After a shaky start we had begun to dominate. Raising all the way up to the sweet spot (Champions League qualification), beating Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Since the 10th March we have begun to see a similar side to Tottenham as to the start of the season. AVB states it’s not a relaxed attitude and I agree. The issue is in fact the nerves and belief of the team.
The lads I feel are listening too much to the unimportant factors. Why listen to the pundits and papers going on about all of the negative side of the things? It has got the team into a downward spiral. The one man side jibes is something that I believe the players have let settle in.
When Bale is playing and not having a great game how often does that team then sit back? Too often. The team showed against Everton that even without Bale, Lennon, Sandro, Defoe and Kaboul that they are capable of beating the “bigger teams” and performed well against Everton for most of the game (which is no small feat I must say). We should have had a double over Utd for the first time in the EPL history, so why question everything now, why do the heads go down now?
The issue as I see it is the confidence and belief has gone out of the players. Arsenal have picked up again and Chelsea. So what is it now that a chase is on the players have begun to question their ability, but why?
The belief has been there for Arsenal since their 2-1 loss to us and ours has begun to fade. If it had not been for some bad decisions on Sunday (forget the ref I am talking about the defence) then we would not be having to talk about the confidence and belief being the issue.
AVB did well to get the fitness levels high enough to cope with the tail end of the season that we have struggled with in the past, whereas the mentality has been left and allowed to resurface for the players.
Do I believe that the players are capable? YES. So why isn't something done about this? Get in Uri Geller (not to bend some spoons, he is a great motivator), it’s the "magic" side of things that we want back and he is capable of getting it back. Even Dempsey has come out and said that the pressure is getting to the lads (so it’s all there in black and white). Leaving it this long is bad enough but to go on leaving it is completely mental.
You look at the players and tell me that the magic spark created from the belief in themselves and one another is still there? Arsenal should have been dead and buried, but it was their belief that has kept them going!
If the players really want to show their worth then they must get out there and do it. What about when we beat City in one of the last games of the season to get into the Champions League? No one thought we would do it, but we did. Harry was good at motivating players and that is the key to his management success (its not about the tactics or the skill, it was always about motivation).He also seemed to struggle at the end of the season, so that shows that we need to get a professional in.
So what are AVB and Levy going to do about it? Ok having a player like Bale helps with confidence, but having 2 or 3 world class players is what brings true belief in.
We need to pull our heads out of the sand and realise that this spot is ours to lose. Beat Chelsea and we are right back into third and could remain there (even losing the City game). Belief is what is key and maybe it is the fans frustration that is making matters worse? Yes I realise that you can be too patient, but we really cannot afford not to get behind the team now!
OK I know someone will not like this and the manager and some players might not like this, but forget the Europa League (if something happens great), but what is important for this club in moving forward is the Champions League. We have to support like we've never supported before. If the club cannot get the confidence back it is up to us, up to the fan sites, up to anyone that cares about the club. This is a call to all fans whether it be Europa, or Premier League we must get behind our players. Yes we will face some frustration, but do we want to make matters worse? Come on fans, come on lads, Come On You Spurs!!!!!!! Let's remind you all what this club is built on;
Audere est facere!!
Email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/TottenhamMad