29th January 2010 - Never go back? They say in life you should never go back. Sometimes if you return to your old stamping ground, particularly where you have enjoyed a great deal of success the first time, then it can often be an anti-climax. Spurs have recently brought players back to the club (and if the paper rumours are true then Younes Kaboul could be the latest prodigal son returning to the club). So how successful have the various players who've returned to the Lane been? Going back some years, Micky Hazard came back, several seasons after departing the club and having served Chelski and Swindon his return was low key as he was still a decent player if not the same fresh faced youngster who graced the midfield with Hoddle, Ossie etc in the early 1980's; Neil Ruddock played a few games for us as a youngster and then returned via Millwall (I believe) and Southampton. His return was a successful one, a popular player for his whole heartedness, around the time of the Sugar and Venables squabbles, before he departed to Anfield after a too short soujorn at the Lane. Sheringham too departed to win a few trophies at Man U (including the Champions League) and came back to the Club under Glenn and was a good signing second time round and a good influence on the younger players at the Club, as he was an experienced head; Klinsmann's first season was an exciting one for the club, albeit that some of the results were indifferent, and his second spell personified by the four goal blast away at Wimbledon helped the Club stay up when things had looked precarious before his return. So some successes, some not so successful. Of the recent returns to the club, again mixed fortunes have been seen. Although I am a big fan of Robbie Keane, I remember seeing him score two goals for Wolves in a televised game years ago and thinking what an excellent player he was, his second tenure at Spurs has been somewhat low key. Bar his four goal display earlier in the season, he has not been as prolific as before, but a player who has scored 100 plus goals for the side and is a talisman and a good dressing room influence he is more than worth his place in the squad. Chimbonda returned and left again without so much as a ripple, Defoe has been awesome since coming back, his obvious finishing strength has been implemented by the fact that Defoe has been working on his upper body strength during the summer and doesn't get knocked off the ball by defenders like he used to. And so possibly to Kaboul? Harry signed him for Pompey, so he obviously rates him and we were told that when we signed him originally that Kaboul was one of the most sought after young players in Europe and we had beaten the likes of Chelsea and the Scum to his signature. Kaboul certainly has the potential to be a top class player, and though I cannot claim to having seen much of him since he went to Fratton Park, if he can cut out the concentration problems and errors that blighted his first spell here, then he could be a good asset. With question marks over King and Woodgate's long term fitness, him and Bassong would be vying to partner the mighty Daws, who I was very pleased to hear has signed a new five and half year deal with Spurs. Should the Kaboul deal go through it will be interesting to see whether Harry opts for him or Bassong at the back, especially as Bassong and Dawson have looked a good partnership at the back.

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22 December 2009 – Arry slap

So Arry has given the squad members who went away on the sojourn to Dublin a slap on the wrist with the money imposed in fines to be made to a worthy charity. Keano and the boys went away supposedly without Harry's blessing and although some schools of thought may say they are highly paid athletes and so forth, at the end of the day they are human beings and surely going away together will only build up camaraderie in the squad (as long as the players don't go crazy and behave what's the problem?). Some papers have stated that Arry would take the club captaincy away from Keane, but let's look at the facts- sure Robbie was the arranger of the trip but the other players didn't have to go along (as I believe four of them, including Dos Santos and Palacios didn't?) I hardly think Keano is a disruptive force in the squad, in fact even though he hasn't been at his best since re-joining from Merseyside, he will always give 100% and is one of the few players with leadership qualities that we have.

Elsewhere and the team are keeping in the chase for a top four spot and the Defoe/Crouch partnership looks extremely effective. With a tough game away at Craven Cottage where Roy Hodgson has got Fulham playing some good stuff and two ex Spurs in Murphy and Zamora will have a point to prove to us on Boxing day, Spurs will need to keep up our recent good form to get all 3 points there. Krancjar has been a revelation and Daws has played excellently since his recent run back in the side. Following Fulham the home tie with West Ham and you could get carried away and say this looks a relatively easy game, but I remember one home game against the Hammers a few years ago where they beat us 1-nil and Dani I think got the winner, and we can't allow complacency to set in despite West Ham's recent indifferent form.

Peterborough in the FA Cup and memories of Sedgley scoring in a penalty shoot-out to beat them several years back, I think this time round the tie shouldn't get that far. January will also see the transfer window re-open with Redknapp in the position where he'd have to sell if he wants to change the squad. With Pav and Bentley wanting moves out of the club, they look the two players most likely to generate any cash (Pav's agent seems forever quoted as saying in the paper that Roma or the Scum amongst others are interested in securing his man's services). Bentley, although a terrific footballer in my opinion, has had problems off the pitch, and has been kept out of the team by Lennon, who is the best right winger in the country. Arry has told Bentley to keep his head down, train hard and so forth, but when you are in direct competition with one of the players who is a certainty for the starting eleven when he's fit, then you can understand Bentley's frustrations.

Should this influx of cash materialise (e.g. if we can get buyers for both/either player) then where should the money be best spent? A keeper to come in due to the bad injuries Cudicini picked up, a centre half to understudy Bassong and Daws whilst Ledley and Woodgate continue to struggle with injuries, a front man to replace Pav and put some pressure on Crouch? My guess will be that Arry won't tinker much with the squad and possibly two players at most would come in-the tabloids go rumour crazy at this time of year so expect us linked to everyone from Matty Upson to Minty from EastEnders (who daresay has a cultured left foot).......................

Enjoy the xmas games and COYS.

28^th October 2009 – The Auld Enemy

There are many local derbies in world football that impact upon the respective fans bragging rights in their school/workplace/local pub etc. Be it Milan v Inter, Celtic v Rangers, Man United v Man City, Villa v Birmingham, Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal v Spurs, all matches are of vital importance to the respective sets of fans, as defeat will mean endless weeks of stick should your side lose.

Growing up in an area where most people are Spurs or Gooner die hards, I have had some experience of this. The 1978 December 5 nil reverse at White Hart Lane where Liam Brady inspired the Scum to victory still sticks in my mind, despite a thirty odd year gap and the fact that we famously got revenge a few seasons later with a Hughton and Falco inspired rout by the same score at the same ground.

In later seasons, I celebrated when Paul Stewart gave us a long held lead only for Ian Bloody Wright to dash our hopes with a late equaliser; semi finals against the old foe have come and gone, some positive for Spurs (1991 to any die hard Spurs fans needs no additional comment from me) to Donkey Adams grabbing a winner in 1993 being a particular low point for the Blue and White part of North London. And come this Saturday at the Emirates, another chapter in the history of this often contested fixture...................

The Scum come off the back of a 2 all draw with West Ham. This season, Arsenal have looked powerful and have had a few games where they have scored for fun. We, too, although all be it against (at times) lower league opposition, have scored a fair few goals ourselves. Van Persie, Fabregas et al are always a threat, but with Krancjar to return (after being cup tied for Everton tonight) and hopefully Woody and Ledley to be off their sickbeds for the game, and maybe Lennon to return after his knock against Stoke, we have more than half a chance. They are not infallible, and we have to think positive and go for it.

Who will write their name into the chapter of Spurs match winners against the Auld Enemy? To join Gascoigne, Chivers, Popescu et al in the list of Tottenham players who have scored in previous clashes with them? Cue the commentator on Saturday:-

"Krancjar, oh good run, beats Eboue, cross to the far post........................CROUCH!!!!!!!! Tottenham steal it at the death."

It's the stuff dreams are made of.....................

17^th September 2009 – Chelsea Preview

A good friend of mine dreads the Spurs v Chelsea fixture as her husband is a staunch Blues fan and up until the recent past she has had to put up with a fair amount of ribbing due to our somewhat dismal record against them. Despite being buoyed by Lennon's winner in the 2-1 victory, Modric's clincher last time out and the Woodgate inspired Carling Cup win over our old adversaries, the mental scars are still there (though fainter now) from the 6-1 debacle when they beat us at the Lane a few years back and some large defeats we've had at the Bridge in the past.

If the Man United result was somewhat of a reality check, then this weekend's fixture can show the rest of the League how we can bounce back and keep up the terrific run we showed in the first four games. True, people will point to Drogba's great form, Essien always being a driving force, Anelka, Ashley Cole and all their other stars, but in my opinion, Harry has assembled a pretty decent squad himself. Crouch and Defoe, having been strike partners in their Pompey days and at times for England are a handful for any defence, Palacios continues to grow as a force in midfield, Assou Ekotto has blossomed into a very good player and many full backs will have nightmares after having Aaron Lennon running at them for 90 minutes.

Whereas recent seasons at the Lane have seen us turn Chelski over a few times (I also include the 5-1 drubbing we gave them in the League Cup semi) the win at Stamford Bridge has eluded us since the pleasant chap who now resides on MOTD with Messrs Hansen and Shearer was in his pomp. As a supporter, you want to say you were there when we finally beat them again at the Bridge- and with the armoury they have at their disposal it will be no mean task to achieve.

The boys are capable of defeating the old rivals as they have shown and it would be a big fillip to the side's confidence if they can go there and take all the points on Sunday. And Debbie may just have bragging rights in her house if the result goes our way.

COYS.

5^th September 2009 – A time to reflect

With the transfer window now closed until January and the International break before our next Premiership game against Man Ure, now is a good time to sit back and look at the season so far. True we have only played four games in the league, but twelve points is the best we could have hoped for and the signs look promising for a good campaign. On the signings front, Kranjcar in from Harry's old stamping ground on the south coast and he should prove a capable deputy while Modric recovers from injury and a decent squad player once Luka returns to fitness. Bassong has looked a sterling figure at the back and Crouch gives us a different dimension up front, his obvious height complimented by his ability to hold the ball up which will be beneficial away from home and he is a proven scorer at this level.

The big tests are yet to come however. Man United as I mentioned earlier, at home and Chelski at the Bridge. Our first half performance at Old Trafford last season will need to be maintained (for both halves) in the clash on 12th September as United have a point to prove in their first season post Ronaldo and Tevez. Chelsea away and could it be the first time we have won there since the day of I believe Lineker and Howells giving us a 2-1 win in around 1990? Of the two, I think the United game is the one we're more likely to sneak three points in, but I would be pleasantly surprised should Crouch stick away a last minute effort to win us the points at Stamford Bridge.

With a few of our players on England duty this week, keep your fingers crossed that Defoe, Lennon and Crouch come through the two international games unscathed and we can keep the run going.

13^th August 2009 - New Season, Cause for optimism.

The new season is nearly upon us and the first game against Liverpool can’t come quickly enough. Good as it’s been to see England having the upper hand over the Aussies in the Ashes, the start of the footie season is always a special time.

Following Arry steadying the boat last year after arriving at the club, and another final at Wembley (even if the result wasn’t what we wanted), we can definitely look at this season with a great deal of optimism. Modric and Corluka looked very settled into the team by the latter part of the season, Defoe is back in the fold, Woodgate has been a revelation at the back, and Assou Ekotto had a very solid season.

In addition to last year’s successes, Pav can only benefit after his first season in English football, and if he gets regular games, I expect him to start scoring more regularly in the League (as a large number of his goals last season came in Cup games); Kyle Naughton looks a promising player after joining from Sheffield United and Crouch, a favourite of Arry’s, has returned to the Club where he was a Youth teamer many years ago.

We have much to be optimistic about with Palacios giving us that bite in midfield that we have been lacking since, bless him, Steffen Freund was in the side. Fans are split on Robbie Keane returning to the club, but with Redknapp known to favour Defoe and Crouch as a partnership, could Keane be employed in a different, deeper role?

Any negatives? Only a couple of things spring to mind.

One being will Ledley’s knees hold up to another Premiership season? Perhaps if used sparingly and if Daws and Bassong are used to give Leds a rest here and there maybe he can be “nursed” through another campaign. That though remains to be seen. My other doubt? I have thought for a number of years that Lennon apart, our team does lack a fair amount of pace, though we like to pass the ball around, we are not, I think, known as being a quick counter attacking team. Lennon gives us an element of pace down the right but whether Modric or O’Hara or whoever is employed down the left we do not have the same balance on that side pacewise.

Without being involved in Europe this season, I believe we will finish in 5^th or 6^th in the league, and will put my neck out and say we’ll get to the FA Cup final.

22 July 2009 – Transfer Tittle Tattle

JimmyG2 makes a good point (click here) in that should there not be too many changes to the squad during the summer then these maye be to Spurs benefit. At the end of last season, there were definite encouraging signs (the second half at Old Trafford apart) that the team had started to gel and from a personal point of view, I can see the likes of Modric and Pav, who will now both be in their second seasons in English football, playing a far greater role in our performances from now on.

Pav's agent, whether he has been "misquoted" or not I don't know, after the Russian striker had been touted as joining Roma amongst others, now seems to have declared that Pav is looking to establish himself in English football and to be part of the Spurs "project"-it beats me while all of a sudden football is being talked about like a business, but I guess with the money involved in the game these days it's not just the Board running the club that have business strategies but the coaching staff as well.

Crouch is someone recently linked with us in the Press, as Harry knows the player well and has said we'd be interested should Pompey entertain our bid for him. Where that would leave Bent is another thing as Pav has apparently been told he's part of Arry's plans. Steve Bruce after having been turned down by Crouch due to "geographical" reasons may well go in for Bent, but that remains to be seen.

Elsewhere we have been linked with the "two Kyles" at Sheffield United, both apparently full backs. Rumours abound that Chimbonda may be sacrificed and let's be honest he hasn't been played much since he returned to the club and Hutton may be going if some stories are to be believed-perhaps the squad disruption that we had hoped we might avoid this year won't actually be evaded.

In a closing note, whether the squad does get changed in the next 2 to 3 weeks, it would be good to see the core of it remain the same, so that the players know each others games etc as an influx of new players, as I think Man City may find out early on, does not necessarily mean that the players will all start winning games and be at the top of the League from the off. Me? I just hope for a better start to the season when it kicks off than last campaign's.

Disclaimer: Please note the words on this page are the opinion of the topspurs columnist and are just that, opinions, not facts and are nothing to do with Tottenham Hotspur Football club PLC. Just a supporter having his say nothing more nothing less. Any commentary on betting is meant for discussion purposes only and does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation.