2009/10 Season preview - Tottenham
2008/09 - It was a season of two halves for Tottenham as they struggled at the wrong end of the table until a late surge almost saw them clinch European qualification. By October they were rooted to the bottom of the table having made their worst ever start to a season. Unsurprisingly Spaniard Juande Ramos was sacked as manager with Harry Redknapp taking his place. He made an instant impression with a 4-4 draw against Arsenal in one of his early games in charge. Thanks to some fine home form Spurs pulled clear of the relegation zone and ended the season in 8th place. They also reached the final of the League Cup but lost to Manchester United on penalties.
20009/10 - Spurs are unlikely to have the same relegation fears that they suffered in their last campaign. In Harry Redknapp they have a proven manager to lead a talented squad of players. A top six spot should be the aim for Tottenham this season along with a good run in one of the cups. By Spurs’ standards it has been a quiet summer with few players coming in and out. Peter Crouch has been the only big name signing so far but Redknapp is unlikely to resist getting the cheque book out again for new signings.
Transfer campaign - Redknapp has been frustrated in the transfer market this summer, adding only three new players to his squad. A central defender remains a priority for the new season and perhaps another option in central midfield to increase competition. Spurs’ big money signing this summer is former player Peter Crouch. The striker has played under Redknapp at Southampton and Portsmouth, so the pair have a good understanding of one another. The only other new signings are the two Kyles from Sheffield United - Walker and Naughton. The pair have joined for a combined fee of around £10m. The former has returned to Bramall Lane for a season long loan, while the latter adds competition at full-back. Redknapp has not spent the huge sums of money that previous managers have had and it appears that he will have to raise money by selling from within. Darren Bent has joined Sunderland which should free up some money for new signings.
Transfers in (Player, club from, fee)
Kyle Naughton - Sheffield United - Undisclosed
Kyle Walker - Sheffield United - Undisclosed
Peter Crouch - Portsmouth - £9m
Transfers out (Player, club to, fee)
Didier Zokora - Sevilla - £8.65m
Ricardo Rocha - Released
Adel Taarabt - QPR - Loan
Gilberto - Released
Kyle Walker - Sheffield United - Loan
Ben Alnwick - Norwich City - Loan
Troy Archibald-Henville - Exeter City - Loan
David Button - Crewe - Loan
Chris Gunter - Nottingham Forest - £1.75m
First XI - Tottenham will line up in a 4-4-2 formation with a team that looks potent going forward. Crouch and Defoe will re-ignite their little and large partnership that worked well at Portsmouth. Luka Modric provides most of Spurs creativity, and although he starts on the left he has freedom to move in-field and express himself. On the opposite flank Aaron Lennon will use his pace to stretch opponents. Wilson Palacios anchors the midfield allowing partner Jenas to get forward and attack. In defence the main concern will be how many games they can get out of the injury prone Ledley King.
1 Gomes
22 Corluka – 39 Woodgate - 26 King – 32 Assou-Ekotto
7 Lennon – 8 Jenas - 12 Palacios - 14 Modric
Crouch - 25 Defoe
The manager - Despite a reputation as a Del Boy style wheeler-dealer, Harry Redknapp is one of the most successful English managers of recent times. He showed his managerial qualities by transforming Spurs’ fortunes last season. Redknapp generally likes his teams to play an attractive attacking brand of football and has a track record of unearthing new talent from across the globe. With the exception of Southampton, Redknapp has been successful wherever he has managed. He began his managerial career at Bournemouth and then enjoyed a successful time as manager of West Ham. His next stop was at Portsmouth where he won promotion to the Premiership and established Pompey at that level. He controversially joined neighbours Southampton but could not prevent them from being relegated, before returning to Portsmouth in 2005 to save them from relegation. He won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008.
Mr Reliable - For a player with so much ability it is surprising that Jonathon Woodgate has only won eight England caps. A lot of this is down to the horrific injuries he has suffered over the years that have restricted his appearances. Last season Woodgate enjoyed a rare full season as he made 44 appearances in all competitions. He also captained the side on several occasions in the absence of Ledley King. On his day Woodgate is up there with the best centre-backs in England. He reads the game well, is good in the air, rarely makes mistakes and has excellent composure on the ball.
Creative force - After a slow start to his career with Spurs, Luka Modric emerged as a key player under the Redknapp regime. The diminutive Croatian was one of the stars of Euro 2008 but initially failed to shine in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football. Once he had adapted to the English game, Modric came on leaps and bounds - most notably in scoring the winner over Chelsea in March. The 23-year-old can operate on either flank or just behind the strikers. Modric blends excellent technical ability with vision and creativity. He should, this season, add to the total of five goals he scored last time.
Youth prospect - Danny Rose will be hoping to blossom this season and make an impact in the Tottenham first team. The midfielder was a part of the England Under-21 squad at this summer’s European Championships, making an appearance against Germany in the group stages. Rose has been involved in Spurs’ pre-season campaign and was recently awarded a new contract until 2013. After missing most of last season with a knee injury he spent time on loan at Championship side Watford. Rose impressed at Vicarage Road and was awarded a place on the bench against Everton in May. The former Leeds youngster has great pace and athleticism.
The fixtures - Tottenham open their 2009/10 campaign at home to league runners-up Liverpool in a televised game on Sunday, August 16. They then face two away games in quick succession against Hull (August 19) and London rivals West Ham (August 23). They face bitter rivals Arsenal away on October 31, with the reverse fixture taking place on the April 10. Spurs face a tough April with games against Arsenal and Chelsea at home (April 17) followed by Manchester United away (April 24). Tottenhm ends the season in Lancashire away to Premier League debutants Burnley on the May 9.
Home grown players - Over half the Tottenham squad - a total of 15 players - is British. Although there are a number of foreigners plying their trade at White Hart Lane the spine of the team is made up of home grown players. Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe provide the back bone of the team. There are a number of promising young English players hoping to break through at Spurs.
Season prediction - Tottenham’s form at the latter end of the 2008/09 would have been enough to attain a Champions League place if they had kept it up all season. Despite a talented squad Spurs still look a long way off challenging the top four and even Manchester City. Their aim for this season will be a top six position, along with the likes of Aston Villa and Everton in the battle to be the best of the rest. In Harry Redknapp, Tottenham appear to at last have a manager who is proven in the Premiership and has the full backing of the board. With four talented strikers to choose from Redknapp may struggle to keep everyone happy. Palacios provides some much needed steel in the middle and big things can be expected from Luka Modric. Spurs’ season is likely to come down to how Ledley King’s knee bears up. If he can stay fit then 6th spot should be achievable. Prediction - 7th
2009/10 Season previews
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Burnley
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Hull City
Liverpool
Manchester City
Portsmouth
Tottenham
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