Can Tottenham Be ‘Long Term’ Contenders?

Every so often a new side emerges to compete with the so called ‘big sides’ for European football and in some cases the league title. Blackburn Rovers did it in the mid 1990’s and Everton managed to force themselves into the Champions League places not so long ago, but it’s not very often that these sides manage to establish themselves as consistent challengers. So what does this mean for the latest pretenders, Tottenham?

Spurs have been around the top four for the last few years, securing Champions league football during the 2009/10 season, and narrowly missing out last campaign, finishing fifth. This year however, Harry Redknapp has seen his side playing some of the most exciting and effective attacking football in the entire league, which has turned them into a real threat to the Manchester duo, who currently occupy the top two places.

With a squad containing the likes of Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor and Luka Modric, it’s no real surprise that Spurs are making their mark on the league, and this sets them apart from Everton in 2005, who performed admirably, with a squad containing no real superstars. Tottenham have a solid foundation of top class players from back to front, giving them a solid foundation to build upon, something which Alan Hansen commented on in his BBC column:

“It all means that, with the way Spurs play, they have still got power, pace and a potent attacking force but they are also effective defensively – so they have everything in place.

“The biggest difference between this season and previous years is that they have allied the quality they have in their squad to that defensive steel and also a burning ambition to do well.

“They obviously think they are good enough to win the title, and they seem determined to prove it – which has been reflected in their form since they lost to both Manchester clubs at the start of the season.”

As Hansen says, there is a change in the whole mentality around the club this term, with Redknapp establishing a sense of belief across the ranks. Spurs no longer look happy to be away from mid-table; instead they are focused on building upon their momentum, to keep themselves within touching distance. They are a far cry from the sides managed by Martin Jol and Juande Ramos, which never really lived up to the potential their talent gave them.

The introduction of ‘Arry has been key in the alteration of the club, motivating his players and thus getting the best out of them. Criticism has been leveled at the ex-Portsmouth and Southampton man for his supposed lack of tactical nous, but this approach has got the best out of players such as Rafael van der Vaart, who since his arrival from Real Madrid, where he was constant bench warmer, has established himself as one of the most feared attacking midfielders in the league. Joe Jordan accompanied Redknapp to the capital, and his man management skills have been another positive at White Hart Lane.

One major worry for Spurs remains the threat of losing key men. Redknapp has been linked heavily to the England job, while there has also been talk of Bale moving to Real Madrid or Barcelona. They only just managed to keep hold of Luka Modric last summer, and if Chelsea or indeed Manchester United come back with big money bids this season, it may be impossible to hold onto the Croatian.

It may be too soon for the North Londoners to take the fight all the way to the wire this year, but everything is in place to continue their progress. It may not be long until we are talking about Spurs as genuine title contenders every given season.

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