Source: SKY_Sports
Tottenham 2009/10 preview
After a disastrous start to last season Spurs chose to part company with Juande Ramos and bring in Harry 'The Escapologist' Redknapp - it worked as Harry's boys hauled themselves off the foot of the table and eventually finished a hugely respectable eighth, while another Carling Cup final date at Wembley ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United.
But judging by their form since Redknapp's arrival in North London a place in the top six should be the least of their targets, especially as there are no European commitments this season.
Spurs have bought and sold well so far this summer, with Didier Zokora, Darren Bent and Chris Gunter collectively bringing in a tidy sum. Sheffield United duo Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker, Peter Crouch and Sebastien Bassong have all come in so far, although Walker has returned to Bramall Lane on loan.
Zokora was workmanlike and had pace to burn but couldn't pass wind and always panicked whenever he got anywhere near the opposition goal, while Gunter was a solid Championship player at best so his switch to Nottingham Forest made sense.
Darren Bent is a funny one really, he scored goals and on occasion looked a good player but some of his touches and missed chances were Sunday League at best - even 'Sandra' would have bagged that one against Pompey at The Lane last season! Having said that he will probably do really well at Sunderland so good luck to him.
Naughton will be a big hit after starring for the Blades in the Championship last season, and he is sure to be the club's right-back for years to come. Crouchy gives Tottenham something different in attack but it will probably gall Spurs fans slightly that the big lad was sold to QPR for £60,000 back in 2000 and then bought back for £9m, via a host of clubs, years later.
Bassong, who looks a bit raw but has plenty of potential, should also be a shrewd signing, especially given the injury-plagued nature of the central defenders at White Hart Lane.
Harry still needs to strengthen though, with a left-sided midfielder and an experienced leader in the centre of the park the priorities as far as the majority of Spurs fans are concerned.
One thing for sure is that Redknapp will have some decisions to make up front come matchday. Will it be his old Pompey pairing of Crouch and Jermain Defoe, and what about Robbie Keane and where does Roman Pavlyuchenko fit in?
He'll probably look to play Keane and Defoe in home games where Spurs are normally on the front foot, while Crouch will start more away given his ability to retain possession - something Spurs struggle with on their travels against the better sides.
Pavlyuchenko will probably get the nod in the Carling Cup and countless substitute appearances - he's better than that but it's up to him to show it any chance he gets.
Luka Modric will be the key man, however, this term. The Croat got better and better as the season went on last time out and looks as if he has worked on improving his strength in the summer in a bid to better cope with the demands of the Premier League.
Modric is a wonderful player and is probably the club's only true world class performer, given King's continuing fitness woes, so expect some dazzling displays from the little magician this campaign.
As far as cracking the top four goes that has proved to be incredibly tough over the last few years - even Man City's huge spending spree does not guarantee them a place amongst the elite.
Tottenham will need a good start, very few injuries and a substantial improvement on the road if they are to breach the big guns.
This season will also be a big test for Redknapp as it's likely to be the 62-year-old's best and probably last chance to prove that he can have success at a big club. No disrespect to West Ham and Portsmouth but the expectations would never have been as high there, and Harry will want to have a couple of successful campaigns at The Lane before, in all likelihood, eventually retiring and following son Jamie into the media.
Richard Cracknell says: "I expect Spurs to give 101 per cent in every game. Whether we win every game or not is fully in the lap of the football gods and us Spurs fans know just how un-benevolent they can be!
"I think we will end up in the fifth to eighth mix with the other usual suspects for these places."
Sky Bet's Dale Tempest says: "Tottenham fans will fancy themselves for a top four finish and with Harry in charge and some major summer signings on their day they'll no doubt compete with the best. Whilst the 7/2 on offer for betting without the big four may appeal I really like the 5/6 on Tottenham to score over 54.5 league goals. This will be ten more than last season but with a fully fit Defoe, the aerial option of Crouch and the class of Keane and Modric it's unlikely many of the Premier League defences will be able to keep Tottenham's forwards at bay."
What can Spurs achieve this season? Let us have your views.
