A quick look at the final score of Sunday’s Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United match would probably suggest that it had been reasonably comfortable for United at White Hart Lane. They took the lead just before half-time with a Wayne Rooney header, before a second half double from Ashley Young gave United a 3-0 lead. Substitute Jermaine Defoe pulled a goal back for Spurs, but although they had one or two half chances after that, they couldn’t score again.
But Spurs had certainly not been outplayed by United. They had troubled the United defence on numerous occasions, and also had a goal ruled out. It was the correct decision, as Emmanuel Adebayor had handled the ball in the six yard box before cleverly flicking the ball into the net. It may not have been intentional, but the touch off his arm dropped the ball onto his toes, giving him an unfair advantage.
What the game did show however, is that Harry Redknapp (or A.N. Other manager should Harry take the England job before Euro 2012) will be a busy man during the summer transfer window. Spurs were missing Rafael Van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Scott Parker from their starting line up, and their presence in the squad was clearly missed. Sandro replaced Parker in Redknapp’s starting eleven, and although he is a solid midfielder, he lacks the discipline that Parker has to shield the defence at all costs.
Bale’s absence meant a start for Jake Livermore, and although he is young and talented, Spurs missed the pace and skill of Bale, and it also resulted in Luka Modric having a less influential game too. While Van Der Vaart has not been able to repeat the form of his debut season in England this time around, he too was missed, even as a substitute.
Up front, Adebayor had another impressive game, and Redknapp must be hoping that a deal can be struck with Manchester City to keep the target man on a permanent basis. It seems unlikely that City will be too difficult to deal with, as Adebayor is not in Roberto Mancini’s long-term plans, and City are likely to make two or three big-time signings in the summer, particularly in the striking department. Louis Saha had a bright start for Spurs, but barely had a touch in the second half.
He’s had an impressive start to his Spurs career, but even if he could be secured cheaply from Everton permanently in the summer, Spurs would still need another top class striker. Redknapp has been linked with moves for players like Napoli’s Edison Cavani, Villareal’s Guiseppe Rossi and Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente in the past, but it is unclear just how much money he would have to spend, and all three of those players would cost £15million or more.
It would be no surprise if Luka Modric was again linked with a move away from White Hart Lane in the summer, as after a poor start to the season (when he seemed certain to leave and had lost focus) he has been consistently outstanding, which may prompt Chelsea (regardless of who is managing them) or Manchester United to move for him. Eden Hazard seems likely to leave Lille in the summer, and his destination could very well be the Premier League, but could Spurs afford him and a new striker?
The Spurs defence has been much improved this season, with Scott Parker sitting in front of the back four, and a much more reliable goalkeeper in Brad Friedel, and there seems to be no big concerns in that area of the pitch. William Gallas may leave the club, but Ledley King (when he is fit) is still a quality centreback, while Michael Dawson has captained Spurs before and has become a much better defender since Redknapp joined. Younes Kaboul has also had an outstanding season, while Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Kyle Walker have been consistently strong too.
Spurs have surprised many people by reaching 3rd in the Premier League table, and been in with a chance of winning the league title into late-February. If they can keep their best players, four or five good signings could make them real title contenders next season. But the problem Spurs face is that it may not be the players that matter in the summer, but the manager.
Harry Redknapp has of course been strongly linked with the England job from the moment Fabio Capello announced his resignation, and he remains the favourite to be the next England manager. Redknapp has had a huge influence of the career of many of the Spurs squad, and if he were to leave, others might follow. But if Spurs can keep Harry, and he makes the right signings, Spurs can be a real force in next season’s Premier League.
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i cannot understand why arry prefers kranjicar over lennon.lennon can beat 9 out of 10 defenders.his scoreing record is poor,but he causes lots of trouble for defenders.lets play to our strength,and play lennon.
Spurs lack one thing………….Guidence. Its like they only play one way and one way only under Redknapp, Open football. its laziness by the manager that costs Spurs. Man United team isnt much better then Spurs, the manager is, he gets them all working as a unit. Not in a million years would players like O’Shea, Brown, Evans, Fletcher etc have won the medals they have if it wasnt for the manager self belief and winners mentality to change things when its going wrong. Redknapp gets Spurs playing football, but he believes his own hype and never makes changes to tactics when they are needed.
Erm… Lennon played?
And, to be fair, he’s been injured the last couple of weeks, hence his absence from the team. Also, Lennon has always been a slow starter after an injury, so perhaps Harry has noticed this too and given him an extra weeks training etc before re-introduction.
He was superb on Saturday, despite having not much support from the rest of the midfield etc. Look forward to being able to dominate more teams of United’s class WITH Bale, Parker and Rafa back.
COYS!
David i would hate to choose between Parker and Sandro but a fully fit Sandro would be the first player on my team sheet,we seem to forget his C.L games against A.C.Malan. Adebayor…..impressive??Where was he or Saha when Ekotto placed a great cross in the first half.He seldom wins headers for his size and has very little ball control.If i was him i would stick with Man. City and collect his 180,000/p.w. Leandro is a player Spurs really need to fire them to win trophys.Last of all i think King should retire.With his knee problems he will never be the same player he was.