After long being considered a mediocre team, a team that did ok in cup competitions but not much more, a team that floated around mid-table without aiming any higher but neither playing badly enough to really find themselves in a relegation fight, Tottenham have finally become a team with a purpose.
Martin Jol started the uproar in Tottenham’s surge into unchartered waters with two fifth place finishes in 2006 and 2007, which for most fans at the time was basically like winning the league with the top 4 at the time considered to be impenetrable, although they did come close to pipping their great rivals Arsenal in 2006 before a final day defeat to another London rival in the form of West Ham. However great managers always seem to be unsatisfied no matter how well they had done, they always seem to be looking to better themselves and improve, whether it’s retaining a championship or steering clear of relegation and I just get the feeling Martin Jol was always pleased to settle for what he had. I’m sure he would have loved to get a Champions League spot but I just get a nagging feeling he did not mind missing out that much.
Following a poor start in 2007 Jol was replaced, much to the dismay of the Spurs supporters who were pleased by their clubs recent ability to slightly over-achieve but not by too much. However the replacement at the time was the much acclaimed Juande Ramos. He had guided Sevilla to a well respected 3rd place finish in La Liga behind (obviously) Real Madrid and Barcelona. Along with this he won two consecutive Uefa Cup titles, and this should not be seen as light work, although not the most glamorous of trophies a good workman makes use of the tools he has, Ramos had the Uefa Cup, he won it and retained it. Throw in a pair of Super Cups in the form of the Spanish and Uefa, Ramos also one the Copa del Rey. Spurs fans were not feeling so let down by the club after all seen as many could consider the Spanish side being Tottenham’s continental equivalent.
When appointed as Spurs manager he made some major clangers in the transfer market with big fees paid for players such as Pavlyuchenko (another Bendtner), David Bentley (had to admit at the time I thought he would become a quality player, good luck breaking into the West Ham team David), and Heurelho Gomez, who to be fair is undoubtedly a very good goalkeeper but he has the attention span of a goldfish and always seems to cause more trouble than save. Although he did help one astute arrival transform the side in the future, who is pulling the strings in the midfield today, Luka Modric. After an 11th place finish (typically Tottenham) and a Carling cup to match Spurs fans can be forgiven for expecting similar exploits to which Ramos managed at Sevilla. They did not happen and Ramos was sacked in October 2008 by Harry Redknapp.
Now we all know the story of how Redknapp took over the team that had the look of a team ready for a relegation battle not one that would go on to become genuine title contenders in little over 3 years however there is a man who has not been mentioned thus far which deserves so. As well as Daniel Levy being a great figure for Tottenham was David Camoli. I do not credit him solely however I do feel he must be recognised for his efforts. He was the man that was appointed to scout the world for up and coming talent to bring to the club and transform it. Dimitar Berbatov was a player who got the fans on their feet every time he played before a record transfer to United. Modric was one of those players he managed to lure along with the now unplayable Gareth Bale. Arsenal fans were laughing every time he played in his early days as Spurs did not win a game with him in the team for his first 24 games a period spread over 2 years. Now I’m sure they are wishing Theo Walcott would take some tips from the electric winger. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, not the world best left back but a very reliable and willing player now key to the team. Younes Kaboul, a very similar player to Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, a leader at the back with strength, pace, composure and reads the game well, another who is leading the line today.
Camoli was under the wing of possibly the most renowned manger in the world for signing unknown players and turning them into world beaters, Arsene Wenger. Now Director at Liverpool the signings made so far are having a similar impact as the Spurs new boys originally did, well but not living up to expectations, however I would not write them off just yet. Not to say Redknapp is to be dismissed he is a top manager and has done outstandingly to keep up which the Manchester clubs while others have slipped out the title race, but Camoli must be creditied having played a big helping hand.
Spurs now have a purpose in playing though. They now know what they are doing, not just floating endlessly in the Premier League not wanting to over-exert themselves but knowing relegation was never really going to happen. Nights like the one in the San Siro may not be a one off from now on and with the coming clash with Manchester City, Spurs are not massive underdogs, with the injuries City have, I would not be surprised if the London club came back with a result. Playing in my opinion the best football in the league with pace and fluidity of their own style. So well done Spurs for doing it for the cockerel on their chests.
kieran sandhu 