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After breaking my SEVEN YEAR hoodoo at If not, then it is imperative we sign someone who can feed Darren Bent, he’s a class striker, but got shut out by the Keane/Berba goal machine last season. And of course we have the possibility or signing “The next Rebrov” from the soviet bloc. All in all I’m going to wait and see, we’ve
got a good squad, and I hope they live up to the hype.
Lilywhite McLenin, Sean Hurl: After the deflation felt at the stumble against This year we will again flatter to deceive - we will not
break into the top 4 - we will not win in I look forward to the new signings and what a full season
with Juande offers, but I'm nearly 50 and don't expect too much. I hope for
everything and expect nothing.
Eric Mallia, Spurs in Hong Kong Another season beckons with even more hope, more hype, more expectation and more pressure. I'm happy Ramos and Levy have whittled down the squad and released fringe players as well as some that simply weren't good enough (note to Levy - please extend this strategy to your DoF). Keane's gone but I don't think it will affect us greatly and 20m quid was too good to turn down for reinvestment purposes. Berbatov's about to leave but I simply don't care anymore - I'm bored of that whole circus. Let's hope the 25-30m is reinvested wisely.
But I'm ecstatic at our summer signings and so the look of the squad now compared to 12 months ago is an improvement. But top 4 material? I don't think so. At time of writing however, there are still significant weaknesses. Another world class central defender is desperately needed. Leds, Woody and George Daws are not going to see us through 50 - 60 games. And The Hudd and Zokora are no central defensive replacements. A combative central midfielder is also urgently needed as those same two players have major deficiencies. I'm quietly confident another two forwards will join the squad in the next few weeks. Darren Bent may have had a great pre-season but he'll need to share the load. And I just wonder how his confidence will hold up when he spurns one or two good chances in games that really count. But good luck to Bent; he's shown application and balls to get through a very tough first season at the club. Many players would have buggered off by now.
For me "patience" is the key word this season and next. Ramos has the potential to build a dynasty at Spurs but it will take time. The building blocks are there but realistically I don't see Champions League football happening for another 3 seasons. For that to happen, the fans, the players and most importantly the Chairman (hopefully Comolli will have fuxked off by then) cannot push the panic button no matter how much media pressure is applied or how badly we start the season.
My predictions: 8th
in the League. Uefa Cup winners. FA Cup semi-finals. 3rd round loss in League Cup. And lots of late night/early morning
merriment in
Clive Francis: Even with all the improvements in playing and coaching staff, success in the Prem (that is 1st, 2nd or 3rd) is not as some fans and pundits believe a gimme. Remember, the team that finished 3rd last time out did so with 83 points; that is a big ask for a club like ours that has regarded a successful season so far as 65+ points... and maybe a cup. And here is where I think our biggest challenge lies. BELIEF. With technique, skill and talent, player for player, squad for squad, we are on a more equal footing with the clubs that regularly finish in the top spots than for many years. But whether you call it arrogance, confidence or even bluff I still feel we are out thought and out played in the belief department. Belief , or lack of it, starts with the management, feeds down through the team and even creeps into the stands among our 'wonderful' supporters. For every competition, every game, even every decision or
tackle, We HOPE to win; it's a big difference. Ask any professional sportsman and they will tell you that success is 90% in the head and 10% on the pitch, court, course, track or whatever. That said I am ever hopeful as long as;- Chelsea have an untried/unpredictable manager at this level; Arsenal continue to have to field inexperienced kids because the stadium costs are messing with their operating capital so they cannot afford to splash the cash; Benitez is convinced that Robbie K is the missing link and Ronaldo puts two fingers up to SAF. Otherwise, I fear it will be 5th and a cup (hopefully the UEFA). Read more stuff by Clive on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-clivefrancis.htm
This is the season where we will really see what Ramos can do and whether he can deliver on the high expectations placed upon him. We saw him start to stamp his authority on the team last season with the increased fitness regime and some decent signings. Over the summer the money has been flowing to allow Ramos to shape the team to his vision, we've seen some quality additions and some of those he's deemed surplus to requirements offloaded. As ever though with Spurs, while we've seen some good we've also seen some bad - the one thing that Spurs had going for them last season was the strikeforce, and it has now been dismantled. That looked largely out of Spurs' hands, but now it remains to be seen what Spurs can muster for the new season. Going by the recent friendlies, Berbatov has been a bit part player and when he has played has looked half-hearted. It looks 99% certain he will be sold and Ramos may already have the replacement lined up. On the other hand, it could turn out that Bent plays as the lone front man, and with 9 goals in the last 4 games that could actually work out pretty well - we would be pleased with that sort of return from Keane and Berba combined! It's the midfield that gives me the most optimism for the new season - especially if Spurs add Arshavin to it - Bentley, Modric, Arshavin all quality, backed up by Jenas, Lennon, Giovani, Huddlestone, and Zakora. With that midfield supplying Bent in the role he's best at, it's unlikely Spurs will struggle for goals. The defence gave Spurs the most problems last season - mainly caused by a disastrous slump in Robbo's form, and King and Bale absent through injury. The defence has been strengthened since then with Hutton and Woodgate brought in, plus King and Bale are back from injury, and Robbo has been replaced with Gomes. The defence looks good on paper but it remains to be seen if it holds up for the course of the season - will Gomes be any good, will King, Woodgate, and Bale remain injury free? So there are plenty of uncertainties to make you think twice before putting a big bet on Spurs for a top four finish, but I can't help but look at the positives and feel excited at Spurs' prospects for the new season - I guess I never learn! COYS! Vic Sean Morley For those who want this summed up in a nutshell, Spurs are at the crossroads. For those old enough to appreciate the imagery, Ramos is standing at the touchline wearing his 'benny' hat. I wait to see what fork in the road we take. Much depends on what happens with his team building plans, what happens with Berbatov/ his replacement and much to luck not undermining his best laid plans.
I remember when Hoddle was manager, he was able to put out what I thought was his first choice injury free team (including King/ Anderton/ Ziege etc) on just 4 occasions. Spurs were unbeaten during that period, and if memory serves me correctly completely battered Arsenal in a 1-1 draw when Ziege scored 'that' freekick and Robbie Keane had about 40 shots cleared off the line. How Ramos fares depends on whether he can obtain better favours from Lady Luck that those bestowed on Ghod.
As a preliminary, some numbers for you. (NB these are before the current season and summer transfers including Modric and Bentley have been taken into account). In the years between 1992 to 2007/08 the net transfer spending of the self-appointed top 6 clubs is: 1. 2. 3. Man Utd £160m 4. 5. Tottenham £116m 6 Arsenal £55m
On the face of transfer spending alone it is highly
surprising that
Since 2004/05 season, and up to last season's message to Jol from Levy that he should qualify for the champions league, by way of automatic expectation, the net transfer spending was (approximately) Chelsea (Mourinho) £163m Man Utd ( Tottenham (Jol) £57m Newcastle (????) £52m Arsenal (Wenger) £4m
On the face of it, and as is happily reported by the tabloid press, Spurs are massively underachieving, especially when compared to their main rivals. However to complete the picture. you have to look at what the clubs pay their stars in wages For example, Robbie Keane announced he was a 2005/06 2006/07 Total (2 seasons) Man Utd £85.4m £92.3m £177.7m Arsenal £82.9m £89.7m £172.6m Tottenham £40.6m £43.8m £84.4m
Effectively the Spurs squad are paid less than half what
their equivalents earn at Arsenal or Man Utd and a third of what they earn at
What this essentially means is that Spurs have
outperformed their nearest rivals who are
There is a gap of the top 2 + 2, within the champions league team, with Chelsea and Man Utd out at the
front.
Chelsea as we know are 'financially doped' by Roman's money and for that reason are a good benchmark for what it costs to be a top club, but not a good comparison, unless another billionaire owner comes along who wants to throw money at a club.
Man Utd have the basis of their massive fanbase and
merchandising to make their money. They are overachieving in comparison to
Arsenal are clearly affected by the debts of paying for their stadium. However they have been paying the wages to keep the squad together to maintain their position in the champions league money.
Arguably, with their boardroom unrest and financial
problems, the weakest team of the champions league
quartet are
When the Spurs spokesman said that Enic had a 5 year plan to get Spurs into the champions league it was not clear whether this was actually a 5 manager plan and he was misquoted. The financial figures above show the gap that exists between Spurs and the holy grail of the champions league, which is the stated aim of the Board to take the club forward season after season.
Always bearing in mind the money issue which shows the gap between the 5th place in the league and the massive step up to 4th the question is whether this is going to be the 'year'. Spurs have a good nucleus of players. however strip away the first team and factor in suspensions and injuries, the quality of the replacements is not of a similar ilk.
For example, Woodgate and King and both quality
international defenders. Both have a history of injury and cannot be relied
on for the season. I am surprised and glad King is available for the coming
season. But if injury takes its toll, the back up is
At the business end of the pitch we currently have Berbatov, Bent and Dos Santos. Berbatov may not be at the club by 1 September. his body language suggests he has already moved on and we will have to assess the potential of any replacement. Take away one or more of the frontline through injury suspension or sulking and the quality of the replacements is not up to scratch, untried or inexperienced. The conclusion is that however good a manager Ramos may be, for Spurs to achieve anything this season, the team will have to be very lucky with injury and suspensions. If these start to mount, expect to see the same old inconsistent Spurs. Read more stuff by Sean on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-seanmorley.htm and also check the news of the screws each weekend for his and Greg Meyer’s Spurs blog Laurence Coss So last year we managed to hang on to Berbatov,
and that may have been crucial in us winning silverware. This term it looks, at the time of
writing, that we will have to do without Berbatov, as well as Keane and
several others. Spurs already seem to have spent wisely and in Modric,
Bentley and Dos Santos have players of the calibre that gets us Spurs fans purring. Modric and Bentley
are more recognised, but my gut feeling is that Dos Santos may be the
surprise package in this years
Premiership. We still need at least one striker and Ramos also needs to sort
out the defensive midfielder role, whether that requires a
purchase or a change of role for one of our current squad. And maybe given a
run, Bent can come good and the promising Czech
Tomas Pekhart might get a few games under his belt
as well. Hopes for 2008/09 - That we can defend more resolutely,
especially from set-pieces - That we learn to finish teams off - Take some points off top four sides (which
would help give us a better league placing) - Win some silverware ( ...and of course play some exciting footie
along the way COYS Read more stuff by Laurence on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-lcoss.htm
TV’s Rabbi Crackers I predict that we won’t be able to predict what’s going to happen....This is Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and therefore every time we stand on the edge of greatness a huge lasagne sized curse will hit us.
I don’t know, you don’t know, even the lord above probably doesn’t know, i reckon its so messed up fate wise even he ain’t got a grip on it. All i know is that its never a
dull moment and for every killer BUCKLE UP PEOPLE !!!!!! Colston Vear Well it is that time of year again. A week to go before the curtain riser up up and away at no doubt bloody cold Middlesborough and we are not quite sure what team will be lead out for that game and by whom and whether our star striker will be a recalcitrant Bulgarian, a released Russian or a revitalized Darren Bent. One thing we do know is that the midfield will be studded with two or three of our new jewels. David Bentley is proven Premiership quality and in Luka Modric and Gio Dos Santos we have two outstanding talents that together will hopefully provide the creativity sadly lacking since the departure of Michael Carrick. With Jermaine Jenas given the vice-captain's armband and Gareth Bale's superb delivery on the opposite side to Bentley our midfield resources are looking much stronger. Maybe a defensive midfielder will come in before the end of the window to complete the picture. Defensively a new goalkeeper was essential and Gomes looks the part. The perennial will he or won't he play a large part in our season is still unanswered so looking beyond Ledley King for defensive capability is in order. Hutton and Woodgate were great signings in the last window and add to that the recovered Assoi-Ekotto and Bale, the strong possibility of a new Croatian and we have the makings a sound defensive force. So will we crack the top six, the top four, the top
two? Losing five and drawing five of
our last fourteen games with wins only against West Ham, As always I am full of irrational hope and am dreaming of not only cracking the top four but a lightning attack on the title itself. Of course we have always had a great cup record and winning one of the three competitions we are due to enter would not be an irrational boast. Sunday 24th February 2008 will live long in my memory and repeating it soon would be great consolation for a failed title bid. So what does my head say? The little grey cells are long used to promised glory and almost inevitable failure. We won't finish outside the top ten this season. We won't finish in the top two. We may win one of the pots on offer. UEFA would be my choice, but our success may well depend on what priorities others put on the competitions. Whatever I am excitedly waiting to see how we begin next Saturday. My conservative predictions for the first six games and thereafter... A Middlesborough - D H Sunderland- W A Chelsea - L H Villa - D H A End of season 3-6th FA Cup - early exit UEFA - QF League Cup - SF Top scorer - Darren Bent COME ON YOU SPURS
Martin Cloake Last season I said "I don't go along with the current wisdom which says we
can't win this and that because the top places are a closed shop, it's all
about money etc etc. We have a very good squad,
some exciting talents, and we can be good to watch as well as effective. We
play the same teams as everyone else, on the same pitches, and use the same
number of players. And if you really want to talk about money, we've spent
quite a lot this summer. So, it's in our hands. Win a Cup? Win
the League? Why not? I never go to a game or approach a competition thinking
we should lose, so why should anyone else at the club?" I could say pretty much the same
this season, despite the enormous changes that have been implemented since
then. The fact that we could line up for our first game with just two or
three of the players who started last year could work either way. It could
give us the surprise factor of fielding a team opponents are unsure of how to
play against. Or it could mean we suffer from lack of familiarity and team
spirit. We can at least say it's unlikely we'll get shot of the manager this
season - although you can never say never as far as the old shotgun/foot
interface is concerned at Spurs. One area of concern as I write is
our forward line. Darren Bent has been in great form pre-season, and the
rumoured 4-2-3-1 formation will play more to his strengths than we did last
year. Berbatov may well remain, but it's pretty clear neither he nor the club
sees a long-term relationship. And we've sold Keane at a vast profit, after
trying to hang onto him via the clever tactic of asking him to put in a
transfer request. Despite banking a £13m profit on a player who also had a
former club paying a significant proportion of his wages for a significant
part of his time with us, and despite those hefty season ticket price rises
being justified because of the need to make new signings, we apparently can't
afford the player Ramos has identified as Keane's replacement, Andrei Arshavin. All may be resolved by the time
the season starts, or at least by the date we seem to think is the real start
of the season - the end of August, three games and nine points into the
campaign. But as ever, it's the suspicion of the board's spin, clever-dickery and focus on shareholder dividend (ie their own) at the expense of team-building that
remains the major worry. Football-wise, I'm looking forward to watching Modric And Gio regularly, the return of Bale, and the quality of
Hutton, Woodgate, King (when fit), Bentley and Lennon. All of those players
are capable of competing at the top, and if you add in Jenas, How they all work together is down to Juande Ramos and his tactics. If the tactically astute, proactive, offensive and motivational Ramos who took us away from the drop zone and to a Wembley victory is in evidence, than last season's assessment that we've got as good a chance as anyone still applies. But if the bystanding Ramos who was unable to get the players to switch back on after the League Cup Final and who failed to experiment with players and formations even when we had little to lose as last season petered out is still around, we could face problems. What's encouraging is that the board seem to be letting the manager decide on players and the playing side - at least in relative terms. I'm broadly confident in him, even though there are those question marks. I will confess to a slight suspicion that he's also lined up plenty of excuses if things don't go well - new team, transitional season, dominance of big four cash blah blah blah – but to be honest if I was working for Levy and co I'd cover my back too My expectations are that Spurs play entertaining football and everyone connected with the club gives their all. A cup, or two? still looks more likely than the league title, but I still refuse to concede the idea of the big four closed shop. Read more stuff by Martin on his
topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-martinc.htm
Haig(haigspurs) Ill get straight to what I have to say, we say this year in year out, THERE’S 2 MUCH TALK NO RESULTS. 48 years is to much to wait, Is this our year AT LAST for the premier league, we’ve heard 4th position will do, COME ON BOYS GET REAL, with pain I say this I want to see Spurs win the premier league B4 I DIE. So new signings look alright, likes of Modric, Dos Santos, Bentley don’t know about the keeper Gomes, he wants 2 win the premier league. So COME ON YOU SPURS, The best is yet to come!!!!! and a wish, LET THAT TEAM FROM SCUMBERY ROT IN HELL 4 GOOD I have a feeling that we will have a promising season.
I think Ramos might just be the man. The best thing that could have happened was losing so many matches after the cup final because it has enabled us to clear out players who, although decent enough, didn't have the winning mentality required to seriously worry the top clubs in the country (particularly away from home). Our best 11 is much better than the best 11 that started last season. When you look now at how many of our players would get into a top 4 line up now its probably double what it was at the start of last season. The purchase of Modric is particularly exciting. Also I don't think its a coincidence that our results against the top 4 showed massive signs of improvement after Ramos took over last season.
Onedannythomas Levy (despite our net spending remaining small or even minus depending on what happens between now and Aug 31) may be realising that lots of people have nearly had enough of (to borrow a phrase used on this website from time to time) being promised jam tomorrow whilst paying jam prices today. For many people, this is the bullsh*t that is the Premier League's final opportunity to show that it can still be a worthwhile competition for a Spurs fan paying top prices. For some that moment has already passed. Levy's reasons may or may not be honourable (selling price of the club etc) but I'm not too bothered about that as long as I see that I might get what I want out of the deal. We still don't know what will happen with Berbatov and/or any incoming players but my predictions are as follows
4th or 5th in the league and a cup final....or even two. Most importantly, I think by the end of the season we will have the makings of a team in place with a style of play that can push on and be successful. The last of these things is more important to me than the short term success of next season.
If however we reach next summer and, yet again, we 'have' to sell our best players to the teams we are supposed to be trying to catch up (despite them not 'having' to sell their players when they want to leave for Real Madrid) then the vicious circle of modern day Sky football will end for me. I will obviously never stop supporting Spurs but my hope of our triumphant return to football's top table playing glory glory football will go and I will accept that I support another middle of the road club with no realistic hope of anything more. I'm fed up enough with modern football as it is so I'll just watch what Spurs matches I want to watch from then on in the pub. Read more stuff by OneDannyThomas on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-onedannythomas.htm
Grahame Howells The usual sense of anticipation before the season kicks off – and the usual caution about not getting too excited over pre season form as we have been there before. So where are we 3 days before we face Boro? On the plus side we seem to have creativity in abundance with Modric, Bentley and Dos Santos/Gio. We also seem to have a new Darren Bent with confidence and goal touch, plus 2 new keepers- one of which at least is prepared to forsake his goal line when necessary and is prepared to roll/throw the ball out rather than aim a long range missile in Berbatov’s direction – all good stuff, coupled with increased levels of fitness, and a brand of pass and move football that could become very pleasing on the eye. On the other side, we have sold Keane and not yet got a replacement, plus we hear that Berbatov will likely line up in a red shirt in 3 days time. We have, almost unbelievably, not signed cover for Ledley, and so could go to Boro with only 3 CBs (Zokora as number 4?). Finally I (and maybe Modric) still haven’t got the midfield guv’nor to allow the creative guys to strut their stuff. So what can we expect? Hopefully we will see clever reinvestment of the Keane/Berbatov cash in the coming days to provide Ramos with a squad to challenge the top 4 – the club’s apparent goal. That would be dreamland for most of us – the reality I fear is likely to be a top 6 finish, a good cup run at home and, to cap things off, a European final in Turkey as I reckon the Ramos style of football will be more suited to Europe this year – next year Rodney the promised land of the CL. Greg Meyer Recently walked to a certain train station along Not Redknapp Motors. Not Benitez Bargain Buys. Nope certainly not Wenger’s Woofters. Not a Dodgy Brother to be seen. The huge sign proudly announced … Tottenham Hotspur : Premiership Model 2008-9. A posse of smiling salesmen gathered about the new rollout. The Yard Manager of obvious Spanish complexion. His Assistant as well of similar ilk. A Uruguayan sun as opposed to time spent on Costa del Sol. Senor Ramos keen to sell the merits of his brand new fleet, this time with translation help from Senor Poyet, extolled to anyone within goal scoring range “it’s all my own work.” Martin nowhere to be seen. So what of Model 2008-9. A closer inspection shows the back row looking decidedly promising. The familiar Rolls Royce driven by our Captain Ledley is there albeit an MOT certificate only signed for the first 6 months. Fingers crossed but with no obvious back up available could be a problematic area for Manager Juande. Yes there is the agricultural “steady as she goes” Land Rover piloted by Michael Dawson. Our journalist cannot but stop thinking of images of “a rabbit caught in the headlights”. Parked alongside is Woodgate of Mercedes Benz. A class act ( a very assured performance against Roma corroborates the impression) and if pit stops can be kept to a minimum then he will ease Head Office Sales worries immeasurably. Running a buyers eye over the rest of the rear section
again some quality additions . A Brazilian
goalkeeper ( already looks less accident prone than
his Turning to the middle of Ramos Motors again some bright
shiny new motors. Bentley by name and after the Feyenoord
Jubileum Tournament and then the Lane last Sunday
surely Bentley of Spurs. The future looks excitedly scary. Our bank manager
cannot wait for that derby with you know who just
for the bentleyisms alone. The expected Arsenal supporter gibes and
the telling riposte from our very potent looking new winger. Parked next to
him is Out front on the lot headlining Ramos Motors tis a little quixotic at this stage. A Bulgarian Ferrari ( maybe not the horse power but certainly all class and all else and then some )soon to leave the driveway for rainy days and money. Our Pub still coming to grips with the departure of the man with the finest first touch in English football. After that it starts to look a little thin. Darren Bent for whom we paid the equivalent of General Motors America stupendous loss last year has been on fire lately. Our gardener hopes all the plantings haven’t come up too early and he keeps scoring as prolifically in the Premier. Perhaps a Russian poppy might help. Arshavin etc. New cars still to come? Still with all those bright shiny new cars in midfield perhaps goals will flow more so from there. Talking of flowing, time for a beer … At A Kent Pub. Firstly a topical quote … “ Vedran is not an
aggressive type defender but elegant. “ Sounds very much Spurs like. Of
course Sven previously of Probably a summer here at Pub Cheers … I Know the Olympics are on but hey we kick off in 4 days … Gentleman (and Ladies) … Start Your Engines …. Greg Meyer. Coys 2008-9. Read more stuff by JimmyG2 on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-greg.htm
and also check the news of the screws each weekend for his and Sean
Morley’s Spurs blog Chris Dean Once bitten, twice shy. Like many Spurs fans, this time last year I thought we were heading for the Champions League. With our lofty expectations shattered after just a few weeks, it would be unwise to build up our chances in the same way this time around. For all the squad restructuring, there are still areas in which we are short. We do not possess a top-quality holding midfielder. If Berbatov goes we will need a new striker, a man who will have the unenviable task of replacing two players who scored nearly 100 goals between them in the last two seasons. And although our first-choice back four has quality stamped all over it, they all have a history of injuries, and the back-up doesn’t look all that solid. I think the top four may be beyond us, but European qualification for the fourth year in a row would be a great achievement. Although we must be realistic in our expectations, there is plenty of cause for optimism, with a manager who has shown he can mix it with the big boys and a vast array of attacking talent at his disposal. It won’t be dull. Read more stuff by JimmyG2 on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-chrisdean.htm JimmyG2: Watch and enjoy. As a new boy to this pre-season prediction lark I thought I would read last season's vox pop as Jim had thoughtfully provided a link. Oh dear what a depressing half-hour. So much hope and optimism, so much anticipation and desire. As they say 'It’s the hope that kills you'. Anyway here goes based mainly on the new signings, the hope that Berbatov stays and our impressive performances so far. I am on record as not craving success at the expense of good football and that is my first prediction: Spurs will play better, slicker, on the ground, possession football this season. A goalkeeper that rolls the ball out and Modric will help to achieve this. We have a better quality squad with perhaps Arshavin and Veloso possible additions. Watch and enjoy.
The crystal ball is clouding over but that's enough hostages to fortune and I'm putting a tea-towel over it. But wait is that Ledley holding aloft the Premier League trophy and being knighted by the Queen. 'Arise Sir Ledley' no wait, wait 'Arise Lord Ledley of 'Wake up JimmyG your teas getting cold.' 'Oh sorry love must have dropped off there for a season or two. Read more stuff by JimmyG2 on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-jimmyg2.htm
DublinSpur Shane O’Sullivan: I have been very impressed with our transfer activity this summer, the ins (as well as the outs) point to THFC finally showing some proper ambition. ENIC are backing a proven successful modern coach to the hilt and I am expecting a much more consistent season and some jaw dropping silky football in keeping with our fine traditions. “Sunshine Football” is back with a Spanish twist. As you can probably tell by now, the b@stards have me dreaming again. I let my guard down for 5mins and they got in, I suppose I really should know better but I cannot help thinking that we could do something special this season. What’s a successful season ? I begrudgingly accept that the way forward in today’s bullshite plastic corporate game is entry into the Champions league. To break this closed shop would be a monumental achievement against all the odds. Extra icing could be provided by replacing Woolwich Wanderers in the competition and turning that plastic giant salad bowl of theirs the loveliest pair of cement shoes the game as ever seen. Reality check - I really should know better then make these arrogant predictions. What is an acceptable season? Another cup final and a top 6 finish would be okay and respectful. I’m not one for demanding Cup success, there’s too many variables involved with winning cups to make winning one a make or break thing. If Ramos can sort out our diabolical away form 5th/6th should be achievable without too much fuss, although in true Tottenham style we will probably make a meal of it. What is a poor season? Failure to qualify for Prediction ? 6th place in the Premier League and UEFA cup champions 2009. COYS !! Caution is the byword for the new season. After getting carried away with last
year’s pre-season media hype, one mustn’t get too carried away
this year. The predictions of top four
were well wide of the mark, and in reality, last year was saved by the six
games that won the Carling Cup and particularly the matches against Arsenal
and
A new season, a new team – seven, probably eight, of the Carling Cup final winning squad have departed - nothing’s ever simple with Tottenham. Juande Ramos has confirmed that Jol’s cautious comments twelve months ago which led to him losing his post, were accurate – the squad wasn’t good enough to break into the top 4. This season’s success or failure will depend on: • how quickly the new players gel as a team and adjust to the pace, pressure and rigours of the Premier League. • the fitness of Woodgate and King in central defence. • the short-comings in defence over the past two seasons being resolved by the signing of a new goalkeeper. • how successful Spurs are at compensating for the loss of the thirty league and sixteen cup goals scored by Berbatov, if he leaves, and Keane last season. • Darren Bent carrying his pre-season goal scoring exploits into the new season. The pre-season has seen exciting football and performances
from Spurs but the last two pre-seasons have been as equally encouraging but
then reality hit in the first games and Spurs were found wanting. A good positive start against What are Spurs’ prospects for the season? As one newspaper put it –
‘Hopefuls’. More Cup
success at home or in Read more stuff by Il Falcone: Every year Spurs fans believe ‘this will be the one’. Every year, those hopes are dashed, usually around the time the clocks go forward due to a perm of bad luck, injuries, loss of form and simple incompetence from board room to boot room. Any confidence for the forthcoming season is usually a case of hope over reason. Nonetheless, against all my better instincts, I feel this season could be the one where we finally start to get our collective act together. There are several factors in our favour, not least that the poxy Director of Football system has been mothballed or at least significantly modified so that the manager has more of a say over transfer targets. When that manager is Juande Ramos, that adds to the feelgood factor. He has his doubters, and some of his decision making last season confused as much as it clarified, but he is a proven winner and most importantly proved it by winning a pot for Spurs last season. He gives other managers something to think about, not the other way round and that can only be a good thing. Add in some genuinely exciting new players and a very healthy debt-free bank balance and we look better placed than we have for a while, with the means to improve still further with what remains of this window and the next. The doubts centre on two of our better players: will King regain and maintain fitness, and will Berbasoff stick around. It may even be that the Brooding Bulgar doesn’t fit into Ramos’s supposed 4-3-3 plans in any case, but however it happens, if we can hang on to the most talented player we’ve seen at White Hart Lane for many a year it will send out a clear message to all and sundry that not only can we attract good players but keep them as well. If Berbatov does go, it has to be because its on Ramos's terms and he has a better Plan B lined up. Predictions? In the words of a great ex-Spur, I don’t make predictions and never will Read more stuff by Il Falcone
on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-ilfalcone.htm
Richard Pymont A top six finish would be a positive step after last season's midtable finish, although Jenas amongst others has talked about the club breaking into the top four, I think the recent departure of Robbie Keane and Berbatov possibly following suit would seriously dent any faint hopes we did have of breaking into that elite group. On the positive side, I think Bentley and Modric will be excellent acquisitions to our midfield, and Gomes looks like a dominating force in goal, so that our defence should look more difficult to break down than in previous years. It would be nice to see some more youngsters following O'Hara into the first team..........after all we used to produce players such as Hoddle, Brooke, Miller,Hughton and Falco through our junior sides..........about time we had some more coming through. My predictions? 6th in league, good UEFA Cup run, semi-finals of Carling Cup. Read more stuff by Richard on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-richard.htm
Mario Sergides The coming season is going to be a tough season for us supporters. Players have come and gone as in previous seasons, but this time, players like Keane and Robinson who had taken us to the two top five finishes have gone and they have (or not depending on your view) been replaced. This is going to be a season of re-building. The cup King that is Ramos will bring silverware to The Lane and a top half finish (above west ham). Colin Ashby: I wanted to wait before writing anything to see if we would have any more signings, but this past weekend when we have put Roma to the sword has been so full of ups and downs that the time is right to write. This time last year I was full of confidence, don’t really know why having the benefit of hindsight, the first team was virtually the same, and the purchases we had made Bale, Bent, Kaboul and Prince Boateng, seemed to me to be squad players. History now shows that the confidence was misplaced and although we won the Carling Cup, the move up the league after bringing in Ramos was from 15th to 11th. Hardly the progress we all had anticipated, after finishing fifth two seasons on the trot. So dare I say it? I am feeling very confident this season. The reason being is what I have witnessed in the past few weeks. I thought it rather strange that we should send the squad to Spain for a couple of weeks pre season training, but when I saw the pictures and read the articles by Marco, the players were put through some intensive work to get them really fit for the kick off. It has paid off and the guys are looking very lean and fit, fitter than they have been for a long time. I put this down to Ramos and his meticulous attitude to fitness, diet and work. After the training we have had a number of friendlies, and apart from the draw against the Spanish club,
have won them all. The passing and movement for some of the goals have been a
joy to watch, particularly the ones against The goalkeeper is big and looks good, I like the way he plays the ball out of the penalty area and is reluctant to hoof the ball in the hope it will be won up front. Woodgate and Hutton were great acquisitions in January and Gunter is an ideal young backup. With Essou – Akoutto and Bale returning from injury the left back position is covered particularly with Gilberto in the squad. Obviously I am concerned about King and his fitness, and cover for him brings me back to the downs referred to in the opening paragraph. Midfield looks strong and if we are to believe what is being rumoured could be stronger, it is upfront we could be light particularly if Berbatov follows Keane up North We take on Boro on Saturday and then their neighbours parading three ex Spurs the following week. Our team’s fitness, confidence and belief should get us off to a sound start, however I think this season is going to be the toughest yet. The so called big four are not going to have it all their own way, and there will be a number of clubs including ourselves who will be doing their utmost to give them a game. This in turn will place a toll on the fitness and the moral fibre of all players. The Premier league is a really tough league, and there are no “easy “games, so having a good squad in depth with quality is of paramount importance. For our part we have to be stronger at home, back to a couple of season’s ago consistency and have a better attitude to away games. This is where Ramos’s attitude, supported by Poyet, will really make a difference, and I can see us being an extremely tough proposition away from home this season. When he took over Levy said he had a five year plan, or was it a five manager plan? Anyway he has backed the current manager with money, we have made good business selling players to cover incoming, and the platform is there for further development which will hopefully lead to the success him and of course us the fans deserve. We now do business discretely and although it has been stated that Levy is different, I think he now has the support from us, for endeavouring to get Spurs back to where we belong. Last season, against the top four and of the 24 points available,
we did not win one league game, and took, if my calculations are correct,
only 4 points. We also lost 6 points to a relegated side – Read more stuff by Colin on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-colin.htm
Slabber It’s easy to get carried away on the eve of a new
season. We were here just 12 months ago and we all know what happened. But
this time it’s different. And it’s not because we’ve
assembled what looks like a sparkling array of talent in Gomes, Dos Santos,
Bentley and Modric. It’s because of Juande Ramos. In today’s Sun, he says: “Tottenham is already a massive club. We can already
be compared with United and the other top four clubs. We are very happy with
our squad and, with the players at our disposal, we
feel we can challenge anybody. I have no doubts in my mind that players will
choose to stay here over any of the other top clubs. I have the squad how I
want it.” This is in stark contrast to Jol’s
softly-softly approach that caused such consternation amongst the Spurs board
last summer. Ramos believes and expects. And if he believes it, I believe it,
and so surely will the players. I’m so optimistic that I’ve come round to the
idea that not only can we progress without Berbatov, but even that we’re
better off without Robbie Keane. I don’t want to detract from his
contribution at the club, but I think the reason we were all so surprised by
his move to Cue Benitez, who, despite the Champions League win,
I’ve always considered an imbecile. I’ll stick my neck out and
predict his move to Daniel Levy is as ruthless and calculating a chairman as
there gets and it’s a fair assumption that his legal manoeuvres against
In the meantime, the Berbatov saga rumbles on. With no new
developments at the time of writing, it seems fair to say that Berbatov will
still technically be with us for the trip to All of which brings me to the point, which is that for the
first time I’m no longer fussed whether Berbatov stays or goes . This
is of course in part due to the possibly misleading pre-season form of Darren
Bent (I seem to recall Steffan Iversen
once having a great pre-season) but on current form and attitude,
Berbatov’s definitely second choice. And I’d genuinely wonder
whether to start him at If we’re going to get into the mix this season,
which surely is the whole point of supporting Spurs, we need to get off to a
good start, and that means winning our winnable games. Middlesbrough away and
Dreams may of course be shattered on what looks set to be
a wet and windy Jim Duggan While its difficult to retain much love for the PLC and their snide greedy owners, Spurs are very much on the up after a good summer of transfer activity and should be in line for a good season. Potential areas of worry are the injury prone centre backs and forward options, and of course arresting the post league cup final slump – but Spurs should be strong enough to be a top 7 for definite and most likely 5th and on course for between 65-70 points. Where Ramos will need to have the edge of Jol is in the style of play and level of conviction of the performances. Star summer signing for me is Bentley who along with Bale on the other side and possibly Modric in the middle are going to give Spurs every chance of scoring goals and as long as Spurs can pick up decent points at the start of the season as the team gels, Spurs should be very strong by the turn of the year and hopefully it will be third time lucky in the UEFA this year. Here’s hoping for a good season 15/08/2008 08:12:33 |