David Showell


At one time, the chances of Tottenham Hotspur finishing in the Premier League’s top four were about as likely as Johnny Rotten advertising butter, but the arrival of Harry Redknapp in October 2008 has changed everything. In fact, in that short space of time Spurs fans have stopped worrying about relegation and started dreaming of the Champions League.

It’s looking more and more likely that Chelsea and Manchester United will be battling it out for the top spot, despite what Senor R.B. of Merseyside and Monsieur A.W. of north London might think. This leaves several teams to scrap for the remaining two Champions League places.

On the evidence of the season so far, Tottenham look as capable as any of the others to finish in the top four. Occasional poor performances, such as a home defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and capitulations at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, have been outweighed by some scintillating football.

An opening day triumph over Liverpool was a prophecy-laden sign of things to come. Away victories at West Ham and Portsmouth, both potential banana skins that might have cost them in the past, have added to the points tally.

The recent 9-1 demolition of Wigan will go on to become the stuff of Premier League legend. Apart from enabling us to resurrect the classic joke ‘what’s the time?’ – ‘nearly ten past Kirkland’, it was a mauling that maybe should have been bigger. They really could have scored 15.

Over the years, Spurs have given their fans cause for hope several times, but inconsistency has regularly let them down. This may or may not rear its ugly head again, but the side seem to be made of sterner stuff at the moment.

Having said that, throwing away a 2-0 lead at Goodison Park recently, and missing an injury-time penalty in the process, will have some supporters feeling as apprehensive as a turkey in late November.

The excellent recent performances by Jermain Defoe has given Tottenham a fine supply of goals, and has been welcomed by Fabio Capello as much as it has by the White Hart Lane faithful. Winston Palacios has been in fine form, too, and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes seems to have cut back on many of his Mad March Hare impressions.

The club’s main rivals for a top four finish are likely to be Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa. The kamikaze start to the season by Everton and West Ham United would suggest it’s going to be a pick any two from five scenario.

All four have shown some Jekyll and Hyde football so far this season; Arsenal can be sublime masters of the beautiful game, but too often their Rolls-Royce performances turn into a P-reg Ford Fiesta with a dodgy exhaust.

Manchester City have been spending money like Elton John in a florist’s shop, but they haven’t set the league alight just yet. Too many draws have cost them so far, although it must be remembered they lost just one of their first 15 games. No doubt in January they’ll be buying Kaka, John Terry, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, so will be strong finishers.

Watching some of Liverpool’s games this season has been like watching a car crash through the gaps in your fingers. So close to winning the whole shooting match last time out, they’ve looked embarrassingly poor in many games this time round. Without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at times, they’ve looked a very average side.

Aston Villa have dropped some silly points, but they still look a strong side. Martin O’Neill’s men look more than capable of making the grade, but time will tell if they have the strength in depth to get past fifth place.

It must be said that Spurs look good enough to make the top four so far, and Redknapp has promised to strengthen the squad in the New Year, so the signs are looking positive. The next few months will have more ups and downs than Lady Gaga’s hemline, so trying to guess who will triumph isn’t easy.

The last time Spurs finished in the top four was in 1992/93, and in that time several managers have tried and failed to repeat the feat. If Redknapp is to succeed, he’ll need to do better than the likes of Gerry Francis, Christian Gross, George Graham, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol, Juande Ramos and a host of caretaker bosses.

 

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Photo courtesy: Fergal