Mourinho-Levy

[JohnC6]

I appreciate that probably this should be in the '20-21 season football thread' but lack of response there has relegated it to page 3 now. So, I thought it would be ok to post this seperately as many don't go into that thread but do have a general interest in football and are to some extent aware of what's going on re particular clubs, managers and players. I'm a Spurs fan,have been since 1998 when George Graham took over and 5 months later beat Leicester to win the League Cup Final (1999) and these days we live with ongoing disappointment with bouts of optimism as one manager goes and another takes the helm. We mainly finish mid-table and sometimes reach the dizzy heights of the top three early season only to slip back losing to teams we should have easily beaten. Years ago I recall a headline on a Spurs forum "Why Spurs will always be a mid-table team". It's so long ago I've forgotten why Their last trophy was the Football League Cup in February 2008 and the first one to be played at the then, new Wembley stadium.

This link would funny were it not factual. It probably is funny to all but long-suffering Spurs fans. https://lastwonatrophy.co.uk/tottenham/

Today I happen to come across this article about the current manager, José Mourinho and chairman Daniel Levy, who many point the finger at. Another dour personality. A 6-0 win wouldn't bring a smile to his face, I'm sure The article was written in November 2019 ..the day Mourinho was appointed but it's as poignant today as back then .It's a great read re the style of writing which is why I've posted it rather than the issue with Mourinho and Levy. It pulls no punches and is by Stuart McGurk writing in the mens' magazine GQ where he is associate editor.

https://wwwSPAM-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/jose-mourinho-tottenham-hotspur

Here he is writing on the subject on February 4th this year. The photo shows an extremely dour manager. I find Mourinho's after-match interviews depressing if only for the depressing tone of his voice. I just don't think the dressing room, as they say, is a happy place and I can see Kane and maybe Son, who recently deflected a question about renewing his contract ,leaving in the not too distant future despite Kane having Spurs stamped through him like Blackpool rock has that name stamped through it.

https://wwwSPAM-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/jose-mourinho-sacked-for-real

 

[gerry s]

I must admit to feeling sorry for most spurs fans as for many years they all idolised pochittino ( a manager that’s won absolutely b****r all) and now you’ve got Jose. Brilliant at Porto and Chelsea first time round, ok at Real, ordinary at Chelsea the second time, buggered up manu and now doing the same at Spurs.
kane always showed promise but is now beginning to look quite ordinary, Bale and Ali on the bench!! Seriously!!! What’s all that about. Anyway as a Chelsea fan of many years I hope Jose becomes your longest serving manager......

 

[andya700]

I have been a neutral for some time, so that allows me to admire really talented players. I would put the following in that group - Kane, Bale, Ali, Son, Maddison, Schmeical, Rashford, Vardy, Mahrez, Sterling, De Bruyne, so many in fact. I think it is a travesty havfing Bale and Ali on the bench, what a complete waste of talent.

 

[cambsno]

I think its hilarious... makes me forget about Arteta and our excuse of a defense (Leno & Tierney aside).

But, this always happens with Jose.

 

[gerry s]

Well you are nearly out of the bottom half

And your still in the champions...... sorry.... europa league

 

[JohnC6]

I have been a neutral for some time, so that allows me to admire really talented players. I would put the following in that group - Kane, Bale, Ali, Son, Maddison, Schmeical, Rashford, Vardy, Mahrez, Sterling, De Bruyne, so many in fact. I think it is a travesty havfing Bale and Ali on the bench, what a complete waste of talent.

Funny old world, isn't it. I watched them play Wolfsberger earlier..5.00pm kick off and Ali started..yes, started..and scored a wonderful overhead-kick goal and then assisted Bale, who was brought on 10 minutes into the second half, to score a great goal with his famed left foot and starting to look like his old self. They won 4-0 and 8-1 on aggregate. I'm sure both will feature or even start,against Burnley at the weekend. Infact, The whole team played well.

Agree with your list and De Bruyne, especially, is a wonderful talent. I'm always pleased to see him play. He seems a very grounded person too.I'd add Mo Saleh to that list..well. You could probably add a few more yourself with more thinking time and I'm sure Mo Saleh would be amongst them. He's also someone who impresses me with his attitude. I can't ever recall him being angry at a decision made against him. Also, this.Saleh had seen the lad in his car mirror as the lad ran into a lamppost.

Mo Salah turns up at home of boy who knocked himself out waving to him

Louis was so excited at spotting his idol he ran into a lamp-post - and Mo Salah came back to make sure he was OK

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

 

[JohnC6]

Well you are nearly out of the bottom half

And your still in the champions...... sorry.... europa league

Yes, that's correct..Europa League and not to forgot the EFL (Carabao Cup final) v Manchester City April 25th at Wembley but I think I know who'll win that..lol. Well, unless Spurs play like they did today then with a bit of luck and a favourable wind and a couple of Man City injuries..lol.. we have a chance. The winners go into the UEFA Europa Conference League entering at the play-off stage ..ie before the group stages.There's been so much criticism of Mourinho lately that maybe he's taken some of it on board. The weakness is at the back but they're really missing Regulion through injury. He came with Bale from RM, as with Bale, also on loan. They think he'll be able to play in the next Europa round..March 11th and 18th,I think.

 

[JohnC6]

I think its hilarious... makes me forget about Arteta and our excuse of a defense (Leno & Tierney aside).

But, this always happens with Jose.

Good luck for tomorrow. Not about luck though, is it. 1-1 in the first round, I see. Being at home, despite no fans, should give you the edge and hopefully, Partey will be declared fit but despite Arteta's optimism it's not looking good. That's injury number three,I see. No Rob Holding, though. re that concussion injury. I'll be watching it on BT Sport. A goaless draw will see you through ,too.

 

[JohnC6]

I must admit to feeling sorry for most spurs fans as for many years they all idolised pochittino ( a manager that’s won absolutely b****r all) and now you’ve got Jose. Brilliant at Porto and Chelsea first time round, ok at Real, ordinary at Chelsea the second time, buggered up manu and now doing the same at Spurs.
kane always showed promise but is now beginning to look quite ordinary, Bale and Ali on the bench!! Seriously!!! What’s all that about. Anyway as a Chelsea fan of many years I hope Jose becomes your longest serving manager......

Re Bale and Ali. Bale's been slow to get up to speed but, as mentioned in my reply to Andy, both had an excellent game today (5.00pm kick-off).

Re Ali. I've read that it was Ali's comments..outburst,really, on camera about the style of Mourinho's play that he voiced in the Spurs documentary on NetFlix/Amazon and on-camera comments by Mourinho in that documentary that didn't go down too well,either. Mourinho has a habit of blaming all but himself and his tactics and in public...eg post match interviews. I just don't think Mourinho should have called Deli into his office to have a go at him on-camera. Pretty humiliating for Deli, I'd have thought. It's here in the link.I haven't seen the documentary.

How Mourinho fell out of love with Alli, including calling the England star lazy

IT looks like it’s over for Jose Mourinho and Dele Alli, before it really got a chance to work. The England midfielder, 24, has been left out of Tottenham’s squad yet again for the Cara…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[Jelster]

It happens everywhere Moanio goes. He has an 18 month shelf life, after which he's upset the players, the fans, and the chairman. He's proved it time & time again. His ego gets in his way, because he is actually a bloody good manager (just look at what he's won). However, he & Spurs were never going to work. He spends big, Levy doesn't. He want's to be the big "I am", but so does Levy.

The closest you've got to winning the league was the year Leicester did it, and then you managed to come 3rd in a 2 horse race. I know I'm a Gooner, but sometimes it's farcical..

 

[JohnC6]

It happens everywhere Moanio goes. He has an 18 month shelf life, after which he's upset the players, the fans, and the chairman. He's proved it time & time again. His ego gets in his way, because he is actually a bloody good manager (just look at what he's won). However, he & Spurs were never going to work. He spends big, Levy doesn't. He want's to be the big "I am", but so does Levy.

The closest you've got to winning the league was the year Leicester did it, and then you managed to come 3rd in a 2 horse race. I know I'm a Gooner, but sometimes it's farcical..

Oh..good. So I can look forward to him leaving next season ?..lol. Levy's comes in for a lot of criticism. re spending. Poch wanted to bring in several players but Levy wouldn't open the purse strings.
Half-time in Athens. I wondered where the game was being were played, ..clearly not the Emirates.then the commentator said it was Athens. So 1-1. Great goal by Aubamyang but Benfica replied with a great free kick goal shortly berfore half-time. Nice for me to see Vertongen,too. Aubamyang was set to join Spurs back in 2012 ,even toured the stadium and training ground but was never contacted again. Villas Boas was the manager then. He still feels that rejection,it seems.

 

[Jelster]

He did us proud tonight...

 

[JohnC6]

He did us proud tonight...

Yes...and a good win against Leicester too so you should beat Burnley next Saturday..I mean, we've just beaten them 4-0 and really should have been a couple more. I expect Son is still wondering how he sky'd one infront of goal..lol. Bale was superb. Looks like he's got his Mojo back. Good for Wales too. Fulham on Thursday followed by Crystal Palace then Dynamo Zagreb and then your good-selves on the 14th at The Emirates.