Twelve games into the season and it's about time to have a preliminary assessment of our performance so far. We have heard it all before: "Is this the season to break into the top four?"
I certainly hope we will. We came ever so close to making it under Big Martin Jol but for the well known food poisoning incident on the final day of the season at Upton Park a few years back. Now that BMJ is gone and a brief spell under Ramos had past, there is once again a strong belief that we can do it this year.
"Two points from the first eight games" - that was quite an unbelievable statistic to come to terms with when we compare with poor Portsmouth this season who even manage to do better than we did last season. Full credit to 'Arry who has not only turned things round by saving us from relegation, but to guiding us to the unthinkable demolition of the Big Four. Yes, we lost against Man Utd and Stoke at home, conceding more goals than last season, and not to mention our embarassing defeat at the Emirates Stadium, but we definitely have every chance of breaking into the top 4 this season for the following reasons.
Notwithstanding the fact that our defence is leaking goals, we had King, Woodgate and/or Dawson out for most of our first 12 games. Corluka and/or the Hudd had to play in central defence in many of those games. Both Woodgate and Dawson will be back soon and our defence can only get better. More importantly, there are signs that Gomes is now becoming a more consistent and reliable keeper who we can rely on and fingers crossed that he will continue to prove his doubters wrong.
On the wings, key players namely Modric and Lennon were both out against Sunderland, a side who are in good form at the moment, but we still managed to pick up points against a decent side when we are without key players. It is good to realise that our squad has so much strength in depth which we did not possess in the past. Players such as Bentley, Bale, Pav and Hutton are great players who will play an important part in our season and will get their chance come Christmas when the congestive fixtures list, progress in cup competition(s), injuries and suspensions all come into the equation. The only area that lacks strength in depth is, in my view, the centre of the park where we only have Palacios, Jenas and the Hudd. Perhaps we should have kept Zokora and/or O'hara but I have faith in Harry and I know he will show off his magic in dealings in the transfer market come January.
The one aspect that pleases me the most this season is our away form. It has never been our problem picking up points at home. In the last decade, we have been suffering from failing to pick up points away from home. Bearing in mind that we have only lost 2 games out of 6 away from home this season, scoring 11 in the process, and those games ended in defeats were played at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates, I simply cannot hide my delight that Harry has significantly improved our away form and to get us sitting nicely at 4th in the league.
The fixtures list could also give us a slight advantage. Our last 2 league games in May are against weaker oppositions, namely Bolton at home and Burnley away. In April, we have Arsenal and Chelsea at home and Man Utd away. As Harry would no doubt agree, April is the best time to play against the so-called Big Four - when they usually would be concentrating on Champions League and/or the fact that the league would normally be decided by then.
So, there's every reason to stay positive as a Spurs fan under 'Arry and let's give our full support to the team and be the twelve man. And regarding Top Four - Yes we can!
Come on you Spurs!
I certainly hope we will. We came ever so close to making it under Big Martin Jol but for the well known food poisoning incident on the final day of the season at Upton Park a few years back. Now that BMJ is gone and a brief spell under Ramos had past, there is once again a strong belief that we can do it this year.
"Two points from the first eight games" - that was quite an unbelievable statistic to come to terms with when we compare with poor Portsmouth this season who even manage to do better than we did last season. Full credit to 'Arry who has not only turned things round by saving us from relegation, but to guiding us to the unthinkable demolition of the Big Four. Yes, we lost against Man Utd and Stoke at home, conceding more goals than last season, and not to mention our embarassing defeat at the Emirates Stadium, but we definitely have every chance of breaking into the top 4 this season for the following reasons.
Notwithstanding the fact that our defence is leaking goals, we had King, Woodgate and/or Dawson out for most of our first 12 games. Corluka and/or the Hudd had to play in central defence in many of those games. Both Woodgate and Dawson will be back soon and our defence can only get better. More importantly, there are signs that Gomes is now becoming a more consistent and reliable keeper who we can rely on and fingers crossed that he will continue to prove his doubters wrong.
On the wings, key players namely Modric and Lennon were both out against Sunderland, a side who are in good form at the moment, but we still managed to pick up points against a decent side when we are without key players. It is good to realise that our squad has so much strength in depth which we did not possess in the past. Players such as Bentley, Bale, Pav and Hutton are great players who will play an important part in our season and will get their chance come Christmas when the congestive fixtures list, progress in cup competition(s), injuries and suspensions all come into the equation. The only area that lacks strength in depth is, in my view, the centre of the park where we only have Palacios, Jenas and the Hudd. Perhaps we should have kept Zokora and/or O'hara but I have faith in Harry and I know he will show off his magic in dealings in the transfer market come January.
The one aspect that pleases me the most this season is our away form. It has never been our problem picking up points at home. In the last decade, we have been suffering from failing to pick up points away from home. Bearing in mind that we have only lost 2 games out of 6 away from home this season, scoring 11 in the process, and those games ended in defeats were played at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates, I simply cannot hide my delight that Harry has significantly improved our away form and to get us sitting nicely at 4th in the league.
The fixtures list could also give us a slight advantage. Our last 2 league games in May are against weaker oppositions, namely Bolton at home and Burnley away. In April, we have Arsenal and Chelsea at home and Man Utd away. As Harry would no doubt agree, April is the best time to play against the so-called Big Four - when they usually would be concentrating on Champions League and/or the fact that the league would normally be decided by then.
So, there's every reason to stay positive as a Spurs fan under 'Arry and let's give our full support to the team and be the twelve man. And regarding Top Four - Yes we can!
Come on you Spurs!
