I've decided to take charge of my (which, as you can guess, is Spurs) with a focus on attacking football and investing in youth, looking to secure a Top 4 place every season and use the money to expand season upon season. It might work, it might fail, so let's see what happens...
STAFF
Upon arrival, my initial tasks are to set up the in the way I want them to , with the staff I feel can aid them in this regard. Almost immediately, the axe is swung and new faces are lined up - although, in order to bring in a pair of new physios, all five of those already at the club had to be sacked.
OUT
Kevin Bond
Wayne Diesel
Les Ferdinand
Nathan Gardner
Aaron Harris
Andrew McKenzie
Danny Murphy
Tony Parks
Chris Ramsey
Jeff Scott
Tim Sherwood
IN
Sidnei Lobo (Assistant Manager, Free)
Tosh Farrell (Coach, Free)
Arthur Albiston (Coach, Free)
Paul McGuinness (Coach, Man Utd)
Tony Coton (Goalkeeping Coach, Free)
Gian Nicola Bisciotti (Fitness Coach, Free)
Giambattista Venturatti (Fitness Coach, Free)
Jose Segura (Youth Coach, Liverpool)
Nick Worth (Physio, Free)
Pete Friar (Physio, Free)
Luciano D'Onofrio (Scout, Free)
Steve Nickson (Scout, Free)
Martyn Glover (Scout, Blackburn)
With the staff in place, the tactics were chosen. They were...
Starting Tactic
4-4-2
Philosophy: Fluid
Strategy: Attacking
Passing Style: Shorter
Creative Freedom: More Disciplined
Closing Down: Press More
Tackling: More Cautious
Marking: Zonal Marking
Crossing: Drill Crosses
Roaming: More Roaming
Counter Attack: Yes
Shouts: Pass Into Space, Work Ball Into Box, Get Ball Forward, Hassle Opponents
Backup Tactics
4-2-3-1
4-4-1-1
Both with similar philosophies, albeit subtle changes in width and tempo.
With the tactics and staff set, it was time to start moulding the as I saw fit, so I took to the transfer market.
OUT
Ben Alnwick (Huddersfield, Loan)
Lee Angol (Released)
David Bentley (Fulham, £2.4m)
David Button (Fulham, £850k)
Carlo Cudicini (Milan, £450k)
Bongani Khumalo (FC Kopenhaven, £1.5m)
Niko Kranjcar (Napoli, Loan with a view to a permanent signing)
Jake Livermore (Swansea, £3m)
Massimo Luongo (Rotherham, Loan)
Dean Parrett (Derby, Loan)
Andros Townsend (West Ham, Loan)
IN
Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.2m)
Guti (Free)
Vaclav Kadlec (Sparta Prague, £7.5m)
Lenny Nangis (Stade Malherbe Caen, £3.2m)
Giuseppe Prestia (Palermo, £2.3m)
Sime Vrsaljko (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.1m)
DELAYED
Carlos Fierro (Chivas, £1.3m)
Mateo Kovacic (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.2m)
It was a mixed bag in the transfer market. Kadlec's price was inflated by a five-way transfer battle, which took a chunk out of the transfer budget, whilst Fierro and Kovacic won't arrive until the end of the when their work permits arrive. There was also work permit problems when trying to bring in Luis Guilherme, so that move will be resurrected in January.
On the other hand, Dadelj and Vrsaljko were both bargains at those prices, whilst interest from alerted the club to the potential of Lenny Nangis and he was signed, whilst Guti will be useful in tutoring the youngsters in the .
As for the departures, getting Bentley and Khumalo off the wage bill and making the best part of £4m from it was a plus, along with disposing of some youngsters who don't have it in them to step up. The only negative was Kranjcar choosing to join Napoli on loan instead of a full transfer, which deprived the club of some transfer funds.
A few proved too dear for , with Ter Stegen, Vertonghen, Papadopoulos and Cavani being beyond their current spending power, but their interest was made known. were also offered Ibrahim Affelay at the end of the window, but a deal could not be agreed in time.
SCOUTING
Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
Luis Guilherme (Boavista, on loan from Botafogo)
Yann M'Vila (Rennes)
Brian Montenegro (West Ham, on loan from Tacuary)
Hervin Ongenda (PSG)
Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Gladbach)
Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)
Several are on Spurs' radar for the coming - the plan is to bring in at least three of them by this time next year.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
San Jose 0, 3 (Adebayor 2, Dos Santos)
ANALYSIS: A pretty straightforward win, all things considered - the seemed to be getting used to the tactics well, and built their fitness whilst comfortably.
Heerenveen 4, Spurs 4 (van der Vaart, Defoe, Lennon, Saha)
ANALYSIS: Not the best performance defensively (especially considering the own goals from Dawson and Vrsaljko), but a never say die attitude to get back into the was admirable.
Dunfermline 0, 6 (Lennon, Adebayor, Modric, Badelj, Saha, Defoe)
ANALYSIS: A simply devastating display of attacking football. Modric controlled the for 60 minutes before Badelj replaced him, and the only negative was van der Vaart missing a penalty.
Spurs 2, Sporting 0 (Kaboul 2)
ANALYSIS: A well-controlled , with Sporting kept at arms length for the whole . Sporting were reduced to making desperation tackles to try and keep up.
CFR Cluj 1, 3 (Lennon, Doefoe 2)
ANALYSIS: Cluj took a shock lead against a Spurs side resting Modric and playing Bale at left back, but held firm and played their , grinding down Cluj and running out comfortable winners. However, it was at a cost, with Gareth Bale injured during the game.
Wrexham 0, 6 (Saha, Badelj 2, Defoe, van der Vaart, OG)
ANALYSIS: Even with the majority of the first rested, Spurs controlled this game from the off, and when they introduced a few of the first names like Defoe and van der Vaart it became an execution.
Leydon Orient 0, Spurs 1 (Dos Santos)
ANALYSIS: Another where several first teamers were rested, although their dominance of the and bombardment of the goalmouth was let down with wasteful finishing.
AUGUST
1, Spurs 2 (Adebayor 2)
ANALYSIS: A fine start to any Spurs managers' career! Although the was weakened by injuries to Bale and van der Vaart (picked up on international duty), the team matched pass for pass and shot for shot for 90 minutes. Although they took the lead through van Persie, Adebayor swiftly equalized before putting in the lead early in the second half, and they held on to record a satisfying victory.
Bursaspor 0, 3 (Dos Santos, Modric, Defoe)
ANALYSIS: Deciding to rest Adebayor and have Kadlec act as the link between and Defoe was a smart choice, and Europa league qualification was all but secured by this victory.
Spurs 3, Sunderland 0 (Modric, Lennon, Dawson)
ANALYSIS: In their first home of the , Spurs controlled the match and nullified Sunderland to the point they had a solitary shot on target.
Spurs 2, Bursaspor 2 (Kadlec, Badelj)
ANALYSIS: A few too many were rested in this one, with the central of Badelj and Huddlestone not controlling the game like the Modric/Parker partnership does, whilst Friedel was given his opportunity but was at fault for both goals.
Stoke 2, Spurs 3 (OG, Defoe, Dawson)
ANALYSIS: An error in selection means Freidel started this and, after taking the lead through a Shawcross OG, they were soon behind Stoke as Jones and Crouch were the latest to benefit for Friedel's poor showing. Gomes was promptly introduced, and made a couple of good saves to keep in it before Defoescored an equalizer, before Dawson regained the lead. Spurs finished with ten men, after Dos Santos was injured after Spurs used their three substitutes.
That's the up 'til now. More will come when it comes.
STAFF
Upon arrival, my initial tasks are to set up the in the way I want them to , with the staff I feel can aid them in this regard. Almost immediately, the axe is swung and new faces are lined up - although, in order to bring in a pair of new physios, all five of those already at the club had to be sacked.
OUT
Kevin Bond
Wayne Diesel
Les Ferdinand
Nathan Gardner
Aaron Harris
Andrew McKenzie
Danny Murphy
Tony Parks
Chris Ramsey
Jeff Scott
Tim Sherwood
IN
Sidnei Lobo (Assistant Manager, Free)
Tosh Farrell (Coach, Free)
Arthur Albiston (Coach, Free)
Paul McGuinness (Coach, Man Utd)
Tony Coton (Goalkeeping Coach, Free)
Gian Nicola Bisciotti (Fitness Coach, Free)
Giambattista Venturatti (Fitness Coach, Free)
Jose Segura (Youth Coach, Liverpool)
Nick Worth (Physio, Free)
Pete Friar (Physio, Free)
Luciano D'Onofrio (Scout, Free)
Steve Nickson (Scout, Free)
Martyn Glover (Scout, Blackburn)
With the staff in place, the tactics were chosen. They were...
Starting Tactic
4-4-2
Philosophy: Fluid
Strategy: Attacking
Passing Style: Shorter
Creative Freedom: More Disciplined
Closing Down: Press More
Tackling: More Cautious
Marking: Zonal Marking
Crossing: Drill Crosses
Roaming: More Roaming
Counter Attack: Yes
Shouts: Pass Into Space, Work Ball Into Box, Get Ball Forward, Hassle Opponents
Backup Tactics
4-2-3-1
4-4-1-1
Both with similar philosophies, albeit subtle changes in width and tempo.
With the tactics and staff set, it was time to start moulding the as I saw fit, so I took to the transfer market.
OUT
Ben Alnwick (Huddersfield, Loan)
Lee Angol (Released)
David Bentley (Fulham, £2.4m)
David Button (Fulham, £850k)
Carlo Cudicini (Milan, £450k)
Bongani Khumalo (FC Kopenhaven, £1.5m)
Niko Kranjcar (Napoli, Loan with a view to a permanent signing)
Jake Livermore (Swansea, £3m)
Massimo Luongo (Rotherham, Loan)
Dean Parrett (Derby, Loan)
Andros Townsend (West Ham, Loan)
IN
Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.2m)
Guti (Free)
Vaclav Kadlec (Sparta Prague, £7.5m)
Lenny Nangis (Stade Malherbe Caen, £3.2m)
Giuseppe Prestia (Palermo, £2.3m)
Sime Vrsaljko (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.1m)
DELAYED
Carlos Fierro (Chivas, £1.3m)
Mateo Kovacic (Dinamo Zagreb, £1.2m)
It was a mixed bag in the transfer market. Kadlec's price was inflated by a five-way transfer battle, which took a chunk out of the transfer budget, whilst Fierro and Kovacic won't arrive until the end of the when their work permits arrive. There was also work permit problems when trying to bring in Luis Guilherme, so that move will be resurrected in January.
On the other hand, Dadelj and Vrsaljko were both bargains at those prices, whilst interest from alerted the club to the potential of Lenny Nangis and he was signed, whilst Guti will be useful in tutoring the youngsters in the .
As for the departures, getting Bentley and Khumalo off the wage bill and making the best part of £4m from it was a plus, along with disposing of some youngsters who don't have it in them to step up. The only negative was Kranjcar choosing to join Napoli on loan instead of a full transfer, which deprived the club of some transfer funds.
A few proved too dear for , with Ter Stegen, Vertonghen, Papadopoulos and Cavani being beyond their current spending power, but their interest was made known. were also offered Ibrahim Affelay at the end of the window, but a deal could not be agreed in time.
SCOUTING
Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
Luis Guilherme (Boavista, on loan from Botafogo)
Yann M'Vila (Rennes)
Brian Montenegro (West Ham, on loan from Tacuary)
Hervin Ongenda (PSG)
Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Gladbach)
Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)
Several are on Spurs' radar for the coming - the plan is to bring in at least three of them by this time next year.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
San Jose 0, 3 (Adebayor 2, Dos Santos)
ANALYSIS: A pretty straightforward win, all things considered - the seemed to be getting used to the tactics well, and built their fitness whilst comfortably.
Heerenveen 4, Spurs 4 (van der Vaart, Defoe, Lennon, Saha)
ANALYSIS: Not the best performance defensively (especially considering the own goals from Dawson and Vrsaljko), but a never say die attitude to get back into the was admirable.
Dunfermline 0, 6 (Lennon, Adebayor, Modric, Badelj, Saha, Defoe)
ANALYSIS: A simply devastating display of attacking football. Modric controlled the for 60 minutes before Badelj replaced him, and the only negative was van der Vaart missing a penalty.
Spurs 2, Sporting 0 (Kaboul 2)
ANALYSIS: A well-controlled , with Sporting kept at arms length for the whole . Sporting were reduced to making desperation tackles to try and keep up.
CFR Cluj 1, 3 (Lennon, Doefoe 2)
ANALYSIS: Cluj took a shock lead against a Spurs side resting Modric and playing Bale at left back, but held firm and played their , grinding down Cluj and running out comfortable winners. However, it was at a cost, with Gareth Bale injured during the game.
Wrexham 0, 6 (Saha, Badelj 2, Defoe, van der Vaart, OG)
ANALYSIS: Even with the majority of the first rested, Spurs controlled this game from the off, and when they introduced a few of the first names like Defoe and van der Vaart it became an execution.
Leydon Orient 0, Spurs 1 (Dos Santos)
ANALYSIS: Another where several first teamers were rested, although their dominance of the and bombardment of the goalmouth was let down with wasteful finishing.
AUGUST
1, Spurs 2 (Adebayor 2)
ANALYSIS: A fine start to any Spurs managers' career! Although the was weakened by injuries to Bale and van der Vaart (picked up on international duty), the team matched pass for pass and shot for shot for 90 minutes. Although they took the lead through van Persie, Adebayor swiftly equalized before putting in the lead early in the second half, and they held on to record a satisfying victory.
Bursaspor 0, 3 (Dos Santos, Modric, Defoe)
ANALYSIS: Deciding to rest Adebayor and have Kadlec act as the link between and Defoe was a smart choice, and Europa league qualification was all but secured by this victory.
Spurs 3, Sunderland 0 (Modric, Lennon, Dawson)
ANALYSIS: In their first home of the , Spurs controlled the match and nullified Sunderland to the point they had a solitary shot on target.
Spurs 2, Bursaspor 2 (Kadlec, Badelj)
ANALYSIS: A few too many were rested in this one, with the central of Badelj and Huddlestone not controlling the game like the Modric/Parker partnership does, whilst Friedel was given his opportunity but was at fault for both goals.
Stoke 2, Spurs 3 (OG, Defoe, Dawson)
ANALYSIS: An error in selection means Freidel started this and, after taking the lead through a Shawcross OG, they were soon behind Stoke as Jones and Crouch were the latest to benefit for Friedel's poor showing. Gomes was promptly introduced, and made a couple of good saves to keep in it before Defoescored an equalizer, before Dawson regained the lead. Spurs finished with ten men, after Dos Santos was injured after Spurs used their three substitutes.
That's the up 'til now. More will come when it comes.
