Tottenham Hotspur: A Poor End of Season Can’t Mar Successful Season
So following their North London rivals thorough going over yesterday, Tottenham get to look at a season that went up, down and back up again.
So following their North London rivals thorough going over yesterday, Tottenham get to look at a season that went up, down and back up again. Final League Position: 4th If you scratch off the months following Fabio Capellos resignation at England, the press bombardment and rather hilariously embarrassing collapse that followed that event, this was a very good season for Tottenham Hotspur. They may have bottled their chances at an FA Cup (again, spectacularly) and had as legitimate a chance at the title as I do of going on a surprise blind date with Scarlett Johannson, Zooey Deschanel, Katy Perry and Joseph Gordon Levitt, them all finding me charming and winning and inviting themselves back to my hotel room. However despite these shortcomings, they managed to regain (at least, in spirit) Champions League football at the Lane and for the 2/3rds of the year had an impressive campaign which really show how important the keeping of Bale and Modric last season were, sure they fell away to the end, but without the distraction of England next year this could elongate in to a season long challenge and who knows, they might actually be able to challenge for a title next year. As much as the England affair was a hindrance for Spurs when it came to the title run in, at least now its over (unless Euro 2012 is a bigger disaster than we all expect it to be) Redknapp can focus on Tottenham and helping them progress so that the kind of collapse they experienced this season doesnt occur again. The key will come in how his squad strengthens over the summer, and whether Chelsea can do them a favour and fail to win the Champions League. The lure of Champions League football will be much more inviting if they want to bring in star quality players than the lure of Well we should have been there....But isnt Bosnian football a wonderful place to be? They must also cut some of the extra baggage from their squad, focus on youth players to be the squad players and create a top quality main squad. It would be a risk, but thats what they need to get another 4th place under their belt and this time have it definitely count for something. Summer Transfer Targets: In case they hadnt noticed, Villareal got relegated. Tottenham need a striker. Villareal have Rossi and Nilmar. Any more points needed? Will be players looking for an out, they have real quality and if Tottenham cant afford to keep Adebayor then a purge of a team who got shockingly relegated could be just what they need to push the team on attackingly. Focus as well must remain on keeping Modric, Bale has a massive price tag and, if a team is prepared to meet it, it will probably be best to cash in and use that money to add to the squad with both transfer fees and wages. Next Years Goal: Champions League Qualification and a good cup run, maybe success in the FA Cup, Carling Cup or Europa League if thats where they end up will help build squad confidence and get more of a winning reputation out there. Both North London clubs can count themselves away from the title for at least one more season, but next year should be a good building block for them. Tomorrow: Newcastle The year's surprise package