OK after the Newcastle game, we're 4th. If we can keep our form up, then we'd get Champions League football (albeit in the qualifying round). Are we good enough to do anything in the Champions League? Let's say we do finish 4th. Would we be in a better position to attract better players? Considering we're traditionally a big club in England and we'd have the possibility of Champions League football, I think we can. If Ars*nal could, so could we!
I do think, with some transfers to provide cover for some of our players, and the offloading of Gardner to Chivas USA, that we can qualify for the group stage out of 4th position. Then, it's all up to the draw. But that is assuming we actually finish 4th, and don't choke.
We have a great chance, Arsenal are the biggest challengers to us for the 4th spot, they probably could say what we say that they haven't played well to often this season. If we did qualify then i think we would get some top players (Dirk Kuyt or however his name is spelt).
I think talk of Champions league is pretty premature. Theres still half a season to go and we've got tough games coming up, what happens if we lose them? then it's a different picture. Lets see where we are in March/April then we could talk. Top 6 is still our target and a Uefa cup spot would be brillaint.
It is premature as it is December but it is their for the taking like last season. I do agree about top 6, it would be a major disappointment if we dont finish in the top 6.
It's started to annoy me that Sky Sports have now divided the league up, top four and bottom 3. The league finishes in May. It's only just about to turn January. Get real. But, the form has remained good. I go into games thinking "win.. win.." and "It's 1-0, but that's ok..." and we don't blow it which is amazing, considering the past... So, come March/April and Spurs in the top 5 then sure.. Champions League I got a new passport last year and i graduate this year, so next season i am freeeeee. European tour
I agree wholeheartedly. Yeah it would be great to make the Champions League, and it's a viable goal, but our first target and our main goal should be the UEFA spots. The best Spurs have finished in the Premiership is 7th, so aiming for the Top 6 is nothing to sneeze at. If we go down to the last week and get pipped by Arsenal for the 4th spot, that would be disappointing, yes. But, if we continue to play well, aggressively, and entertainingly and we finish 6th, I really couldn't call this season anything other than a resounding success. Jol has proven he can get consistency and class out of the players, and Levy has shown a committment to respectable finances and obtaining quality players. The future looks quite bright. But for this season, the Top 6 is the goal. Anything else is gravy. -Digital
Top 6 continues the progress, and so that must be the first focus for the club. Getting into Europe would fulfill the promise of this side, and allow THFC to keep building strength. Obviously a UCL spot would augment this ability moreso, but anything less than Europe would be a disappointment. And, if Tottenham continue the progress in acquiring quality, the next season could be the breakthrough into the UCL if it doesn't happen this year. Why target that season in particular? Because we're seeing cracks in the Arsenal facade already, and everybody seems to think that TH14 is headed to Spain. (Though for the life of me, I don't know what my longtime favorite club would need with him unless he's secretly an outstanding right fullback) I don't see Henry leaving, but if he did, it would be a massive setback, and allow Tottenham to possibly vault ahead in North London. Although, finishing ahead of Arsenal, and probably encouraging Henry to leave would be in Spurs' best interest as well. All this is obviously speculation, but that's the fun in being a fan on a message board. For now I'll say that this Spurs side is in a stellar position depsite (in my opinion) not quite coming together yet and playing their best. They are sitting 4th halfway through the fixture list, and one truly exceptional run of form (say for 4-5 weeks) could see them make believers out of people, maybe even Colm . THFC has been an eyelash away from a truly remarkable (or I should say even MORE remarkable) first half, and if they get a little luck this Spring, virtually anything is possible, aside from passing Chelsea. Really really gets more exciting as every week goes by, and like Edgar Davids we scratch and claw and refuse to let go of our high league position. Just keep fighting!!! 18 more to go!!!
i dont want to think ahead, and i would be happy if spurs got 5th or 6th and had a uefa cup spot.... and gardner is going to chivas usa??? that seems a bit odd......... and if we beat newcastle in the standings we all win the bet!
I do believe that if we are to progress and remain in fourth, then we need better full-backs, a centre-back, left-winger and a proper 4th striker. I like Stalteri and Lee, but they are prone to making mistakes. The thing is, I can't think of any full-backs that would be available now. We need a centre-back as Gardner should quit football and join the Olympic squad or something. We have a problem on the left wing that desperately needs filling, and Rasiak is nowhere near good enough for a team in fourth. We are really going to miss Mido. His presence alone gives us a boost. Although he has put on a bit of weight, I hope he comes back stronger from the ANC.
Champions League would be great, as we have the resources and then the pulling power to get several more quality players into what is already a large and decent squad. We could handle it, although finishing 4th and having to play the qualifier is tricky. We will likey be about 5th or 6th this season and in the UEFA Cup. Can certainly see us making progress in that and having a chance at winning it. We've got very committed and sizable support, I'm sure every home game would sell out even against the eastern european teams and we'll more than likely sell out the away tickets as well. We're all going on a European tour
Well put PoshSpur. I don't think our fullbacks are our Achilles heel, but I wouldn't mind upgrading them. Both are a great deal better than Pamarot at least. I am OK with Lee, though honestly, he's singificantly better offensively but also noticably worse defensively than his predecessor. All in all, he scares me on the defensive end. Staltieri just hasn't convinced me at all. He's a decent player in every aspect, but not really a standout anywhere. I keep thinking of Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson on Chelsea's bench ... sure would be nice to have that pair starting for Spurs. Heck, even Konchesky seems to be doing well for West Ham. I definitely think we need a left winger, but with both Davids and Carrick staying healthy this season, and with Routledge returning and Lennon showing he's progressing very quickly, and Tanio forcing his way into the lineup ... I'm OK with waiting until the summer unless we can get a top shelf left winger. I think we definitely need another top target forward. Mido has really done about what I expected play-wise, which is very good. But, I must admit that his attitude has been a good sight better than I expected. I hope that continues. Also, he's not really contracted to us, so we have some negotiating to do for his rights between now and next fall. Furthermore, when Mido goes away to the ANC, we'll have a gaping hole to fill, and I'm afraid we can't adequately fill it. For me, this is the area of greatest need. I hope we don't drop too many points while Mido is away, but it's definitely a concern. This summer Comoli, Levy and Jol need to secure at least one new top drawer target forward and if we aren't able to sign Mido, make that two. The core of the team is strong, but forwards, like central defenders and central midfielders, can be the difference between glory and mediocrity. -Digital
Johnson is a flashier player, but is nowhere near Stalteri as a defender. If Jol want an attacking options from the right fullback, he could just as well pick Steo Kelly.
Unfortunately for us, Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool are definitely going to finish ahead of us. So our possible placings are 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th. Like everyone else, I think top 6 is a must. We should finish ahead of Wigan, Middlesborough, Newcastle, Man City, Villa, Blackburn and any of those mid table teams who think they have a chance to qualify for europe. The key opponents are Bolton and Arsenal this season. If we finish ahead of Bolton then we should be 5th at least. I think Arsenal will come back stronger as they always do at this time of the year so finishing above them at the end of the season is unlikely. I'm hoping for 5th, would be delighted with 4th and fairly satisfied with 6th.
Personally I don't like Bridge or Johnson. I don't think Bridge is that good; heading, tackling and positioning. But is good going forward. I know for a fact that Glen Johnson is a trouble maker. He's a big time charlie, acts up a lot. Especially with the U21s because he thinks he's better than the rest, then when he gets his chance at Chelsea he messes up. He's also likely to go back to West Ham. I have to say no thanks to both. With Stalteri, he's not particularly good but hasn't done much wrong. Which sounds odd.. just steady and consistent, hard working and athletic. I think he's done well.
I would very much like to have Wayne Bridge in our midst as he's a superb left-back. But as for Glender Johnson???? She's a terrible defender.
Here is the quote that sums up Spurs and the Champions' League this season: "It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory." Bill Nicholson Let's aim for the CL, if we don't get there then we can satisfy ourslelves with the UEFA, but let's dream of the promised land.
That Bill Nicholson quote is my favourite and that does go along with what we should be thinking this season.
A couple of good players in this window and it will be very close, would not surprise me if we did it then depending on the A*senal transfer activity.
We still have to keep our feet on the floor though, we're going great at the moment but Liverpool away will be tough, i reckon if we don't get beat there and go on to win the next few games after who are against Villa (h) Fulham (a) Sunderland (a) Charlton (h) then we'd have a great chance. long way to go but look great so far
well, we're around 55% of the way through the season, and you have to say we're right where we deserve to be. only chelsea, man u, and l'pool have been clearly better than us. i think 4th through 6th are going to be between us, bolton, and the arse, and neither - not even the mighty arsenal - have looked a bit better. perhaps the bastards have a little more talent (debatable?), and can play some more attractive, flowing football when they're on; but they've got their own weaknesses, and they get pushed around on the road in a manner that you just don't expect from a champions' league side. still a long way to go, but either we're going to have to get worse (which doesn't seem likely since we are definitely NOT overachieving, and have much room for improvement), or the others will have to improve. and while the arse, admittedly, have much room to do so, the deeper we go into the season, the more it seems to be setting in with them (players, fans, and everyone else) that their position is not an aberration, but is the just reward for the quality that they are offering. frankly, i don't think bolton have it in 'em. i'm not ready to put money on us coming 4th this year. but i'm definitely ready to state that this side is for real, and the champions' league is in our future under martin jol. after so many false dawns, that, itself, is a milestone.
We played against one of what I thought would have been one of the major teams rivalling us last night. I watched the re-televised game and couldn't believe what I was seeing. That for me, was the greatest performance from home I have seen from us in the last 4 years. We dominated them, slowed the pace of the game to suit us, controlled the play, made the pitch big, stretched them.....basically, all the things top sides do when playing at home! It made me think that our only competitors to that Champions League spot now are, ironically, Arsenal. Bring on the Scousers (sp).