Whether we finish 3rd, 4th or 5th this season, I am so proud of this team and my love of Spurs has grown even more than I thought possible. We took 4 points from Utd including a win at Old Trafford, split with Man City & Arsenal when it mattered most and displayed mettle and toughness that we have not seen in years. You can't help but feel like we are on the rise and if we can keep Bale for multiple seasons while adding more talent, that we will contend for a title.
Imagine this team with a rotation. I mean a real rotation, not the rotating of centre backs or left backs (unnecessarily might I add). Out goes the old and slow Scott Parker, the spacey left back, Benoit Assou Ekotto and fringe players like Kyle Naughton, Jake Livermore and in come players like Danny Rose, Tom Carroll, Younes Kaboul and hopefully additions like Tom Ince, Christian Eriksen, a left back and a striker or two. Steven Caulker will have much needed experience under his belt and Lewis Holtby will be a year wiser and fully adapted to the English league. Imagine rotating quality players similar to what the top teams can do, rather than the lack of depth that plagued us this year. Dembele or Sandro go down and legitimate replacements step in. Tom Huddlestone has been fantastic this year in his limited action but he wasn't that great against Chelsea and is obviously lacking mobility to play a consistent role. With teams like Fulham rumoured to be interested, Huddlestone could now fetch £9 to £12 million rather than the £3 to £6 million that was rumoured in January after his performances over the past month. For reference, it's been reported that £17 million is the price that Ajax will accept for Christian Eriksen. It makes too much sense to pursue a players like that at the expense of Huddlestone, Parker & Livermore.
But back to the team that we have had this year. We have been at least one striker short, short of quality cover in the midfield and a revolving door at left back. Needless to say, AVB has not been fully equipped to achieve our objectives yet we are on the doorstep of the Champions League with 2 games to go. We fixed our early season woes, went on a long unbeaten streak and had lots of late game heroics. Aside from early season slip ups to Norwich, Newcastle & Wigan, we have avoided major letdowns. Fulham and West Brom are top 10 teams so I am not including them in poor results. One thing that cannot be denied is that we are a team that is on the rise while the Gooners are forced to spend to keep pace with our progress. If we had more depth this year, we could have dealt with fatigue from the Europa League and injuries more capably. We can potentially finish with 72 points this campaign which would be a club record and last year would have put us 3rd. In almost any year, 72 points will get you into the top 4. We had a lot of highs, the games against Man Utd, Man City, West Ham, Lyon and West Brom come to mind. Gareth Bale put the club on his back at times, Hugo Lloris kept us in games with his acrobatic saves and sweeper keeper talents and our defense prevented goals by sacrificing their body for the club. We had an exciting season that was fun to watch, full of inspiring moments which united us all, the Yid Army. We may have disagreements about players, tactics or Levy's decisions but this season galvanised us as Tottenham fans and lovers of the Lilywhites. We are united against all naysayers and our players on the field carry that same chip on their shoulders.
This club has a backbone and a never say die attitude. Players like Jan Vertonghen, Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale, Lewis Holtby, Aaron Lennon, Mousa Dembele, Jermain Defoe and Sandro play for the crest on their shirt not the name on the back. AVB and Levy are going to work together to bring in a few final pieces and the team will continue to progress. One thing that I know for sure, is that this 2012/13 squad left blood, sweat and tears out there on the pitch for the love of the crest and fought for the bright future of the club.
Regardless of our final position at the end of this season, it is onwards and upwards for us. It has been one hell of a ride this season and I have loved every moment of it.
Come On You Spurs!
@MarcAron22
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Marc A. Ashed
Marc A. Ashed
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What is this Shite blog doing on Arsenal's new feed.
ReplyDeleteOn Arsenal news feed so I had a read. Spurs have had an excellent season, I think the difference between Spurs and Arsenal (don't laugh) is that Arsenal have a better squad. Spurs probably have a better first eleven but some of the replacements have been laughable. Looks like it will come down to the last game again, may the best team win.
ReplyDeleteEddie, thanks for giving it a read and a fair shake. Agree that we lack depth and our lack of rotation has made life more difficult than it has to be. Also agree that our first eleven are better! May the best team win.
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