Tomorrow the sun will rise in the East and set in the West. For those among you who want it to rise in the South and set in the North, I have some news – ain’t gonna happen.
O’Neill will never rush his transfer business. It doesn’t matter whether or not it suits the press or the fans; he’s going to do it his way.
We know this - so why fight it? He’s quirky, he’s bloody minded, he’s secretive and he’s ours. He loves this club and he loves his players, so why can’t we love him? Love him for his odd traits, the vagaries of his character. Proclaim it to the heavens - he’s an oddball and we love him for it. Be proud of it.
Part of maturity is accepting that the inevitable cannot be changed. Happiness is embracing it and there are benefits to O’Neill’s approach. Contrast O’Neill with Redknapp; Redknapp is probably O’Neill’s polar opposite.
Harry is a wheeler-dealer, a Jack the Lad, and geezerish; O’Neill is none of these things – he will not use the press for his own ends, he will not deliberately unsettle players. He says what he means and means what he says. This engenders trust. Trust engenders loyalty. Loyalty means a player will give his all in the cause. Harry Redknapp – who’d believe Harry Redknapp? Harry’s clever sharpness is the thing that will undo him. Ultimately.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m fond of ‘Arry; he’s a character and the world would be a poorer place without him. It’s just, where do you stand with him? If you’re a full back at White hart Lane, would you have any idea what’s going on?
Like everything, it’s all in the mind. Just as you’re about to go to bed, say to yourself, “Another day gone and no signings. O joy! Wonderful! How does O’Neill do it? With any luck he won’t sign anyone tomorrow either. Or the day after. But the signings will come – it’s Martin’s way and I love him for it.”