Home > Football > Why Spurs can see off the challenge of Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Manchester City
by Stuart Webb on 07 September 2008
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How can you write anything about Spurs these days without mentioning Dimitar Berbatov? Well, I'm going to try my best. Time to focus on the players who are still at the Lane; what’s done is done and it's time to move on.
It is yet another new look Spurs this season, but what is the potential of the current Tottenham squad? Where else to start but in goal?
Cesar Sanchez is providing cover this time around, an experienced keeper who you'd think will be reliable if and when called upon. Our main man behind the sticks is Heurelho Gomes, brought in from PSV. A goalkeeper was clearly Juande Ramos's first priority. Although experienced and very highly rated in some quarters, the jury is still very much out on the big Brazilian. His shot-stopping is not in question, it's more the basics where you doubt him. You also can't help but sense an air of the erraticism with Gomes; you get the feeling he could be left red-faced a few times this season. Time, as always, will tell.
Moving into defence, I am a huge admirer of Gareth Bale and Alan Hutton, two class full-backs, excellent going forward but both more than capable of the defensive. Vedran Corluka, expensive as he was, is another no-brainer - a quality player who can only improve a forever-leaky back four. With Gilberto, Chris Gunter and Benoit Assou-Ekotto shoring up the flanks, it’s an area of the pitch to be happy with.
Granted the other three are yet to prove themselves in this league but I am confident from what I have seen that they can only improve. The heart of our defensive quartet is of the highest quality, a centre-back pairing that most sides would envy. The question is, will they stay fit? Unfortunately I doubt they will, and with the once-invincible Michael Dawson a shadow of his former self, cover is light - although not forgetting the versatility of Corluka, Didier Zokora and Tom Huddlestone.
Creativity should not be a concern form midfield with the likes of Luka Modric, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and not forgetting the Hoddle-like vision of big Tom. With Jamie O’Hara and the tireless Zokora completing the numbers, you can see why Ramos is happy, for now, with our midfield ranks. The question here is getting the best out of them, and ultimately their best position.
A lot has been said of Tottenham's lack of a defensive midfielder, but I think that responsibility can be given to any of Huddlestone, Zokora or O'Hara. It is a question of keeping them in that position. Zokora is a hugely talented player, whose versatility to slot in at the back has hampered his development. Let’s not forget he was a target for our north London rivals, and Mr Wenger knows a player when he sees one.
Zokora will not stop from first whistle to last. He uses the ball simply and effectively and on occasion when I have seen him stride out of defence with the ball he is reminiscent of a former Arsenal hero now plying his trade for Juventus. Between Zokora and O'Hara I see no urgent need to splash the cash - give our guys a crack first.
The main problem for our midfield is the same that Capello, McClaren, Eriksson and countless before have faced at international level - the left-hand side. Bentley and Lennon do their shifts out there but undoubtedly your wide men have to play on their favoured side. No doubt Bale and Gilberto can fill the gap, but again ideally we would have a proven left-winger out there.
Centre of the park we have Huddlestone, Jenas and Modric, three quality but very different players. Getting this midfield right is the trick and will be key to a successful season. Even more so as it is looking like we will be going for a 4-5-1 formation, in that case you'd have to take Giovanni Dos Santos out of the striker category. I have a feeling Gio will spend a lot of is time in the free role or out on the left.
Roman Pavlyuchenko has a lot on his shoulders. Another striker was an absolute must which didn't materialise on deadline day (although apparently a deal for an unknown striker fell through at the last minute). Pavlyuchenko is a proven goal scorer - his record at club and international level is more than impressive. He shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to the pace and the physicality of the Premier League. He will prove to be a good buy but he has a huge void to fill.
Hoping to assist Roman fill that void will be Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell. Bent had a pre-season that could only have dreamt of; his goal at Chelsea should give him the belief to carry that form into the Premier League now. Fingers have been pointed and jokes have been made at Bent's expense. You do feel though that this is his last chance to prove himself - and I have a sneaky suspicion he may well prove a few people wrong this season.
That leaves me with last but by no means least the Berbatov deal breaker, Campbell, very highly thought of and subject to a £7m bid from Hull before becoming a part of the Berbatov deal. This move should go some way to show if Campbell's potential will be realised at Premier League level; if it is, what options do Tottenham have on making the deal permanent?
Only time will tell. One thing for sure - it is an opportunity the youngster will no doubt grab with both hands.
Squad wise, we have a way to go to match the top four, compared to our main rivals for fifth - Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Manchester City and the like. There is no reason why we shouldn't be top of that particular pile.
Goals, as they always are in football, are the most important thing. A huge responsibility lies at the feet of Bent and our two new recruits. If they don't hit the ground running it will be a very long wait for the January transfer window, when a centre-back and striker must be added, no excuses. And preferably a striker who won't be cup-tied for European football - or the UEFA Cup could be a painful nail-biting experience again this year.
Comments (26)
by Blueski on September 07, 2008
Stop sniffing that powder you deluded fool.
by Jack . on September 07, 2008
Pavlyuchenko and Bent to replace Keane and Berbatov? You are having a laugh just pray you finish above Stoke
by tony howell on September 07, 2008
At last a spurs fan who understands the situation in our vey talented squad. I have to agree 100% with what you say. We have 2 of the best up and coming full backs in europe, and we have king and woody who on their days are the best CB'S in the league, Then Modric who IMO is going to be one of the best playmakers in europe, when he acclimitises. Then we have Bentley, the best crosser in the premiership and pavlyuchenko who is a goal machine and hopefully can do the same for spurs, also Gomes who was outstanding against chelsea, He has a big future with spurs. These players would get in any of the top4's squads anyday. If we can add another world class striker to the squad and a midfield hardman then we will be looking very. very strong with bundles of quality. IMO at the moment we have a much stronger squad than city's so we will have to prove this and make it count on the pitch. COYS!
by Noah on September 07, 2008
That'll be the glue not the powder!
by ANTHONY THFC on September 07, 2008
Good article mate, i have to agree if we get 1 more classy striker to partnes pavluchenko then we will be flying. Our squad is easily as good as loserpool's and defo better than citeh's. So we will have to prove this by getting in the top4. Any1 who says that our squad is not capable of this knows nothing at all about football.
by BILLY NICK on September 07, 2008
SPURS WILL BE TOP4!!! spurs obviously have more quality in the squad than any team outside the top4 FACT! lets just see them use this quality this season and put the words into action. COYS!!
by jUANDE ramos on September 07, 2008
Juande Ramos will lead this quality spurs team to the top4, He has the squad to do it although we do need another world class striker to go with it. Who needs keane and berbasulk when we've got the goal machine ROMAN PAVLYUCHENKO!! he will fire spurs to the top4. Good article mate. Also any1 who saw Bale play yesterday will see he is the most talented left back in european footy.
by Pablo Robitzioni on September 07, 2008
This article makes sense on many levels. I agree that the wing backs are some of the best we have ever had, and the creativity in the midfield is unquestioned. Some points I would like to make are thus, 1. Im glad Berbatov has left. Really glad. 2. Keane will not be missed as much as people think. 3. Corluka will be our best signing (along with Modric) to either be a defensive mid or centre back. And if we use him at right back, Zokora wont be... 4. I think Frasier Campbell will be doing his very best at Spurs as he still needs to prove himself in the premier league. And I dont care what he says, ill be very surprised if he goes back to Utd and gets in the team. 5. A lot still depends on whether Pavlyuchenko hits the ground running. 6. If Modric plays like he did at Chelsea we will comfortably finish in the top 6, but not the top 4. We need a new ground and better players still to accomplish this. I would take top 6 right now and have an established team with good understanding for next season and beyond. Finally, I am not worried about Portsmouth as I think we and other clubs have the beating of them despite a massive improvement from them. I am certainly not worried about City this season. Maybe next. You could give them 3 more Robinhos and the would still have Dunne, Ball and Ireland in their team. Plus Richards and Johnson are seriously over-hyped. Villa are worth worrying about. Lightning pace and a good target man as well as a good defence. I personally think they have 5th nailed down. But if we can lose the expectations imposed upon us we will do ourselves proud. COYS!!
by TONY HOWELL on September 07, 2008
I am confident that we will not miss berba or the traitor keane. We will be fine as long as the potential turns to be world class quality. Modric is going to be amazing as is corluka, bale, gunter, gomes, bentley, king , woody, and hopefully young campbell can contribute a few goals. Spurs fans will finally get the glory they crave with Juande Ramos and Co. OK we've started badly, but this is going to be a long season and we are starting to turn it around. When you have the talent that spurs have, it cannot be long before they get in the top4.
by ANTHONY on September 07, 2008
RE Pablo, I think you make a good point there mate. Maybe top6 this season will be acceptable, but if we get another top drawer striker in then I think we can push the top4. IMO we have the best squad outside the top4 on paper and in potential but we have to turn this potential into a winning, highly achieving formula. COYS!!!
by Eric Harris on September 07, 2008
If the new players live up to their hype weve got half a chance of being in that top four, my only concern is Jenas, as much as I try to like him if truth be known in my opinion hes a waste of space and as long as hes in that team I cant see us achieving anything of what we all hope for
by Adam Moore on September 07, 2008
Same old Spurs. All style no substance.
by Robbie Keane on September 07, 2008
delusions are a part of the long term thinking of most Spurs fans I'm afraid. So many ins and outs and so many different nationalities make the team building process very long. Spurs may have actually set a record - the most nationalities in a club ever.
by paul harrison on September 07, 2008
Spurs will finish 7th this season, behind Villa and Pompey, mark my words. Spurs are seriously the most overhyped team in the premiership, you've spent millions for years and never achieved anything. A poor mans Liverpool if you will, except at least they get to dream of winning the eague next year. Spurs dream about finishing 4th... Villa are a bigger club than Spurs, yet their fans arn't even half as deluded as spurs fans.
by james davison on September 07, 2008
by Essexain76 on September 07, 2008
Unless we improve drastically or in Jan sign that holding midfielder, it'll be 6-7th place. We have enough talent in many areas except one, which has been absent since Carrick's departure.Up front I'm not concerned at the least. I hated Keane with a passion, and although Berbatov's gone, he never 'played' in many of the matches anyway. I dont think we'll score as many goals this term, but we certainly wont concede as many either. It's the midfield that concerns me the most and has done for three seasons, and will continue to do so, until that elusive defensive, biting element is put in place! As for the rest of the other teams..fuck em who cares, it'S Spurs that matter most COYS
by Screw Ball on September 07, 2008
by Spurs Gog on September 07, 2008
Please! Please! Please! Give our manager at least 3 or 4 full years. It took that long before the Stetford End (oooooooooooooohhh, I am sorry) gave there manager some credit. God help the Scottish git!
by Villan on September 08, 2008
What a load of tripe. Spurs are useless. Something to do with selling their best players perhaps?
by Philip Gander on September 08, 2008
If you remember just 3 seasons back when we only lost out to a forth place to Ar#enal due to the last match of the season which should have been a stroll in the park at home against West Ham. Instead, our whole squad were food poisoned at the hotel and at least 8 of them made to play sick. Think this is a backhander? Or maybe just staff seeing a way to stop the Spurs being higher than the Gooners where they deserver to be? Well, give Ramos a chance... he may have lost a couple of players who did not have Spurs in their blood but has brought in a lot of new exciting talent. They will take a few games to gel. But with the likes of Modric getting better each game he plays and Benty at last gaining confidence, we will be back where we deserve. COYS!!!
by tinker taylor on September 08, 2008
All it will take is one injury to either king or woodgate, dawson comes in and your defence falls apart. Added to the almost complate overhall of the striking force and no meat on the bones in midfield plus a poor start to the season it adds up to another dillusion spurs fan, good luck will be needed and maybe a top 6 finish in 2 years.
by Seb Brooks on September 08, 2008
Firstly, it will take time for so many new players to gel. Secondly very few if any have any Prem experience and none of them will adapt in time for this year. Thirdly Oneday is just a cup manager and will also take time to get used to winning in this league. Finally, without King and Woody, the spuz defence is a shambles and I can't see them playing together for more than 15 games this year due to injuries. Dawson is the worst defender that I have seen in the Prem last year.
by Paul McGrath on September 08, 2008
I think your title is a little misleading. Surely to "hold off the challenge" of Villa, Portsmouth and City, you need to have finished above them the previous season? Otherwise this is simply another Spurs trademark "this is our season" fantasy
by Dazz on September 08, 2008
Man this is a joke right.... Spurs have always been under achievers ever since i was little, they buy in so many players none of them have time to gel. When they do start they sack the manager.I hold them in the same regard as Newcastle all talk and no trousers!! City will be the only team to break into the top 4 and this will be next season!! Come on you lost to Borough and Sunderland and yes drew against Chelsea but they were not on there game.
by Blend on September 09, 2008
How deluded are Spurs fans. Terrible last season with a major get out of jail free acrd in the cup. The team is weaker than last year and yet you expect to get ni the CL spots. Top 6 would be a great finish for you. Villa are ahead of you and I would certainly expect City with Kompany, Wright-Phillips and Robinho strengthening their ranks to be the most likely to damage. That being said it'll be the same top four as last year
by gfunkstylee on September 12, 2008
The only reason I come onto this site is to have a good laugh, and I havent been let down yet. It never ceases to amaze me the DRIVEL that seems to flow effortlessly into these pieces, and it looks to be brown in colour and thick and runny in consistency. My advice to the people writing these articles, and its totally up to yourselves wether you take this onboard is, DONT DO IT. Surely you must be better at something else? Just follow these to easy steps.... 1) Put down the bag of glue 2) Move away from the computer
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