Zokora - Will this be his season? Improved after xmas, shooting practice a must and cut out the diving.
Jenus - Is the best yet to come? Yes. Still young, excellent athlete and covers the most ground on pitch. Instinctively very good, just lets himself down when he has time to think what he's doing. Give the kid a break and we'll see the best of him. His knockers know nothing.
Berbatov - Staying or going? Staying
Keane - ...or Defoe? Jol's made his mind up
Malbranque - Happy to keep him? Yes but he's not a left winger so could do with strengthening and use him in rotation.
Defoe - What now? For him, probably best to leave. I don't want him to go though and if he can be kept happy in rotation i'd like that, if we sign bent, he has to be on his way doesn't he?
Taarabt - Opinions? Seen very little, if he's good enough he'll get games
Dawson - Improving? definitely, give him a season next to ledley and we'll see him a lot more composed.
Huddlestone - A future star? Really don't know. When we play him he's too deep and too static, thing is, not sure if that's just his style. better with Jenas than with Taino or Zokora.
Lennon - On the left? No!
King - Can he remain injury free? Hope to god yes, absolute class.
Bale - Ready for the big time? Hope so.
As for Jol, well he's got the team playing for him with a degree of consistency, which is more than can be said of any manager since Pleat in 1987 - a fk of a long time in other words.
I hope he can sort out the defensive organisation (I think the personnel are basically sound, but see my earlier note about a central defender and defensive midfielder) as this season must see improvement and us breaking into the Champions League positions in the League and more than just one win against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd...."
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