Have Tottenham finally learned the lessons of their past?

There’s no substitute for experience in football; something that Tottenham fans found out last season as they tried to balance a Premier League campaign with the rigours of Champions League football. It’s something that Stoke are finding out this year too as they make the step up to European football; so far this season Stoke have only taken five points out of a possible twenty-one when playing on the weekend after a mid week European game. In fairness to Spurs they managed it quite well last year but never really looked like getting fourth spot. However it was Redknapp’s first time in the Champions League and the difference between the intensity of Europe’s top two competitions is vast indeed. It has not gone unnoticed at Tottenham.

For anyone to suggest that Spurs could not have qualified from their Europa League group with ease would be ridiculous. If they had wanted to they could have. But instead Redknapp has played teams that resemble anything other than his first eleven. Don’t get me wrong it is still surprising that that they look unlikely to qualify, their second string should easily be able to top a group that includes the likes of Shamrock Rovers. However I doubt you’ll find many people in north London who will be overly disappointed by their probable exit from the competition.

Last season was a learning curve for Spurs and there are a few things that they’ve evidently picked up from it.

Europa League

You could never say that when Harry was previously in the Europa League with Spurs that he gave it his all but he used to put out much stronger sides than he has done this season. Despite their good start to the season Spurs will be aware that there is a long season ahead and competition for places at the top will be ruthless. With seven equally capable teams competing for four spots under no circumstances will Redknapp be in doubt as to what his priorities are. At the beginning of the season he lamented the fact that they were even in the Europa League labelling it an unnecessary distraction. It’s not just the games themselves that tire out the squad it’s the travelling all over Europe mid week. We saw what happened to Arsenal against Fulham after they played a tough match against the German Champions in the week and Redknapp knows that a successful run in Europe is worthless in comparison to a possible place in next year’s Champions League.

Confidence

Last year’s performance by Tottenham in the Champions League will have left them brimming with confidence and it is starting to show. They beat the then-champions Inter Milan in their group and comfortably brushed aside AC Milan in the knockout stages. There weren’t many fans who thought they were possible of this beforehand but the aren’t many doubting them now. Redknapp has always attempted to instil belief in his players and this year it is perfectly evident that they the message is getting through to them. Interviews like Ledley King’s for The Telegraph and the performances they have been putting in all season are demonstrative of that.

New players

Playing against the best last year perhaps showed Tottenham where their weaknesses lay. The sale of Crouch and Palacios and the acquisition of Adebayor and Parker as their replacements has shored up the suspect areas in their team. When they played Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League their defence was over exposed and Adebayor, then with Madrid, punished them. In two strokes Redknapp has turned that experience to his advantage.

Every team has low points in the season, it is inevitable, but Spurs have shown so far that they are twice the team they were last season. They are a far more all-round accomplished team and have taken the lessons from last year on board. Redknapp has transformed his team from one that dreamed of playing at Europe’s top table to a team that deserves to be there.

Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

Written by Hamish Mackay for FootballFanCast.com

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