It’s been an interesting couple of days as a Spurs fan. Lets face it, every day has the potential to be interesting at Spurs so we shouldn’t be surprised. Many fans are all a flutter with Harry Redknapp being quoted as saying we need to sell 4 or 5 before we buy. Now this has caused apoplexy on an intriguing level, with many people joining the ‘Redknapp Out’ brigade. This group are still in a minority but their numbers swelled.
The level of outrage caused, intrigues me for one reason. That statement has been uttered four or five times since May by either Redknapp, Daniel Levy or the board members who met with the Supporters Trust recently. It’s no secret we have deadwood on our books who are overpaid and we’ve been trying to shed for going on two years in some cases. So even if they hadn’t said it already, from a purely business point of view it seems obvious that this is the case.
So why the uproar? Why has Harry’s declaration from Sky Sports News favourite soundbite provider made people decide that enough is enough? Maybe it’s as simple as that. Redknapp has always been a rent-a-gob. It’s why the media love him, he’s always ready to crack the funnies with the journo’s and give them a headline piece. Maybe some fans are just tired of it, they are tired of our club being back page news and fodder for any transfer story going. Perhaps the Redknapp effect has worn off on them.
As our season drew to a close, our fans seemed to be drawn into two camps. Firstly the 2pt8game crew who revere the ground walked upon by Harry Redknapp and believe that anyone with the temerity to question him is an ungrateful heretic. The second group, the fickle idiots, who didn’t buy into last season being as good as it gets, mainly because they felt it reasonable to expect to beat West Ham, Blackpool, Wolves and Wigan at least once each. Of course they should immediately go and find another club to support. This divide is becoming increasingly blurred as members of each group find common ground, although there are extremes on both sides. It wouldn’t be football if there weren’t.
No matter what the fans are thinking, and Redknapp himself certainly doesn’t seem bothered, the opinion that matters is that of Daniel Levy and the board. They don’t seem to be making moves to replace Harry. Though its likely been noted that Harry is chirping this particular line. Is he perhaps setting up his defence when we don’t make signings and the fans get a little vocal? ‘it weren’t my fault, honest, my hands was tied by Daniel, triffic innit?’ Or something similar.
Our lack of expenditure could well be down to the boards realisation that we may only have the services of Redknapp for one more year. He is still the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello after Euro 2012 (or England not qualifying) and his media chums will do their level best to keep him in pole position. Or maybe they just plain don’t trust Harry with the cheque book, I should imagine Portsmouth fans would certainly agree with that standpoint. It could be argued that tying his hands financially could lead us down the Pompey OAP route anyway, as he snaps up ‘triffic’ free bargains. Don’t get me wrong if there is a good free player, we should have a look, but for every William Gallas there is a Matthew Upson waiting to trip you up. Actually Upson’s more likely to trip himself up.
It’s always asked, who would replace Harry if he were let go. The one name that should be at the forefront of that list is Carlo Ancelotti. Unquestionably a world class manager with multiple Serie A and Champions League titles to his name as a player and manager as well as having completed a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in English football. He’s a man who has always respected the club and fans wherever he has been and someone who players respect and work hard for. He and his wife are said to adore London and the fact he has taken a years sabbatical leads me to hope that he is the man we are lining up for next year.
I firmly believe unless things go really pear shaped we have one more year of Redknapp. Of course this could be a tough year, already Harry has suggested that even 6th could be tough to achieve. Wow. Maybe last season was as good as it’s going to get. Its worth keeping in mind that Harry’s appointment with HMRC could also play a part in how our summer and ultimately our season shapes up. Actually it’s more important than that. This season is a make or break season for many reasons, so this summer could well shape the future direction of our club.
COYS
Submitted by Stuart Watts from THFC1882
