Soon after ‘Project Restart’ began, hopes for a Champions’ League spot for Spurs soon evaporated after a string of lacklustre and turgid performances. With talk of our record signing being flogged in the summer, no signs of life in the transfer market and Jose’s stale style of football being decried – it was threatening to turn into Spurs’ Summer of discontent, compounded by rumours swirling around about a ‘Levy Out’ banner being flown above the stadium in the North London Derby. However, a string of impressive victories and a resurgence in Harry Kane’s fortunes has left the Spurs’ faithful with some small crumbs of comfort as we look forward to the start of ‘next’ season in a few week’s time. As always with sport – and particularly, Spurs – it’s the hope that kills you. But, of course, it’s what keeps you coming back for more, season after season.
Tightening Up At The Back
A characteristic of Jose Mourinho’s football is based on a solid defence and that is something that has not always been the case with Spurs sides. This year we have haemorrhaged a glut of goals but towards the end of the campaign, the indications were that Mourinho was starting to work his magic at the back. Since the restart, we recorded 4 clean sheets and performances (Sheffield United aside) where we’ve conceded fewer goals and looked more comfortable at the back. Eric Dier seems to be Jose’s first choice centre back; he seems like a player rejuvenated under Jose’s tutelage. He wanted him when he was at United, and it was a shame that a 4 game ban was imposed on him as he had looked effective since the restart – and hopefully this good form continues into next season. It should also be said that Sanchez and Toby have also impressed in certain games – and if we can recruit some quality at full back, hopefully we’ll be even stronger. Many have also pointed to the work that Ledley King has been doing too and this bodes well now that he has been made an official part of the coaching setup. The hope is that as we begin next season, we become a hard team to break down and don’t give goals away too easily. As an avid Welsh rugby fan, I used to find it strange when Warren Gatland’s style of play used to be termed negatively by some parts of the press and fan base as “Warrenball”: a seemingly stale, robotic and turgid style of rugby – based on solid defence but, in particular, big runners crashing up the field rather than an exciting, expansive style of play. Stick with me, the point I’m making is that it was successful. He won 3 Grandslams and Lions tours based on it. Sure, sometimes it wouldn’t reap victories – particularly against the best teams in the world – but Wales became one of the major forces of World rugby under his tenure. Regarding Jose’s Spurs, in someways I view his style of football a little like ‘Warrenball’. ‘Joseball’ might not get the pulse racing and be the most exciting game going, but so long as we grind out wins I can’t see the problem. Pundits were quick to point out our lack of possession in recent victories but the point still stands. So long as we’re picking up 3 points, the style of football doesn’t really matter. We had the most possession in our most recent final – the Champions League vs Liverpool – but that stat didn’t offer much comfort when we were watching Liverpool lift the trophy. Purists might refer to the ‘Tottenham Way’ of playing a certain brand of football, but if that’s reaped just one solitary trophy in the last 20 years, then perhaps a change of tack is needed.
Flair Going Forward
Now if Jose can get us sorted at the back, logic dictates that we’ll become a very good – and successful – side with all the attacking flair and prowess that we possess. Now I’ve hailed Jose’s defensive qualities – but his teams over the years have occasionally won leagues with record amounts of goals scored too. The potential to score bucketfuls is clear: Kane and Son are arguably two of the best attacking players in the land. Personally, I think Stevie Bergwin looks a class act too – someone who should get a load of goals and assists in a successful side. If Mourinho can get Dele playing back to somewhere near his best, he and Le Celso would add to an embarrassment of riches in the attacking stakes – and that’s before we consider any transfer business too. With the increased demand on players next year in the ‘shortened’ Covid season and with Europa League games coming thick and fast, the likes of Moura and Lamela could play their part too. In the last the last few games of the season, Moura’s increased work rate was evident – signs perhaps that he’s beginning to recover form following his hangover from his heroics in Amsterdam last May. Now you can only pick 11 players in your starting lineup of course, but competition breeds success. Look at the likes of Man City. With a wealth of talent, it’s a case of ‘Pep’s Roulette’ most weeks, with big names finding themselves on the bench from time to time. A strong bench can only be a good thing that will help propel us to where we want to be as a football club.
Signs of Life in the Transfer Market
Ahh, promising movements in the transfer market. Now being Spurs fans, we’ve become accustomed to frustrations in the transfer market. But, although the transfer rumour circus is par for the course at every club during off season, I get the impression that Levy WILL back Mourinho – despite worries about the financial aspect of the Covid pandemic. The Pierre-Emile Højbjerg saga seems like it will get over the line. Although not an earth shuddering, marquee signing, he seems the sort of player we need at the moment. Someone who can protect the back four and let the attacking chaos ensue ahead of him. Reports suggests that Mourinho is happy with the left back situation – but the mercurial Serge Aurier certainly divides opions on the right and new blood is clearly needed there. Going forward, reports suggest we might be in for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo and QPR’s Eberechi Eze – two players who would undoubtedly bring more quality. And then there’s freebies: Russian star Artem Dzyuba stands out as the sort of back up for Kane that would add quality up top and would be content to spend some considerable time on the bench. Long story short, hopefully Jose can use the funds at his disposal to help put his stamp on the side and get us ticking. He has to! Only once he has done that, can the Spurs faithful, whatever their disposition is regarding him, judge him fairly. I just hope I don’t look back on this blog at the end of September to find we’ve signed no one in the off season.
Europa League Football
Over the past few seasons, we’ve revelled in goading Arsenal over their Thursday night Europa exploits whilst we’ve be living the dream in the Champions League. Well, next year it’s our turn for Thursday night football – and I can’t understand the Spurs fans who don’t want it. Admittedly, we will have to play a significant portion of our games on Sundays, but the argument that being in the competition would impact upon our league form falls down when you consider that we finished a disappointing 6th this year. Add into the mix that winning the tournament leads to automatic qualification for the Champions League and the importance of finishing 4th in the league is also negated. Unless you’re expecting us to genuinely win the Premier League, I can’t see why you’d be against us being in the Europa. On the opposite end of the spectrum from those who don’t want us in the Europa, there’s a selection of fans who seem to think we only need to qualify for the tournament and we’ll automatically win it. I’m a realist, and Europa success would only be achieved after a long hard slog to the far ends of Europe and some very challenging games against iconic clubs in the later stages – but the omens are there. Mourinho has managed teams in the competition twice and won it twice; his joy at qualifying for the tournament at the full time whistle against Palace was clear to see – he knows that he can lead Spurs to silverware. We’ve finally shaken off our semi final hoodoo – and have a wealth of experience of playing on the European stage. And logic would state that a team that reached the Champions League final just over a year ago would have good odds to win the Europa League. Silverware has eluded Tottenham Hotspur for far too long but, arguably, the Europa League would present us with our best chance of winning something next year. The random nature of the draw may present opportunities where Mourinho can ‘blood’ youngsters in order for them to gain experience too. Oh, and in the current financial climate following the Covid pandemic, the estimated £40m revenue we’ll receive from the competition is not to be sniffed at…
Youth and the Future
Perhaps long term is where the hope really lies. Jose has already indicated that Oliver Skipp, Dennis Cirkin and Harvey White will all play a part next season and hopefully Troy Parrot can be loaned out to a team that can aid his development and he can get regular first team football. Regarding loans, whoever is loaned out, the role the process played in the development of Harry Kane is clear to see and it’s a valuable tool in the long term plans for the club. Moreover, Japhet Tanganga has signed a new contract and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s hard not to get excited about how good a player he can become. Some transfer business this summer and over the last couple of seasons also points to the future. We’ve just signed 15 year old Alfie Devine from Wigan for £300,000; admittedly I haven’t seen him play but by all accounts he is a gem of a player, already standing out whilst playing Under 23 football. Kion Etete was signed from Notts County last year in much the same vein – quality young players who are sure to have great futures ahead of them. I just hope they are part of the long term plan for success at Spurs, rather than being investments that will be purposefully ‘cashed in’ by Levy before their potential reaches fruition.
So, roll on 2020-21. Will this year be a season in which we finally get our hands on some much needed silverware? Or is it set to be another season of disappointments and what-might-have-beens. We haven’t got long to wait until we begin to find out. Once more unto the breach, dear Spurs fans…
Bridgend, July 2020
Spurs of the Moment 