An End of Season Ramble, and Thanks for Dropping By This Season

/ Alan

Endings matter. Settle with the past to move on. I’m not so bright with endings. Leaving dos are important, and I advise people I manage to always hold one, except I don’t go to mine. So here’s an ending to this season, it’s the right thing to do. Less of an analysis, more a ramble through events and emotions. Let’s see where this goes.

It’s been an odd season. It hasn’t, really, but it feels like an odd season, cluttered with mixed emotions. It occurs to me that early in my ramble, I have stumbled upon the single most significant element, which is that I still feel it. That powerful emotional attachment with Spurs has been severely challenged over the years but remains intact in this, my 54th season of going to the Lane and the single point of continuity with childhood. The team infuriate me, energise me, give me joy and sorrow, but they are all one and the same because football reminds me of who I am and what I feel, deep down. Of family and friendship, loyalty and camaraderie. Of how being a fan has sustained me through darker times. Of what’s important in life.  

I’m less demonstrative at games these days but that’s the only difference compared with when I was a kid, travelling across London on my own and queuing at the boys’ gate. Now, it’s dodgy knees and the family keeping half an eye on me in the crowds. A reminder of how my life is gradually changing. I used to keep an eye on them.

Now, less of a leap of celebration when we score, more an unsteady wobble to my feet.  I miss that, when the ball hits the net and the instinctive leap of celebration, or, better even, standing to crane your neck in anticipation as an opportunity opens up and the mighty Lilywhites bear down on goal.

So an odd season and mixed emotions. Ange has brought so much that is good to the club, chief amongst them that sense of anticipation that Spurs have the ball and something is going to happen. The thrill of early season as we, at the same time as the players, discovered Ange’s philosophy and style, fast attacking football in the Spurs way and players and fans released from the suffocating rigidity of our last three managers. Reading another end of season article this week reminded me that Spurs topped the league early on. I genuinely didn’t recall that. What mattered to me was the style, the excitement, going to the ground and looking forward to the football.

Later in the season, I still felt something could happen when we attacked, although I note that I typed ‘could’ not ‘would’, then thought we would concede every time the opposition attacked. It meant that I couldn’t enjoy games, or goals, because from my seat high in the South Stand, I had a perfect view of the yawning gaps we left behind. So this leaves the sobering conclusion that this was the most enjoyable season for several years but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. This is what football does to the committed fan, the unspeakable emotional contortions of watching Tottenham play.

Odd too, in that our best players this season are all defenders. Van der Ven swooping down on attackers like an eagle closing on its prey, Romero rising as true leader on the field in the latter stages of the season, front foot defending at its best, Udogie such a prospect, Porro highly committed, and behind them Vicario excellent both on and off his line, exuding confidence. I am protective towards him – the corner thing has been over-exaggerated and is down primarily not to him but to weak organisation and defending at set-pieces, plus some rotten refereeing.

Football’s changing, I hear, I read, but it hasn’t really. Not in its fundamental nature. It’s highly tactical, the players are supremely athletic and meticulously prepared, but you have to defend, still have to be creative to score. If we make a ricket at the back, I curse out loud, but there’s a little voice inside saying, hey, human frailty, what can you do?

Well, at Spurs what Ange can do is sort out that defending better than he has. Good players need better organisation than we have, especially that they need more protection. I’m wholeheartedly supportive of our manager. In a single season, he’s had to overcome both the loss of one of the greatest players the club has ever seen (and do not doubt that Harry is that good), and the heaviest burden of all, the weight of history. It is impossible to underestimate his efforts to change the culture of caution and negativity imposed by That Man and Conte, which came on top of our lack of trophies during the Levy era.

He understands how to take the club forward and bring supporters with him, an understanding improved rather than harmed by the bruising experience of the reaction to the City game. But the relationship between fans and the club is reciprocal, and maybe we’ve learned about his infectious will to win and utter determination to succeed.

 He’s had to work with and revamp a squad made up of components from, what, four previous managers, each with their different perspectives, as well as integrate new players, several of whom are young and new to the PL. It is a mark of his success that we view Udogie, VDV and Sarr as established first choices when they were respectively 20, 22 and 20 at the start of the season.

Given all this, I’m delighted with fifth place. The Europa League is a winnable competition, and the manager deserves real credit for getting us there, however nervy it was getting over the line. It’s ok. First season, so much achieved and we know what the problems are. Result.

Turning points. I said at the time that he was wrong to field a weakened side at Fulham in the League Cup but at least he learned fast about weaknesses in the squad and our mentality. I see that Chelsea game as a one-off, not a turning point in the season.

What happened is what always happens in the PL. The league learns quickly and sussed us out before you knew it. Teams shut us down with blanket defences and cutting out passing lanes in front of goal. Some added intensive pressing in midfield and punished us on the break. W Ham and Villa at home come to mind as early examples the rest of the league followed. We struggled to get over this and to break down packed defences. We made mistakes, and Ange’s system relies on not giving the ball away in situations where we are moving into attack. Later, to make matters worse, we got in a right mess at set-pieces.   

So by and large, we need to improve collectively, rather than focus unduly on the faults of individuals. As an example, Bissouma is a fine player in my view, albeit his form fell away in early 2024, but the real issue is that alone, he cannot deal with all the defensive midfield responsibilities as well as perform his role in turning defence into attack.

By the end of the season, Ange dismissed one strand of criticism, that he had no plan B, by trying different set-ups out of possession. This needs more work and another player who performs the deeper-lying midfielder role.

Players in and out – go. Bear in mind we need squad depth too in what, all being well, will be a 50 plus game season, so don’t go chucking players out too readily. We need another 6 and a central striker with presence in the box, someone who will occupy centre-halves and be on the end of crosses. Too often this season we’ve played it wide, got the crosses in and it’s turned into heading practice for defenders. We need two central strikers – Sonny is wasted there. I wouldn’t sell Richarlison unless we have those two in place, unless of course the club know his fitness is more of a concern long-term.

We need like-for-like cover for both full-backs, who work so hard in our system and have to be rotated. I’d like another creative, busy midfielder, plus 4 centre-backs and cover for Vicario. Austin has just been given a long-term contract but I have no idea if he’s ready to step into the first team.

Also, it’s hard to gauge how close our group of promising youngsters are to the first team. Moore, Donley and Hall impress me in what little I’ve seen of them, while Devine, Phillips and Dorrington are rated, plus Keeley, the keeper who has been on loan at Barnet this year. And Bergvall arrives this summer (let him settle and play, set Youtube showreels aside).  They all deserve a chance yet the league is unforgiving in a team with Spurs’ aspirations.

Outgoings require the board to exhibit realism to move players on. I’m sure we can get N’Dombele a loan but he’s not going to go until his rumoured £200k a week contract runs out, surely, or is paid up. Thanks to Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Gil, Sess and Emerson, and goodbye. Davies deserves our heartfelt thanks but with a year left on his contract his time may have come too. I would keep Skipp unless we can replace him, either with a transfer or the youngsters.

As always it remains to be seen if the board support their manager’s ambitions. The burden of history again. The board have consistently failed to identify the moments of opportunity where transfer commitment is an investment not a waste, and that must change, a sentiment I have repeated so many times, it should be my equivalent of a pinned post.  

I feel more confident about our recruitment processes now, another change that has come with Ange, an upgrade sanctioned by the club. We’re ready for a couple of top quality players, difference-makers, but I’ve said that several times under Redknapp, Poch and Jol, and they didn’t arrive. One shred of optimism here is the financial situation in the PL. In terms of FFP, we’re in a good position whereas other clubs need to sell. Levy came a cropper in recent years when his policy of exploiting weakness suddenly became outdated as clubs had the PL money to resist his lowballing and brinkmanship. Now, we’re in a stronger position but he must recognise market prices set the fee, not what he thinks the price is.  

And so to end with another reason for mixed feelings about the season. Our chairman often refers to his role as the club’s custodian but it seems this does not extend to looking after loyal Spurs fans. The season was bookended by fan protest summed up by the slogan ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’, beginning with the ticket price protest and ending with the Save Our Seniors campaign. The decision to reduce senior discount and, more perniciously, to refuse to allocate any new senior discounts to season ticket holders turning 65 the season after next is utterly disgraceful. I wrote more about this a while back.

I’m left with the inescapable conclusion that the board do not care about supporter loyalty. They just want people to pay the maximum amount and do not care who sits in those seats. This isn’t just about us seniors. That they choose to exploit and punish the club’s longest-standing fans demonstrates their contempt for loyalty, the one quality fans value the most.  

When I complained to the club about this, I received a standard reply. They said an increase in the number of senior concessions was no longer sustainable. They also said it will start to limit ticket choice for others. In other words, senior season ticket holders are blocking other fans getting a ticket. On one level, this is a lie – in respect of the waiting list my holding a senior ticket is no different from that of any other fan who chooses to renew. On another, it implies seniors are getting in the way, an encumbrance. The website trills about the Spurs family. The message to me is, this is a family where the younger members are keen to shift unwanted seniors into sheltered accommodation.

In response to adverse publicity, I understand Arsenal met with their supporters trust, who have not protested as vocally as we have, and reversed their decision. It gives Spurs the opportunity to follow suit. Acknowledging a mistake is a sign of strength, but I fear, despite critical pieces on Channel 4 News and the BBC (with ‘ahem’ me), the board remain intransigent. So, sadly, this is the feeling I’m left with.

To end on a more upbeat note, sincere thanks to everyone who has supported and read Tottenham On My Mind this year. Deeply appreciated, it means a lot and keeps me going. I’ll still be here come next season, writing as and when something is on my mind. Come on you Spurs.

31 thoughts on “An End of Season Ramble, and Thanks for Dropping By This Season”

  3. Alan I always appreciate your writing and viewpoint and its never far away from my own.I like your honesty and you say what you feel. Being a Spurs fan is difficult and mostly because Danny and Bill set out our expectations. In 1960/1961 we were the closest thing to Real Madrid. That created our expectations but so many other teams over the years have done better than us. The kicker was that we were not too far away (yes some of it in our heads) but we were never THAT far away. It gave us hope but that was about it.
    We found an Aussie Messiah (who became a Greek God after 10 games) and we had more hope than we have had for a long time.
    This is the first season and even though some of what we do doesnt make sense,Ange has something. He has huge belief in his own ideas. Its not beyond that his philosophy will work with the right chemistry. A few weeks ago I saw a documentary about Sir Alex Ferguson and I was amazed that they wanted to can him and one director had faith in him. There are somethings none of us understand. Not everything is pure logic. Sometimes people do amazing things.
    To be honest my jury is always out because I always relate everything back to our Garden of Eden, the 1960/61 season. Its been imperfect since then for me. Even getting to the CL Final for me was way off as the football just wasnt there.Its like Ajax downed tools thinking they won and Lucas Moura stole it. I wasnt excited at all about the win. (I think as we get older the substance of a game is more important)
    We have to trust Ange for at least one more season.I think Levy must know that he himself is closer to the end than the beginning and to his credit ,knowing little about football he kept throwing the dice…not easy for a conservative businessman. He doesnt have much time left to keep trying. I think right now we are moving in the right direction with having and getting better youth players and putting together this Ange team with season 2 and filling some of the holes with better players and focus.
    I have faith but its never unlimited but its still there big time.
    Its also important this time of year to enjoy the summer season. All the best to you Alan you are a top man.

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    • Thank you kindly Ron. Ange deserves both our support and, importantly, that of the board. As you say, these days football fans don’t understand their history, even if it’s recent. Fergie and Klopp were both given time. Fergie was at the time a fairly risky appointment in that he wasn’t what we would now call a proven top level manager although he’d won things in Scotland. Sound familiar? Enjoy the summer

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  4. A good read, COYS.

    Just to add to your last remarks about tickets, I am not a season ticket holder but an avid fan, my children were born Spurs fans and literally had no choice in the matter, I can’t get a ticket now days without paying for membership, when the new stadium opened, occasionally the tickets became available to everyone even if you didn’t have membership but this never happens now. How am I supposed to take my kids when on top of the ticket price, the parking, the travelling, the food, the buying something for kids in Spurs shop. It’s a £300-£400 day out even without paying for One Hotspur membership.

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    • I feel for you and your family. It’s a rotten situation, one which I’ve written about before and joined in a few protests. What really angers me about the board’s senior concession decision is less about my personal situation and much more about what it reveals about the board’s attitude towards loyal fans of any age. They say we matter but to them, we don’t. Maybe they will have discount packages for the europa league or other cup games. All the best.

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  6. I agree with a lot of what you say, however the improvement in our recruiting started before Ange arrived. You can probably date it to Kulusevski and Bentancur arriving mid season. Udogie and Sarr are also pre Angie buys. To me if you hire a manager you really want to give him three seasons to see what he can do. Its hard to build a squad without oil money in less time than that. At the moment we don’t really have the depth to sustain a two games a week treadmill but we’ll see what the summer brings. Like you I’d much prefer to see Son on the wing with two options in the centre, preferably centre forwards not just strikers. I do wonder about the number 6 position. Imagine if we’d had Declan Rice there instead of Bissouma, would we have conceded a lot less goals ? It seems to me that given the way we play that is the critical position.

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    • Agreed. I was referring to the improved recruitment organisation at the club, with Lange and (apparently) better use of data driven recruitment. Although Paratici certainly has a good eye for a player, no question! And agree completely re Rice – he and Rhodri are dominant figures in that position but there are few players around like that, so we have to make up for it with better organisation, maybe with the double pivot. That doesn’t have to detract from our attacking approach

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  8. Really pleased with the UEL – just not ready for the UCL. But please, please let us actually try to win it. Winning tournament football is what we were good at, way back when.

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  9. Nice one Alan. No major disagreement. Well apart from Lo Celso, whom I have a soft spot for which might be added to be the fact we let … bugger now I can’t bring his name to mind… Argentinian who like to stand in Woolwich payers hands!!
    oh and I’m expecting/ hoping that Scot Mann and those under him have identified our incomings and properly costed them.

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  10. You are the one fixed point in a changing age, as Holmes said to Watson. Your sober, sane, spirited and big-hearted pieces make me feel connected to this great club from an ocean away. May you continue to write and unite for many years to come!

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  11. Thanks, Alan, for another trooper’s effort, all season long. Love that one line “football reminds me of who I am and what I feel, deep down”—being as I grew up in Wales, then Canada, and now California, Spurs were always whom I aspired to be, those dazzling white kits on Euro nights, and a few wins in those cups. Newport are like who I grew up around, not blue but more white collar, with aspirations. Of being a Hollywood writer, much like aspiring to be like Spurs at the top of their game. Have a safe, pleasant summer, Alan. And, if you need some summertime reading, check out my “Harlem to Hollywood” book on Amazon in the UK, and worldwide. COYS and Cheers, brother! Ashley

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    • Thank you kindly Ashley, sincerely hope you are keeping well, and I know Spurs always in your heart, a little piece of N17 in Hollywood. I’ll check out your book too

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  13. Thanks Alan for the season’s commentary-on point too.

    About our defending, I agree it’s impossible for one DM to keep out opponents, whether the name is Bissouma or Declan or Rodri-DM duties are for a minimum of 3 players.

    It seems to me that our mid-field 3 who play in front of the defenders are just not drilled in terms of tactical discipline.

    Looking at the top 3 teams when they lose the ball they all sprint back to make sure they are behind the ball, the nearest players to the turn-over always try to disrupt ball progression (“tactical foul” they call it).

    Having said that, our mid-field 3 are overworked-so how do the top managers of the top 3 teams do it? (I think the secret is in “energy management”- I think what sets apart these top coaches is that they know how to distribute sprints across the whole team-I think that’s their top-secret secret).

    If Johnson and Sarr or Madison have not been involved in a buildup play, they better be the ones who sprint back to defend, not Bissouma or Bentakur or Hoj (who a few moments earlier retrieved and carried the ball up the pitch). I’ve seen Salah sprint back to cover, Sterling also (while still at Man C) and way before that, Wayne Rooney!

    It looks like Ange has been solving the “energy” issue by swapping the DMs after about 60 minutes-but he doesnt yet have like-for-like quality on the bench to pick from.

    As I go on footballing holiday-my bookmark on our season is “we have the quality players in the starting eleven but they are not well drilled-yet”.

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    • You’re most welcome, and yes, agree completely with your view about tactics and our approach. There is a problem for Ange here because he religiously sticks to the two players wide.

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  15. A well rounded round up (is that a thing?). Thanks for your blog again this season. Keeps things in perspective for the likes of me, who consistently fail to see the underbelly of a game.

    COYS, IW

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  16. Cracker of a post Alan mate.
    I’m not sure that an extra MF would make much difference if we continue with 4-2-3-1.
    3-3-3-1 would give us the extra man in midfield & still maintain our attacking integrity and validate say, the cost of someone like Eze, otherwise…
    I don’t normally make comments on our new kit but the latest rollout looks bloody awful.
    Hibberni
    P.S.
    Welcome to the ‘Dodgy Knees Club’ Alan, probably a touch of sciatica will be forthcoming also…
    C’est la vie.

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  17. Something has to happen in defence. Conceding 61 goals in a season will not see us competing for the title. Yet we have four fantastic first choice defenders. Either we need new defenders who are even more fantastic, or we need to tweak the high line slightly, so we are not so vulnerable to counter attacks.

    Alternatively we need to score many more goals than the 74 which we did. Sometimes during the season my frustration was that we had seemed to lose the ability to break down solid defences – yet we actually finished up with one of the best of our hauls in recent decade.

    So, dilemmas in defence as well as attack. Over to you Ange.

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