What if the Spuds finished above us?

I can honestly see it happening and thinking about it is making me feel sick. One of my best mates is a Goon and he said the same thing.

What are your thoughts on this guys? Still confident we can turn it around or not?

Either way it saddens me that we can't even compete for the title when in transition and that in December our target is to finish above the Spuds. How times change.

As long as we're top 4, showing signs of changing/improving our squad and style, and have a decent showing in the UCL and FA Cup, it'll be good enough for this year. Even if it means Spuds in 3rd (the silver lining is that'd mean no Arsenal in the UCL).

It would make me ill as well, for quite a few reasons.

1. It makes Levy look he was in the right for not selling Modric to us over the summer.

2. It will show that the Spuds are a side that is more attractive for some of the best players in the World to go to. It also gives them more finances to help in trying to buy what they need to strengthen the squad.

3. It forces us into the UCL qualifying round. One would think that we should get through it with no issues but that's still more matches that we have to play.

4. Dealing with 'Arry in the UCL...

5. It's the Spuds.

If Spurs finish above us I'll donate £100 to one of their fan sites.

There's no hypothetical about it, if we don't stop f**king around and start playing well, they will finish above us. They're 4 points above us now with 1 game in hand, so that could very easily be a 7 point gap by the turn of the new year. 4th is what we are fighting for now with Arsenal and Liverpool. And there's no guarantee of that at all.

Well judging on how both sides have played so far this season, we'd have little to complain about.

If they do it will be a testament to the fact that since Harry Redknapp has been in charge we've had 3 different managers in the job.

You just cannot chop and change gaffers and keep coming up trumps EVERY single season. Eventually the lack of continuity catches upto you.

Even if we dont make the CL this year I hope RA keeps faith with AVB but precedent says he wont.

The thought of them coming above us is nauseating but its of our own making, you cant take top 4 finishes for granted and I think some of our fans and owner have done to an extent. Being in the UEFA league dont bear thinking about.

Let's not go there yet. Half a season left, plenty of games to make up the points . We should get some reinforcement soon, which should help, don't know how much they have to spend. I still believe there are 1-2 players down to become an ordinary team. Who can they play if modric is out? Having said that, if we lose jt and mata tomorrow, I doubt we can beat villa. It really depends on what players we can get, and how quickly our players can turn it around.

In the worst case, I rather finish 4th than 5th ahead of spurs.

They're well drilled and have some talented players, simple as that.

Harry has assembled a team of players who they have either developed from a young age or salvaged from other clubs and has made them into a team which is as good on paper as any going around.

It's interesting that Adebayor, VDV, Gallas have all been deemed to be surplus to requirements at other clubs but have flourished under Redknapp. Fair play to him for taking a risk on those players.

It's worth noting again that we passed on both VDV and Parker before they went to Spurs. If we fall behind them, then we've really only ourselves to blame.

If Spurs finish above us I'll donate £100 to one of their fan sites.

Nah, don't do that. There are three ways it can quickly go tits up for Tottenham; 1. Dodgy 'arry is put away on his tax evasion charge. 2. Bale picks up a lengthy injury. 3. Modric picks up a lengthy injury. IMO 'arry is a pretty good tactician and excellent man manager. Bale, Modric and Walker would walk straight into our first XI, and VDV, Dawson, Parker, Lennon, Sandro, Adeybayor and Freidel would challenge for starts. This year they have the squad to mount a sustained challenge.

Edited December 28, 201114 yr by just

They're well drilled and have some talented players, simple as that.

Harry has assembled a team of players who they have either developed from a young age or salvaged from other clubs and has made them into a team which is as good on paper as any going around.

It's interesting that Adebayor, VDV, Gallas have all been deemed to be surplus to requirements at other clubs but have flourished under Redknapp. Fair play to him for taking a risk on those players.

It's worth noting again that we passed on both VDV and Parker before they went to Spurs. If we fall behind them, then we've really only ourselves to blame.

Its questionable wether the signing on loan is morally right of Adebayor. City have strengthened a team with a player they are still paying a substantial part of his wages who can play against all their rivals but not against them. Harry has exploited the loophole legally but really should this be allowed to happen? Loan deals should be for young players only.Spurs couldnt afford Adebayors wages without Citys help and therefore really shouldnt be allowed to play him.

Personally I don't think you should be allowed to loan players within your own league be they youngsters or otherwise. However I don't think you can implement an age cut off for loans as I feel players should be given every opportunity to seek first team football should they want it.

Personally I don't think you should be allowed to loan players within your own league be they youngsters or otherwise. However I don't think you can implement an age cut off for loans as I feel players should be given every opportunity to seek first team football should they want it.

I agree, Utd have made very good use of it over the years meaning they could send out several good young players to clubs where they would be one of their better players. It has 2 bonuses, the clubs lose one of their best players when playing Utd and are strengthened when playing Utd`s rivals.

To be fair we have made use of it as well, it is just that the players Utd have sent out have largely been better than ours due to our neglect of our youth system for so many years.

I have read they are attempting to stop that movement, as a part of Platini's attempted revolution.

It will apparently prevent young players being stockpiled and encourage them to stay at smaller clubs.

Wasn't Terry on loan to Forrest during his early days?

yes

Personally I don't think you should be allowed to loan players within your own league be they youngsters or otherwise. However I don't think you can implement an age cut off for loans as I feel players should be given every opportunity to seek first team football should they want it.

Surely though the loaning club should have to meet all the wages of the incoming player. Spurs can't afford Adebayor so shouldnt be permitted to play him, this is financial doping of the league by City it seeks to strengthen their own position with the 'can't play against the parent club rule'. Adebayor should have been required to drop a division like was present in the old days or seek a transfer to another club.

I'm very likely to get shot down for this, but...

When 'appy 'Arry came to spurs they were in the bottom three !!!

Like him or not (and personaly i do) he is an excellent manager, for years he's produced teams that fight above their weight, and now with the money and general backing of Levey he is producing a very good side capable of winning something.

As for 'turning it around' at this precise moment i'm not so sure? I think we can win the race for fourth over the Dippers and Arseanal although we will have to improve the squad to even achieve that!!

The one shot of optimism comes from the January window, it looks like we will out Anelka, Alex, Malouda? at least, and as first team /squad players they will need to be replaced. It looks like Cahill is coming for Alex.

The interesting ones for me are the possibility of a winger and a striker coming in to replace the other two, it looks like Hazard is out for us as Citeh are sniffing as well as Real Madrid unfortunately, he really is something exceptional.

If we are able to buy well and the players settle quickly i'd feel confident of a top four finish, if not were in for a dogfight for CL football next year.

Alan

PS I like the 'positive' posts in threads like these as they do give a balance of optimism to what is inevitably a pessimistic thread, even though at the moment i'm struggling to find a positive slant on the 'team'

There are some personal positives though.. Studge, Mata, Luiz, Rambo, and Romeo stand out for me.

Re. Blueboy post. Personally I cant stand Redknapp but will take my hat off to him/Spurs. They obviously have a medium to long term strategy and they have backed him 100%. They have bought shrewdly and got great value for money. He is competent and knows how to get the best from what hes got. They stuck to their guns over Modric in the summer and fair play to them.. (I feel sick having typed all that).

We, on the other hand are, as ever reliant on Romans chequebook reinforcing our squad in the January transfer window and hoping that those players add to the team quickly.

I hate Spuds but they are punching well above their weight and prove what you can achieve with the right manager in charge and stability. I hope we take note.