The best thing to happen this week, Tottenham Hotspur getting knocked out of the English League Cup.
The worst thing to happen this week, Malaysia getting knocked out in the semi-finals of the SEA Games.
The Spurs result against West Ham United is a blessing in disguise for two reasons. Firstly, the disorganised club need to get their heads down and come up with a playing identity. Secondly, this result does not make Tim Sherwood a bad choice.
Obviously, when Spurs embarked on a signing spree during the pre-season, there was no plan as to the brand of football to be played.
The players signed were brought in simply because they were available – not to fit into a plan or project.
"Let us sign them and they will work it out on the pitch, eventually" seemed to be the order of the day.
Somehow, football has never worked that way. But then again football is about spending money.
Especially, if it is not your own.
Even the financially worse clubs will spend money because the man in charge believes two or three more players will complete the jigsaw puzzle.
The way forward for Spurs now is to trust Sherwood, give him all the time needed to work the players into a team with a direction and playing identity.
This personality is ready to step up and if the likes of Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas were given opportunities and trust by Porto, here stands a man who will go on and make a name for himself.
While at Blackburn Rovers last season, I chased Sherwood persistently and eventually got chased away by the honourable chairman of the club. He refused to let Sherwood go then, now he has to trust him.
In Myanmar, we looked dangerous when we played direct football and that too in the last 20 minutes of the SEA Games semi-final against Indonesia.
The Indonesians were technically better, passed the ball better but we looked physically stronger. The bulldozing brand of football got us an equaliser but eventually penalties did us in.
And once again, the future of Malaysian football takes a step back. To kick or caress the ball? Love it or leather it? Questions to be answered and the sooner the better.
Winning the SEA Games football gold medal is not, and has not been, an indication of the progress of football.
On a brighter note, we have some very good individuals in our Under-23 football squad and all we need now is to become a good team.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Spurs go to Southampton, an example of a team in the true sense of the word. Good players in a good playing system and a team to emulate for Spurs.
On the Monday night, the Arsenal will play all the football but Chelsea will win. – December 21, 2013.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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