Rant II

...where do I even begin. On a Remembrance Sunday, a day commemorating the brave heroes who gave their lives for this country, I could not have seen a more spineless performance from my team. If last weekend's win at Villa papered over the cracks then a large chasm is currently opening under the turf at White Hart Lane, threatening to take yet another manager with it. It's Groundhog Day all over again for Tottenham.



It's not even night time, that's just mood lighting.

Spineless. That's what I'd call this team. Hugo Lloris must be embarrassed to turn up to games knowing he has that back four in front of him. I feel sorry for Fazio; it'll take some time for him to adjust to the pace of the Premier League but he'll have no chance alongside Younes Kaboul. I cannot explain what has happened to the lad and it's so, so depressing to watch him get worse with every performance. Should he be club captain? Should he even be at the club? Danny Rose, while improved, is not the answer at left back (see the second goal conceded today) and Kyle Naughton, pretty much the fourth choice right back when Yedlin arrives, may as well be told to move on too. Take nothing away from Stoke though. They saw how shit we are and went for it.



Probably better off at Pompey right now mate. And take that stupid grin with you.

I think it speaks volumes that Ryan Mason, Swindon Town's player of the season last campaign, has been our best midfielder in recent weeks. Capoue makes Huddlestone look like Usain fucking Bolt when he's trying to cover the ground, how he's still starting after this shocking run of form I'll never know. We've signed Stambouli, an up-and-coming combative midfield player only to leave him out of the match day squad altogether. No one puts a foot in at all since Sandro left and the one player who was signed to do EXACTLY THAT doesn't even make the 18-man cut. I'm very confused.



Have you seen this man?

Now Mauricio Pochettino has been far from flawless in his short tenure at the club. That does not mean he should be fired, however. He was hired for his excellent performance at Southampton (although we shan't mention how they're getting on) but he managed just one win in his first seven games in charge there. That tells the story. Players will not change their mentalities, play styles and most importantly attitudes overnight. Pochettino has a certain way of playing and it is abundantly clear that half of the squad either don't want to buy into this because of their massive, unwarranted egos or they simply don't have the fitness to play this new style. And do you know what the worst part is? As soon as we go a goal down, any philosophy implemented by the manager goes out the window. Players panic, Kaboul shits his pants in possession, we give the ball away countless times and it leads to another goal. You can honestly spot it coming a mile off. The fans obviously can; the tension builds in the crowd as the game progresses and supporters get agitated. But can you blame us? What is inspiring to watch on that football pitch at the moment? One volley in 90 minutes of football and a loss to one of the league's worst sides? Pretty pathetic if I'm honest.



There was a 'break glass in case of emergency' box around this but that ship has sailed.

I can criticise the manager for his performance so far too. No, he doesn't deserve to be fired. If we continue to do that we'll never get anywhere. But he's not making life easy for himself. I would sooner see us field eleven youngsters against Tripolis in midweek and lose 5-0 if it meant we could get a win today. Our players looked unbelievably knackered. Harry Kane could barely affect the game after his shift on Thursday and others looked like they'd been out drinking the night before. I can see what Pochettino trying to do with the slight rotation for the Europa League but the way I see it, we need two fixed teams for both the Europa League and the Premier League. Build up some partnerships in defence and attack. Let the players get settled. Stop rotating the two centre halves every other game! Vertonghen and Fazio in the league, Kaboul and Dier/Chiriches (shudder) in the cups.



Not even Jesus can save us now.

With another loss the 'sack the manager' brigade will recruit more members and the blame game will begin again. There are deep rooted problems in this football club and I couldn't even begin to describe what is causing it. People will say it's Levy, Enic or God's Will that Tottenham can't succeed. It's not really that simple as suggesting one person is the fault of a team that struggles every other weekend. Maybe the players all aren't good enough. Maybe Pochettino isn't the answer. Maybe Levy should have packed his bags a long time ago and maybe Enic should have pulled out too. No one really knows. What I do know is it's likely to get worse before it gets better. I just ask for patience on the manager's behalf because despite his faults he doesn't deserve to be sacked.



Who do we point the finger at now?



Anyway, it's Remembrance Sunday. Let's turn our attention to more important things than football. Lest we forget those who gave their lives for us.