Post by Salem6 on Nov 10, 2003 23:47:34 GMT
By CHRIS WADDLE
LET’S give those long-suffering THFC fans the good news first — Arsene Wenger is right, Tottenham SHOULD be as good as Arsenal.
And, when you look at things like their youth policies, training facilities and fan bases, the bitter North London rivals are pretty much on a par.
Wenger was also kind enough to declare through the pages of SunSport on Saturday that, despite Chelsea’s emergence as a massive Premiership force on the back of Roman Abramovich’s millions, the derby with THFC is still the one that means most to the Gunners.
How nice. How comforting. And, fair play to Arsene, he wasn’t being at all patronising.
Anyone who’s been involved in the Arsenal v Tottenham rivalry knows how it tugs at the heartstrings.
When those games come around, nothing else matters for both camps.
And feelings run every bit as high as they do in the Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and North East derbies.
There’s a real edge to them, and everybody from both clubs is really keyed up for them.
I know because I enjoyed four wonderful years playing for THFC, and the 10 league and cup matches I had against Arsenal were very special, highly-charged experiences. Right up there alongside the best in my career.
In those days, though, back in the mid to late 80s, things were somewhat different.
That’s because 15 years ago there wasn’t really very much to choose between the teams. They were pretty close ON the pitch as well as OFF it.
Which, sadly, brings me to the bad news for followers of the White Hart Lane persuasion.
And the brutal truth of the matter is that the gulf between the two clubs is huge. And it’s getting bigger all the time.
In my view, it will take at least THREE YEARS before Tottenham become an established top-six side.
It will take FIVE YEARS before they can hope to get on a par with Arsenal.
And it will take another FIVE YEARS before they can think about the Champions League on a regular basis.
And they will only be able to achieve that if they learn from Arsenal and follow the Highbury blueprint for success. What do I mean by that? Simple — continuity and stability.
All you’ve got to do is look at what has been on display in the Gunners’ trophy cabinet over the past 17 years during which time they have had only three full-time managers — George Graham, Bruce Rioch and Wenger.
Then cast your peepers over the list of bosses THFC have employed over the same period and count their silverware.
I’ll save you the trouble. My old club are on their 11th manager since 1986 if you count two stints by Peter Shreeves and the current caretaker David Pleat. Tot up the trophies and it’s a whacking 13-4 in Arsenal’s favour.
That tells me that Tottenham MUST stop hiring and firing managers every 18 months or so. They’ve got to get their man and stick with him.
They have only to look back at their own history to see the benefit of that policy.
Their two most successful managers in my time have been Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. Between them, they occupied the job for 24 years!
So the next guy they bring in should be told he’s got four to five seasons.
JIBE ... Arsenal fans taunt THFC over their last title success
And, so long as the board can see progress is being made each year — and I mean progress in ALL areas of the club, not simply league position — he should be left alone.
THFC really are at a crossroads, maybe even a defining moment in their whole history.
Their next big decision is to appoint Glenn Hoddle’s successor. The next big decision after that must be to decide the direction they are going in and stick with the plan.
And that could be the one that determines the whole future of a club that remains very dear to my heart.
Interview: MICHAEL MORGAN
What do you think of Chris’ views this week? You can give him Wad for at giveusayell@the-sun.co.uk
Source:-
www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003520196,00.html
LET’S give those long-suffering THFC fans the good news first — Arsene Wenger is right, Tottenham SHOULD be as good as Arsenal.
And, when you look at things like their youth policies, training facilities and fan bases, the bitter North London rivals are pretty much on a par.
Wenger was also kind enough to declare through the pages of SunSport on Saturday that, despite Chelsea’s emergence as a massive Premiership force on the back of Roman Abramovich’s millions, the derby with THFC is still the one that means most to the Gunners.
How nice. How comforting. And, fair play to Arsene, he wasn’t being at all patronising.
Anyone who’s been involved in the Arsenal v Tottenham rivalry knows how it tugs at the heartstrings.
When those games come around, nothing else matters for both camps.
And feelings run every bit as high as they do in the Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and North East derbies.
There’s a real edge to them, and everybody from both clubs is really keyed up for them.
I know because I enjoyed four wonderful years playing for THFC, and the 10 league and cup matches I had against Arsenal were very special, highly-charged experiences. Right up there alongside the best in my career.
In those days, though, back in the mid to late 80s, things were somewhat different.
That’s because 15 years ago there wasn’t really very much to choose between the teams. They were pretty close ON the pitch as well as OFF it.
Which, sadly, brings me to the bad news for followers of the White Hart Lane persuasion.
And the brutal truth of the matter is that the gulf between the two clubs is huge. And it’s getting bigger all the time.
In my view, it will take at least THREE YEARS before Tottenham become an established top-six side.
It will take FIVE YEARS before they can hope to get on a par with Arsenal.
And it will take another FIVE YEARS before they can think about the Champions League on a regular basis.
And they will only be able to achieve that if they learn from Arsenal and follow the Highbury blueprint for success. What do I mean by that? Simple — continuity and stability.
All you’ve got to do is look at what has been on display in the Gunners’ trophy cabinet over the past 17 years during which time they have had only three full-time managers — George Graham, Bruce Rioch and Wenger.
Then cast your peepers over the list of bosses THFC have employed over the same period and count their silverware.
I’ll save you the trouble. My old club are on their 11th manager since 1986 if you count two stints by Peter Shreeves and the current caretaker David Pleat. Tot up the trophies and it’s a whacking 13-4 in Arsenal’s favour.
That tells me that Tottenham MUST stop hiring and firing managers every 18 months or so. They’ve got to get their man and stick with him.
They have only to look back at their own history to see the benefit of that policy.
Their two most successful managers in my time have been Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. Between them, they occupied the job for 24 years!
So the next guy they bring in should be told he’s got four to five seasons.
JIBE ... Arsenal fans taunt THFC over their last title success
And, so long as the board can see progress is being made each year — and I mean progress in ALL areas of the club, not simply league position — he should be left alone.
THFC really are at a crossroads, maybe even a defining moment in their whole history.
Their next big decision is to appoint Glenn Hoddle’s successor. The next big decision after that must be to decide the direction they are going in and stick with the plan.
And that could be the one that determines the whole future of a club that remains very dear to my heart.
Interview: MICHAEL MORGAN
What do you think of Chris’ views this week? You can give him Wad for at giveusayell@the-sun.co.uk
Source:-
www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2003520196,00.html