I know the last thing anyone needs is another email, but since that is the way Substack works, here we are.
Because many of us did not work yesterday, I know the article may have been buried in the inbox. Here is the link for those interested in Tanguy’s goal and other goals that are just ridiculous in context.
Also, I realize that I’m probably not the only one that’s upset about the Dele situation. But I wanted to directly ask everyone: are you more upset about the dropped points this year or the way Dele has completely fallen out of the team? Feel free to comment or answer directly. It will probably help me understand my own feelings if I also hear others.
I think for me the disappointing aspect of the Dele situation is that there have been many games where we have been crying out for the creativity and individuality that he can provide. When we drew with Fulham I was pulling my hair out that Sissoko was still out on the pitch when it was clear to see that we needed someone who could provide a killer ball or threaten in front of goal. With Gio out injured surely Dele could provide something and add value to the team but Mou seems set on not using him. He needs a run in the team but I don't see him getting one unfortunately.
Mou's comments about N'Dombele and how he has worked to get back in the team and how Mou keeps the door open gives me some hope that Dele can do the same but unfortunately it's not a massive amount of hope.
If he does go to PSG, I hope its just on loan and that Poch can get him firing again and he shows Mou what he can do. There are too many examples of excellent players that have fallen foul of Mou and been let go but gone on to be tremendous with other teams (eg De Bruyne, Salah etc).
The dropped points are bad but considering that all the other teams around us have stunk up the joint too, I have to say that the Dele situation is more troubling. This is to say nothing of the fact that you could imagine maybe dropping fewer points if Dele had played in some of those games. But the Dele thing is hugely demoralizing. It would be one thing if he was itching to leave but instead he has been put in this situation by Mourinho. I'm not the world's biggest Mou hater but I find his handling of Dele to be totally insane. The guy is a tremendous player. He gives you the creative, improvisational quality that no one else playing up front has. Not to mention the Homegrown numbers issue. So, this thing sucks. Maybe Levy just holds out for so much money that it passes but that would probably upset the player, who it should be noted has been a total pro throughout this season despite not getting any burn.
Personally, can't help but feel that the dropped points (which I am, indeed, more frustrated with) and Dele's treatment are related. He's a goalscorer on a team that's been short of them outside of the Kane/Son combination and an aggressive attitude on a side that's been, by their manager's hand or their own, all too content to sit back.
I'm sure Jose has his reasons. The "I was your age yesterday" conversation in the Amazon series sticks in my head, not just that it happened but that we were allowed to see it. But with the historic level of fixture congestion and the run of bad form, even a half-assed Dele would bring a lot of good to this version of Spurs.
So would, given this weekend's social media controversy, an active and healthy Bale. But that's another conversation.
I can't really decide what I'm more upset about between the two, because they are both emblematic of Spurs' biggest problem, Jose Mourinho. Jose parks the bus when he should hit the gas, Spurs drop points. Jose decides to alienate a top tier player, first Tanguy is frozen out and now Dele. Most everything wrong with Spurs at this point points back at Jose. Being upset at him supersedes being upset at any individual problem.
The dropped points is the correct answer. Team goals should be first and foremost. However, the Dele situation is a close second because he could have helped avoid some of those dropped points and Mourinho's logic on this matter seems murky at best.
I think for me the disappointing aspect of the Dele situation is that there have been many games where we have been crying out for the creativity and individuality that he can provide. When we drew with Fulham I was pulling my hair out that Sissoko was still out on the pitch when it was clear to see that we needed someone who could provide a killer ball or threaten in front of goal. With Gio out injured surely Dele could provide something and add value to the team but Mou seems set on not using him. He needs a run in the team but I don't see him getting one unfortunately.
Yeah, the determination to only kill a game in the 2nd half one way (hit them on the counter) has always bothered me.
Mou's comments about N'Dombele and how he has worked to get back in the team and how Mou keeps the door open gives me some hope that Dele can do the same but unfortunately it's not a massive amount of hope.
If he does go to PSG, I hope its just on loan and that Poch can get him firing again and he shows Mou what he can do. There are too many examples of excellent players that have fallen foul of Mou and been let go but gone on to be tremendous with other teams (eg De Bruyne, Salah etc).
The dropped points are bad but considering that all the other teams around us have stunk up the joint too, I have to say that the Dele situation is more troubling. This is to say nothing of the fact that you could imagine maybe dropping fewer points if Dele had played in some of those games. But the Dele thing is hugely demoralizing. It would be one thing if he was itching to leave but instead he has been put in this situation by Mourinho. I'm not the world's biggest Mou hater but I find his handling of Dele to be totally insane. The guy is a tremendous player. He gives you the creative, improvisational quality that no one else playing up front has. Not to mention the Homegrown numbers issue. So, this thing sucks. Maybe Levy just holds out for so much money that it passes but that would probably upset the player, who it should be noted has been a total pro throughout this season despite not getting any burn.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees correlation between the two
Personally, can't help but feel that the dropped points (which I am, indeed, more frustrated with) and Dele's treatment are related. He's a goalscorer on a team that's been short of them outside of the Kane/Son combination and an aggressive attitude on a side that's been, by their manager's hand or their own, all too content to sit back.
I'm sure Jose has his reasons. The "I was your age yesterday" conversation in the Amazon series sticks in my head, not just that it happened but that we were allowed to see it. But with the historic level of fixture congestion and the run of bad form, even a half-assed Dele would bring a lot of good to this version of Spurs.
So would, given this weekend's social media controversy, an active and healthy Bale. But that's another conversation.
The aggressive aspect of his play is a good point.
I can't really decide what I'm more upset about between the two, because they are both emblematic of Spurs' biggest problem, Jose Mourinho. Jose parks the bus when he should hit the gas, Spurs drop points. Jose decides to alienate a top tier player, first Tanguy is frozen out and now Dele. Most everything wrong with Spurs at this point points back at Jose. Being upset at him supersedes being upset at any individual problem.
I think Jose divides people even more than Erik Lamela.
The dropped points is the correct answer. Team goals should be first and foremost. However, the Dele situation is a close second because he could have helped avoid some of those dropped points and Mourinho's logic on this matter seems murky at best.
Mourinho makes our club feel like it's set in a spy novel