Home > Football > Why Spurs should enjoy life at the top after Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov
by Oscar Alphara on 02 September 2008
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I hope Dimitar Berbatov breaks his leg! Freudian slip, sorry about that. I meant to say "I hope Berbatov breaks a leg", in the theatrical sense.
I really do wish him luck, though. He is, as Jamie Redknapp would say, "a top, top player". It's funny how football works out sometimes and with Robbie Keane and Berbatov now at their new clubs, the two components of a great partnership are now in rival camps. We all know the cliche though, don't we?
And to think I was gutted when Spurs signed Berba instead of Dirk Kuyt, a player we were linked with quite a bit before he signed for those car (or is it striker?) thieves in the North West. Instead, the Keane/Berbatov partnership of the previous two seasons was to become one of the great partnerships of the Premier League's short but eventful history. Maybe they did not win as much as Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, but they ensured that the fans stayed entertained for 80-odd games.
My favourite moments include the game against Besiktas in Turkey when Berba rounded the keeper and slotted home, and when they destroyed Bolton in about 20 minutes before Keano was sent off for handball.
There are so many that it is impossible to list all of them without this article becoming a nostalgic love-in. We have to face the fact that while they were good days - like Arsenal with Henry/Bergkamp/Pires - they are now over.
I'm sick of the media talking about Big Four and fourth place being the Holy Grail for ''smaller'' clubs. All I want to see from Spurs is some decent attacking football, a few good cup runs and maybe the odd trophy along the way. THE SAME AS ANY SUPPORTER OF ANY CLUB.
For all the Big Four's marketing ability, courtesy of Rupert ''expletive'' Murdoch, three of them ended up with making up the numbers in the Champions League (those three also ended up with sod all this year thanks to a certain twist of fate) and it will be the same again this season. Do the maths!
What Spurs need to do to make their dreams become reality is build to win the league, not settle for third loser. In the Olympics, fourth is the first loser. Fourth there is certainly not a coveted spot like it is in Sky's Premier League (another slip, I mean the FA Premier League), but then the Olympics ain't about the money.
Everton got to the hallowed fourth spot in 2004 and fate couldn't even get in their way when Liverpool got their grubby mitts on the Champions League trophy. Then they got done by Villarreal and spanked by Dinamo Bucharest before returning home from the continent with their tails between their legs.
The Champions League is not the be all and end all of the professional game, no matter what the suits say. What is the point in aiming to be fourth best team in your own country, even if it means you get the chance to rule Europe? Surely you have to be the boss of your own backyard before you can have delusions of grandeur like that.
Spurs can do that, but it will take a while. Getting rid of Berbatov and Keane may be a massive step back from last season's strike force, but it has enabled us to strengthen in other areas that must make our north London neighbours at least a little bit envious. Amaury Bischoff anyone?
Comments (20)
on September 02, 2008 on September 02, 2008
Tosh. I want to see a decent run at the title, don't mind if we don't win it, but a good go.
by M King on September 02, 2008
I think that the big four is still a pipe dream, we are a very new team and need time to gell. I wish Berbatov all the best and am glad that he went to United not City, just because if he went to City, it would have just been for money, not champions league football. What i wish with both Keane and Berbatov is that neither player becomes a "legend" at their new club, i would just hate the thought of that, it made me sick to see the mancs shouting "Dimitar Berbatov" yesterday. Look forward to seeing who Man City think they can get, as if they are going to break into the top four. Money is ruining football, a league can cope with one Chelsea, but im not sure how we will deal with two
by Kirby David on September 02, 2008
I have watched Spurs for many years, first at WHL as a kid and then later on the TV from various parts of the World. Berbatov has to rank as one of the greatest players who have ever played for the club. He is a natural ball-player with superb control and vision. A real rarity these days. So he has gone and it is a loss but Spurs seem to have done well in the transfer window and life will go on. However there is no doubt that there is a bad taste in everyone's mouth about the way the transfer was conducted even with some man Utd supporters who like to think of their club having integrity. The seeds were planted two years ago with the planting of incessant stories that Berbatov wanted go to Man Utd. The fact that these stories partially stopped for a while this year was simply the fact that Man Utd were protesting such tactics from Real Madrid over Ronaldo, so their minions could scarcely up the ante. Of course the FA should investigate this transfer as one columnist called for today, but the won't. The last thing they want to do is to cross Old Trafford and SAF. This weakness of the FA is really one of the reasons why English football and players are in decline. To lead takes courage and integrity--they have neither.
by Irish Spur on September 02, 2008
agree completely with David Kirby. FA and Levy in my opinion are spineless and Weak, how can anyone dare to challenge Utd and old red nose
by juanek formella on September 02, 2008
levy has acted in the best interest of the club since he began his tenure. we are one of the best run clubs in football. we invested heavily (modric & bentley) before the berba sale, then achieved top money for the sour faced t0sser. great skills he may have had, but i spent all last season getting ever more frustrated with his whinging, whining and inability to give a f*ck about the team. retten apples are best got rid of. levy has done that and received £30m for the pleasure. well done i say.
by jim on September 02, 2008
agreed, of course we all want the title but spurs to me have always been entertainers and a cup side before all that. Give me that and im happy.
by janek formella on September 02, 2008
...& how can a man who stood up to one of the most powerful clubs in footbal be accused of being spinelss? he said he wanted £30m and didn't budge until he got the mancs to come round to his way of thinking. irishspur, support your club!
by Harry Hotspur on September 02, 2008
Up untill about 2340hrs last night Tottenham were sticking religously to the line that permission had not been given to Manchester United to talk to Dimitar Berbatov. Then an announcement is made that a deal has been done. Hilarious. What should have been said was that he had been bought, not sold. In return for dropping pursuing any complaint over the incontrovertibly illegal conduct of Mannchester United in this matter and for the player himself, THFC were presented with some reserve striker no one's ever f*cking heard of and a carrier bag full of used notes. What we witnessed last night was low budget gangster movie. The aging Capo collects the body in his own Bentley and throws a blanket over him. The victim is left reeling and wretching until the pay off arrives.
by d b on September 02, 2008
cant wait for the manure fans to see the strops he starts pulling, the man may be a class player, but he has a serious attitude problem anyway berbs, brake both legs, i hear woodgate gave you a bit of a slap on friday too, dont worry, more to come when you come back to WHL
by Mort M on September 02, 2008
Yes the Mancs have been disgraceful and should be investigated. But Levy played it well, Berbatov was effectively gone weeks ago but he got the 30m we were demanding and a promising young striker for the year. Always a shame to see a great player leave but frankly I'm more upset about losing Robbie, at least he always gave 100%. But the new signings look good, and we must have some money in the bank after the various comings and goings...aren't we about 20m up on the dealings this summer...that might prove useful in January.
by Spurs Gog on September 02, 2008
The loss of our front two has set us back and make no mistake. Nevertheless I feel Levy has made it clear that any contracted player will need to jump through hoops before they can move on. I trust the current squad have taken that on board. Well done Levy!
by Luke on September 02, 2008
Why spurs should enjoy life at the top. Top of what, the bottom half of the table. Tottenham are now going to get further behind with the now reported richest club in the world Man City. Tottenham have to except that they wont be able to compete for the cl spots and Uefa or inter toto are as realistic as it gets. Its a shame but lets face it, spurs are not exactly the biggest of clubs.COYS
by danny baillie on September 02, 2008
So we have lost three class forwards and my head is telling me all the two most recent sighings up front are going to be major flops. I think the russian will do absolutely nothing and can not understand the loan signing at all. To cap off things spurs still did not get in the holding midfielder we needed or the left sided player. The sooner the board sell up the better. And they can take that waste of time director of football with them. No world class signings to replace those that have left equals an even worse season in the leagur than last year.
by brad the yid on September 02, 2008
we dont have a big chance of top 4 this season man city destroyed our hopes i think.no not even man city... last night destroyed my hopes Berba gone, Robinho to Man C i'd settle for 7th this season but go for 5th i reckon it will be chelski united Man C Pool Gunners Spurs Villa Sunderland Boro Blackburn/e verton SUnderland and Boro a shock.... Really?. it might be a bit bious cos they beat us but.. they both were unlucky against leverpool not to get a point or 3 Sunderland: Spurs Rejects+ Experienced players from prem? u never know Boro: they are a big threat up front for set peices and counter attack in a year or two we will have a massive chance for top 4 Players such as: Modric , giovani, Pavlyuchenko will adjust into english life and get closer to the peak of there Stature also Lennon, bentley, jenas, Bent, Bale ,hutton , Huddy will all be getting better ok our CB'ss will be a bit older 28/9? but we have corluka who is also 23 The Future is bright COYS
by TomTraubert on September 02, 2008
Lets all just settle down and wait for about 10 games and lets see where we are then. I'm stumped by the Campbell loan as much as anyone, is there not even an option to buy at the end of the loan? Pekhart should have been given a chance but then again maybe JR saw something more complete in Campbell, he had been playing more first team football that Pekhart. While I didn't see the Chelsea game on Sunday (was camping at the Electric Picnic - Ireland's verison of Glastonbury) I heard that Zokora had a great game. Corluka will be a massive player for us covering for Hutton and Leds/Woody meaning that Zokora can be developed into a proper DM without having to be worried about being stuck at RB. Gunter can play anywhere at the back too and if needs must, Gilberto could be used as a DM. Its not all doom and gloom, I dont think for one second though that Pav will have the same impact as Berb did but I really am glad that we sold both Robbie and Berb. Berb's constant moaning got to me and Robbie was as much a moaner too but not as much of a sulk. Think we will do ok this season but really need a 4th striker as Pav is cup-tied. If Campbell and or Bent get injured then we is fecked. Probably only going to play with one up top but I dont reckon JR fancies Bent that much either. He probably wasn't allowed to sell him. Comolli needs to be the next out the door.
by clyde aca on September 02, 2008
The truth is for all us spurs supporters, we are always left hoping! After the transfer window, we have still not filled up the missing postions....this is a big worry.My feelings on the whole situation is this, spurs are run by guys who dont really care about the top 4 all they care about is brinning in these players aged 20 & 26, who are up & coming young talent, soon to be sold to the bigger clubs for double the money they were bought for!This is spurs in a nut shell...we are supporting a team who is run by a bunch of money hungry mobs, who dont give a toss about building a solid unit!
by Noahspur on September 02, 2008
Here you go again with the biggest load of dribble possible, you at a5erna1 have not spent a penny, or maybe a whole pound on crap. When are you going to stick to your own site, and that bent manager that you have. Move on tosser.
by Benito on September 02, 2008
sell 2 strikers worth 50m, buy one replacement for 14m. that'll work.
by Anthony Mullins on September 02, 2008
When you look at it like that, it does look a bit dodgey but I have faith and in Bently, Modric, Dos Santos, Corluka and Gomes we have a better more structured team with strength and depth throughout rather than a team full of strikers that we had last year! Building from the back cus if we dont concede goals we cant lose games!Fact! If Woody and King stay fit it might be alright and even light at the end of the tunnel!!COYS!! PS well played Levy for sticking to your guns and getting over 30million for the whinger when that red nose tosser said he would never pay that!
by Willie Patterson on September 03, 2008
As with most Spurs fans I was glued to the whole drama that was unfolding yesterday in the hope of one last big surprise before the end of the transfer window. I agree with Juanek about Levy getting a great deal for Berbatov but I would have preferred pushing for young FC as a permanent fixture not the years loan that we ended up with, the whole debacle with United is one that will be around for a while and I can see this young fella playing well for us, us wanting to sign him and at the end of the loan term and those b8stards getting their piece of revenge on us by either knocking us back or looking for some huge fee to sign him. I may be wrong and I hope I am but this drama has shown United/Ferguson for what they really are. Regarding Robbie Keane, I'm still gutted seeing him playing in a Liverpool kit and actually glad that for the time being at least his partnership with Torres just isn't there, the fact we got £20 million helps but I would have loved him to still be at the lane.
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