Spurs Documentary: All or nothing

[iHicksy]

I found it very watchable. Unlike city's where I had to turn it off after 20minutes as Kyle walker and Delph were so stupid it made me want to punch myself in the face. Some takeaways:

Levy comes across as very likeable. However, i'm sure the entire point of this documentary was made at his behest precisely to show him in such a light.
Kane seems actually quite level headed and likeable, if he didn't have his lisp i'm sure more people would like him.
Deli Ali is an actual idiot. I'm sure he's surprised that the sun rises everyday and could no doubt be convinced the earth was flat in a hot second.

Now Jose. Well, I was hoping for more tactical insight, the kind of brilliance I saw from him on Skysports that made the other pundits look like slow-witted children. However, what I saw was an ego-maniac who refers to his past teams victories as "his" or "I beat you". His communication is very very poor and he comes across very fake with the players. His use of "fecking hell" and the word mate seems particularly forced and out of place. It's very easy to see from his personality that when things don't go his way he sulks and throws his toys out of the pram. Never a leader and seems disconnected from his entire team. His attempts to joke around with the players always seem poorly received and they don't offer any banter back.
They already seem like they are massively underwhelmed by him from their body language, it's such a shame that the documentary didn't start with Poch's tenure to see the difference in management styles.

 

[United Hobbit]

It was OK, I think Jose made it more interesting though. Interesting when he was doing his half time talk before playing us after lockdown he was indirectly very complimentary of Pogba's skill. I think none of their players are that interesting. It was funny watching the fans being so sure Jose would get them a trophy. I enjoyed when Jose was a pundit when he was between managing us and Tottenham and found him very interesting to listen to.

Following comments on here ive started watching the Sunderland one only about 10 minutes in but its hilarious them losing 5-0 against Celtic pre season and the fans booing away and the security prepping for a riot

I'd be incredibly interested in one about us, just to see how badly run we are at high level and also to see what Ole's methods with the players are like- what does he do in training/ if we are losing etc does he scream and shout etc. How does he handle issues that come up eg Greenwood lately. What's he like in board meetings/ prepping for games etc.

 

[Rado_N]

Every time they show Jose and Levy sat down with Levy talking, Jose looks like he’d rather be anywhere else on the planet.

 

[Redplane]

Every time they show Jose and Levy sat down with Levy talking, Jose looks like he’d rather be anywhere else on the planet.

Probably bc Levy comes across as that dweeb at lunch time who s trying really hard to fit in with the cool kids. (that was me, so I recognize it).

 

[tob]

I agree with all of your post, I just think using this documentary effort to assess Jose attacking knowledge or lack of is a bit pointless

I didn't critic his knowledge on attacking football. I just pointed out how much you see him focusing on defending, in comparison to attacking. I also mentioned that we don't get to see all of it, but you kind of get the clarification on what you've thought about his approach to a game. At least, that's what I think when I watch this. I mean, you kind of have a vision on how a manager acts in the dressing room and in pre game talks, and here we get to see it in action. When you see and compare Mourinho's and Guardiola's team talks, you can really see how different they are.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

I didn't critic his knowledge on attacking football. I just pointed out how much you see him focusing on defending, in comparison to attacking. I also mentioned that we don't get to see all of it, but you kind of get the clarification on what you've thought about his approach to a game. At least, that's what I think when I watch this. I mean, you kind of have a vision on how a manager acts in the dressing room and in pre game talks, and here we get to see it in action. When you see and compare Mourinho's and Guardiola's team talks, you can really see how different they are.

His Real madrid team scored 121 goals in La Liga in 2011/12.

 

[Cheimoon]

Now we really see how Mourinho acts inside the dressing room, and where his focus is during pre-game talks. Defense. Defensive position. Responsibility. The importance of not conceding goals. Mistakes leading to goals. How to play against a high press. He really just focus on not making mistakes that leads to giving the opponent an opportunity to score.

I've only watched clips on youtube and we obviously don't get to see all of the "behind the scene" meetings in this documentary, but when it comes to offensive plays I've only seen one comment and that was on Dele Alli making a lazy pass. Not anything on how you can play to make the opponent weaker, or how to take advantage of their weaknesses. He mostly focus on the opponents strength and how to not get exploit by that. You wanna educate your attacking players on how to make the opponent players making mistakes. Attacking players must get the defending player to make decisions, and exploit them when they make the wrong ones. Then you have to train them on making the right decision themselves when the opportunity opens up.

I think Mourinho's offensive structure is just depending on the attacking players doing the right thing instead of teaching them and helping them doing so. He has the perfect player for it in Harry Kane. Now, when they're also getting Bale, he must be in dreamland. Those two knows how to create and score goals. Exploit the opponent and making the right decision is in their backbone. They're experienced and know when the opponent has put themselves in a difficult situation, and they know how to take advantage of it. They're both quite injury prone, but if they can stay free from injury, then maybe Mourinho can get something out of this team by just focusing on the defensive structure.

This might rather be for the Spurs performance thread, but since you're raising it here: I think it's @Theonas who had some really insightful posts on Mourinho during his time at United. The way he explained it, is that Mourinho is not a defensive coach, but a reactionary one. That's exactly what you see here. As Theonas said, this worked great some 15 years ago, when teams were not prepared to be nullified like this, and Mourinho had great attackers that could figure out by themselves how to get through the opposition defences, which were not as organized back then. In that context, Mourinho's teams would put up strong defensive or attacking performances depending on the strengths of the opposition compared to those of his own team. Now that everyone does this kind of analysis and both attacks and defences are highly structured, Mourinho's approach has lost its advantage and he just looks like a boring guy that parks buses everywhere. Looks to me that Theonas's analysis is now being confirmed by Mourinho's team talks in the series. (Which I have not seen myself.)

 

[sugar_kane]

Mourinho and Levy discussing Winks was hilarious. Levy just agreeing like Andy Millman in Extras with the film director.

Mourinho could of said, "Winks is probably the fastest player in the premiership"

Levy nods, "he is, so so fast"

Mourinho, "yeah, most skillful too"

Levy nods again.

Having seen the ep last night I can confirm the Extras observation is spot on!

Also one of the rare scenes where Jose is chatting to Levy in the canteen and doesn't look like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

 

[UweBein]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

 

[FrankDrebin]

During the opening credits when Mou says “the most important things are Courage, Honesty and Family”, that’s so cringeworthy.

While also being told to act like a c*nt.

 

[duffer]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

feck yes.

 

[United58]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

Depends on how bad the manager giving the team talk is

 

[FrankDrebin]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

For me, no.
I rarely say it and I rarely hear it.
B*ll*cks is usually the go-to curse.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

There’s literally nothing you can learn from Levy’s heavily stage managed appearance in this documentary. He sounds like a walking PR exercise in this. Nothing he says comes across as remotely genuine. Not a genuine flicker of emotion, not a stressful or real moment. He appears always in reflective mood to tell us how hard his job is and what a top guy he is caring about the community. We never see him actually working or facing real situations. His appearances are meaningless, and clearly constructed to make him look as good as possible. As he is undoubtedly the driving force behind this documentary, it just feeds into my impression that he is a self absorbed ego maniac. I wasn’t impressed by him at all. He didn’t say anything remotely insightful or intelligent. In the one vaguely candid moment when Mourinho is discussing the development of Harry Winks, Levy has literally nothing to contribute, Just blind agreement because he didn’t want to get caught on camera saying anything that could later be construed as him not knowing what he was talking about.

The more I watch this, the more I realise how superficial and uninformative this documentary really is. It’s a glorified PR exercise and we stately see anything of any real substance. Half of every episode is talking up the facilities and achievements of the club and putting them into a context that infers awe, but to any long time follower of football, aren’t particularly impressive and lack context against bigger clubs.

The most interesting parts are the Mourinho team talks, which are at least candid, if not heavily edited. We really get a good view of how negative his approach really is. Despite the Amazon crew rolling out one player every episode to tell us what an amazing coach he is, you get the impression looking at the player’s body language and faces, that they are wearing of his reductive approach to the game and aren’t buying into his methods. Pretty much exactly what we’ve seen happen at all his previous clubs. It makes alarming viewing if you are a Tottenham fan.

A lot of people saying Dier looks like a prick. But I liked his passion. He seemed like a real person, and footballers these days aren’t even vaguely relatable to ordinary people. Dele Allí seems like the most banal and disconnected human being I’ve encountered. His memorable sound bites include asking wether people put toothpaste on a toothbrush before or after water, and informing us that he made a can of baked beans in the microwave like it’s an achievement. He seemed half brain dead to me.

Harry Winks came across as a genuinely good kid and Harry Kane as the most dim witted individual imaginable.

Just to go back to Levy, in the meeting with Eriksen in which people say Eriksen didn’t come across well. What struck me was that Wriksen was there for a genuine meeting. He had communicated his desire to leave and it had obviously been agreed long before. These things don’t happen overnight and a lot will have happened off camera. His asking for an update seems reasonable. But Levy, you can see, is acutely aware of the cameras. Him restating in that meeting that they would match any offer and they didn’t want him to leave was so unnecessary. He didn’t even wait for a response because he knew it was rhetorical. It had all already been agreed. Levy is there restating it for the cameras to make himself look so reasonable and warm. But He just comes across as so fake. You can see in Eriksens face that he is completely baffled.

The more you watch this the more it stinks as a Levy vanity project, and appears increasingly small time.

I thought exactly the same about the Levy-Eriksen talk. 100% obvious what Levy was doing for the cameras.

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

We don't give a feck in the UK.

Nah, Jose does use it an unnatural amount of times.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Brits use -eck type of proper word.

 

[RashyForPM]

It’s unbelievable that Mourinho actually predicted that Pogba diagonal to Rashford. If he didn’t, Sanchez likely wouldn’t have covered due to his evidently poor footballing brain and we would have won.

I don’t like Mourinho anymore, but that was excellent foresight by him.

 

[clarkydaz]

Is using the f*** word really so common in UK? Thought of it as a more USA thing.

in football it will be very common. Very funny hearing Jose say feckin hell'

 

[UweBein]

For me, no.
I rarely say it and I rarely hear it.
B*ll*cks is usually the go-to curse.

We don't give a feck in the UK.

Nah, Jose does use it an unnatural amount of times.

in football it will be very common. Very funny hearing Jose say feckin hell'

Okay thanks
Might be a football thing then.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Anybody else like how Dier comes across? Apart from that time he ran into the crowd, he seems like a focused guy.

Might not be the greatest footballer but his mentality is top.

 

[mav_9me]

It’s unbelievable that Mourinho actually predicted that Pogba diagonal to Rashford. If he didn’t, Sanchez likely wouldn’t have covered due to his evidently poor footballing brain and we would have won.

I don’t like Mourinho anymore, but that was excellent foresight by him.

What exactly did mourinho predict? I haven't seen the show. Thanks for any answers.

 

[RashyForPM]

What exactly did mourinho predict? I haven't seen the show. Thanks for any answers.

Remember that Pogba diagonal ball to Marcus late in the second half? Yeah, Mourinho basically told his players to make sure they weren’t caught out by the exact thing at half-time, and Sanchez wasn’t as a result. Pretty impressive tbf to him. That’s a prime example of a manager winning points for his team.

 

[xonyo]

I'm on about episode 7 and honestly it feels like every episode is almost the same.

1. "Tottenham are now x points away from Chelsea and a top 4 position".

2. Show Tottenham going a goal down or keeping the score a narrow 0-0.

3. Cue half time "inspirational" team talk/angry swearing from Dele/Kane/Dier and Mourinho telling his players "be bastards" or "we are too nice guys".

4. Win the game.

5. Brush over losing the next three games.

Repeat steps 1-5 until season finished.

 

[clarkydaz]

Okay thanks
Might be a football thing then.

think of it like, it is used so much nobody notices anymore

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Okay thanks
Might be a football thing then.

I feel like it is a Jose thing, he uses it the punctuate his sentences, but it permeates through the squad.

Defo alot of swearing in football though.

 

[Needham]

You've seen a fraction of him, while knowing he was being filmed. I wouldn't form any opinions on anyone based on that.

Agreed. Everyone has that fake open inclusive empathic playacting down pat these days. By his self Levy will be a reptilian number cruncher.

 

[UweBein]

"Best way to win is not to concede goals" - classic José there

 

[United Hobbit]

Im watching the Sunderland one it's hilarious

Dare I say there's a few similarities between how they are run and us...

Anyone know what the song is at the start of the Sunderland documentary? Enjoy listening to it

 

[Suedesi]

What's the deal with Eric Lamela, he was highly rated at Roma and bought for a handsome fee at the time. At 28 should be at the peak of his powers, yet never seem to play consistently. Thoughts, @InLevyITrust @balaks

Btw where is @GlastonSpur and there used to be another fairly active Spurs fan pre lockdown?

 

[United58]

Title change to Alli or Lingard?

Btw where is @GlastonSpur and there used to be another fairly active Spurs fan pre lockdown?

Lockdown ended in India, he's back now

 

[Suedesi]

Lockdown ended in India, he's back now

Oh God, is he Indian?

 

[Man of Leisure]

Anybody else like how Dier comes across? Apart from that time he ran into the crowd, he seems like a focused guy.

Might not be the greatest footballer but his mentality is top.

Thought he came across as a meathead.

 

[MattofManchester]

It seems the "Arm around the shoulder, need a hug, a teddy bear and some hot chocolate" approach is becoming more prevalent not just in football but in society. You have to validate someone's thought of themselves and carefully approach criticism or risk shattering confidence.

I don't think I could honestly ever get anything done if I had someone like that approaching me.
On the other hand, Jose's call you a twit and tell it like it is approach would give me a kick up the arse, and make me go hell for leather to prove his criticism otherwise. And this is taking into consideration that he is probably several times worse behind closed doors.

Thinking of Jose's past players: Lampard, Terry, Ramos, Drogba, Zlatan, Et'o. All players with a supreme confidence that probably didn't need anyone else to nurture for them. They can take full blown criticism.

Jose seems lost in modern times.

 

[balaks]

What's the deal with Eric Lamela, he was highly rated at Roma and bought for a handsome fee at the time. At 28 should be at the peak of his powers, yet never seem to play consistently. Thoughts, @InLevyITrust @balaks

Btw where is @GlastonSpur and there used to be another fairly active Spurs fan pre lockdown?

I like Lamela because he gives everything when he plays but he seems unable to stay fit and has been plagued with niggles and injuries for years. He shows flashes of great skill but nowadays he is mostly used to press high and put himself about a bit.

 

[LilyWhiteSpur]

What's the deal with Eric Lamela, he was highly rated at Roma and bought for a handsome fee at the time. At 28 should be at the peak of his powers, yet never seem to play consistently. Thoughts, @InLevyITrust @balaks

Btw where is @GlastonSpur and there used to be another fairly active Spurs fan pre lockdown?

Just beeen injured so much the kid just expects to get injured, like @balaks I like him too, but he is nowhere near the player we thought we were getting.

 

[Scroto Baggins]

What's the deal with Eric Lamela, he was highly rated at Roma and bought for a handsome fee at the time. At 28 should be at the peak of his powers, yet never seem to play consistently. Thoughts, @InLevyITrust @balaks

Btw where is @GlastonSpur and there used to be another fairly active Spurs fan pre lockdown?

Lamela embodied the Pochettino philosophy, he is good in an aggressive pressing system. The dood never stops running and is quite happy with the physical side of the game and putting a foot in.

Jose's sit back and counter attack doesnt really suit him, wouldnt be surprised if it's his last year at Spurs if Jose is sticking around.

 

[Snow]

I'm on about episode 7 and honestly it feels like every episode is almost the same.

1. "Tottenham are now x points away from Chelsea and a top 4 position".

2. Show Tottenham going a goal down or keeping the score a narrow 0-0.

3. Cue half time "inspirational" team talk/angry swearing from Dele/Kane/Dier and Mourinho telling his players "be bastards" or "we are too nice guys".

4. Win the game.

5. Brush over losing the next three games.

Repeat steps 1-5 until season finished.

Yeah it's a bit samey. Still watching it in hopes of seeing something new. This doc mostly gives us insight into the world of football physiotherapy. I like how in the Sunderland one they brought the fans more into it.

 

[Suedesi]

Apparently, Amazon paid both City and Spurs around 10m quid for the the exclusive access. In addition, the club controls the message, in defining the convo around the club and key figures i.e. Mourinho good, Levy great etc, etc.

 

[LilyWhiteSpur]

Apparently, Amazon paid both City and Spurs around 10m quid for the the exclusive access. In addition, the club controls the message, in defining the convo around the club and key figures i.e. Mourinho good, Levy great etc, etc.

Like I said before this wasn't for any die hard Spurs fans its for the world market and to raise the profile of the club. £10M with another season possible its a good money spinner.

 

[FootyGirl88]

Oh God, is he Indian?

He was on hiatus and i asked him where he had been, he said he went on holiday to India now its a running joke on here.