So we won the Carling Cup. A season that begun with such ignominy and looked to be destined for mediocrity has brought about a Wembley final victory and a place in Europe next season. And there’s still three months to go. Tottenham’s deserved success in the cup final the other weeks led to many a pundit praising Juande Ramos for his almost instant transformation of Spurs and the deliverance of a trophy is something not many recent Spurs coaches can claim to offer.
But one week after that marvellous day at Wembley, Spurs came crashing back to Earth (or St Andrews) as they suffered a 4-1 thrashing at relegation threatened Birmingham. A cup hangover maybe? Almost definitely and while Spurs fans were rightfully angry with their side’s performance, many accepted that it was likely just a horrible blip and that normal service would be resumed.
That Thursday, Spurs delivered another insipid performance and lost 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA cup tie. It was a performance lacking the normal zip and verve that Spurs had previously shown, not just in Europe, but in the recent domestic games too. Spurs looked wary, like a team who thought that their season was over already and that they were playing for nothing. In short, the motivation was not there. Had Spurs lost their hunger for the whole season? Would they now allow themselves to get rolled over week in week out?
Ramos is an extremely tactically astute boss and he was not about to let that happen. Spurs came out on Sunday and hammered their local rivals West Ham 4-0, with the ever brilliant Dimitar Berbatov at the fore, once again. A great performance and the fans were satisfied again.
But despite their showing, one cannot help but look to next season when it come to Spurs. After all they are supposed to be building for an eventual crack at the top four, even though we say it every season. So, lets look to the future then. What is it that Spurs need to be where they wanted to be this season?
Well, a new goalkeeper would help. Robinson, however much of a fans favourite he is, has to be replaced. He is a liability, as is Radek Cerny. Picking a new goalkeeper is tough, though. A number of names have been mentioned such as Igor Akinfeev, Sebastien Frey and Artur Boruc and, to be honest, they’d all be good enough until they make a mistake. Longevity is a key thing for a goalkeeper so we can’t really judge them until they’ve a had a while here.
The back four picks itself. Alan Hutton is a seriously class act at right back, far better and more professional than Chimbonda, who made it all about him and never the team. Ledley King, provided he stays reasonably fit, is a rock and should partner either Michael Dawson or Johnathan Woodgate. Gareth Bale completes the line-up at the back.
Into the midfield and it gets a bit trickier. Aaron Lennon has gone backwards. He is not the player than ran at defences and put in a terrific ball nine times out of ten. He gets the ball and either loses it or does something predictable. Having said that, I still think he could develop into something brilliant. But right now he isn’t performing. I think we need to sign someone to give him a bit of competition and just make him think a little bit about his game and what he is doing.
Jermaine Jenas will hopefully continue to develop under Ramos and should he do that he is guaranteed a place alongside Tom Huddlestone. Huddlestone has also come on leaps and bounds under Ramos and I feel he is better than Didier Zokora. Huddlestone has the ability to play any kind of pass and he is noticeable quicker now. Zokora is not a bad player to have a round and would hopefully push hard to get back in the team. Jamie O’Hara is also progressing nicely.
But on the left is where Spurs have always had problems. Steed Malbranque just does not cut it with me. He may score the odd crucial goal but he is not the player we want if we are serious about stepping up a gear. I have longed for Morten Gamst Pedersen to be snapped up. He is a quality player with a lethal delivery and a natural left footer. Pedersen would add much needed width and with the left footed Bale behind him, we would be laden with attacking riches down the left.
The front two do not need to be questioned. However, should one of them get injured then Darren Bent would take their place and we would have no more strikers. I’m not happy at the idea of only three frontline attackers and I feel we need to sign a fourth to get a bit of depth. However, the last thing Spurs need is the Jermain Defoe problem again so this player would have to be someone who is happy to play second, maybe third fiddle but also want to get better so he can break into the team. Defoe never wanted to improve, he just wanted to play.
Next season could be a good one for Tottenham but they will need to learn from both the mistakes of this year and last. A good start is mandatory. And consistency is vital if they are to finally push on from the potential they have shown over the last three years. But before we get all excited about next year, shall we finish this season first?
But one week after that marvellous day at Wembley, Spurs came crashing back to Earth (or St Andrews) as they suffered a 4-1 thrashing at relegation threatened Birmingham. A cup hangover maybe? Almost definitely and while Spurs fans were rightfully angry with their side’s performance, many accepted that it was likely just a horrible blip and that normal service would be resumed.
That Thursday, Spurs delivered another insipid performance and lost 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA cup tie. It was a performance lacking the normal zip and verve that Spurs had previously shown, not just in Europe, but in the recent domestic games too. Spurs looked wary, like a team who thought that their season was over already and that they were playing for nothing. In short, the motivation was not there. Had Spurs lost their hunger for the whole season? Would they now allow themselves to get rolled over week in week out?
Ramos is an extremely tactically astute boss and he was not about to let that happen. Spurs came out on Sunday and hammered their local rivals West Ham 4-0, with the ever brilliant Dimitar Berbatov at the fore, once again. A great performance and the fans were satisfied again.
But despite their showing, one cannot help but look to next season when it come to Spurs. After all they are supposed to be building for an eventual crack at the top four, even though we say it every season. So, lets look to the future then. What is it that Spurs need to be where they wanted to be this season?
Well, a new goalkeeper would help. Robinson, however much of a fans favourite he is, has to be replaced. He is a liability, as is Radek Cerny. Picking a new goalkeeper is tough, though. A number of names have been mentioned such as Igor Akinfeev, Sebastien Frey and Artur Boruc and, to be honest, they’d all be good enough until they make a mistake. Longevity is a key thing for a goalkeeper so we can’t really judge them until they’ve a had a while here.
The back four picks itself. Alan Hutton is a seriously class act at right back, far better and more professional than Chimbonda, who made it all about him and never the team. Ledley King, provided he stays reasonably fit, is a rock and should partner either Michael Dawson or Johnathan Woodgate. Gareth Bale completes the line-up at the back.
Into the midfield and it gets a bit trickier. Aaron Lennon has gone backwards. He is not the player than ran at defences and put in a terrific ball nine times out of ten. He gets the ball and either loses it or does something predictable. Having said that, I still think he could develop into something brilliant. But right now he isn’t performing. I think we need to sign someone to give him a bit of competition and just make him think a little bit about his game and what he is doing.
Jermaine Jenas will hopefully continue to develop under Ramos and should he do that he is guaranteed a place alongside Tom Huddlestone. Huddlestone has also come on leaps and bounds under Ramos and I feel he is better than Didier Zokora. Huddlestone has the ability to play any kind of pass and he is noticeable quicker now. Zokora is not a bad player to have a round and would hopefully push hard to get back in the team. Jamie O’Hara is also progressing nicely.
But on the left is where Spurs have always had problems. Steed Malbranque just does not cut it with me. He may score the odd crucial goal but he is not the player we want if we are serious about stepping up a gear. I have longed for Morten Gamst Pedersen to be snapped up. He is a quality player with a lethal delivery and a natural left footer. Pedersen would add much needed width and with the left footed Bale behind him, we would be laden with attacking riches down the left.
The front two do not need to be questioned. However, should one of them get injured then Darren Bent would take their place and we would have no more strikers. I’m not happy at the idea of only three frontline attackers and I feel we need to sign a fourth to get a bit of depth. However, the last thing Spurs need is the Jermain Defoe problem again so this player would have to be someone who is happy to play second, maybe third fiddle but also want to get better so he can break into the team. Defoe never wanted to improve, he just wanted to play.
Next season could be a good one for Tottenham but they will need to learn from both the mistakes of this year and last. A good start is mandatory. And consistency is vital if they are to finally push on from the potential they have shown over the last three years. But before we get all excited about next year, shall we finish this season first?
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