What is wrong with Spurs?

Hello everyone!

Wow the last time I wrote something on this blog, Andre Villas Boas was still manager. My god where have I been. Actually I have been watching Spurs playing some of the best football I have seen in my nearly 40 years of watching Tottenham.

So this season we seem to have hit the wall and the usual naysayers are out there bitching about everything and everyone. Let me just say, I am really disappointed that we seem to have hit our ceiling with this group last season. But to em it is nothing to get angry about but to look at what we can do to rectify this slump.

I would not blame Levy or Pochettino, I am not blaming the players even. But circumstances seem to have really been against us over the last three seasons to win that elusive title. Let's face it, we have not been the luckiest of teams over the years, perhaps we have some curse over us or maybe it is just coincidence.

So what has happened this season? Well first of all I think we have a squad too short of depth of quality. If we first look at our best 11, now that is a subjective thing, but let us say in a 4-2-3-1 it is;
Lloris, Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Trippier, Wanyama, Dembele, Alli, Ericksen, Son, Kane. The next question is who are the players who can be nrought on that we can trust to do the job. Again this is objective but we could say; Sanchez, Davies, Aurier, Winks, Dier, Lamella. So really a very thin squad of 17 players. Okay I left out Llorente, Sissoko, N'koudou, Foyth and Vorm, but I will get to them.

The second issue is a lack of form of key players. Last season we had Kane, Son, Eriksen and Dele who all scored more than 20 goals in all competitions. This season we seem to have lost their sharpness. Dele Alli in particular seems to have fallen backwards. In the game against Stoke he must have given the ball away 10 times in the first half. He has been weak in possession which has cost us goals this season. From the start of the season against Newcastle when he scored, he seemed uninterested. I am not sure if his head has been turned or he has some personal issues, but his head just doesn't seem to be in the game. I sincerely hope he can work it out. He is a terrific player and would be such a loss to the game if he cant work it out.

The third issue to me has been injuries and suspensions to key players. Now its no excuse, we are a big club and we need to have contingencies, but at times we have lost Sanchez and Dele to suspension and Alderweireld, Wanyama, Rose and Lamella for a significant period of time to injury and Dembele seems a week to week proposition at the moment.

Another reason which cannot be ignored is the general happiness of the squad. The departure of Kyle Walker may have just been the tip of the iceberg. There has been a number of rumours of players not happy with the money they are receiving compared to those at our rivals. I believe Spurs spend about £100 million a season on wages which is well below our rivals. Of course Tottenham can only pay what they can afford to pay, but as Danny Rose said at the beginning season, players are not happy when they see what they could be paid at other clubs. I am not going to point the finger at anyone, but there seems to be an issue with a few players that maybe is playing on their minds,

I would really prefer we spend more on wages and maybe less on transfer fees if only just to retain our best players. Of course that could put us in the bitter cycle of while players may be paid what they want, we aren't able to compete in the transfer market which may also force players to be unhappy. I am hoping the new stadium will give us extra money in the future and I am sure that is what Daniel Levy will be selling to the players.

Now I mentioned a number of players that I don't feel can be relied on, and I think that is a real issue. Maybe I am a little harsh on Vorm who hasn't done much wrong and so too Gazzaniga. But I would like some real pressure on Lloris. Llorente and Sissoko have been real dissapointments and are clearly taking up space on the wage budget without making a purposeful and positive contribution to the first team.  While Pochettino shows faith in these players, I don't think many Spurs fans feel the same.

I am not so sure what the issue with N'koudou is. he has pace and the ability to deliver the ball, but he doesn't seem to get a look in. I am not sure what the point is of keeping him on the books. While Foyth is young, he looks capable and I am sure he will be given time and opportunties.

This is still a squad full of talent, but maybe short of real class. I am really hoping we can add in January another attacking midfielder/striker and another central midfielder. The squad needs to be beefed up. It is telling that our current best eleven as mentioned before does not contain a single player we have signed since the begining of last season. There needs to be competition for places and regeneration.

I have not lost faith, but recognise issues, by the way I have not even mentioned tactics here but I will save that for another day.

Unlike others, i don't like to criticize, I would like to always keep my commenst to being constrctive rather than say the team is shite. I don't believe they are. Top 4 is still well within our grasp. So lets get behind the team. COYS!!!

AVB's Tactics will not help Tottenham score goals, but I think I know what will.

I am a typical armchair critic. I think I know the answers, but rarely do. Having said that I will throw my hat into the ring and give my opinion on AVB' current tactics.

4-2-3-1
I don't necessarily have a problem with the formation in principle, but the way it is deployed. Spurs play with 2 holding/deep midfielders with 3 supporting/attacking midfielders and a striker. No problem so far. It's the next part Spurs struggle with.

Problem 1- Congestion
Generally speaking most teams will concede possession and put numbers behind the ball. This usually means the area on edge of the penalty area is populated by 8 or 9 opposition players. It would not be unusual to see 18 players in this area fighting for possession. There is no space for our attacking players to create chances. Yes Spurs have had more shots at goal than almost anyone, but how man actually inside the penalty area. It is not surprising that our last 4 goals have all been scored from outside of the penalty area.

Problem 2 - Slow Build Up Play
The pace at which Spur move the ball around will also determine the success of the team. Now the continental way is to slowly build up play, keep the ball, move it around. This may well work against ill disciplined, disorganised teams, but you  are not likely to encounter to man of those n the Premier League. Another key is to have a playmaker who will have the vision, awareness and technique to pinpoint that killer pass. I don't believe Spurs have that player as yet.

Problem 3 - Inverted Wingers
This worked great last year when Bale played on the right and cut inside to score on his left, but that was then and Tottenham have no one near his quality at the moment. Spurs need their wingers to beat their man to the by line and put the ball in front of Soldado and co.

Solution - Pace
To me it is really simple. A few years back when Jol was manager, we used the pace of our team to counter attack with ferocity. We have some very quick players Walker, Lennon, Defoe, Lamela, Townsend. The ball should be distributed as quick as possible to these players to get in behind the opposition. Spurs have genuine ball winners in Sandro and Vertongen who should be able to get the play going quickly.

If Spurs encourage opposition teams onto them, there will be plenty of space for our faster attacking players to break into. The system is not so important as the deployment, I am not too fussed if we play 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 and so on. It is how we use the ball when in possession that counts

Arsenal v Spurs: Win Lose or Draw, it's only 1 game

So again we come to the Bi- Annual North London derby. As has happened in the media so often in recent years, there is talk of the shift in power. With Tottenham's spending and Arsenal's lack thereof, it is expected Spurs will prevail this season over their North London rivals.

In my opinion, Spurs have been a better team than Arsenal for the last 3 years or so, unfortunately an inability to win when it counts has cost Tottenham. I do believe that while the result in one game in September or March for that matter makes little difference in one teams ability to secure enough points to achieve their overall seasonal aims, it does have a huge bearing in the psychology of both teams.

When Arsenal were sweeping all before them a decade ago, a win over Tottenham was merely just another three points, but a Spurs win over Arsenal or any other team in the top 5 or 6 is treated as historic, season defining.

Historically, Tottenham have had great successes over the leading clubs, however have followed those up with uninspiring performances. No matter what the result in tomorrow's game, Spurs must treat it as just another game. Tottenham cannot afford to take their eyes of the prize, that is a Top 3 finish this season, possibly the title itself.

If Spurs win great, but on to the next game. If Spurs lose, lets look at where the team went wrong and learn from it and move on.

Time has come for Tottenham to forget who our rivals are and work towards making this club a great club and putting aside the euphoria of a win or the infamy of defeat over Arsenal.

Should Spurs revert to an old boy - Adel Taarabt

With news today confirming the deal for Paulinho is as good as done, and David Villa seeming a pretty good chance to join Spurs, there remains one position needing immediate filling.

Tottenham last season lacked an alternative to Gareth Bale. There were calls of Spurs being a one man team, and in my opinion they were partly right. With the lilywhite rank and file always looking for Bale and opposition defences marking him closely, there was a lack of real creative flow to Tottenham.

While I like Lennon, I fail to see how he will push Spurs to the next level. If Lennon and Defoe are to remain at Spurs, I would consider them as impact players, much the same as Siggurdson and Holtby for now.

The one player I believe we need who is able to carve up opposition defences and create chances is Adel Taarabt. He is a player that comes with baggage, but as a more mature player than previously at Spurs, I believe he would be a great alternative to Garath Bale.

Now this would be a very unlikely signing, but not a ridiculous one in my view.

Well done Spurs on a good but ultimately a dissapointing end to the season.

With all the will in the world, Tottenham again failed by the smallest of margins to overcome our nearest rivals. It seems bad luck follows Tottenham around season after season, perhaps we can balance the ledger when it comes to luck next season.

Tottenham have improved from last season as far as points are concerned, even after selling our two biggest drawcards from last season in Modric and Van de Vaart. The trouble of course is that Chelsea were able to spend silly money and leapfrog ourselves and Arsenal.

As I have mentiuoned in previous articles our failure to overcome the Premier league strugglers has been our downfall this season like most seasons. Our biggest wins this season against Manhcester United, Manchester City and Arsenal were followed up by dissapointing results, this is a trend which has to stop. We treat these games with more importance than those against Wigan, Fulham or Queens Park Rangers. But at the end of the day, aside from bragging rights, they are only worth three points and have the same worth as a win against Sunderland, Stoke or Southampton.

Tottenham have failed to break down sides at White Hart Lane this season, that is down to a lack of an attacking alternative (to Bale) and also a failure for our defence to release the ball quickly enough to counter attack.

First priority this summer must be to tie down Bale to a new contract but also to bring in two ro three players who will make a difference to our attacking third.

All in all I believe we have made prgress this season and sure our target must be to compete at the top next season.

As always, come on you Spurs!

Summer contemplations

As the season rolls down to a conclusion, even with a very important 3 games left for Spurs, my thoughts are moving towards our summer transfer activity. There have been deficiencies in our squad this year that will need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Each season it is getting harder and harder to stay competetive with the elite, and for the last 8 years or so, apart from the blip we suffered under the guidance of Juande Ramos, Tottenham have remained competetive.

We cannot at the moment compete financially with Chelsea and Mancehster City, nor can we match the prestige of Manchester United. In the transfer market our like for like competitors are Liverpool and Arsenal. That will always be our handicap in the current environment.

In analysing our last few seasons, there has been a rather common occurence. Just take a look at this season. We have beaten Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. We have also lost to Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool. That is something that is acceptable, if they were our only losses for the season. It is the other three losses that are a little harder to swallow. The home losses to Wigan and Fulham and away to Newcastle are typical of almost any Tottenham season.

The nature of this season has meant that if Spurs fail to win at Cheslea would make it unlikely that Tottenham will finish in the top 4 this seasn, even with victories in the final two games, leaving Spurs with at least 71 points, which would have meant top 4 in almost any other season.

So where have we gone wrong? Well I was never one for believing in the importance of the so called six pointers. However, this season more than every they have been important. We all love to see exciting, attractive, enterprising play, however we need to think about the big picture and perhaps Spurs need to learn to contain as much as to attack. Had Tottenham managed to avoid defeat this season against Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton, not only would Spurs be 5 points better off, we would also be in a more comfortable position now. In fact the table would look like this: Manchester United 85, manchester City 70, Tottenham 70, Chelsea 66, Arsenal 65.

But the big games are just  one side of the equation. On the other side is what seems to be our perrenial problem of overcoming the teams in or around the relegation zone. This is a problem that has existed for many years now. The following teams have taken points from Spurs this season: Wigan, Fulham, Norwich, QPR, Newcastle and Stoke. That is 19 points dropped, which if combined with the losses against our rivals at the top, would have put Spurs top of the table.

It is easy to annalyse  in such a way, but games are not won and lost by statistics. Football is played by humans not by numbers. The real problem we have is breaking down the opposition. Looking at the game against Southampton, their tactics were to close down and stifle us and not allowing Bale any time on the ball. This was not a parking the bus exercise but by winning the midfield battle. Spurs were unable to use their pace to their advantage and given the recent lack of width it is not suprising their was not a great amount of scoring opportunities.

I believe Spurs have the best options in central midfield with all players available, however there is a real lack of creative outlet. Bale has been superb this season, however we desperately need an alternative outlet otherwose if the opposition mark Bale out of the game there is no alternative. Holtby and Siggurdson have been very good this season, but I don't think they are necessarily the players unlock a defence.

There has also been a lack of goalscoring presence up front. Adebayor has been woeful this season and although Defoe has spent some time injured this season, his return has exactly sparked a goal scoring frenzy. I expect his better days are behind him, however I think Defoe is still a valuable asset for the club.

My wishlist for the summer, and might I add it should occur as early as possible, would be for two new strikers. I like the sound of Damiao, we need a regular goalscorer and someone who can get involved in the game unlike our current front men. I would also love to see Bentieke given a run at Spurs. Amongst midfield players I would love Tom Ince coming to spurs, he is a wide midfielder who scores goals. He would give us options in the final third.

Of players in the squad we should be looking for offers for or letting go would be: Adebayor, Livermore, Gallas, Naughton, Bentley and Gomes. I am hoping that Danny Rose, Andros Townsend and Tom Carroll will be involved in the first team next season.

I don't belive our defence needs additions, however we should always be on the lookout for good youngsters who can come in and put pressure on our current options.

All in all priority must be our strikeforce and alternative options for Bale.

Do Spurs deserve to be third?

It is interesting warching Spurs from the journalist point of view. Tottenham rsrelt receive positive coverage and most of the stories seem to be about Gareth Bale  leaving rather thanwhat we are doing on the pitch. Whenever Spurs are mentioned as far as Champions League qualification, it is always can we sneak into fourth.

I am the sort of supporter who always thinks anything is possible. Okay winning the league title is not going to happen this season, but why not second. My opening question, so Spurs deserve to be third, well I would say we deserve to be second.

Tottenhams last 16 games have amased some 37 points, second only to Manchester Unuted, and nine points clear of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea. Extrapolate that over the seaon and you get around 88 points which would have left us 1 point from winning the league last season.

There are some big games to come, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. This victory tonight wins us nothing, but there is hope of a great nd to this season and a great future ahead.

Did you notice?

I wont go into details of this game fantastic game beweeen Spurs and West Ham at Upton Park, but did anyone notice that amongst the Spurs team that finsihed the game included Carroll, Livermore and Caulker. All products of our youth set up. Not to mention the likes of Lennon, Bale, Walker and Dawson. Its good to see that Tottenham are getting into the habit of promoting British talent.

This reminds me of the early Premier League years at Manchester United withe the likes ofthe Neville brothers, Giggs, Scholes and Beckham to name a few. Lets hope we will see this continue and establish a new Great British team that can be of benefit to the Rngland and Welsh teams of the future.

I've got that Juande feeling, wooohh that Juande feeling!

To paraphrase a line from the Righteous Brothers, but there has been nothing righteous about our season so far. Three games we have scored not enough, three games we have conceded three late goals. It is early in the proceedings but it isn't looking good so far.

Harry's very often quoted "two points from eight games" is looming.

I don't necessarily think we made any errors in the transfer window. Sigining Mountinho would have been great, but it is not the end of the world. Tottenham for a few years now, have struggled to win these sorts of games. Teams sho come to stifle our style will always have a chance against Spurs. We tend to concede alot of possesion and are too slow in the build up play.

Yes everybody loves the pass and movement retaining possesion, end to end passing, but it is all about the ball in the back of the net. We have two of the best wingers in the game in Bale and Lennon, but we don't get the ball to them quickly enough. Forget the one up the front, lets get bck to 4-4-2. Play two of Livermore, Sandro, Siggurson, Parker, Dembele in the middle and get two of Adebayor, Dempsey and Defoe up front.

This is the acid test for AVB. When things are not going right, how to correct them. Don't be arrogant or proud and stick with a formula that isn't working. Go back to basics. It doesn't mean abandoning your philosophy, just modify.

I have faith in this squad, I hope I can soon have faith in our management team. As always, come on you Spurs!

A new season, new coaching staff, but little change

Every new season brings new hope, but if you are a Spurs fan, ultimate disappointment. In a game which provided very little opportunity, Spurs managed to concede 2 goals against a side more keen on defence than attack. Newcastle did what teams teams do against Spurs. They defend deep, keep a narrow shape and frustrate. Gong forward Newcastle offered no pace or guile for most of the match.

The opening goal from Demba Ba was the only shot on target Newcastle managed up to that point and was really something out of nothing. The penalty in my opinion was weak. This was a game in which Tottenham controlled for long periods but failed to capitalise. This is nothing new.

Some things at Spurs never change. Tottenham always have one thing missing. This is the difference between winning trophies and not. A few years ago we seemed to spend forever signing a left sided player. Etherington, Jackson and Reid were all tried but failed. We never did make that signing but discovered Bale could play on the wing.

The one glaring missing ingredient yesterday was for a forward who is capable of holding up the ball and winning some headers. We have had all summer to secure a new striker bit I expect we will wait until deadline day to make the signing. I am all for pushing on young talent in the likes of Kane and I even look forward to seeing Coubally making the grade, but right now we need to put wins on the board. We can only do this by threatening the opposition with a powerful centre forward. Why are we waiting on Adebayor when we could have signed Carroll?

These delays that the Spurs hierarchy inflict on us fans will only cost us points in the long run.

Come one Levy pull your finger out.

Can Tottenham mount a serious title challenge?

Back in February, the same queston was asked, and unfortunately Spurs responded by throwing away any chance that was offered to challenge for the title, but also thre awau their advantage over Arsenal.

While it is still early in the transfer window, the challengers, being Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have already added to their squads. Manchester City have yet to make any serious splash in the transfer window although there are reports that Van Persie is in their sights now that he has decided to leave Arsenal.

Tottenham have seen a change of manager and a number of players moved on already. The signings of Vetonghen and Sigursson have added more quality to the squad which have been tempered by the loss of Corluka and Krancjar. The real keysigning at the monent would be Adebayor if Spurs manage to do the deal.

Spurs currently only have one front line striker at the moment in Jermaine Defoe and the most obvious need is for at least two more strikers to come in. Adebayor is proven at this level and should be regarded as a priority.

Luka Modric is the name on everybody's lips at the moment, with a transfer to Real madrid seeming imminent. I dn't feel he will be as big as loss to Spurs as many people think. The money received from his transfer could beused to further strengthen the squad.

Spurs do have a strong squad and if Tottenham are able to return to the from of the first two thirds of last season, then they will have every chance to push the Manchester clubs this season all the way.

Of course as it stands, we don't know where the top 5 contenders stand at the moment, only the end of the transfer window will shed more light.  Spurs are as usual being linked with every player under the sun and I think are only likely to sign two or three more. But there is no compelling reason why Tottenham can't mount a serious challenge this coming season.

Welcome AVB!

As expected, Tottenham have announced Andre Villas Boas as the new Head Coach. This is a return to the previous structure whcih spreads the responsibilites between Coach and Technnical Director. It appears that Tim Sherwood will have a major say in future transfers.

The first thing that will need to be addressed is the future of various players. Luka Modric, Jermaine Defoe, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Giovani Dos Santos.

The future of Modric has long been discussed and there has been very strong speculaton recently over a move to Real Madrid. The suggestion is that Tottenham want a player in exchange. I would take the money from Real Madris as the other interst seem sto be form Manchester United and Chelsea and I would hate for Spurs to strengthen our rivals.

Jermaine Defoe has been very unlucky recently. He invariably scores when he is selcted to play and in my view has been badly treated. I am hoping that there will be room in our squad for Defoe and he maanges more playing time than he has this season.

Rafael Van Der Vaart has scored some very important goals for Spurs but has left the team imbalanced due to his inability to play a wide role suitable for the teams needs. I would consider offloading the Dutchman if the price is right as his value will only likely go down.

I have had plenty to say concerning Giovanni over the years. I hope a new man in charge will give some opportunities, but I suggest the hierachy have already made up their minds and have a deal on the table currently for the young Mexican to return to Spain.

There are plenty of things for AVB to ponder regarding current playing staff and future acquistions but I certainly hope he will be given time to so his job unlike at Chelsea. Fortunately we are a little short on Prima Donas.

It's your own fault Harry!

As it now appears Harry Redknapp is on his way out from Spurs, the media is putting its collective arm around the now former Spurs manager.

So many comments from the press show a complete lack of understanding of the situation at Spurs as the media have so often failed to see what is happening as hey only seem to lookat the table and match of the day.

As a Spurs fan, I have got extremely fed up with Redknapp on the tv everyday giving his usual tripe about everything in football, but what I really don't understand is his very public way of handling contract negotiations, or lack of.

Redknapp treated Spurs fans with contempt and we likewise treat the man with contempt. He has shown a complete lack of respect to the club, by touting himself, by not respecting the competitions we have been participating in and by showing conplete contempt to many of the playing staff.

Had Liverpool and Chelsea not taken the backward steps they have endured over the last few seasons, then we would still be finsihing in sixth postion with this man at the helm. He was extremely lucky that injuries gave Gareth Bale the chance in the first otherwise he would have been sent on loan and near ruined like so many other good young players.

Make no mistake this decision was the right one for the future of Spurs and I applaud Levy for having the courage to do the right thing by the club. Harry Redknapp you have a big mouth and I ma sure you will keep flapping it for a long time to come, fortunately for us you will not darken our doors as Spurs manager again.

Now bring on Martinez please!

It's not an anti Tottenham rule but is anti English Mr Platini

UEFA president today said that the rule only allowing four clubs in any one season to compete in the Champions League is not a punishment for Tottenham. While I agree with that view, this rule is anti English.

The rule change which occurred in 2005 due to Liverpool winning the Champions League and finishing fifth was to prevent more than four teams from one nation playing in the Champions League.

Of course this rule can only apply to three countries at present. England, Spain and Italy. Looking back at the last ten years or so the winners have been: Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter, Manchester United, Milan, Porto and Real Madrid.

It is the result of the Premier League's success that it would be possible to have a winner from any of six teams, whereas other nations such as Italy, Germany and Spain are very limited. Having a strong league therefore penalises sides for their success not reward them.

Platini has shown his anti Premier League hand on a number of occasions and it is no coincidence that the first time this rule has applied, it has effected an English team. He will use the excuse of the Champions League containing 32 teams and there would not be room to accommodate one more team. This is a ridiculous notion as I am sure it must be very important to have national champions of countries like Albania, Andorra, San Marino, Luxembourg etc. to retain their position.

To me the Champions League should contain the best teams in Europe against each other, and love then or hate them, Spurs are one of the best.

Please UEFA put football first and your political posturing second.

Where was the goal that cost Tottenham their place in the Champions League?

Ultimately it was just a single goal that would have made all the difference. Having spent the majority of the season in third place, not only did Spurs have to be content with fourth position but also after Chelsea won the Champions League final, a place in next seasons Europa League.

But it was all about that one goal. At home against Norwich, Wolves and Chelsea, lets not forget Adebayor's ruled out goal which should have been given! Then there was the games away at Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, Stoke and Aston Villa.

Just one goal in any one of these games would have brought Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.

And what of those other moments. One less Fulop blunder or an other Arsenal late winner, perhaps Robben to not miss a penalty, or even lets blame Liverpool in Istanbul 2005, that was the game that caused UEFA to change the rules on the number of teams able to qualify for the Champions League.

So now is the time recriminations. Who cost Spurs their place?

First of all it has to be the referees and officials. Going back to the game away at Stoke in which was the worst refereeing I have seen. That Peter Crouch handled assist, the ruled out (again) Adebayor goal and the very numerous penalty appeals which any one of four should have been given.

Then there was the game against Chelsea at White hart Lane and that goal I have already mentioned that was disallowed. Finally the game away to Manchester City. Had Balotelli been correctly dismissed, then he would not have won the penalty which he ultimately scored. Of course Manchester City would also not be Champions.

The second issue to look at is the performance of Harry Redknapp. Yes at the start of the season we would all have taken fourth. But that is not taking into account the Chelsea decline and the failure of Kenny Dalglish to galvanise the Liverpool team. Redknapp's indecisive management to me was summed up at Aston Villa when he failed to bring on Jermaine Defoe and preferred to bring on Parker instead. When you need the win to ensure Champions League football, why the hell settle for what you have?

Tottenham will now have difficulty in signing the players they have targeted, which may not be such a bad thing if we are able to invest in youth, but knowing our manager's lack of faith in youth.

All I can say is, "a goal, a goal, my kingdom for a goal".

Do my eyes decieve me? Are Tottenham going to finish above Chelsea?

This has been the day I have been waiting a long time for, and its funny but it is somewhat of an anti-climax. To finish above Chelsea I saw as being just as important to finsh above Arsenal, because surely that would mean being close to the top. So for the first time since 1996 we finish the season ahead of Chelsea.

How we found ourselves in this position I don't know as we are here every week it seems coimplaining about how poor our side is and how useless our manger is. I think it is a combinaton of a decline in both Chelsea and Arsenal together with an upturn in our own side.

In the days of Juande Ramos and Martin Jol, Damien Comolli received a lot of criticism. It is worth noting though that he was instrumental in bringing the likes of Bale, Modric and Assou-Ekotto to the club. Much of the clubs success belongs to that period when so many players were brought in to limited success at the time but have later come to fruition.

I hope the boys can finsih the job next Sunday and see off Fulham, although Martin Jol I am sure will do his best to stick it up Levy. Of course Chelsea may still get the last last laugh on Spurs by winning the Champions League, but just like thirty years ago against Aston Villa, I shall be supporting Bayern Munich.

So this Sunday brings the end to a frustrating, heartbreaking, pulsating season and I just can't wait for next August!

Yet another chance blown!

Why oh why, do we keep doing this to ourselves. We should have third place wrapped up by now but yet again we have blown our chance.

I seem to have made this a slag off Redknappp blog of late, but for gods sake, Parker for Van Der Vaart? You are seriously having a laugh.

When our manager shows no imagination when he needs to, how can we expect the players.

Levy, whatever happens, please no new contract for this serial bungler.

It looks like we are stuck with Harry

Interestingly when it became apparent the FA wanted Roy Hodgson as the next England manager and then his subsequant appointment, Spurs win back to back games. Good news for this season maybe that we can finish the campaign with a little more certainty. The bad news is that we will be stuck with Harry Redknapp for a while yet.

This summer we can expect more thirty plus signings and high wages swallowing up our transfer budget. That is not to say that his all of his signings have been poor, but they are uninspiring and for a man with a vast knowledge of English football, the wheeler-dealer is unable to unearth any young talent.

In the past we have gambled on young talent, there were plenty of misses on players such as Andy Reid and Wayne Routledge, but plenty of hits. If Redknapp had been in charge would we have ever signed the likes of Bale, Dawson, Huddlestone, Lennon etc. I think not. Redknapp has taken Spurs back to the days when we paid silly wages for players past their best with no real investment in the future.

It is time for Tottenham to return to buying young talent and promoting young talent through the ranks. Give the likes of Carroll, Smith, Parrett, Townsend etc the chance to show they have a place at this club. What is the point is keeping these players if they will not be developed into first team players.

Redknapp to me reprsents jobs for the boys, play your favourites and forget the rest.

Judas hangs up his boots - good riddance!

Ther man played in more than 600 games, represented his country on over 70 occasions and won FA Cups, Premier League Titles and featured in a Champions League Final. However all of his playinf achievements will be over shadowed by that one decison he made in 2001.

Sol Campbell, Tottenham captain, club hero and lynchpin crossed the divide to Arsenal. He could have gone to Liverpool, Manchester United or AC Milan. But he went to our oldest enemy. Only weeks before he said he would never play for Arsenal. Had he not left, the £9 million Spurs spent on Dean Richards could have been spent on other areas of the team, who knows what would have happened.

I will never think of Sol Campbell in the best of ways, I will only ever think of this man as a swear word. So good riddance to bad rubbish.

Another pearl of wisdom from our leader

Many fan, player and pundit alike have tried to explain the drop in form at Spurs. In the last week our on-loan defender Vederen Corluka stated that the players were tired and it was due to lack of rotation.

Of course the old wheeler-dealer, who has an opinion on everything and usually lets everybody know it, rubbished this saying most players had only played an average of thirty games. He then rambled on about Bobby Moore and playing knee deep in mud. Ah yes, jumpers for goalposts!

The mans intellect is about as deep as my pockets (not very)!

Harry Redknapp needs to understand the game has moved on. In those days players lived on steak, chips and beer. The game is much different now and the stresses on the body are even moreso. This is the reason so many players seem to be suffering from heart problems.

Rotation is the problem, how many games have Defoe, Kranjcar, Bassong, Pavluchenko, Livermore, Sandro, Rose, Townsend etc started. We lost some good players in January all down to his own inneptitude. There is no point blaming a lack of quality on the bench. Redknapp has been at the club for more than three years now, any shortfalls in the playing department are down to him.