During an exciting midweek programme of fixtures, Man United closed the gap on leaders Man City at the top of the Premier League, winning 5-0 against Wigan at Old Trafford and drawing level with the leaders. Only goal difference now separates the top two and it is, without doubt, the most exciting time to be a Mancunian football fan right now. But, quietly lurking away in the background, we have Spurs. Harry Redknapp’s Spurs. Those men in white who have been on an absolutely superb run, taking them to within seven points of the top and still with a game in hand.
With Chelsea now 11 points adrift and Arsenal and Liverpool showing inconsistent form, is it now time for everyone to sit up and take notice of Harry Redknapp’s team who have played bridesmaid for so long but never been the bride? Their 2-0 win over Norwich City on Tuesday night was their eighth win in ten games, 25 points out of a possible 30. That’s not good form, that’s championship winning form. Both Manchester teams are looking ominous at the top but if any team looks likely to break the mould it’s Spurs.
Old ‘Arry seems to have found the perfect blend of youth and experience and has the right balance in his side. Experienced heads like Brad Friedel, Scott Parker and Ledley King are complemented well by Gareth Bale, Sandro and the lightning-quick Kyle Walker. Parker in particular, who was signed from West Ham in the summer has slotted in perfectly at White Hart Lane and is the perfect shield for Spurs’ back four, marshalled well by Kaboul and King.
Also fitting in very well indeed and keeping Jermain Defoe out of the side is striker Emmanuel Adebayor, signed on loan from Man City in the summer. He has already scored a number of crucial goals and has wasted no time in helping Spurs breach the Manchester stranglehold on the title race. His partnership up top with the classy van der Vaart is one of the best in the league.
For many years, Tottenham have had to make do with being a middle-to-average Premier League side, capable of brilliance but only in fits and starts. Since Redknapp has stepped in, he has taken them from the brink of relegation to the Champions League in an incredible three-year spell. Granted, he has spent some money – players like van der Vaart, Parker and Bale don’t come for free – but he’s always made his chosen XI click into place nicely. And, in addition to this, it’s clear to see that all players are playing with pride and belief, instilled in them by their manager.
The January transfer window beckons and it is a time for all managers to beef up their squads, add ammunition, show that they’re looking to build something at their clubs. You feel that Redknapp can count himself very lucky in that there aren’t really any areas in his squad which need strengthening. There’s class all over the park and quality to back up quality – if Adebayor gets injured, there’s Defoe, for Friedel there’s Gomes, for Parker there’s Huddlestone.
On current form, you’d be a fool to bet against Spurs. Watch this space.
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when they stop taking players on loan from other title contenders.
And getting more out of them! You may not be laughing come May, enjoy the Poznan while you can
When the FA punish refs like Chris Foy for forgetting the rules of the game, instead of rewarding them.
Just wanted to point out something… Bale cost £7m and was actually at Spurs before Redknapp stepped in. VDV cost £8m and Parker cost £5m. Adebayor is on loan and Friedel was a free transfer. We spent £5m this season, Norwich spent more than that on Morrison.
If you look closer at the money spent, Walker, Kaboul and Ekotto all cost £5m or under. King came through the youth ranks and Gallas was on a free. Sandro was at most £7m whilst we got Lennon as a youth player from Leeds and cost next to nothing. The only player of real cost was Modric at £16m but I think we all know if he leaves we will get close to triple that. The big money players such as Pav and Bentley etc are where the money was spent and inevitably lost; however in the long run this was more than covered by the sales of Keane, Palacios, Crouch, Berbatov and even as far back as Carrick.
Our starting line up against Norwich cost us around £55m. Chelsea spent close to that on Torres. Liverpool spent the same as our whole teams worth on Henderson and Carroll. The point I’m trying to make is that basically I don’t think we get enough credit for how the club is run and we are too often put in the same bracket as the big spenders just because we are competing with them when in fact we are vastly up on transfer income/expenditure and have a tiny wage structure compared to that of even Liverpool, who for the past few seasons haven’t been able to get close to us.
It’s just good business!!!
Great comment. It annoys me when Gooners say we spend more than them, whist conveniently ignoring that they have spent over £300m more than Spurs on wages since they last won a trophy
When all of Man City’s and United’s players fall victim to a dodgy lasagne.
When they come off the pitch having played a team with Manchester in the name without being annihilated, or when they get to the top of the league, whichever comes first 🙂
Have you looked at Citeh’s record against Spurs since the Prem started