It's happened again
Here's a condensed write-up (for the 500 word generation) that is similar in tone to what I wrote here. A brief summary of the transfer window and where it's left us.
Since writing this, the club have shared the thoughts of Daniel Levy and Poch on the official website, both singing from the same hymn sheet. Levy fired shots at WBA and explained staggered payments as the norm whilst our coach explained how having one single out and out striker isn't an issue due to the versatility of our other forward players. Squad depth isn't a problem according to those within the club. So the main crux of the last couple of articles (this one and the one linked above) suggest that Poch has the support of the chairman. They're never going to come out and state: "We've mucked it up and we're two players short of being comfortable".
Unless of course Levy is going to take the words to heart and sack him if we fail because '...you said you had enough to get on with the job'. I doubt it. We can all see what's happening here. They might say we have enough and it might be enough (if we hit form and avoid injuries) but it doesn't mean it will be easy.
To end on a positive, we've been creating the chances. I'd be more concerned if we weren't.
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There was drama on deadline day involving Tottenham, a standard prerequisite of any given window. Want-away striker Saido Berahnio, tweeted his discomfort at not being allowed to move to White Hart Lane. The alleged rumour is that everyone wanted it done and dusted, except for the chairman of WBA, Jeremy Peace, standing his ground and creating a mess from his defiance.
Spurs waited for The Albion to crack in the same way we have countless times when kissing goodbye to star players. The TV riches have given new found protection, allowing clubs to reject £25M bids and not relent.
Up to this point it's been a functional summer. We've streamlined the squad of the unwanted (thank you Franco Baldini for making your mistakes disappear). We've also welcomed five new players. Three defenders and two forwards (not strikers). Heung-Min Son and Toby Alderweireld the only certifiable first-teamers. A defensive midfielder plus an alternative to Harry Kane - the two pivotal pieces to complete our eternally awkward puzzle.
Victor Wanyama was touted as an option. Berahnio remained the only viable striking target. Rumours concerning Axel Witsel of Zenit (a centre-midfielder) and the Brazilian Alexandre Pato appeared to be desperate - either by the club or the media attempting to connect dots that didn't exist. Both Witsel and Pato seem like audacious Levyisms and not pragmatic scouting that you'd expect with Paul Mitchell supposedly evaluating possibilities.
What went wrong? Spurs focused only on their number one target(s)? It seems crazy to work so hard to get players in then fall short of two key elements that will bind it altogether. They would have made a massive difference to how we handle the fixture list with a squad robust enough to remain competitive. We're left looking tentative.
Kane remains an isolated figure. This is criminally naive and stupid. We are now completely dependent on him and have to hope the likes of Clinton N'Jie, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Son can create enough between them to alleviate the pressures Harry will now face. Europe, the cups and the league - it's ruthlessly unforgiving. Our unofficial motto, the Spurs way is the hard way is the only way, is once more whistling its headache inducing tune.
Eric Dier will continue to deputise in midfield. Toby Alderweireld will also have to rotate. It's not ideal. It's scary when you compare us to rival clubs that look far better in shape. We're going to have to muster plenty of leadership and maturity. Can the youth handle it? Will the older players step up?
Erik Lamela's move to Inter didn't materialise and then his Marseille loan was cancelled. Probably because we had nowhere to go if Berahnio wasn't to happen. Emmanuel Adebayor failed to escape to West Ham. He couldn't possibly make a return to the Spurs first team, could he? It's now a consideration. Elsewhere, Aaron Lennon has signed for Everton.
Pochettino has his work cut out more than ever. Makes me wonder if he understands and accepts the constraints. The only ones in the dark are the supporters.
In the end, the real success rests with net spend and ENIC's business model once more doing what it does best - keeping us in purgatory.
