Patience, Pragmatism, and the Spurs Way: A Response to Fan Concerns

 A Thank You to Spurs Fans for Reasoned Arguments

Spurs fans celebrate a win

First, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who left thoughtful comments on my recent article Daniel Levy at Tottenham: Success, Failure or Something More Complex?

Instead of the usual abuse (which I just delete as soon as I see abuse without reading the rest) that can sometimes dominate online discussions, your reasoned arguments stood out as a constructive way forward for fans with differing viewpoints.

This type of engagement is what we need to foster a healthier conversation about our beloved club.

It wasn't a 5-minute thrown-together article, indeed it went further than journalists even consider.

I demonstrated I can see the other point of view, but can put forward reasoned arguments.

I am happy to see reasoned responses that raise questions and allow for a full and frank intelligent discussion.

In my 60's, having done my time standing in the stands (the proper way to watch football when football was a proper game) so I have seen the glory years and seen relegation, thus been through every emotion myself.

There is experience and intelligence in my support today.

The Basis of My Viewpoint

My perspective on Spurs’ journey is rooted in the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, who once said in a documentary about his career:

"You first have to build the business into a success before you can build the team into a success."

That's a paraphrase of what he said but the exact message.

Ferguson’s tenure at Manchester United is a perfect example of this. 

It took him 10 years to truly rebuild the club into a dominant force.

Ange Postecoglou, by contrast, has had just 18 months. 

Success, both on and off the field, takes time and a firm foundation.

The Concern Over Injuries

Several commenters raised valid concerns about the physical demands of Ange’s high-intensity training methods and their potential link to injuries.

This is a point I’ve been considering addressing in its own article for about 6 weeks now. 

Some statistical research would certainly help us understand whether the training regime, combined with the relentless Premier League schedule, contributes significantly to our injury crisis.

My initial question would be, did a lack of initial rotation sow the seeds for an ongoing and ever-increasing, it seems, problem?

In the meantime, we must acknowledge the devastating impact this crisis has had on our squad.

With just 11 fit players at times (or is it 9 now?), adapting our playing style becomes less about preference and more about survival.

This was starkly evident against Everton, where our makeshift lineup adopting new tactics struggled, trailing 3-0 at halftime.

Tactical Issues: Midfield and Defence

One of our main tactical problems stems from a lack of pace in the backline with Micky van de Ven out. 

This has forced the defensive line to drop deeper, yet the midfield hasn’t adjusted accordingly.

The midfield continues to push forward alongside the attackers, leaving no buffer to slow or stop opposition counterattacks when we lose possession.

This disjointed setup exposes our defence to relentless pressure, and it’s an area that urgently needs addressing, either through tactical adjustments or future signings.

I'd say we need more fast centre-backs and personally I'd replace Radu Drăgușin.

Remember we do have centre-backs coming through, indeed we expect to have Ashley Phillips and Luka Vušković available.

Forest’s Progress and Spurs’ Strategy

Some commenters pointed to Nottingham Forest as an example of quick improvement. 

While Forest have turned things around in certain areas, they haven’t won anything or achieved sustained success or indeed finished high in the Premier League consistently, which is a requirement of ours.

It’s worth noting that one club seems to have a standout season each year, only to drop back down the league soon after. 

Even state-owned Newcastle United had their moment in the spotlight before settling back to resurface in the last month.

Quick fixes can yield temporary gains but rarely provide the lasting success we’re striving for at Spurs.

The Narrative Around Spurs

Finally, I want to address the narrative surrounding our club because this is far more important than people realize. 

Many fans understandably find the “Spursy” label frustrating, but it’s important to recognize that we play a role in shaping public perception.

If we consistently promote negativity about the team, we reinforce the very image we’re trying to shed!

It’s up to us as fans to amplify positive voices and challenge the narrative. 

Constructive criticism is one thing, but tearing down the club we love only perpetuates the cycle.

Constantly calling for change is a perpetual factor in failure.

I'm going to expand on this in an upcoming article.

The THBN Wrap-Up

As Spurs fans, we all want the same thing: a team that makes us proud and entertains us while delivering results and trophies. 

Achieving that balance requires patience, resilience, and unity.

Unity is not something we have.

Ange even told fans himself this was required so did those saying they want trophies unite?

No, they were still calling for heads.

That proves they are after satisfying themselves, not the club actually winning trophies as they claim.

Constructive discussions like the ones on my last article (link in the introduction to this article) show that we’re capable of fostering a better fan culture. 

Let’s keep building on that positivity…both online on social media and in the stands.

COYS