Spurs won't gel in time to worry teams at the top
JUAN'S BIG FOUR FREEZE
by ROB SHEPERD
SPURS were hailed as the best equipped team to challenge the Big Four after they beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup final.
Then, after a week of parties and laps of honours, they got the sun beds out.
So despite a turn around in spirit and results, they still finished 11th and the Juande Ramos regime didn’t quite seem so tough after all.
Click here to see Martin Jol's video verdict on Robbie Keane's departure
Nevertheless, something clearly happened after he took over from the last confused days of Martin Jol.
But given the events of this summer, one wonders whether it will be case of déjà vu for Spurs.
You see, this time last year Spurs were tipped as the team to break into the big four, having the previous season just missed out on Champions League spot to Arsenal.
Defence
The rationale then was that with the arrival of big money signing Darren Bent, Spurs would have the best rota of strikers in the Premier League.
With a tightening of defence, a bit more dash in midfield . . . well, they might even make a run for the title.
The early season inconsistency which cost Jol his job ended such hopes. But, despite their end-of-the-season ineptitude, it seemed that Ramos had not just given the squad he inherited a new direction but with a couple of additions would make them a real force.
That seemed even more persuasive when they wasted no time to secure the services of Croat craftsman Luka Modric.
Now two weeks before the campaign Spurs are back where they have been so often in recent years, an unknown force.
It seems quite incredible, a lack of genuine ambition even, that they have allowed skipper and attacking talisman Robbie Keane move on to Liverpool, one of the very clubs they must have in their sights if they are to break into the top four.
Given that Jermain Defoe was offloaded to Portsmouth in January, Spurs suddenly look light up front, even more so if the sublime Dimitar Berbatov does eventually move on to Manchester United.
Battle
If Berbatov is allowed to go then Spurs might as well admit their biggest battle is whether they finish above West Ham rather than Arsenal or Chelsea.
Accepted, they have also quietly made a couple of potentially loud singings in Brazil keeper Huerelho Gomes and teenage midfielder Giovanni Dos Santos. And David Bentley was quickly signed on the back of Keane’s sale.
Also on the horizon could be not one but two stars of the Russia national side, playmaker Andrei Arshavin and possibly striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
With so much late in-and-out transfer activity, the question is will Spurs gel quickly enough to be a real force?
It is doubtful.
KEY TRANSFERS
IN: David Bentley (Blackburn) £17m; Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb) £16.5m; Giovani Dos Santos (Barcelona) £4.7m; Heurelho Gomes (PSV Eindhoven) £7m; John Bostock (Crystal Palace) £700,000.
OUT: Robbie Keane (Liverpool) £20.3m; Paul Robinson (Blackburn) £3.5m; Teemu Tainio (Sunderland) undisc; Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland) undisc; Steed Malbranque (Sunderland) undisc; Joe Martin (Blackpool) undisc; Tommy Forecast (Southampton) undisc; Anthony Gardner (Hull) loan; Leigh Mills (Brentford) loan
SCORE PREDICTION: 5th
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
Your rating of 5th position for Spurs seems possible but highly unlikely.
They are more likely to impress spasmodically, maybe a 2 or 3 good results against the top 4 teams. As ever they will drop bucket loads of points against supposedly poorer opposition.
12th at Christmas, Ramos sacked, they will finish 9th, no trophies.
I hate being a Spurs supporter.
Posted by: Chris in Gerrards Cross | August 03, 2008 at 08:21 AM | Report this comment
I love Chris in Gerrard Cross comment..............not.
Call yourself a Spurs fan, the core of the team is still there and if you have watched the pre-season so far you will see a team gelling that WILL break the top four this season.
Berbatov is going nowhere, Bent if FIRING and the additions of Dos Santos, Modric and Bentley will create a hell of a lot of goals.
Chris in Gerrards Cross why don't you go and support Arsenal?
To The NOTW I say this, you long love of the monotony and domination of the Top Four is really sad and I hope that you remember this when you find that not only Arsenal but Liverpool are displaced this season then you can start sucking up to someone else.
Posted by: TonyP | August 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM | Report this comment
it is hard to pridict were spurs will finish.On paper they have made some good signings.But what concerns me they have not got a good defensive midfield player ? they will still let tons of goals in?
Posted by: dean poulter | August 03, 2008 at 11:48 AM | Report this comment
What everyone seems to be missing is the main reason why Spurs where so leaky at the back last season. I think we tried 10 different players at centre back, due to the injuries to main defensive players. If we can keep King, Woodgate and Bale fit for most of the season we can challenge for 4th spot. Although I think we need a strong defensive midfielder to do the dirty work for Dos Santos, Modric et al.
Posted by: Simon | August 03, 2008 at 12:20 PM | Report this comment
The expectations weighed heavily (as usual) and, after a poor start, we were scared. We've lost Keane, but the rest had to go if we want to push on. to be honest. Baley is back, if Ledders stays fit and we can keep Berbatov smiling, then we ought to be able to do much better.
Posted by: Reg | August 03, 2008 at 01:41 PM | Report this comment
At 80/1 to win the prem i just couldn`t resist, £100 on the nose, now thats what i call a supporter, it will happen, just wait and see,
Posted by: jon | August 03, 2008 at 02:12 PM | Report this comment
1st plaCE EASY
Posted by: FERB | August 04, 2008 at 07:10 PM | Report this comment
The player took some time to settle in under George Graham and was just starting to score for fun when Graham was sacked and Hoddle came in, who promptly proceeded to freeze Rebrov out completely in favour of 30 somethings Sheringham and Ferdinand.
It would be like Alex Ferguson refusing to play Ronaldo and instead re-signing Cantona and Hughes.
Posted by: name | August 04, 2008 at 07:30 PM | Report this comment