« There are no words to describe such a performance. » Distraught, Cristian Stellini tried to come back to his players’ nightmarish match at Saint James’ Park (6-1). Facing journalists, the former Italian interim coach did not try to find explanations for such a massacre, but rather accused the blow. « The first 25 minutes were the worst I’ve ever seen. We conceded four goals in as many shots (the fifth strike of the Magpies did not find the frame, while the sixth signed Isak allowed the locals to lead 5-0 after 21 minutes of play, Editor’s note). Is there a worse scenario than this? » After discussing his choice of system and men, Stellini assured that « everyone needed a little time before analyzing everything ». The principal concerned will in any case not be able to do so, since he was dismissed from his post the day after this « totally unacceptable performance », scolded Chairman Daniel Levy in a statement. But if the defeat of Spurs on behalf of the 32e Premier League day and this new waltz of the coaches surprised everyone, they are in no way surprising for lovers of the club.
Club update from Daniel
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 24, 2023
Conte was right
Dominating the head and shoulders in Southampton on March 18, the Spurs had seen the Saints come back to 3-3 in the last quarter of an hour as they led 3-1 at the 76e minute of play. The following weekend, Harry Kane thought he would give his side a definite advantage shortly after the hour mark against Everton. But even in numerical superiority, Tottenham had conceded the draw in the last moments of the game (90e, 1-1). Still just as revolting, in a match well within their reach against Bournemouth, the Spurs saw Dango Ouattara install air conditioning in front of their own supporters in added time (2-3, 90e+5). And if any more examples are needed to describe the London team’s lack of confidence and solidarity this season, Ndiaye’s goal which allowed Sheffield United to eliminate the Spurs from the knockout stages of the FA Cup last March (1-0, 79e) or even the unique realization of the victory of the Wolves (1-0, 82e) by Adama Traoré not long ago will do the job.
🗣️ “They’re used to it here. Don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure or under stress. Tottenham’s story is this. 20 years there is the owner & they never won something. Why?”
Antonio Conte is absolutely FUMING in his post match presser 😤 pic.twitter.com/jPqMxnZUtQ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 18, 2023
It was therefore not necessary to wait for April 23 to realize that the Spurs had decided to do without team spirit, without unity, without organization, without a tactical plan, without a mentality, without a fighting spirit or even without discipline since the start of this 2022-2023 season. An observation already drastically underlined by Antonio Conte, coach then in place after the draw against the Saints. « What I saw today is unacceptable. Let’s get to the heart of the matter: we are not a team! We are eleven players on a field, that’s all. I see selfish boys, players who don’t want to help each other and don’t put their hearts into it », had launched the Italian tactician. More than a month later, the situation has not changed. Finally if, from an accounting point of view: fourth with a two-point lead, and as many matches played against Newcastle a little over a month ago, Tottenham is now fifth, six points behind the Magpies and one more match played. « The tactical plan is one thing. But desire is another, added Conte, dismissed from his post the following week, you have to have fire in your eyes and in your heart. The club has its responsibility, the coach too. But seriously, where are the players? » Already, not at their post. Indeed, what about defending well against the fourth best attack in the championship with Ivan Perišić and Pedro Porro, usually attacking wingers, as full-backs? How to obtain a result where Manchester United (2-0), Chelsea (1-0) or Manchester City (3-3) broke their teeth this year by deciding to suddenly change the system? Why did you decide to set up a 4-3-3 for the first time this season when all the players have been working on a three-man defense since winter 2021? Regardless, the problem is obviously deeper.
Anyone have superpowers?
« We can try to find excuses, but we had already missed the fight before starting it. You can’t enter the field without the urge to win the battle », even swung Hugo Lloris, usually rather calm and stoic in front of the cameras. Out on injury at the break after conceding five goals, the 36-year-old French goalkeeper apologized « on behalf of the whole team ». But shouldn’t we apologize for the last four long years that have passed? These past four seasons since that thrilling spring when the Spurs by Mauricio Pochettino delighted Europe with a stunning game full of character until they reached the final of the Champions League? Since then, nothing seems like before. After getting rid of Conte, President Levy is looking for a coach for the fourth time in three and a half years. Sign of a concern for consistency and an unworthy mismanagement for a club of this caliber.
Annoyed after Tottenham’s defeat at Newcastle (1-6), Hugo Lloris asked for forgiveness from Spurs supporters. pic.twitter.com/DEhuZ4vcE1
— THE TEAM (@theteam) April 23, 2023
The worst thing about this story is that the problems shouldn’t end there. There are several reasons for this: firstly a reception of Manchester United, currently fourth, and a trip to Liverpool, seventh, are on the program for the next two days of the championship of Spurs. And to spice up an already distressing situation, the Spurs will travel to Aston Villa, formidable sixth in the Premier League, two days from the end. In the package “ too many risks to take “We can also add the future of Harry Kane, at the center of the discussions of the leaders of the club for three seasons already. Whoever has scored 43% of his team’s 58 league goals this season will see his contract come to an end in the summer of 2024 and the next coach will have the heavy task of convincing him to stay. Finally, it will be necessary to have superpowers to extinguish the anger of the club’s supporters, more and more of them pointing the finger at Levy’s presidency. If the arrival of the experienced Fabio Paratici, former sports director of Juventus, had done the greatest good to everyone in July 2021, allowing Levy to delegate a few responsibilities, his resignation after having received a World suspension of two and a half years for his collaboration between 2010 and 2021 at the Old Lady leaves the club in a complicated situation. The 61-year-old English leader now makes all the decisions and has a reputation for wanting direct financial and sporting profitability with his collaborators. Difficult to see in the long term with him. And if the results do not follow, it is likely to take the door as Cristian Stellini, Nuno Espírito Santo, or even José Mourinho did before him. So Julian Nagelsmann (whose name comes up insistently on the side of Tottenham, Ed), are you submitting your CV?
Montanier, under the sunlight of Toulouse
#Tottenham #autopsy #nightmarish #season
