Can Tottenham take second chance to mix it with Europe’s elite?

The end of the 2010/2011 season left Tottenham fans with an overriding feeling of disappointment. No Champions League campaign to look forward to, questions marks over the clubs ability to hold onto their star players and the sense that an opportunity had been missed to establish the club as a genuine top four side.

Things seemed to be going from bad to worse after a chaotic start to the new term. An opening game postponement followed by humblings by both high-flying Manchester clubs left Spurs rooted to the foot of the table and in a battle to hold onto their midfield playmaker Luka Modric, with Chelsea reportedly making a bid of £40 million. However, chairman Daniel Levy was true to his word and Modric remained a lilywhite when the transfer window slammed shut. Also the frantic last few days of activity saw the recruitment of the classy and experienced Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor, a much needed boost to the squad after the exits of many fringe players either permanently or on a loan basis.

What a difference a couple of games has made. After the international break, Harry Redknapp took his troops up to Molineux to face previously unbeaten Wolves, and the improvement was clear. Modric looked back to his best, Parker and Adebayor settled in immediately and the defence was marshalled well by the all too infrequently appearing Ledley King, with Spurs coming away with all three points thanks to goals from Adebayor and Jermain Defoe.

Next up in the league came a potential proverbial six-pointer against top four rivals Liverpool, with the result and performance even more impressive. A stunning strike from Modric was accompanied by a brace from Adebayor and another goal from Defoe to produce an emphatic 4-0 scoreline. Although aided by the reds being reduced to nine men, Redknapp’s team were by far the better side from start to finish, dominating the game, with Brad Friedel mostly a spectator.

The question now on most Tottenham fans minds is can they kick on and make the most of this second chance to join Europe’s elite?  Looking at the starts made by both Arsenal and Liverpool, the signs are encouraging. Arsene Wenger faces an unprecedented battle to create belief and solidity in both the Arsenal players and fans, with the side also now lacking the star quality that so often kept them at arms length of their North London rivals.

Although the situation is markedly different over at Anfield, with Kenny Daglish enjoying unanimous support and having spent heavily in the transfer market, Liverpool are likely to take time to find their best starting line-up and gain the consistency needed to battle away at the top end of the table. There is also a feeling that the splurge has only helped narrow the deficit between themselves and the top sides, not breach it.

Looking closer to home, Tottenham’s deep squad offers further signs of promise. Having held onto their prized assets in Gareth Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart and the aforementioned Modric, Spurs have added to the squad and have true competition for places, with regulars such as Tom Huddlestone, Sandro and Van de Vaart among many no longer guaranteed a place in the starting line-up. The variety of players on the payroll means Redknapp will have many options in terms of team and tactics and this could prove crucial over a long season.

Also the somewhat poisoned chalice of the Europa League could in fact be a blessing with the fixtures giving much needed game time to both experienced fringe players and the many blossoming youngsters seen already this season, including the imposing Jake Livermore, Juventus loanee Yago Falque and the versatile Andros Townsend.

Although Liverpool remain the bookmakers favourites to gain fourth position and Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League group phase for fourteen consecutive seasons and counting, Tottenham have nothing to fear. If they can continue to gather momentum and keep a settled, happy squad there is no reason that next season will not see the return of Europe’s premier club competition to White Hart Lane.

Follow me on twitter @sawyer_john

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.

Fancy winning VIP Tickets to the Merseyside derby? Well click here!

For an opportunity to win VIP Chelsea tickets, please click HERE!