Is he right...?

[sloth]

Source: Setanta

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate has hailed the potential of the North London club and feels they can go on to achieve great things.

Woodgate already has a medal to show for his time at Spurs since joining from Middlesbrough in January after his goal saw off Chelsea in the final of The Carling Cup.

That victory ensured Uefa Cup football for Juande Ramos’ men for next season, but Woodgate feels they can go one better next year and qualify for The Champions League, in which his old team Leeds United did so well seven seasons ago.

"Champions League qualification is a realistic aim for us, it really is," the defender insisted in Hotspur magazine.

"It's not going to happen overnight, a lot of work has got to be put in between now and next season but if we keep building on the squad we have got, it's only going to be a matter of time.

"You sometimes sense a buzz, a vibe, that things are going to happen. Now we've got to get our heads down and keep working hard to make sure it does.

"There is a feeling here similar to the one I had when I was at Leeds. It's hard to explain but it's a sense of anticipation, of excitement that we could be on the verge of achieving something special.

"I had my old Leeds team-mate Robbie Keane also telling me what a great club it was and what a great crop of young players Spurs had.

"In fact, he could have been the club's chief scout the way he was going on! But he is right - the potential here is unlimited, especially when you see the age of some of our players.

"To think I'm one of the oldest in the squad now, it's frightening."

 

[Marty]

"It's not going to happen overnight, a lot of work has got to be put in between now and next season but if we keep building on the squad we have got, it's only going to be a matter of time.

This bit is completely, 100% true in my opinion. We have a squad that, with a few key signings in the middle of the park and some very good work on the training field can challenge for a CL spot.

We don't need the mass clearout that some people are shouting for. We need some new blood, yes. We need to shift five or six players that we all agree are 'deadwood' as they are either on loan or just never in the match squad to accommodate the new players, but no more.

Also glad to hear that Keano's been proactive in courting Woody :razz:

 

[SpurSince57]

One would like to think so, and it's good that he and Keane in particular have expressed belief and confidence in Ramos. I just wish that some of that had rubbed off on the field in some of our recent performances. Our morale seems as fragile as it did at the start of the season.

 

[PT]

Part of attracting players to the club is the selling of the potential of the team. I can imagine some of the cards played by Commolli in getting Woody to sign was his disclosure of one or two potential targets over the summer.

It's one reason why Mr woodgate might be chipper about his chances of playing for a club pushing for Chamions league, and by definition, the title.

 

[stemark44]

If we are going to be a major player in the league next year then we really can't afford to make any mistakes in the transfer market - if it is anything like last year then we are doomed.
One other thing needs to happen too - we have to sign the right quality players as soon as the window opens - otherwise Berbatov will be on his way!
That would also be a disaster because we can't keep selling our best player every two years -otherwise we are stuck on a roundabout going nowhere!

 

[Kendall]

said the same last year tbh. Untill our key players start playing to their potential & we gel as a team it won't happen.

Moyes seems to get players playing as a solid team unit, why can't we do that?

 

[Tequila]

I am not sure if Woody really believes that, not sure what else hes meant to say.

NO next year we have no chance of doing anything and will languish in mid table again.

Couldnt see him saying that though, long as he plays well as he can for the club, its not really his problem, Woddy aint the problem at spurs.

 

[DC_Boy]

well we've got one of the 4/5 players we need to challenge for CL (unless we sell quality too then need to replace them)

it's a start

 

[michaelden]

We are going to steamroll the Arse out the top 4, stomp on the Chavs and feast on Liver next season. I guess we'll be competing with ManU and Everton for 1st next season

 

[badajozjim]

Next season will be totally different, for starters our squad will be fit from the start and not just halfway through the season, Ramos will have had a whole pre season to discuss and plan tactics, which is difficult to do mid-season. We will have Modric, Lennon will be fit from the start and hopefully Bale and King.

As for the squad we might get to see Rose or Taarabt and even a new Kaboul!

 

[stemark44]

If we are going to be a major player in the league next year then we really can't afford to make any mistakes in the transfer market - if it is anything like last year then we are doomed.
One other thing needs to happen too - we have to sign the right quality players as soon as the window opens - otherwise Berbatov will be on his way!
That would also be a disaster because we can't keep selling our best player every two years -otherwise we are stuck on a roundabout going nowhere!

I am a true psychic - one and a half hours later and we sign Modric -pure genius!

 

[hybridsoldier]

I think the way things are going, bayern last season, ac milan and valencia this season. It seems that the rgulars are not as regular as always, it may be the turn of the prem next season and I feel we are best equipped. We are not that far away from Liverpool league performances-wise and Arsenal are gonna have a big spending summer but I don't think it will click right away and that may cost them.

Maybe its the fact that our league emphasis the big 4 and the CL more than any other in europe so whats happening around europe won't happen here, maybe im just getting over-excited by the modric signing?

I do think that we will have a better season but Spanish managers have a reputation for being better at cups than leagues

 

[Mullers]

If we play like we did in the carling cup then yes, if we play like we have done after the carling cup then even qualifying europe or getting in the top 6 will be a problem. Winning the cup has brought Ramos some time. Without the carling cup he would have been under more pressure from supporters by now. He not only has to buy the right players, he also has to gel them together to make a good team and he has to do it quickly. It a tough job.