Too little too late
Once billed as the most likely club to break the Premier League’s Big Four grasp atop English football, Tottenham Hotspur is currently floundering in 11th place.
Now Spurs are hoping the defensive signings of Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate for a collective $32 million are the answer to their lost season.
It has been a season filled with disappointment after disappointment for the London club. The manager saga with Martin Jol and Juande Ramos, the consistently inconsistent play of goalie Paul Robinson and a record of 7-8-10 with four of the losses at home.
Spurs has great players in Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Darren Bent. Too bad they’re all strikers. Tottenham Hotspurs’ troubles can be traced back to the summer when its biggest signing, Bent for $32 million, was also its most unnecessary. The last thing Spurs needed was another forward. Look at its midfield and defensive corps, the signing of young Gareth Bale was nice and he may be a star one day, but he is injured now. Is there a world-class player anywhere to compete at the level of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool? No. Aaron Lennon has flashes of brilliance, but is also often injured and inconsistent. Ledley King can be a rock at the back when he’s not hurt and Michael Dawson is developing. Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque are good midfielders, but neither totally infect a match with their will.
So now Tottenham Hotspur is doing what it should have done in the summer; spend its money on its weak spots. Now it all it needs is to splash a little cash for some creative and influential midfielders to make it the truly dangerous squad it can be.
It just doesn’t look like it will happen this season.
On February 7th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
“It has been a season filled with disappointment after disappointment for the London club.”
Wow! Really?
Open your eyes you fool! We’re in the Final of the League Cup and playing at Wembley in 2 weeks, and still in the UEFA Cup. We’ve had plenty of great days this season, thanks very much.
Yanks talking about Football! Puh!
On February 8th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Do you mean the Carling Cup which none of the Big Four take seriously? Sure Chelsea may be in the final defending its title, but the League Cup is not at the top of its list of accomplishments for a season.
And the UEFA Cup? Like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Man U would be bragging about still being alive in that.
I would say 11th place in the league for a club that is supposed to be challenging to break into the elite is a disappointment.
On February 8th, 2008 at 10:14 am
PBatson - I completely agree with your comments toward “Spurs Fan.” But I do have one question - you say is there a world class player that can compete with the Big 4? What about Berbatov - there is a reason Sir Alex is infatuated with him. And I would not mind Lennon playing opposite Ronaldo and learning from Giggs.
And Spurs Fan - congrats on that Carling Cup - that is what we all strive for as a big time English Club.
On February 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
My comment on world-class players dealt with the lack of them everywhere on the club except for its set of strikers. Berbatov is a tremendous player and could easily start for any of the Big Four.