It’s been a mixed bag for Tottenham so far this season. They could have easily battered Manchester City on the opening day, but failed to get the win, they had a horror show in Switzerland before rescuing the tie, and then there was the loss to a wounded Wigan team at White Hart Lane. It’s not all gone quite to plan, but there are still plenty of reasons for the Spurs faithful to stay positive. Here are five of them:
1. Players have yet to hit form
The likes of Wilson Palacios and Aaron Lennon played some of their best football during last season, but so far this term, their engines have stuttered and they have yet to get into top gear. While not totally reliant on either player, they are important to the team and Spurs are a far better outfit when they are fully functioning. Likewise Jermaine Defoe, who has been carrying a groin injury and is having problems finding the back of the net in the white of Tottenham (while being devastating in the white of his country).
2. They are still adapting to the Champions League
Tuesday’s result away in Bremen was a decent point, and given the option before the game, Redknapp probably would have taken it. But the way in which they tore their opponents to pieces in the first half, really should have led to a healthier lead, and ultimately the win. As soon as they conceded, they looked drained and devoid of all the zip and verve that was battering Bremen early on. The weekend’s fixture against Newcastle will help determine how they are coping with the juggling act of all the competitions. It is still a learning curve, and so far there has been more good than bad.
3. This is the best squad of recent memory
It is more the balance of quality, as well as quantity. It may not be that of Chelsea, or Man United, but it is not far off. The arrival of Rafael Van der Vaart was canny, and William Gallas is a proven Premiership performer, regardless of any of the baggage that he lugs on those sulking shoulders. Even with injuries to the likes of Dawson, Defoe, Modric and King, they have still managed to field good sides. When everyone is fit and firing, Redknapp will have some serious decisions to make over who makes the cut, but as the cliché goes; it is a good problem to have.
4. Healthy relationships and structure
Villa have had their managerial problems, and fans are still sceptical of the new appointment of Gerrard Houllier. Roberto Mancini is under colossal pressure from the outset, while Liverpool have spiralling debts and no prospective buyer. Spurs seem to have a healthy structure in place, are financially stable, and their manager has a good relationship with his executives. Everything is seemingly in place for progression, as long as they can sort out their new stadium and the red tape involved.
5. Quite simply – Gareth Bale
If there is a more exciting player in the Premier League at the moment, I haven’t seen them. Adam Johnson has been impressive, Michael Essien is a welcome return, and Andy Carroll is causing problems, but none compare to the Welsh winger. At the moment, he is killing defenders. Playing a role in seven of Spurs’ first eight goals of the season, he has embarrassed opponents along the way. His strike against Stoke is arguabley the goal of the season so far. With this devastating aura that he has at the moment, Spurs are always likely to create goals. In a team of good players, he is still head and shoulders above anything around or against him.
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A welcome addition to our Champions League wag series – click on the image to view the gallery of Yolanthe Cabau
