Spurs trio...

[Benzel]

I accept some, maybe most will be happy for spurs to dictate the way we play football. Each to their own though.

I can understand your POV, it's a shame to lose some of our own identity in that respect, I didn't mean to be so dismissive. I do think we can benefit from this though.

[Reg Smeeton]

Spurs are now a feeder team for Real Madrid...does this mean we're now a feeder, feeder team for Los Blancos?

[Batch]

I can understand your POV, it's a shame to lose some of our own identity in that respect, I didn't mean to be so dismissive. I do think we can benefit from this though.

Yes I admit our on field results could improve under the scheme. But for me personally I'd rather be a shit STFC than a good Tottenham subsidiary, provided we kept league status.

As I said, I have no problem with the loans if they are just unconditional loans.

I think its best I buck out of this argument until we have a more definitive source than the mail.

[Reg Smeeton]

Yes I admit our on field results could improve under the scheme. But for me personally I'd rather be a shit STFC than a good Tottenham subsidiary, provided we kept league status.

As I said, I have no problem with the loans if they are just unconditional loans.

I think its best I buck out of this argument until we have a more definitive source than the mail.

The Mail generally only makes up shit to do with politics....there's nothing in the article, which we don't already know, other than a bit of confirmation that Power is in fact a co-owner, rather than a mere director.  Basically if it works everybody will be happy, if it doesn't then I'm sure there will be some extra special vitriol coming the way of architects.

[Flashheart]

I don't have a single iota of fuck to give, asides from hoping it's successful.

[Trashbat?]

My only concern is how this arrangement will work when we get into the Premier?!

[The Great Stan]

It depends on what each individual fan (Swindon) expects.

Those who want some measure of success and a lack of shitness may well be happy with the arrangement.

Others, myself included, want a more independent club to support where we can develop our own players and not have over half the side stuffed with Spurs players.

The other downside is that if, at any one time, half the players are not actually ours, then the chances of us unearthing a gem (Austin etc) that could benefit us, and only us financially, diminishes.

And what happens when we get Spurs in the cup this year - the round after we knock out the Mackems?

[Honkytonk]

Firstly, there are no interviews or sources in the article. It's the Daily fail. Secondly, the bit about coaches having access to dictating the way we play sounds like all conjecture on behalf of that puckered-anus faced fellow Charles Sale.

I'm not saying it's wrong. It's just a little early to be going 'WE'RE NO LONGER SWINDON, WE'RE SPURS 2!'

Thirdly, who's to say the club didn't go 'Well, we'd like to play like a good Premiership side if possible, it's attractive, sellable football. Lee, doesn't your mate Tim run the youth squad at Spurs? Why don't we try and follow their way of doing things? It's good football to watch and brings in the punters.'

Playing like another team and utilising some of their youth does not make us their bitch.

[Flashheart]

Playing like another team and utilising some of their youth does not make us their bitch.

Spurs are our bitch 

[PetsWinPrizes]

Whilst I have some reservations, it's clear that footballs current business model, particularly in the lower leagues is utterly f**ked.

We are the only club with an arrangement like this now, but I suspect we won't be the last. The game needs to change, and maybe our lot have hit upon something that could do the reliance on rich benefactors/ running up massive debts.

I'm not saying it will all be plain sailing, or even that it will last long term, but something needs to change in this deranged game, and we might as well give this a go.

[Reg Smeeton]

Whilst I have some reservations, it's clear that footballs current business model, particularly in the lower leagues is utterly f**ked.

We are the only club with an arrangement like this now, but I suspect we won't be the last. The game needs to change, and maybe our lot have hit upon something that could do the reliance on rich benefactors/ running up massive debts.

I'm not saying it will all be plain sailing, or even that it will last long term, but something needs to change in this deranged game, and we might as well give this a go.

There's a lot of sense in what you say, but English lower league football, has never really operated on sense...it's a  unique wonderful mad thing, and long may it last...

I don't think there's anything wrong with Spurs looking at ways of developing their young players, because atm there's an impasse in English football, which is going to hit the national side big time over the next number of years...the Prem academies produce these young lads who aren't good enough for Prem sides, and who don't understand or have the physicality for lower league stuff...you get the odd few who come through despite rather than because of the system.

So the UEFA U'19 Euro happening atm...has the usual suspects...Spain, France, Holland, some ex Yugo states, producing talented young players...England didn't even qualify, which added to the poor showing of the U 21's and U 20's highlights teh problem...interestingly the German's haven't been too crash hot either, and their football has opened up to taking more foreigners in recent years.

If we can benefit, then fine...my concern is that getting one or 2 of these Prem lads into an effective unit would be a difficult task, but half a dozen is just unrealistic...

[thepeoplesgame]

If all lower league teams are going to turn into feeder clubs for Premier League sides and have their playing styles dictated to from on high, then I'm glad we jumped the queue and got Spurs.

I pity the poor sods who end up as Stoke's bitch.

[Reg Smeeton]

If all lower league teams are going to turn into feeder clubs for Premier League sides and have their playing styles dictated to from on high, then I'm glad we jumped the queue and got Spurs.

I pity the poor sods who end up as Stoke's bitch.

I'm sure the Port Vale fans will see the logic of it in due course.

[BruceChatwin]

So assuming we're sounding this out as a long-term relationship, is there any chance we'll see some actual investment from Spurs in our first team squad in future?

Presumably they'd prefer to have their best youth prospects gaining experience in a Championship/ top League One team, surrounded by other quality players, than in a struggling League One team otherwise made up of lower league odd-bods and journeymen who don't integrate properly into their system?

[Dr Pierre Chang]

I think its best I buck out of this argument until we have a more definitive source than the mail.