Broken Spurs - Analysing Mourinho's Tottenham
The Abu Dhabi owned enterprise are the richest team on the planet, with one of the best manager's in the world at the helm.
Manchester City have unlimited resources and have an unfair competitive advantage against....well..... everyone.
I take no pride in writing that Manchester City's dominance is ruining English football as a spectacle.
From 1st to 9th
Tottenham Hotspur have had a disastrous 2 1/2 months. From top of the table on 1st December to now languishing in the mediocrity of 9th, Jose Mourinho has lost control of his team's performances and the narrative of his tenure.
Signings
Mourinho has had two transfer windows and his signings have not impressed:
Stephen Bergwijn
Matt Doherty
Joe Rodon (young and has promise though)
Joe Hart
Carlos Vinicus
Gareth Bale
Pierre Emile Hojbjerg has proved to be an admirable acquisition but even he is now showing signs of exhaustion.
Sergio Reguilon is also a quality player and has been sorely missed of late.
Gio Lo Celso
The Argentinian midfielder has been injured since December and Spurs have missed his creativity and presence. This is a genuine mitigating factor for Mourinho.
Covid-19
Not enough is written or spoken about the impact of playing sport in the middle of a pandemic. In the world of the Premier League that has meant playing two games per week over an eight month season - an utterly unsustainable practice, unless you have the squad of Manchester City.
This is another mitigating factor for Mourinho (and other managers).
On field performances
While recent results have been poor, the team's performances have been worse. Tottenham Hotspur have spent most of this season playing insipid, uninspiring football. The earlier in the season tactic of absorbing pressure and hitting teams on the break has given way to error strewn football beset with a total lack of confidence.
Enic
The lack of investment in playing staff in 2018/19 is now haunting the club.
When we have invested in players, Spurs have had too many misses than hits. Let's be honest, most of Pochetino's signings were disappointing.
Who was and is responsible for recruitment? The manager? The chairman? Why do Tottenham not have a Technical Director?
If there was an open AGM tomorrow I would have plenty of questions for Enic.
The Future
The future of Jose Mourinho's Tottenham is very uncertain. His first match in charge was away to West Ham. Next week we play....away to West Ham.
The portents are poor for Mourinho's future. However firing him will cost money.
But Daniel Levy will not be happy at being uncompetitive for 4th spot at this stage of the season.
I think Jose Mourinho has the rest of the season to save his job. Winning the League Cup Final would change the Mourinho narrative and transform Tottenham's season.
But who are we playing against?
The Abu Dhabi owned enterprise.
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