Are Tottenham getting the recognition they deserve?

[Havocc]

Firstly, I do not want Spurs to be built up my the media to the extent of other clubs, I prefer to be under the radar and go about our business. However, the lack of positive recognition towards Spurs this season has been nothing short of embarrassing. Lets look at what is happening at the club:

- Best start to a season since 61
- Unbeaten in the league
- Outplayed the champions
- Not in debt
- Developing a world class stadium
- Promoting young players to the first team
- One of the best managers in the league.
- Signed most of our top players on contract extensions

Still nothing positive in main-stream media. MOTD focused on West Ham's shortcomings and MOTD2 did a 3 minute spot complaining about Eriksen.

Goals on Sunday showed the highlights and nothing else.

Sky built up Liverpool V United likes its the game of the millennium, yet its a 0-0 bore, we destroy City and nothing is mentioned. The NLD derby was promoted like it was West Brom V Burnley!!!

There is a massive love in for Klopp, with a team that has a strong front 4 and nothing else. Pep is the best thing since slice bread and the usual is being said about United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Yet, we were a club in crisis, not playing at our full potential and are struggling.

I cannot understand why media and pundits are more positive in regards to our start to the season, it does make me think there is money exchanging hands to promote/demote other clubs.

 

[conor1]

Ive long since tried to get my head around it tbh.
Add in the fact we have 5 England starters in the side and our manager openly puts an emphasis on nurturing young English talent and you start to think there actually is something to your argument. As for the drooling over jesus Christ mark 2 up in shittypool I simply don't get that either. His team are playing well but he doesn't rate sturridge he's not exactly breaking his back to nurture home talent.
Personally, I'm happy for us to stay under the radar for the time being.....it'll make the success we do get all the more sweet when it happens.

 

[skiathospurs]

Happy for liverpool and arsenal to think the league is handed out in october every year,glad they think city are the english barca,actually now chavs have picked up the press arent really bigging them up same with us.I think the press just love having klopps,wengers,joses,peps balls on their chins cos they are bit like Arry,bit of a laugh,the manager likes the attention,they are always good for a quote whereas Poch and it seems conte,just work and media is just a contractual obligation to be fulfilled.Basically Poch just talks sense so its obvious and not worth a headline like wenger,jose or klopp who just talk any old shite,and poor old pep cops it cos of past jobs,nothing to do with what has happened at city yet.

Basically most papers,sky just run anything for clicks or views,its mostly complete bollox,let em keep distracting the others.

 

[J.spurs]

It is strange, but I think it mostly boils down to the fact that most of the other clubs near the top have celebrity managers and they sort of soak up all the headlines. Honestly, I could be wrong, but it seems to me that Conte's Chelsea haven't gotten that much attention either. Anyway, fuck 'em, I'd rather go about our business without players getting too much scrutiny.

 

[Havocc]

I think we can all agree, being under the radar suits us.

What is frustrating is the lack of analysis regarding the way be play on any football show. Look at MOTD2 last night. They spent 25 minutes on the Chelsea v 'born game, and that was a lucky one nil win! I actually thought 'boro were the better side too.

Let's see what MNF brings at 7. Neville is the only one that actually looks at us and provides analysis, but it will probably focus on the Arsenal v United game and Liverpool goalless draw with the saints

 

[skiathospurs]

I think we can all agree, being under the radar suits us.

What is frustrating is the lack of analysis regarding the way be play on any football show. Look at MOTD2 last night. They spent 25 minutes on the Chelsea v 'born game, and that was a lucky one nil win! I actually thought 'boro were the better side too.

Let's see what MNF brings at 7. Neville is the only one that actually looks at us and provides analysis, but it will probably focus on the Arsenal v United game and Liverpool goalless draw with the saints

Thats still ok with me,if neville doesnt help other teams with tactical analysis of us i am all for him not doing so!

 

[Don Diaz]

Most of the media are still stuck around the 'old top 4' and can't see past it. Leicester were a great story last year, but the demise of Liverpool and Chelsea, no European football at all, with United finishing in an EL place was hardly mentioned. They probably focus on these clubs as a result of their global reach and to be honest I'm happy to sail along, unbeaten whilst we get our shit together for the bigger push around Christmas and the second half of the season. A good result against Chelsea, having drawn away at Arsenal, home to Liverpool and beaten City will put us back near the top of the radar for a few weeks. The title is won in may not November though and considering the injuries and suspensions we've had I'm more than happy.

 

[Glenjamin]

Think really it boils down to talking about Tottenham doesn't really sell, as we have a quiet manager and a team that is trained to be respectful in public. some of these flamboyant managers and players like ibra are more likely to say something completely inappropriate so then some negative press can be released.

Only reason anyone is mentioning West Ham is because they are kicking lumps out of eachother in the stands and generally look like a team on their brink of melt down.

Same with Chelsea only reason they ever got a mention is because mourinho is a complete Muppet that will say something fucking stupid as soon as he sees a mic.

We shall keep plodding along doing what we do and this season we don't have a complete love in for the Cinderella team to stop us!!

 

[LakewoodSpur]

I only see Spurs on game day and the NBCSN announcing crew of Arlo White, Graem Le Saux, and Lee Dixon seldom ever credit Spurs for much. Dixon, to be fair, is probably the most neutral of the crew, but White has it in for Spurs. If not for bad press, we'd hardly get press at all in the States.
But on the flip side, when you see a Spurs shirt being worn in the US, you can bet the farm that it's a true Yid wearing the kit and not a plastic fan.

 

[skiathospurs]

Most of the media are still stuck around the 'old top 4' and can't see past it. Leicester were a great story last year, but the demise of Liverpool and Chelsea, no European football at all, with United finishing in an EL place was hardly mentioned. They probably focus on these clubs as a result of their global reach and to be honest I'm happy to sail along, unbeaten whilst we get our shit together for the bigger push around Christmas and the second half of the season. A good result against Chelsea, having drawn away at Arsenal, home to Liverpool and beaten City will put us back near the top of the radar for a few weeks. The title is won in may not November though and considering the injuries and suspensions we've had I'm more than happy.

Thats everton,arsenal,chelsea all played away and city destroyed at home and liverpool a draw,just united to go and we have done one round of the top 6 around us,and united i would say are probably no better than everton,nothing to be scared off.

 

[J.spurs]

I only see Spurs on game day and the NBCSN announcing crew of Arlo White, Graem Le Saux, and Lee Dixon seldom ever credit Spurs for much. Dixon, to be fair, is probably the most neutral of the crew, but White has it in for Spurs. If not for bad press, we'd hardly get press at all in the States.
But on the flip side, when you see a Spurs shirt being worn in the US, you can bet the farm that it's a true Yid wearing the kit and not a plastic fan.

Yes, that element is disproportionately represented on the "other place." Almost every Tottenham fan I know over here is either an expat or has been around for awhile (Maybe not as long as you ) My youngster recently converted one of his team and class mates over the efforts of his Man United and Aberdeen supporting coach and Arsenal supporting science teacher, both Scottish expats.

It is true, though, Spurs get very little recognition over here, especially compared to the original Sky four and Man City. The bad news you speak of is usually cockamamie theories about Kane going to Real Madrid or MU. At least I don't have to watch games on pay-per-view anymore like in the 90s and early 2000s...

 

[Flump]

All I care about is us fucking winning something.

P.S. I hear a fair few radio presenters mention the stadium in absolutely glowing terms tbf.

 

[LakewoodSpur]

Yes, that element is disproportionately represented on the "other place." Almost every Tottenham fan I know over here is either an expat or has been around for awhile (Maybe not as long as you ) My youngster recently converted one of his team and class mates over the efforts of his Man United and Aberdeen supporting coach and Arsenal supporting science teacher, both Scottish expats.

It is true, though, Spurs get very little recognition over here, especially compared to the original Sky four and Man City. The bad news you speak of is usually cockamamie theories about Kane going to Real Madrid or MU. At least I don't have to watch games on pay-per-view anymore like in the 90s and early 2000s...

Great job by your son...that was a tough trifecta to go against.

Did you hear Lee Dixon's musing on the Spurs telecast over the weekend? During a quiet passage of play, he asked aloud, "Do you think Harry Winks' nickname on the practice pitch is Tiddly? It's got to be." I cracked up. Graeme chuckled and Arlo just kept spouting off statistics about something. I don't think Arlo and Lee really get along too well and often Graeme is the middle-man.

For sure, I like NBCSN carrying all the PL matches either on the television or on their website. I agree, it's been great (especially with the replay feature) not to have to get up for the 0430 matches (1230 UK time) or do the p-p-v like we did 20 years ago.

 

[J.spurs]

Great job by your son...that was a tough trifecta to go against.

Did you hear Lee Dixon's musing on the Spurs telecast over the weekend? During a quiet passage of play, he asked aloud, "Do you think Harry Winks' nickname on the practice pitch is Tiddly? It's got to be." I cracked up. Graeme chuckled and Arlo just kept spouting off statistics about something. I don't think Arlo and Lee really get along too well and often Graeme is the middle-man.

For sure, I like NBCSN carrying all the PL matches either on the television or on their website. I agree, it's been great (especially with the replay feature) not to have to get up for the 0430 matches (1230 UK time) or do the p-p-v like we did 20 years ago.

I tune Dixon out. Along with Ray Parlour, Pires and Nasri probably my most hated players of all time. That said, the coverage and the analysis is so far better than on any of the other football networks (BeIn, Fox, etc.) that it's ridiculous. Some will disagree but I think Kyle Martino is the best analyst our country's yet produced. But it's interesting that the same general principle applies in the coverage over here as across the pond, the narrative is never about Tottenham whatever the game.

 

[Havocc]

There does seem to be a common trend is analysing the opponents game and how it made Spurs play so well.

Pep is meant to be the best manager in the world at pressing, we out played his side.

Conte introduced the 3-5-2, we been playing that on and off for a few seasons

Klopp brings energy to his sides, we been doing that for years.

Pochettino has revolutionised the way we play in the league and other teams are copying

 

[Yid]

Gonna be honest yeah... we haven't pulled it all together apart from the Citeh game all season. The CL has been a disaster and the formation seems to be eratic and patchy with almost makeshift solutions.

I buzzing we haven't lost in the league yet but I need us to start to click or somone to show me why it hasn't clicked yet, and what is going to ignite that spark.

I fucking this but we seem fucking Spursy again, lime we have moved a huge way forward only to shrink back a little and not push on and consolidate our strong position.

The passion seems to have waned also... what happened to that phenomenal collective strength and belief?

I sound like a whining numpty I know but I just want what I had last season. I want to be entertained ffs.

 

[boo]

We are getting a lot of media attention today lol!

 

[Havocc]

We are getting a lot of media attention today lol!

Off course, media are quick to jump on any failures at the club.

Where is all the stuff about Chelsea and United not being in the ECL?, why was that not made into a massive failure for the clubs?

 

[Don Diaz]

The passion seems to have waned also... what happened to that phenomenal collective strength and belief?
.

It was alive and well at home to West Ham on Saturday around 7.15pm.....and also at Arsenal away. There wasn't much we could do in Monaco, the performances at Wembley are where we lost our way. We'll be absolutely fine when everyone is back fit and firing.

The thing that makes me laugh, is all the numpty's that slag Lamela off are now saying we need him back....this football thing evolves over years, not 90 minutes.

 

[birdonaball]

I only see Spurs on game day and the NBCSN announcing crew of Arlo White, Graem Le Saux, and Lee Dixon seldom ever credit Spurs for much. Dixon, to be fair, is probably the most neutral of the crew, but White has it in for Spurs. If not for bad press, we'd hardly get press at all in the States.
But on the flip side, when you see a Spurs shirt being worn in the US, you can bet the farm that it's a true Yid wearing the kit and not a plastic fan.

I know what you mean about NBCSN's coverage, I can't stand Le Saux and Dixon, lets be fair two ex's of clubs who despise us, no shock there is rarely ever a good word said about us. I'm heading to Orlando for a 3 month work gig in a couple weeks so will miss the Christmas football over here and will experience as I usually do other there. I always feel very proud wearing my shirts and my hoodies when I'm there.

Still winds we up there are 3 games there every Saturday live, and yet a 3pm game is never shown in the Uk.

 

[LakewoodSpur]

I know what you mean about NBCSN's coverage, I can't stand Le Saux and Dixon, lets be fair two ex's of clubs who despise us, no shock there is rarely ever a good word said about us. I'm heading to Orlando for a 3 month work gig in a couple weeks so will miss the Christmas football over here and will experience as I usually do other there. I always feel very proud wearing my shirts and my hoodies when I'm there.

Still winds we up there are 3 games there every Saturday live, and yet a 3pm game is never shown in the Uk.

FYI: normally, all PL games are on NBCSN's website. So if the unthinkable happens and Spurs are not featured on the network match coverage, you can always go on-line and see them at NBCSN's site.
Lucky you to be in Orlando over the winter -- not that it doesn't get cool in central Florida (dressing for winter weather in Florida means putting on a sweatshirt),but still it beats almost everywhere else in the US during that season. Enjoy.

 

[Basskadet]

In a word...

No.


We went undefeated until Chelsea last weekend and, despite that, we keep getting written off. Whilst many thought that us being undefeated flattered us, many appear to dismiss the fact that we have been ruined by injuries - big injuries, to 1st team players in key positions - Dembele was suspended, injured and unfit, Kane has only played half of the season so far, our star CB has been injured for weeks, Davies is missing and in our 1 defeat we had both our LBs out together, Lamela has been out for what feels ages (he still often frustrates for many fans, but I think you really notice his absence from the squad and his overall contribution is massively underestimated, particularly by neutrals). People forget too that we even lost our captain Lloris for a few games early on too! Yet, despite all of that disruption and not really hitting our stride, understandably, we went unbeaten for 12 games and only lost narrowly last weekend Away at league leaders Chelsea and have since come back from that loss with an emphatic 5 nil win!

Earlier I was listening to a Leicester fan bemoaning their slump from Champions to relegation battle on the sale of Kante and the absence of Drinkwater!!! When you think of all the problems we've had by comparison, that suggestion sounds laughable!

 

[Motspur Hotspur]

If we were Man U in the mid 90s they'd all be saying 'consistent start, expect them to get stronger' etc etc etc but now because it's SPUrs they right us off and concentrate on the moneybag teams.

 

[Havocc]

Guaranteed they will talk about Swansea's shortcomings on MOTD tonight

They were awful, but we capitalised on it and punished them

 

[Basskadet]

It has to be said, I often hear neutrals and media say how we rely on Kane, and we do a little, but we also rely on Dembele playing well. We also rely massively on goalkeeper Hugo and our CB pairing of Jan and Toby. Our 2 holding midfielders, Wanyama and or Dier are vital to our success too and our attacking midfielders Eriksen, Son, Alli and Lamela don't get nearly enough credit as missing 1 or 2, as we have done for much of this season so far, hugely effects our creativity.

However, it's becoming increasingly obvious how important our 2 full backs now are. I don't think I've seen such influential full-backs at Spurs in decades. Walker and Rose are like the reincarnation of Hughton and Thomas, they even look a little similar at a glance, just on the wrong flanks!

Basically, we are a proper team these days and we don't really rely on any 1player. Yes, the goals dried up a bit in Kane's absence, but not immediately. The likes of Son and Alli did chip in, but we actually began to struggle in front of goal when, as well as Kane being out, we lost Alli, Dembele and Lamela and also Alderweireld (yes he's a CB, but his long balls are an excellent option for us when we are trying to break teams down and losing that has helped make us look a little 1-dimensional). Sonny's goals also stopped after he picked up a little niggle, which now he looks to have shaken off he is back creating and scoring.

Basically, it's just not as simple as saying we are too reliant on Kane. We're a PROPER team these days and the pundits, in my opinion, have not given us any sufficient recognition given our injuries. I hear it so often from them - they repeatedly excuse Arsenal's yearly demise on mounting injuries (usually to a couple 1st team players and a bunch of squad players) for example.

This is what is so brilliant about Pochettino. We have not been fully firing yet and, given our injuries which have been throughout our 1st team and have consistently robbed us of being able to play a full strength team, Pochettino has not just kept us competitive in games, we've stayed competitive in the League itself! He deserves MASSIVE credit for that.

 

[Yid]

Added to that Bass we are a finely balanced team/collective. I feel like we are greater than the sum of the parts so when you start messing with that in big or small ways the overall package will be different.

 

[Don Diaz]

It has to be said, I often hear neutrals and media say how we rely on Kane, and we do a little, but we also rely on Dembele playing well. We also rely massively on goalkeeper Hugo and our CB pairing of Jan and Toby. Our 2 holding midfielders, Wanyama and or Dier are vital to our success too and our attacking midfielders Eriksen, Son, Alli and Lamela don't get nearly enough credit as missing 1 or 2, as we have done for much of this season so far, hugely effects our creativity.

However, it's becoming increasingly obvious how important our 2 full backs now are. I don't think I've seen such influential full-backs at Spurs in decades. Walker and Rose are like the reincarnation of Hughton and Thomas, they even look a little similar at a glance, just on the wrong flanks!

Basically, we are a proper team these days and we don't really rely on any 1player. Yes, the goals dried up a bit in Kane's absence, but not immediately. The likes of Son and Alli did chip in, but we actually began to struggle in front of goal when, as well as Kane being out, we lost Alli, Dembele and Lamela and also Alderweireld (yes he's a CB, but his long balls are an excellent option for us when we are trying to break teams down and losing that has helped make us look a little 1-dimensional). Sonny's goals also stopped after he picked up a little niggle, which now he looks to have shaken off he is back creating and scoring.

Basically, it's just not as simple as saying we are too reliant on Kane. We're a PROPER team these days and the pundits, in my opinion, have not given us any sufficient recognition given our injuries. I hear it so often from them - they repeatedly excuse Arsenal's yearly demise on mounting injuries (usually to a couple 1st team players and a bunch of squad players) for example.

This is what is so brilliant about Pochettino. We have not been fully firing yet and, given our injuries which have been throughout our 1st team and have consistently robbed us of being able to play a full strength team, Pochettino has not just kept us competitive in games, we've stayed competitive in the League itself! He deserves MASSIVE credit for that.

What Bass said....great post as ever