Now it's official. Spurs won't be signing any one of the 726 players with whom they have been linked over the past couple of months.

Chairman Daniel Levy will not be seeking major acquisitions when the January transfer window opens tomorrow, a decision Tottenham fans should applaud. "We are not looking at any major changes," Levy announced on Spurs' official website. "We are all clear that the January window is the worst time to buy quality players so we shall not be doing any business that is not essential."

Good for Levy for stepping up and taking this stance, and not only because it implies Dimitar Berbatov will stay at White Hart Lane. For Spurs fans, the most important thing right now is that their team is finally, finally starting to play well. Yes there are still blips on the radar - or relapses if you prefer - such as the home loss to Birmingham earlier this month or Saturday's kick-about against Reading (fortunately won by Spurs). But by and large this team looks completely different to the one that was such a bitter disappointment earlier in the season.

'Now is not the time to risk upsetting the team's delicate balance by bringing in new players'


Credit Juande Ramos for that renaissance; since the Spaniard took over from Martin Jol, the north Londoners have a record of five wins, two losses and two draws in the Premier League. Spurs are still alive in the League Cup and through to the Round of 32 in the UEFA Cup. They have moved up to 12th and effectively put relegation worries behind them. They are clearly playing as a unit and in a position to make a run for European spots in the second half of the season. Greater glory may even await in league, association and continental cup competitions. Now is not the time to risk upsetting the team's delicate balance by bringing in new players.

Besides, Spurs have a number of players returning from injuries who will need to be integrated into the line-up. The returnees, incidentally, should help the team's greatest weakness - in defence. Ledley King, Ricardo Rocha, Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Anthony Gardner are all quality defenders who have missed time this season. King just made his long-awaited return last week. Rocha, Dawson and Gardner are due back this week, according to physioroom.com. Instead of rolling the dice with expensive acquisitions, I would  prefer to give these existing players a chance.

That said, Ramos absolutely deserves every opportunity to build this team in his image. But like Levy said, the pickings in the January transfer window are slim. Let the other big-money clubs outbid each other for Ronaldo or Robbie Savage or that Croatian kid. Levy's money will be better spent at the end of the season. Until then, you've got to like Spurs' chances with the team as presently constituted (and a few injured defenders back).