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Top 10 reasons why Tottenham could go down
Ben Bailey23 Jan 2009
Tottenham fans may well be looking forward to a second Carling Cup final after scrapping past Burnley at Turf Moor, but with a mounting injury list, some calamitous goalkeeping and a dire run of form in the league, there is no doubt that Spurs have a relegation fight on their hands.
Here we look at the top 10 reasons why it may well be Championship football at White Hart Lane next season…
10 Fans on their back
When big clubs go through rough patches it doesn't take much for the fans to vent their frustration. The criticism given to Spurs by their fans after the Burnley game sums up the mood surrounding the club. Redknapp has also come in for stick after stating he will play his reserves against Manchester United in the FA Cup, and while this is probably the best option from a footballing stand point, Spurs' fans will have every right to feel aggrieved. Those attending the game will be paying £50 for a match ticket, not to mention the cost and time spent travelling to Manchester and back. If the results don't start improving soon then it won't be long before the boo boys come to stay at White Hart Lane.
9 Failing forward line
In the summer, for reasons unknown, Juande Ramos sold Tottenham's two most prolific strikers in Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. Ramos later declared that new-signing Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent could not play together. While Redknapp deserves plaudits for successfully bringing Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane, his Partnership with Pavlyuchenko does not compare with that of Berbatov and Keane. And don't even get started on Darren Bent.
8 Managerial problems
Three managers in 18 months is always going to be disrupting for any club but Tottenham haven't handled the last year-and-a-half well. Letting Keane and Berbatov go was a huge mistake and their replacements haven't been able to fill their boots. They also threw money away selling Defoe, just to buy him back a year later. Redknapp made an immediate impact when he joined Spurs, but lately he has become increasingly frustrated with the players. Saying that his that his wife Sandra could have scored the chance Darren Bent missed against Portsmouth may be extremely amusing, but won't help Bent's fragile confidence.
7 Calamitous goalkeepers
Don't laugh, but at one stage Paul Robinson was one of the finest goalkeepers in the land. The England number one was sturdy and reliable. Then he just lost everything (which usually included the ball), and was stripped of the England jersey and ultimately sold by Spurs. Enter Heurelho Gomes, whose ability to convincingly claim crosses is laughable. The man makes Robinson look like he plays with super-glue on his gloves. Despite improving in recent games Spurs need a keeper they can rely on. With only five clean sheets in 22 games, they need to replace Gomes.
6 Soft midfield
He may not have been the most exhilarating of players, but Tottenham are missing Steed Malbranque. Their midfield is as soft as a bottle of pop, with Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and David Bentley as likely to win a 50/50 as they are to win The X Factor. Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zakora are the only ones capable of putting the boot in and their form this year has been erratic. They need a solid enforcer in that midfield and fast.
5 Last season's finish
As Harry Redknapp keeps reminding everyone, Tottenham's league form towards the end of last season was atrocious. After winning the Carling Cup at the end of February Spurs won just three out of their remaining 12 Premier League games. That may have been enough to stay up last year when they had enough clubs below them, but at present they are in the relegation zone and if the same happens this year then they will be in serious trouble.
4 Too focused on other competitions
Redknapp is absolutely right to take his reserves to Old Trafford on the weekend for the FA Cup fourth round. If Tottenham are to survive this season then they need to start getting results in the league, and fast. While two Carling Cup finals in two seasons is an admirable record, they have got to concentrate on survival. They have at least two more UEFA Cup matches, both next month, and are picking up injuries at every turn. Reaching finals and semi-finals is fantastic, but it will all be for nothing if they go down.
3 Centre-back crocks
Tottenham's biggest blight in recent times has been their defence. The Spurs back line can be an impregnable opposition on their day, but they rarely have their best defenders on the pitch at the same time. Club captain Ledley King is a case in point. This season King has completed 12 league matches out of 22, partnering Jonathan Woodgate only nine times. When the two are fit they are formidable, but too often one of the pairing is injured and the defensive cover is not good enough.
2 Run-in
Last five matches: Manchester United (a), West Brom (h), Everton (a), Manchester City (h), Liverpool (a). Spurs have an extremely difficult run-in and will have to fight for every single point. They have got to travel to three of the best teams in the country - two of which will be chasing the title - but also their home fixtures are far from straightforward. West Brom will undoubtedly be fighting for survival and Man City are as good as anyone on their day.
1 Current form
Last five Premiership games: Newcastle (lost) Fulham (draw), West Brom (lost), Wigan (lost), Portsmouth (draw).
There's no doubt about it, Spurs are stuck in a rut. Two points from a possible 15 is never good, but Tottenham should really be beating all these teams. What makes it even worse is that all these sides are relegation contenders and if you are in a dog-fight you need to beat the sides around you. If you class each of these as a six-pointer, then they have taken two from 30. If that's not relegation form what is? Not to mention the fact that they were 3-0 down after 90 minutes against Championship Burnley.
Reader views (23)
I would just luv it if tottenham went down...luv it!
- Kevin Keegan, Newcastle, 30/01/2009 14:57
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Redknapp has plugged most of the 'holes' highlighted above. I am confidant that the lads will stay up. It will certainly be a tough scrap though.
- Les, JHB South Africa, 30/01/2009 14:45
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The Yids will go down, bet Harry wont be dedicated to being a championship manager then, second rate team who think they are to good.
- David Vaughan, Plymouth, UK, 29/01/2009 16:48
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Spurs will not be relegated. The three teams to be relegated have always come from worst four teams on goal difference (going back to 1999-2000 season). There are currently nine teams with an inferior goal difference than Spurs.
- W, Ermelo, South Africa, 27/01/2009 16:09
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I've heard people already saying that Spurs are too go down. That is what they said about West Ham and we had a decent team!
- Uptonpk, Buckhurst Hill, 27/01/2009 15:53
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good riddance to bad rubbish, go down, let aldershot come up instead
- Julian, stamford bridge, chelsea, 27/01/2009 14:29
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Spurs won't go down.
- Ted, London, 27/01/2009 13:03
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A season out of the Premier League would not be a disaster, look what happened the last time we were relegated. The team was rebuilt and won FA Cups, the Uefa Cup and played super stuff all within a few years.
Players are wielding too much influence, this has to change. Sometimes to go forwards you have to go backwards first.
- Jim Mchale, Dublin, Ireland., 27/01/2009 11:47
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As someone who saw Bill Nicholson as a player and supported the team since a boy, you will realise that I have witnessed many ups and downs for the club, but have always revelled in the greats players of the past. What great players do we have now? Will any of the present squad be remembered in years to come. Perhaps it won't be their fault because they don't stay with us long enough? Robbie Keane was getting to be one of our 'legends' - perhaps he will return and still be one? But what we need now more than anything is for the present team to play as a team and support each other and then stay as a team with just the occasional addition. I remember not having to buy a programme (although I did - it only cost 2 pence)because we knew who would be lining up for Spurs, and we knew the opposing players because they hardly changed week by week except through injuries (which funnily enough didn't seem to occur so much - or were they tougher?)
Anyway to end on a brighter note, lets beat relegation and show we have that toughness now and may the team realise what a honour it is to pull on a Spurs shirt! - Come on you Spurs. Although now retired to Spain, I still get to the 'Lane' about 3 or 4 times a year and was at the Carling Cup Final last year and hope to be at Wembley again this year.
- Joe Wallace, Los Montesinos, Spain, 27/01/2009 11:39
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It's easy to look back and say we should have done this or that, truth is it's all about tomorrow and the next game. Spurs don't have the depth or the talent to keep going in 4 competitions. Every play purchased has a fantastic Bio yet how many have succeded with previous clubs? Spurs run on hype and bad press but the reality of it is Spurs are second class and have been for 2 years. They show a complete lack of heart and strength regardless of the competion. Burnley and Manure proved everything we are just heartless. Blanchflower, McKay, Mullery, Perryman and Rogers, true grit midfielders who took no scuff from anyone.
The puzzle changes every week at the back, I love Ledley but how long can we hold out partonizing him for the sake of his loyalty, we need a replacement that can play with Woodgate every week, every game.
We need 20 points from the next 10 games or we will be done and down. All this talk of top 4 and champions league is so far away we need more than 'arry' we need a fairy godmother, patience and the will to stick with a plan.
- Coloney John, Vancouver Canada, 26/01/2009 21:54
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Despite all the mickey taking Spurs have always been a mid table prem team (aside from Martin Jol's consecutive top 5 places). There are a lot of fans who live in the past and say stupid things about deserving to beat teams. We deserve exactly what we've got so its about time time to shut up, knuckle down and do something about it. I'm not on for critising Harry, the time to judge him is when he's had a full season under his belt not half of one - to be fair he inherited a really bad situation in the first place but at least had the bottle to do something about it. The players have a lot to answer for
- Mickey, Billericay, 24/01/2009 12:51
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SPURS HAVE ALWAYS HAD EXCITING AND SKILLFUL PLAYERS BUT IN RECENT YEARS HAVE BOUGHT A LOT OF POOR PLAYERS.ALSO NOT A MANAGER WHO STAYED FOR LONG, HARRY SAID HE IS ONLY STAYING SHORT TERM.WE HAVE ALSO HAD . GREAT GOALKEEPERS UNTIL RECENTLY, TO GIVE A ROOKIE GOALIE HIS DEBUT IN A SEMIFINAL,EVEN THOUGH WE WERE 4-1 UP IS A BIT DESPARATE. ALSO THE SITUATION WITH SELLING KEANE AND BERBATOV AND SELLING AND BUYING DEFOE IS GOOD FOR THERE WAGE PACKETS BUT KEANE FOOTBALL CAREER HAS GONE SIDEWAYS AND OF COURSE DEFOE HAS WON THE LOTTERY TWICE AND SO HAS RAMOS. AND BENT WAS NOT ONE OUR BEST BYES ,EVERY SEASON THE SPURS FANS HOPE FOR BETTER THINGS,EVEN THOUGH THE CARLING CUP IS A GOOD DISTRACTION OUR LEAGUE FORM IS VERY POORWE NEED AN EXORCIST
- J WINDSOR, LONDON ENGLAND, 23/01/2009 22:52
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10. Hiring Rednapp who is ok for Southampton, Portsmouth & West Ham, but simply not top 4 material & is becomming embarassing.
HAHAHA! simply not top 4 material - when have spurs ever been top 4 material!haha! maybe the no1 laughing stock of the premiership!! and people wonder why fans throughout the country hate spurs when there are so many typical deluded fans like you!
- Michael, Essex, 23/01/2009 16:23
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Rob Hotspurs, you criticise HR for not being top 4 material, but be honest mate you're nearer to the bottom 4 than the top 4 and you were before he came along.
if you do go down, no.11 will be 'spurs think they are too good to go down'
- Simon Bucknell, enfield, 23/01/2009 15:39
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Your statement "Tottenham should really be beating all these teams." summed up deluded Tottenham fans. Despite occasionally qualifying for the UEFA cup and flattering to deceive, they have no right to expect to beat these teams. Still if they stay up, and it is a big if, Harry will blow a load of money on another bunch of foreigners and all we will hear is Spuds for Champions League pmsl.
- Nik Frampton, Alton, England, 23/01/2009 14:47
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Steven I think Rob is right on the button. If Spurs go down they have only themselves to blame. Especially the strikers issue. Selling 3 strikers (Keane, Berbatov, Defoe) within 6-8 months of eachother, who are argueably 3 of the Top 10 Premiership strikers right now and on top of that not replacing them with at least similar quality. Well, sorry but that alone is just utter madness! And with the run in Spurs have ...... will run to the wire ......
- Jfc, London, England, London, England, 23/01/2009 14:08
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As Redknapp slags off his team have a look at Moyles at Everton working with a really makeshift squad and getting results. Redknapp a really average manager who might keep us up but offers nothing for the future except idiotic national stereotype quips which befit a dodgy narrow minded pub bore. Sack him as soon as we are safe form relegation
- Paulw, Guildford UK, 23/01/2009 13:48
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Harry has a very difficult job and I think is doing the best that can be done.
Gomes is playing very well now and is a totally new player.
Pavlychenko, for me is a great player and has done extremly well considering we don't have a mid field that works and the ball is down in our half most of the time.
Bentley has been shocking and it totally lacking in confidence, bale is not the player he was before his injury (although he may pick up).
For me the best of the new crop have been Pavlychenko,corluka and modric and I'm hoping that Palacios will come in and take charge of the mid field.
We won't get relegated
- Mark, st albans, 23/01/2009 13:20
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Hey Rob Hotspur - when was ever Tottenham top 4 material? Carling Cup glory and a respectable 12th is the best they can hope for. Thus, Harry Redknapp and Spurs is a great match
- Bobby Brown, Norway, 23/01/2009 13:18
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"Hiring Rednapp who is ok for Southampton, Portsmouth & West Ham"
Redknapp was a disaster at Southampton, but with Portsmouth and West Ham he is arguably the best manager either club has had in a good 20 years. Took both clubs into Europe on a tight budget and solidified their Premiership status. As for him not being "top 4 material", since when was that a concern on Spurs?
- Marcus Robinson, Hornchurch, 23/01/2009 13:12
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Rob..
"Hiring Rednapp who is ok for Southampton, Portsmouth & West Ham, but simply not top 4 material & is becomming embarassing."
Laughable comment, mate! When have Spurs been in the top four!?
Plank!!
- Fred Westham, East, East, East London!, 23/01/2009 13:11
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The way I read it, Rob, you already think we're relegated?
- Steven Dale, London, England, 23/01/2009 12:11
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I dont think we will go down, but if we do the 10 reasons:-
1. Daniel Levy 2. Damien Comolli 3. Selling Keane, Berbatov, Defoe, Robinson, Chimbonda & Malbranque 4. Buying at absurd prices - Bent, Bentley, Modric, Hutton, Palacios, Pavlychenko & Defoe. 5. Sacking the excellent Martin Jol 6. Imbalanced squad - not having 2 quality back up keepers, 2 decent left backs, additional cover for King & Woodgate, 2 decent left sided midfield players & a top striker 7.Trying to emulate Arsenal to no avail 8. Poor quality players retained, Essou-Akotto, Rocha, Alnwick & Ghaly 9. Hiring Ramos who didnt speak English! 10. Hiring Rednapp who is ok for Southampton, Portsmouth & West Ham, but simply not top 4 material & is becomming embarassing.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 23/01/2009 08:35
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