Postecoglou & Lange (& Paratici) Watch

If we want to continue to compete next season, then we need a squad with serious depth.
Our bench at the end of this campaign was positively anaemic.

 

This is where things get interesting re: our summer business. Take the LCB position for example, which is one where we surely are looking at improving depth, as there's three options based on the players we're currently linked with

Option A: a transformative signing like Pau Torres or Alessandro Bastoni, who would move Davies to the bench
Option B: a longterm signing like Josko Gvardiol, who would compete with Davies for minutes in the first half of the season before likely supplanting him
Option C: a pure depth signing like Clement Lenglet , who is available for chickenfeed and give us options but isn't guaranteed to supplant Davies

None of these options is the wrong one but the reality is how to make them happen
Bastoni and Gvardiol would be straight cash, and a lot of it
Torres is potentially doable in cash + Lo Celso
Lenglet is reportedly available for £8m...although it has to be said the latest updates say we're looking at a loan, which does make him look like the wrong option...

 

The issue (as often seems to be the case) is
the "falling between two stools" dilemma.

If you look at the PL top 3 this season, there were
plenty of games to go around in all competitions.
Some players are happy to accept this may mean not
being the first names on the team sheet, provided that :

1. medals are guaranteed (even if you yourself may not
have been a key factor in them)

2. getting paid lorry loads in wages


So, a club such as Spurs.
No real likelihood of #1.
No at the financial power yet to do that (even if Levy
was to abandon any notions of running a sound business) .

So which players can be acquired ??

Those who see Spurs as a stepping stone to an apex predator.
The likes of Carrick. Berbatov, Modric worked out well for the club,
and to overseas predators if it comes to that.

Those with the ruthless ambition to put in the performance
of their lives the instant they get a starting XI slot.

Other than those types, who else ??
The likes of VDV, whose star was on the wane but
still had the drive to show they could make a difference.

 

It feels like in recent years we’ve neglected to recognise the positive experience that older heads from outside the club environment can have. Joe Hart did that to an extent as a squad player but I wouldn’t be surprised if we plundered the free transfer market (or players towards the end of their contracts) this summer for one or two in outfield positions who can bring that experience to bear on the pitch more often.

 

Currently no MF leaders, so I would accept the
likes of a Davids coming into the fold.

May be interesting to check the UEFA land
experience of the current squad, and see how it
compares to that of the 2016-17 vintage (who did
not acquit themselves well in the CL - although
some of that could be put down to Pochettino -
an excuse that Conte will not have) .

 

One thing to note about Conte is that his blind spot always seems to have been European competitions. I’m not sure he’s ever had an elite record there, especially compared to the trophy hauls he brings in domestically.

 

Europa League runners up with Inter in 19/20 is the most noteworthy achievement.

Hasn't made it past the QF of the CL.

 

Part of me wonders if he just doesn’t care that much and sees Europe as a way to get more money and sign better players. I haven’t watched enough of his teams in Europe to know if it’s because his tactics get found out in Europe or if he just massively prioritises the league and domestic cups.

 

Don't forget our other hero of the season: our Twitter admin

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That’s my worry about him tbh. I think he will prioritise the league over any other competition and also having to play two games a week seems to be an issue under Conte.

Hopefully a better squad next season will mean he can rotate so the team isn’t affected

 

5 subs next season, this highlights the need to improve our squad , how many times have we needed a change and looked at the bench to see kids ,Lucas or Bergwjin
CL, Prem and the 2 home cups will give plenty of time for a decent squad to be rotated , it sounds as if the 3 best youngsters are going to be loaned out , are Gil and matar Sarr going to make the squad ? Doubt it
Big closed season coming up , time for Paratici to pull some more talent in like he did this winter

 

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Just a quick reminder to look out for Jamie Redknapp, and the like, having very little to say in the very near future about Levy!

 

Apparently we can now pick and choose who to blame for mishaps regardless of whether they were at the club or not...

 

Vuksa one of the ‘fans’ who started supporting Spurs in 2019 after the CL run.

 

"I experienced a respected Valencia CF" with the implication being that the current one isn't.
I agree with him, but that's a little on the nose for an official video, isn't it?