Blogger: #18
They tell me the new season’s already upon us. I mean, how would I
know? It’s not like I have no life and pathetically empty weekends with
nothing to look forward to but David Moyes’ astute transfers? (United
fan here. GGMU. CR7 Rokz!) I guess this would mean we'll have to move
from acknowledging other human beings, and the existence of our own
parents or girlfriends (lol), basically from having a life, to, well,
football. I'm #18 by the way, one of the lowlife cretins that runs this
blog and your Spurrespondent for the day. (Don't groan yet, it gets
worse).
But hey, if you're a Tottenham fan, you have every right to look forward to what looks like a very promising season. Most of the deadwood has been cleared out (read Bentley, Gallas, Dempsey) and newly appointed technical director Franco Baldini has overseen some very impressive signings (read Paulinho, Chadli, Soldado). Daniel 'Ironballs' Levy has done brilliantly to keep hold of Bale, or get £100M for him depending on the paper you read. But with great backing comes great expectations and Andre Villas Boas will be expected to spur (sorry couldn't resist) this side to the top four or maybe even have a shot at the title (I can see the optimistic Spurs fans nodding). The squad has shaped up well, notwithstanding further additions, and looks very impressive indeed. Even more so, if you compare it to Arsenal's.
Taking a quick look at the squad, Roberto Soldado has arrived from Valencia for a reported £26M. Jermaine Defoe can probably rest assured about his spot being under threat, but Adebayor will have to consider devoting a significant portion of his thoughts towards the match when on field, if he is to have any chance of competing for a spot in the starting 11.
Well, So far, so good.
Nacer Chadli, the 23 year old from FC Twente will add firepower to wings in the possible absence of a certain Welsh chap and if heights are an indicator of crossing abilities, he’ll be a lot better at it than Lennon, Chadli standing at just an inch over six foot.
In the center, (Arsenal fans look away) Capoue and Paulinho have arrived for a combined total of £25M, adding steel and competition to a midfield that already contains the likes of Dembele and the returning Sandro. As for Parker, he’ll probably have to settle for a spot on the bench, or follow Huddlestone through the exit door.
So, no worries there either.
It’s in defense where Levy seems to have missed a trick. With Vertonghen injured, Kaboul just making his way back from injury, the sale of Steven Caulker to Cardiff City seems to make no sense. A product of the youth academy, here was a chance to build a local legend, someone who could stay at the club for life and captain club and country in the years to come. Say what you may, but that is the most romantic and heart-warming aspect of football. Just look at Nicholas Anelka. Or Christain Vieri. Well, now that’s gone through the window. While both Naughton and Capoue are capable enough to play stop-gap for the start of the season alongside Dawson, it was foolish to sell Caulker, that too without a replacement in hand. Spurs will probably return to a fairly settled back four when Vertonghen returns with him and Dawson/Kaboul flanked by Walker and Assou Ekotto.
But what about Bale? Gareth Bale? For all their quality, he is the only reason Spurs are even playing in the Europa League. For all the steel that Dembele and Sandro add to the midfield, Bale has been their only source of creativity in recent times. Holtby and Sigurdsson are no real playmakers and Tom Carroll is yet to fulfil his potential. If and when we reach the end of what has been an overplayed saga, its verdict will have a huge impact on Spurs’ league fortune. The presence of Bale, or the cash that fills his absence, will provide to be a huge boost. Levy seems to have once proved to be an astute dealer in the transfer market and Spurs will profit no matter the outcome of the Bale saga.
While a title challenge might be touching the limits of optimism, a top 4 or even a top 3 finish looks highly plausible. Manchester United look clueless and dear rivals Arsenal seem to be resorting to their usual trick of not really strengthening much, and yet finishing in the top four.
But even if Spurs do find themselves in the heights of the table come Christmas, they’ve been found wanting in mental steel and experience on past occasions. Painful memories of continuously and narrowly missing out on that coveted Champions League spot will linger, but as Villas Boas with his managerial jargon would say, Spurs will have to incentivize and ruminate their thoughts towards the positives, and obliterate the negative statistics.
But no matter how the season pans out, I think Spurs fans will be reasonably pleased if they can avoid St Totteringham's Day this season. What say?
But hey, if you're a Tottenham fan, you have every right to look forward to what looks like a very promising season. Most of the deadwood has been cleared out (read Bentley, Gallas, Dempsey) and newly appointed technical director Franco Baldini has overseen some very impressive signings (read Paulinho, Chadli, Soldado). Daniel 'Ironballs' Levy has done brilliantly to keep hold of Bale, or get £100M for him depending on the paper you read. But with great backing comes great expectations and Andre Villas Boas will be expected to spur (sorry couldn't resist) this side to the top four or maybe even have a shot at the title (I can see the optimistic Spurs fans nodding). The squad has shaped up well, notwithstanding further additions, and looks very impressive indeed. Even more so, if you compare it to Arsenal's.
Taking a quick look at the squad, Roberto Soldado has arrived from Valencia for a reported £26M. Jermaine Defoe can probably rest assured about his spot being under threat, but Adebayor will have to consider devoting a significant portion of his thoughts towards the match when on field, if he is to have any chance of competing for a spot in the starting 11.
Well, So far, so good.
Nacer Chadli, the 23 year old from FC Twente will add firepower to wings in the possible absence of a certain Welsh chap and if heights are an indicator of crossing abilities, he’ll be a lot better at it than Lennon, Chadli standing at just an inch over six foot.
In the center, (Arsenal fans look away) Capoue and Paulinho have arrived for a combined total of £25M, adding steel and competition to a midfield that already contains the likes of Dembele and the returning Sandro. As for Parker, he’ll probably have to settle for a spot on the bench, or follow Huddlestone through the exit door.
So, no worries there either.
It’s in defense where Levy seems to have missed a trick. With Vertonghen injured, Kaboul just making his way back from injury, the sale of Steven Caulker to Cardiff City seems to make no sense. A product of the youth academy, here was a chance to build a local legend, someone who could stay at the club for life and captain club and country in the years to come. Say what you may, but that is the most romantic and heart-warming aspect of football. Just look at Nicholas Anelka. Or Christain Vieri. Well, now that’s gone through the window. While both Naughton and Capoue are capable enough to play stop-gap for the start of the season alongside Dawson, it was foolish to sell Caulker, that too without a replacement in hand. Spurs will probably return to a fairly settled back four when Vertonghen returns with him and Dawson/Kaboul flanked by Walker and Assou Ekotto.
 |
| Spurs born and bred (and betrayed) |
But what about Bale? Gareth Bale? For all their quality, he is the only reason Spurs are even playing in the Europa League. For all the steel that Dembele and Sandro add to the midfield, Bale has been their only source of creativity in recent times. Holtby and Sigurdsson are no real playmakers and Tom Carroll is yet to fulfil his potential. If and when we reach the end of what has been an overplayed saga, its verdict will have a huge impact on Spurs’ league fortune. The presence of Bale, or the cash that fills his absence, will provide to be a huge boost. Levy seems to have once proved to be an astute dealer in the transfer market and Spurs will profit no matter the outcome of the Bale saga.
While a title challenge might be touching the limits of optimism, a top 4 or even a top 3 finish looks highly plausible. Manchester United look clueless and dear rivals Arsenal seem to be resorting to their usual trick of not really strengthening much, and yet finishing in the top four.
But even if Spurs do find themselves in the heights of the table come Christmas, they’ve been found wanting in mental steel and experience on past occasions. Painful memories of continuously and narrowly missing out on that coveted Champions League spot will linger, but as Villas Boas with his managerial jargon would say, Spurs will have to incentivize and ruminate their thoughts towards the positives, and obliterate the negative statistics.
 |
| 'It's incentivisize, not incentivize you moron!' |
But no matter how the season pans out, I think Spurs fans will be reasonably pleased if they can avoid St Totteringham's Day this season. What say?
Agreed,but I doubt spurs will do well dis season if bale leaves.but yes best opportunity this year as arsenal are vulnerable.MANUTD just beat swamsea 4-1.they aren't clueless.-MANUTD Fan But CR7 SUX
ReplyDeleteYeah don't think even the hardcore Arsenal fans would deny that Spurs have got a better squad than them at the moment.
DeleteAll the signings Spurs are making seem to point to Bale leaving, and I think they've just delayed it so that Spurs can complete their signings at non-inflated prices.
United do look clueless in the transfer market. Has been poorly handled, but I think that can be excused with this being Moyes' first summer and everything. Don't think United will win the title, and with some luck, there is quite a possibility Spurs could finish alongside them.
And macha. CR7 da. Rokz!