e-Spurs Exclusive: Looking Forward

Article by Brent Weber 04.10.13

In sports, it is important that players and coaches only concentrate on their next opponent. Successful teams always have the “1 game at a time” mentality. Fans however get the privilege to look ahead. I know the West Ham match is this weekend and it is very important but the next 5 weeks before the break will tell us a lot about Spurs. Below is a schedule summary of the current Top 4 plus traditional contenders until the next break.

		Weekly Opponent
	Points	7	8	9	10	11
Arsenal	15	@ WBA	Norwich	@ Palace	LFC	@ United
L'pool	13	Palace	@ NUFC	WBA	@ Arsenal	FFC
Spurs	13	WHU	@ Villa	Hull	@ Everton	NUFC
Everton	12	@ City	Hull	@ Villa	Spurs	@ Palace
Chelsea	11	@ Norwich	Cardiff	City	@NUFC	WBA
City	10	Everton	@ WHU	@ Chelsea	Norwich	@ Sunderland
United	7	@ Sunderland	Southampton	Stoke	@ FFC	Arsenal

Observations:

 

Arsenal has tough away trips coming up along with a tough home match against Liverpool. The Gunners are in top form right now but I can’t see them taking all 15 available points. However, it is conceivable for the Gunners to grab 11-13 points.

 

Liverpool has a favourable schedule coming up with only 2 matches away from Anfield. Suarez is back and the Reds are looking pretty strong. Their big test will be at the Emirates in week 10. The Reds should get 12 points over the next 5 weeks.

 

Everton has a tough match at City this weekend. They are playing well and have lots of momentum but I think they lose at the Etihad. The match against Spurs is a big match for both Everton and Spurs. Everton will most likely total 10 points before the next break.

 

Chelsea plays 3 of their next 5 matches at home with one big match against City in week 9. Chelsea will continue improving under Mourinho and could easily total 13 points in the next 5 weeks. City is a tough match-up for Chelsea, but they should manage 1 point at Stamford Bridge.

 

City has tough matches against Everton and Chelsea upcoming. They host Everton so I expect them to take those 3 points. As stated earlier, a draw is highly likely at Chelsea. City is very inconsistent and unpredictable right now, but they should add 13 points to their current total in the next 5 weeks.

 

I don’t know what to say about United right now. They currently sit at 12^th in the table with only 7 points. I just can’t see their current form lasting much longer, especially with their favourable upcoming schedule. I expect United to gather points quickly over the next 5 matches. Right now, the Arsenal match at Old Trafford looks like a must win for United and a loss to the Gunners at home would definitely dampen their hopes of a title. Twelve points is possible but they really need all 15 to get back in the race.

 

Now to our beloved Spurs. We have a favourable schedule with 3 of the next 5 matches at the Lane. These home matches are MUST wins. We cannot afford to drop points at home against mid-table and lower clubs if we expect to compete for Champions League. Last season we dropped critical points at home to teams like Wigan and Fulham, and it cost us a top 4 finish! There is no reason we should not take 3 points at Villa, even if Benteke is back. The key match is Everton at Goodison Park.

 

Everton is a good club and are playing well. However, Spurs should be fully healthy by this match and all of our new additions should be further adjusted and playing to their potential. 1 point is an absolute must but a win at Goodison Park would be a strong message that Spurs are not only a top 4 contender but also title contenders!

 

The schedule gets tough after the break so these next 5 matches are critical. We can’t afford to lose ground in the table through this stretch. Spurs need 12 – 13 points of the available 15 to hold their position and could possibly gain on other clubs.

 

COYS!

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