An Article to balance the Arry debate.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 12:09PM










Are people really calling for the head of Harry Redknapp to be served up on a plate with side salad and chips?

Apparently so. There was an article over at Football 365
that cited Guus Hiddink as a replacement (irony of Hiddink and his
prior tax issues not lost on me). Are we doing it again? We're a point
off 4th not struggling in the bottom three. Harry hasn't even had a
full season in charge of the team yet. I know there were reasons for
not wanting him in the first place, many to do with his general
persona, self-centred priorities, West Ham connections, the fact he
would probably up and leave if someone 'bigger' came in for him. And
there are questions over his lack of tactical cutting edge to truly
make battle with the Prem's disjointed elite. However - arguably - this
is the first time he's been at a club of this type of stature. So
perhaps he has a learning curve to get through before things even out
for him. If he fails to prove he can manipulate the outcome of games
with clever switches and substitutions - then the only person who will
matter is Levy because he'll have to look at bringing in someone who
aspires for absolute perfection (love to know where we can pick one up
from).

Let's face it, if this current run of form is
considered a 'crisis' then bloody hell, I wouldn't shrug at a couple of
these a season if this is as bad as it gets. Think back not too long
ago and compare.

Yep. Exactly. Not so depressing now is it?

I
know that if we want a team that can seriously compete, then we need a
winners mentality - one that is not drowned in self-pity and excuses.
So I understand that accepting this current lull is not the way forward
- but let's face it. We just don't have the right balance of players.
Far too many apologetic personalities who seem to switch off far too
easily. Too many remnants of the Tottenham disease remain dormant within the club. The comfort culture has yet to be eradicated.

I
do agree there is plenty to suggest Redknapp is not the man with the
tools to exterminate every last infestation. But his early work at
Spurs is evidence enough that he can inspire and muster up spirit and
pride.

Things are not quite right at the minute but they're a
long way off from being disastrous, and with 12 games left and 3
additional more required for a potential Wembley trip - we can't frown
and start throwing our season tickets at the directors box just yet
(I'll give word for when to do so).

There is no room for another
sideways step. Consistency and avoidance of another transitional season
is of the utmost importance. Otherwise, what's the point? Knee-jerking
at the first sign of trouble is truly the most gutless of solutions and
will simply set us back, again.

Maybe fans need a fix every
couple of seasons. People find it easier to cope with disappointment
when there is a brand new start made, one that begins with a new face
at the helm. Patience is not a valuable commodity in modern day
football and cutting our losses and re-booting seems to get everyone up
for yet another journey/adventure. Like a tap of a vein and the roll
back of eyes, we get high off it.

Stability is holding the hand
of patience, lost and without a compass. I personally think Harry can
bring that stability to the club

If Harry doesn't quite make
things work (this season or next or because of matters of a
non-footballing nature) the issue at hand will be altogether a
completely different type of beast. Considering we'd have tried
everything (ex-legends, continental, back to basics - to name a few)
the only remaining option would be Jack the Ripper. Someone to expertly
rip out the guts. Last thing we need is someone who appeases the
current batch. I'd love to see a manager at Spurs, in his first press
conference, sit down and state 'this was a big club, it isn't anymore'
rather than talk us up and quote the Glory days and how we deserve to
be successful.

Can we start to write history than simply quote it all the time? I continue to live in hope.

There
are many other clubs that aspire to break up the monopoly. They’ve
probably not spent as much money as we have. But the fact remains -
Rome wasn't built in a day. And it’s a sad fact, breaking the top 4 is
not an easy task. As long as were knocking on its door then we're doing
something right. Putting our foot through it is the next step forwards.
Whether it's Harry's…we'll have to wait and see.

It seems when
we were doing very well everyone was happy to support him and shout
that he could possibly lead us to the Holy Grail. If Harry was simply a
quick-fix interim who saved us from relegation, then let's just play
out the season first before we pass further judgement. Support him and
our fragmented team until the very end.

It's not over yet. The
moment it is, I'll let you know. I'll be selling Redknapp effigies
outside the ground for you to string up to your hearts content.

Reader Comments (27)

Spot. On.





Feb 16, 2010 at 12:15 PM |

Toppsy

Anyone who wants him out is mad.But
there are valid criticisms of him. Changing a successful back four
unnecessarily. Kaboul at right-back ffs. Not using his subs, especially
Pav.

Feb 16, 2010 at 12:17 PM |

Iain

Kaboul
as right back was a bad idea. And he needs to give Pav a go up front
with Defoe, plus we need to play five across the midfield in some away
matches and then bring on the second striker.

Feb 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM |

Dreamer_Yid

Until
he does a Jol and has a really worrying season, we cant complain too
much. However, Harry has made it clear that his retirement is coming
up, so ildly looking around won't do any harm. The problem is that
Hiddink is a year older, and has become accustomed to working more in
the 'part-time' nature of internation management for a while now. Yes
he had that period at Chelsea, but it was short. There is an
opportunity to get him, but I feel it is bad timing and we need to
stick with Harry for now


Feb 16, 2010 at 12:25 PM |

TonyTott

Yep,
the way I see t we have generally dominated almost every game and
should have won many more points than we have. At times we have looked
top quality whilst still not winning the game.
So I think we are
definitely on the right track to being a very good team and something
perhaps still needs to click. The introduction of possibly just one or
two key players could see this happen and elevate us to the position we
are looking more than capable of reaching.
These days we go away
and are not bullied and beaten, we are almost always the better side
and as I say something is just holding us back from greatness.
Very frustrating, but kind of unprecedented.
The trouble is fans want perfection now, and don't realise we've made one big leap and now it's small steps....

Feb 16, 2010 at 12:25 PM |

fuzzy dunlop

Too
true Spooky - any chance your next piece can be on the merits of Peter
Crouch (yes, he does have some) over the lazy Russian who everyman and
his dog seems to think is the answer to all our problems? I'm past
trying to advocate JJ...............