Spurs: The good, bad and ugly. Mid Term Report
Current Standings: 3rd – Pts: 45, GD: +18
Best XI (4-4-1-1): Brad Friedel; Kyle Walker, Younes Kaboul, Ledley King, Benoît Assou-Ekotto; Aaron Lennon, Scott Parker, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale; Rafael Van der Vaart; Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Season in a Few Words:
Better than most expected. Unless an end-of-season collapse, they’ll be gracing European football again next year.
The Manager:
Known as a “Wheeler dealer”, Harry Redknapp’s signings over the summer have given Spurs the added thrust needed to challenge the hierarchy. Still playing attacking football yet with more defensive foundations, Spurs can “win the title” according to Redknapp. And they certainly can.
Key Player This Season:
Gareth Bale. He’s the star of the Spurs show isn’t he? Last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year has recovered from his slow start to the season and has been in devastating form. He’s the man, that no one wants injured. If he can remain at peak fitness and continue his form, he definitely the man to lead Spurs to glory.
Best Player This Season:
Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutchman has been the most consistent player for Tottenham this season. He’s given 100% in every match and while, seven goals (in 17 games) and three assists doesn’t seem like much, Van der Vaart has provided that devastating link between the midfield and attack by playing in the ‘hole’ behind the strikers. All good things come from this man and he’s has become a vital clog in the Spurs machine.
Worst Player this Season:
Steven Pienaar. The South African was the star at Everton turning in some fantastic displays, but since his move to North London, he’s yet to feature in the Premier League and has only made three appearances in the Europa League. He’s a quality act, but lacks that extra spark that has seen him been benched. Wondering why Redknapp bought him in the first place.
Most improved Player:
Younes Kaboul. The French international played 10 games in the Premier League; this season he’s already played 17 and he doesn’t look like stopping yet. This, many would say it attributed to Spurs’ defensive injuries, but with Kaboul in top form, you’ll think Spurs don’t have a defensive conundrum at all. Strong and tough in the air, Kaboul has grown leaps and bounds since his first stint at North London. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Pienaar
Best Signing this Season:
Emmanuel Adebayor. Harry Redknapp has finally got the decent striker he has always wanted. On loan from Manchester City, he has established himself in the starting ousting Redknapp favourite Jermaine Defoe. He provides many things that Englishman lacks – strength, quick feet and also an avenue for an aerial threat and with 9 goals in 17 games; he has also gathered a great understanding with the players around him, including Van der Vaart, Bale and even Defoe.
Best Match they played:
West Bromwich Albion 1 – Tottenham 3. A strange choice, but the match sums up Spurs’ best qualities this season. They started poorly going down 1-nil as early as the 10th minute. They “upped the pace of the game” as Redknapp said, and drew level with an Adebayor penalty. They dominated the second half, missing chance after chance. Yet being under the pump by WBA, they broke with two lighting counter attacks in which Defoe and Adebayor scored. Previously they would buckle under the pressure. They didn’t and won the game; without two of their best players in Van der Vaart and Luka Modric.
Worst Match they played:
Manchester United 3 – Tottenham 0/Tottenham 1 – Manchester City 5. Spurs start to the season had a Manchurian flavour to it; but it hardly was tasty, with Tottenham getting hammered 3-0 at Old Trafford then 5-1 at home to City. They could of hardly started the season any worse.
What they need to do:
They are in uncharted waters: never have Spurs been this close to the title race. What could they improve on? Simple really: keep winning the games they are supposed, yet more importantly beat the other big teams around them. They’ve only two out of five ‘Top Six’ clashes this season. A couple of big wins will help their cause. And hope that key players stay fit and healthy.
Prediction for 2012:
Unless a dramatic collapse happens, Spurs will be next season’s Champions League. As for the title, it will be hard for them, mainly because of their lack of depth. Injuries are bound to happen sooner or later and it could harm their challenge. But brace yourself for another season of Gareth Bale and co, ripping up Europe next season. 3rd.
Andrew Bishara
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