Clubs’ Pochettino-tied future: The man who will do everything to make Spurs fans proud

Discussion in 'Tottenham forum' started by Josh Bolton, April 5, 2017.

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  1. Josh Bolton

    Josh Bolton Active Member

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    Spurs travel to Swansea this evening knowing that a win will keep their faint hopes of a possible title win alive. Although Chelsea remain firm favourites for the league crown, Spurs' presence in the title race for a second successive season shows that progression under Mauricio Pochettino is well under way at White Hart Lane.

    As previously written, Spurs are currently seven points better off than they were this time last season after 29 games, but find themselves seven points off the top spot compared to just five points last year. It's evident that the only thing this Spurs side lacks is a trophy as concrete proof of this aforementioned "progress". And while we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves, isn't it about time we truly appreciated how good a manager we have, while admitting to ourselves that trophies and titles are only a matter of when not if under Pochettino?

    The Special One

    When appointed Spurs boss back in May 2014, Mauricio Pochettino's message to supporters was that "we [the club] will do everything to make you proud." And in less than three years the Argentinian has transformed us from a side with an outside chance of Champions League football to a side that is expected to challenge for titles and trophies. But why isn't that enough for some?

    Much of the current criticism aimed at Pochettino (for not winning a trophy) is down to his own success as a coach. He has overseen a change at Spurs that many before him could only dream of, even when provided with greater tools. To focus on the last 15 years’ worth of managers — our aim under Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini and Martin Jol was Uefa Cup (now Europa League) football, this evolved into a coveted fourth-place Champions League spot when under the tutelage of Juande Ramos, Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood. Yet under Pochettino our sights are set even higher. To think 10 years ago (the 2006-07 season) we finished in fifth place, a total of 29 points behind champions Manchester United. Now, we are expected to finish at least second.

    Of course, Pochettino is yet to win a trophy at Spurs, and trophy talk will always play a part in judging a manager's success. But in my opinion Pochettino is in the process of finalising a team that will consistently challenge for titles. Better still, Pochettino is the first manager I can remember at Spurs who has brought an identity to our way of play. It goes without saying that many other teams and managers admire how we do things (whether that be through wanting Pochettino himself or his players), so why aren't we, the fans, recognising what Pochettino has achieved so far at the club?

    The 45-year-old is the first manager under chairman Daniel Levy to earn a contract extension at White Hart Lane and this was thoroughly deserved. We have played the best football in the division over the past 18 months, while that "Spursy" label is (just about) a thing of the past — and we are doing it all with a young, English core. The players at the club now (compared to those present when Pochettino first joined) play with passion, pride and purpose. Additionally, nearly all of these players see their foreseeable future at White Hart Lane and have signed new deals. I can't remember a time when White Hart Lane was last filled with so much promise. And this all stems from a young, talented manager who has forged and coached a team in a little under three years.

    The Lucky One?

    As well as the excellent changes made by Pochettino at Spurs (personnel, mentality, tactics, organisation, staff structure etc.), the landscape of the Premier League has undoubtedly changed since the Argentine settled in north London. Factors include the ending of the Manchester United-Alex Ferguson dynasty and the Premier League TV deal — ensuring no one team is dominant in the league and clubs don't always have to sell when an offer is on the table.

    Has then, Pochettino been lucky to come to the right place (White Hart Lane) at the right time (in the history of the Premier League), where the title can possibly be won by up to eight teams, rather than the atypical four teams (Chelsea/United/City/Arsenal). And has Pochettino benefitted from a "golden ticket" when it comes to this current crop of players — most of whom he has inherited.

    The Premier League is said to be weaker than it was 10-15 years ago, but to relate to the old footballing cliché "you can only beat what's in front of you", Pochettino can only manage Tottenham based on the very environment in which they currently exist within. But say Pochettino was our boss during the 2011-12 season, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart, Ledley King and (an in-from) Emmanuel Adebayor at his disposal. Would he better that season's fourth-place finish. My guess: yes, certainly.

    It really is impossible to look past Pochettino's talents — with Spurs on the rise, the manager is the key factor in everything great about the club at present. To think our previous boss is now director of football at League One relegation-battlers Swindon Town shows how badly things could've gone if Pochettino hadn't been hired in May 2014. And to think many fans (including myself) thought Frank de Boer was the answer?

    The One we've got to keep

    It is frequently said that the league table never lies at the end of the season. And when it comes to using league position to judge the managerial talent for this season, I'd have to agree. Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino (who I'm sure will finish first and second with their clubs) are the two best managers in the Premier League. But the difference is that one is at a club where the standard for success has been in place for numerous years, while the other is leading his club to heights not achieved for over 60 years.

    But with uncertainty around the new stadium and our inability to compete financially with the likes of City, Chelsea and United full stop, will Pochettino eventually outgrow Tottenham? He is satisfied here at present, but he ditched Southampton when the time was right, so will the same happen to us in due course? One can only speculate (as the tabloids so often do with all things relating to Tottenham's impending doom).

    But when a player like Hugo Lloris — our captain — admits his future is "tied to Pochettino's", you begin to wonder if the players would opt for loyalty to Pochettino over loyalty to Spurs. And even though this level of trust can only improve matters on the pitch, should Tottenham ever suffer a Pochettino exit anytime soon, it may equate to a Spurs side in turmoil. It's said that no individual is bigger than the football club, but when that club is onto bigger and better things because of that very individual, perhaps all you can do is sit back, relax and let the man do his work.
     
    burnt, Remy Uwilin, Bazza47 and 2 others like this.
  2. BobTV Guest

    So true. Going to games has never been better...
     
  3. S-P Guest

    1 Since when were there doubts over the stadium?

    2 I think you need to give some credit to Daniel Levy for the gold steps he took with the youth set-up, going back to the post-Hoddle hiatus, and to the infrastructural development.

    3 Pochettino DID NOT ditch Southampton 'when the time was right'! It is bad enough that the media and other clubs' fans keep spouting this nonsense - but for Spurs fans to still be doing it really makes my blood boil and I stopped reading at that point. He didn't ditch Espanyol, and his time there was punctuated by losing his senior players, because of the club's financial mess, developing young players, getting results, getting plaudits, the club selling the players he had developed from under him, and repeat. At Southampton he was assured that this would not happen, he also stressed that he had a personal bond of loyalty to the chairman. So what did their board do? Ditched the chairman even though they knew that Pochettino would leave too - and there is a suggestion that the chairman was ditched because he would oppose the asset stripping they intended. And that was specifically against what Pochettino was promised and would, no doubt have seen him leave anyway. He is a 'project' manager. A manager who wants to develop a side over time to play his way. Not a three year, big budget, buy success manager. He had already had that thwarted and exploited at Espanyol. And now, with the hint of success at Southampton, he was faced with the same. And he was right, too - that summer, Southampton sold seven (or was it eight?) of his first team, and were only prevented from selling another when their fans threatened a season ticket boycott!

    Honestly, get with it! Levy and Lewis went so far as to enquire right back to his rural roots in Argentina, and the response was unanimous - he has a tremendous sense of honour and loyalty. He has stressed repeatedly that he is intent on building a Ferguson-like dynasty. Why Saints fans persist in blaming him and not the board is beyond me - normal fans blame the board even when they aren't at fault. Why Spurs fans persist in accepting the media/Saints fans BS is just plain wrong. He isn't building all this just in the hope that a 'bigger' club will step in and allow him to spend money!
     
  4. Josh Bolton

    Josh Bolton Active Member

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    If you carried on reading the rest of the piece (there was only around seven lines left at the point you decided to stop at) you will see that I didn't say anything about him "ditching Espanyol" — in fact, I didn't mention Espanyol once in the entire article?
     
    Bazza47 likes this.
  5. Good article, the overall theme of the piece was positive & uplifting. I don't see any point in pulling apart the fine details. Bottom line is Poch is a legend, he has made us substantially better than we were before he came & that is down to him, his tactics, his man/team management & not luck. I'm too busy smelling the Spurs roses to think about whether they will bloom again, so as you said sit back, enjoy the buzz around the club at the moment & think positive. Poch could stay for years, win trophies & even the league. As long as we pay him well he looks very happy at the helm & as he is only 45 there is plenty of time in the future for him to be all stressed out at a high pressure job where the over expectancy ruins the joy, the joy he has at Spurs & a joy he knows will last a long time while he is here!

    COYS
     
    Jerry Shoolbred and Bazza47 like this.
  6. Felon82 Well-Known Member

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    Undoubtedly Poch picked up a chaotic unbalanced squad with very little Character or Style.
    He has within restraints sorted it all out and put his own stamp of professionalism and hard work into the side/club.
    Tactically this season we have seen a new flexibility to his approach which was a welcome change from some periods where it felt like we were banging heads against a brick wall.

    So credit where credit is due for all of that.

    But the main aim of any Professional sport is to win things which is the next step and to do this we need to be better in the market for those game changers to convert some of those frustrating draws into wins.
     
  7. Big fran Guest

    Re:Felon. On your comment on the previous article about signing quality over quantity I totally agree. A)what do u think the budget will be and b) who would u sign if u could get two players??
     
  8. colificus

    colificus New Member

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    Excellent article. Real sense of optimism with the fans online (rural Ireland only has a handful haha). Here's hoping he starts a "fergie-esque" era of success at the club and the board support him
     
    Jerry Shoolbred, burnt and Bazza47 like this.
  9. Spurporter Well-Known Member

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    Great work on the article! It shows that some fans are truly loyal as well.
     
    Nomadico and Bazza47 like this.
  10. Remy Uwilin

    Remy Uwilin Active Member

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    I'd agree, great article...I did like the correction; of Poch not ditching his previous clubs as opposed to them not holding up their promises. Poch is a project manager, he has great loyalty to the club and especially his players who work hard for him. I hope Levy/board cherishes this time and the success Poch will bring to Tottenham. Only thing we need now is to bring in the like quality of player who will fit our style of play! As fans, there's no reason not to get behind this guy....he gives everything and puts his players in the best of positions to be successful on the pitch with an entertaining style of football. What more can you as for?
     
    Jerry Shoolbred and burnt like this.
  11. Nomadico Well-Known Member

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    A nice change to see positive comments on here about our club,if any body doubts the passion of the team take a look at the goal reaction of the player's after the Son strike the faces of Verts,Son,and the others was priceless, as Poch pointed out it is the "Badge"not names that is importent,it has been so long since we have had a manager and a team with this ethic,Poch is here for the long term and wants the project "His project" to succeed but he can only work with what he has so Levy has to back him, do that and Poch will be here for a long time and we will have a team fighting at the top table with a new stadium to match the best...times are good for Spurs fans.COYS.
     
    Jerry Shoolbred likes this.
  12. Big fran Guest

    Got to say dembele was fantastic again last night. Sissoko put in an improved performance and was unfortunate to go off. Jansen was a key figure and only fine and brave goalkeeping thrawted him bagging his first prem goal in open play. Nice cameo from GKN also. Squad players stepping up in exactly what the doctor ordered as to go to a rejuvenated Swansea side fighting for thier lives with lloris rose wanyama and Kane missing is no easy task. Coys!
     
    Remy Uwilin likes this.
  13. johnnyhrvat Guest

    Just seen an article about Torino's Andrea Belotti who has scored 23 goals in Serie A this season. Stats are nothing though compared to his nickname - The Rooster!
     
  14. Remy Uwilin

    Remy Uwilin Active Member

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    I'd definitely agree with you there. Strikers coming from Serie A are more adaptable to the Premier, being that the Italian league is structured very well defensively...any striker that is decent there can adapt well to the Prem; of course there are exceptions.

    I like Belotti, young, strong, fast and decent on touch and poaching. I had hoped we could have signed Gabbiadini before Southampton, but maybe they'd be willing to sell him. Another player I'd love to see returned is Siggy, I miss that guy...I believe him and Eriksen can co-exist on the field; maybe not always but certainly the quality can compliment each other.
     
    Jerry Shoolbred likes this.
  15. aidygoz New Member

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    No one seems to have noticed that Poch has openly stated his own brand of loyalty to the clubs that he has been associated with. Remember the way he dismissed the possibility of him managing Barcelona, one of football management top jobs? No he couldn't do because of his love for Espanyol, the same reason that he ruled out ever managing woolwich. This speaks to a sense of dedication and loyalty to the clubs that have employed Poch both as a player and a manager.
    So you guys can relax a bit. He's a project man, and his current project is Spurs. How far can his project go - how high are his ambitions? For me comparisons between the current Spurs set up and Man Utd's famous 'Class of 92' are spot on. They won a treble of league FA cup and CL in 1999. I'm pretty sure that Poch has the same achievement at the back of his mind, though he is of course far too sensible to ever come out and say so. Who's to say it's impossible with this Spurs team and manager?
     

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