Last August a defiant Harry Redknapp told the Telegraph that he believed Tottenham could not only finish above arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premiership for the first time since 1995, but that his Spurs side were capable of mounting a serious title challenge. “We were behind Arsenal by miles for years and years and years but now we’ve got a chance to really push them and get above them,” enthused the former Portsmouth boss, before continuing: “That would be great for Tottenham fans and its possible we just need to improve that little bit now and if we could do that it could happen.”
Redknapp also predicted in last year’s interview that Craig Bellamy would join Fulham and that Liverpool would be challenging for honours, neither of which materialized. But his assertion that, “you have to push on; if you don’t and stand still then others will pass you,” did come to fruition, as perennial Champions’ League qualification rivals, Manchester City, replaced Spurs in the top 4, in fact finishing in third. Redknapp’s belief was echoed regularly throughout the season by his White Hart Lane charges, with Peter Crouch claiming in March: “Doing better than Arsenal really does mean something. It is great for the club because they [Arsenal] have been above us for a number of years and now it is so nice to go one step further.”
The 6ft 7in striker was speaking not long after the Gunners’ elimination from the Champions’ League by this weekend’s finalists, Barcelona, and Spurs’ unexpected progression to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 aggregate win against AC Milan. Since then, neither club were able to maintain the momentum gathered from their early season form, with Arsenal eventually finishing fourth in League, and requiring a two-legged qualification tie to progress to the group stages of next season’s Champions’ League, and Spurs ending up behind City with the consolation of Europa League football next campaign.
But what now for the eternal north London rivals? A busy summer is inevitably in store for Redknapp and Arsene Wenger as both managers seek to improve on relative disappointments this campaign, but can Spurs pip Arsenal in the League next season for the first time in seventeen years? Personally I think next year will come too soon for Redknapp’s players, and it is unlikely they will be able to attract the likes of Sergio Aguero – who Spurs unsuccessfully bid around £38million for in January – without the allure of Champions League football. The Argentine has actually announced his intention to leave current club Atletico Madrid this summer, but will probably move to a club considered amongst the more esteemed on the continent, rather than a team with only a Europa League offering.
It could be argued that Spurs’ star asset this term, £8million signing Rafael van der Vaart, wouldn’t have considered joining a club of Tottenham’s stature had the club failed to reach the top 4 the previous season. In this regard, it would be difficult to imagine Redknapp convincing players of the Dutchman’s calibre to relinquish at least one year outside of European football’s top table. Conversely, should Arsenal’s leader finally decide to invest considerably in new playing staff, the Frenchman will likely be able to entice players of a standard which could improve the team’s performance; much like van der Vaart has done with Spurs this season.
All of these questions remain to be answered, but seeing as the Gunners’ propensity for late-season disappointments has continued for a sixth consecutive year, surely now is the time Wenger will negate his miserly economic principles in order to push Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League table. For now we will have to wait and see, but it is likely that the elusive fourth position, which Spurs deservedly achieved last year, will impact significantly on both clubs’ attempts to improve on faltering finishes to the recently completed season.
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Written by Josh Sheridan for FootballFancast.com.
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1ST Why? Because it’s been over fifty years since we last won it….Liven up Tottenham
levy wants a wage cap put in place, so a lot of players will need to be shed before new ones can come in. This won’t bode well with Redknapp who will leave blaming the interference by those above, and plump for the Chelsea job instead. Spurs will truffle to finish mid table.
Harry says the same and acts the same where ever he gies, Bournemouth, west ham, Portsmouth, Southampton and now spurs. He’ll jump ship and. Blame someone else before good turns bad. It’s how he works, wait and see.
with modric – top 4 and higher
without modric – 6th.
and that’s the bottom line, he’s that important to us. sell bale before we sell modric!! preferably neither!!!!