Our prospects for a Champions League place 2015

[Indisguise]

I've just been reading this BBC article and was disappointed to see that not even one of the selected pundits rates us as potential top four material!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28778605

 

[hugrr]

I've just been reading this BBC article and was disappointed to see that not even one of the selected pundits rates us as potential top four material!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28778605

Well, they're all wrong then.

 

[Indisguise]

Well, they're all wrong then.

I know we've been through a pretty unsettled year or two, but our history of being regularly placed in the top six surely means we deserve a bit more respect than that!

 

[hugrr]

I know we've been through a pretty unsettled year or two, but our history of being regularly placed in the top six surely means we deserve a bit more respect than that!

Exactly, and Everton should surely be worthy of a mention too considering they've bought Lukaku, and are fielding another one of Chelsea's top class loans yet again.

It's almost as if they've been given a list of 5 teams, and have been asked to put them in the order they'll finish.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I know we've been through a pretty unsettled year or two, but our history of being regularly placed in the top six surely means we deserve a bit more respect than that!

Meh - can't be bothered.

I would not put us top-3 even in my most optimistic days, so that just leaves us 4th - and I am not worried that the pundits put ManU and/or Pool in that spot. They have done more this summer than we have, so we have to go prove it on the pitch.

Its a long season, and many things will happen along the way. If the chips fall right, we could be top-4 or 3, or even win it, if everything lines up. But for a pre-season prognostication, I can't be bothered where anyone is picking us.

 

[Indisguise]

Exactly, and Everton should surely be worthy of a mention too considering they've bought Lukaku, and are fielding another one of Chelsea's top class loans yet again.

It's almost as if they've been given a list of 5 teams, and have been asked to put them in the order they'll finish.

Agreed. You might actually have hit the nail on the head there. Ho hum. End of discussion.

 

[beats1]

Exactly, and Everton should surely be worthy of a mention too considering they've bought Lukaku, and are fielding another one of Chelsea's top class loans yet again.

It's almost as if they've been given a list of 5 teams, and have been asked to put them in the order they'll finish.

From what I seen of him, I cant agree mate

 

[Indisguise]

Ever the optimist, I think we've got a bloody good chance on at least the fourth spot. I think we can take Liverpool and the Scum this season.

 

[KingNothing]

Predictions of our 2009/10 season

from Goal.com

Tottenham Hotspur
Coach: Harry Redknapp
Star player: Luka Modric
Youngster to watch: Giovani Dos Santos
Top signing: Peter Crouch
Objective: Europa League

It's time for Spurs to grab the bull by the horns. They don't fare well against the big teams and their huge potential has gone untapped in recent seasons due to poor signings, OTT pressure on decent managers and a general lack of oomph. Their defence is frail - more physically than anything due to the likes of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate being made of glass - yet their attack should pack a punch this season. Big signing Crouch, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe should cause headaches all season long - but it's up to the likes of Modric and Aaron Lennon to provide the ammunition. Not enough depth and too many question-marks, perhaps.

BBC

Harry Redknapp's shrewd manouevres in the transfer market and the use of the forces he inherited meant good progress was made by Spurs last season - now there will be expectations that he will build on that platform.

No close season is complete without hectic transfer activity down the Lane, and the addition of Kyle Naughton to Spurs' array of right-backs is a shrewd move. He was widely regarded as the most promising young defender outside the Premier League when he was at Sheffield United.

Luka Modric will again be the brains of the operation while we can expect to see Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe reunited once more in attack after their brief partnership at Portsmouth. But what of Robbie Keane? Surely the happy wanderer will not find himself surplus again?

Central defence is a worry, not because Spurs lack quality but because they lack good health. Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson are all troubled by injuries, hence the outlay of £8m on Sebastien Bassong from Newcastle United.

Spurs have talent but will they have the consistency? If they do, expect further improvement.

VERDICT: Top six and potential cup winners.

Telegraph

Harry Redknapp has bought well again with the addition of Peter Crouch, but an injury-prone central defence is a cause for continuing concern. If Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King play most of the season, a top-six place is likely. If not, mid-table looms.

Prediction: 6th

Bleacher Report

Predicted Final Position: Eighth

Key Signing: Peter Crouch

Key Player: Luka Modric

In brief: Harry Redknapp hasn’t been able to wheel and deal as much as he would like in the transfer market, but that shouldn’t prevent him from leading his side to a marked improvement on last season’s disappointing campaign.

With players of the quality of Crouch, Defoe, and Keane leading the line, much will rely on the guile of Luka Modric to create chances. The loss of Didier Zokora is not a massive one, with Wilson Palacios one of the best defensive midfielders currently playing in England.

The centre of defence may be a problem area for Redknapp, but Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King should be solid enough whenever they do get on the pitch together. Michael Dawson will doubtless be called upon frequently, but with Vedran Corluka able to play there to things are not as bad as Redknapp may suggest.

Still a couple of signings away from getting the squad where they perhaps should be, this campaign will nevertheless see a significant improvement in results. Redknapp will look it as a stepping-stone to European qualification in 2010-11.

Inside Futbol

Tottenham Hotspur is slowly turning things around and this could be the season that Tottenham throw their name into the hat for Europe again. Injuries, as ever, will be a decisive factor with King and Woodgate the biggest worries. Redknapp has shrewdly reunited his Portsmouth strike pairing of Defoe and Crouch while Palacios will continue to run the show in midfield. Expect Tottenham to show major improvements but ultimately be eased out of the European places

Prediciton: 8th

They didn't fancy us then, they don't fancy us now. I'm so offended

 

[Indisguise]

Predictions of our 2009/10 season

from Goal.com


BBC


Telegraph


Bleacher Report


Inside Futbol


They didn't fancy us then, they don't fancy us now. I'm so offended

Blimey, you've been storing that up for a while haven't ya!

 

[dontcallme]

I'm not surprised by the predictions. I think we have a chance of 4th but wouldn't actually predict it.

People get very caught up in the transfer window and think it's the only way to judge a team's improvement.

Man City and Chelsea are both very strong and have both invested. I think almost everyone thinks they'll take 2 of the spots.

Arsenal sold Sagna and Vermalaen but bought Sanchez. They've very consistently dealt with selling players and most people believe they'll get top four again, I agree with them.

So for me we're competing with Utd, Liverpool and Everton. After finishing 2nd many think Liverpool are on an upward spiral. I think they'll struggle with losing their best player and the extra games they have this season. I think we'll finish above them but I'm probably a little biased. Wouldn't begrudge anyone thinking they'll beat us this season.

Utd have a new, highly rated manager with some decent signings. With no European football I think they'll have a good season like Liverpool last season. My prediction is they'll take 3rd or 4th with Arsenal.

For us we are optimistic with Sherwood going and keeping our world cups stars. The likes of Lamela and Soldado are looking pretty sharp but this will not be recognised by much of the media as signings are all they seem to want to see. I think we'll give 4th a good battle but not annoyed that pundits don't think we'll do it.

 

[Lilbaz]

I want us to win the europa more than top 4 this year. We have a good chance at it.

 

[dontcallme]

I want us to win the europa more than top 4 this year. We have a good chance at it.

Both get us CL place now so yeah I'd rather get CL by seeing my team win a trophy.

 

[SpursManChris]

I've just been reading this BBC article and was disappointed to see that not even one of the selected pundits rates us as potential top four material!

Oh, so they're all sensible and realistic then! That's all that means.

 

[DogsOfWar]

I dont rate United much at the moment and can see them doing the same as last season whilst I cant see Everton finishing above us again so I fancy 5th place for us this season.
But in order for us to get top four we need someone to drop out.
It is highly unlikely to be City, Chelsea, or Arsenal as they are a class apart so the only hope is that Liverpool cannot repeat last season due to losing Suarez and having the CL to contend with as well.
Unfortunately I dont see this happening so I think CL is beyond us this season and I will stick with my 5th place prediction.