da heads bet： As if the archetypal Tottenham close season wasn’t enough for supporters, this summer, the club have gone the whole hog. On top of the usual delights of a long-running transfer saga and the deployment of some outrageous transfer-market brinkmanship, Spurs decided to clear out the entire coaching staff aswell. Indeed, as the rent-a-quote era of Harry Redknapp makes way for the designer coat era of Andre Villas-Boas, there is more change in N17 than you can shake a stick at. Supporters have been harbouring genuine optimism for the coming season and with the sort of players they boast in their squad, hope for the future is hardly unfounded. The question is, how far can the Lilywhite’s go this season?
da lvbet： The summer so far
It really has been change in almost every sense of the word at White Hart Lane this summer. Spurs always expected change to come in the shape of their new, state-of-the-art training ground at Bulls Cross, but maybe not under quite the same circumstances. Spurs supremo Daniel Levy called time on Harry Redknapp’s four-year reign as manager in June and plumped for the relatively controversial appointment of ex-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas. Some supporters still remain skeptical, but the majority seem to understand Levy’s move to focus the club around youth and sustainability and optimism is flourishing for the new season.
But the Portuguese’s arrival hasn’t been all fanfare and smiles. Whilst the acquisitions of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen were tied up soon after his arrival, transfer movement has still been sluggish and Luka Modric’s transfer saga has hung over the club all summer. The influential Croatian refused to join his teammates on their pre-season tour of the United States in an effort to force a protracted move through to Real Madrid, but the effect has been disastrous for all parties. Modric still hasn’t left, let alone a replacement brought in and Villas-Boas has only Jermain Defoe to show for a recognized striker. Expect serious movement before the window slams shut.
Transfers: Out
Louis Saha, Released
Ryan Nelsen, QPR, Free
Ledley King, Retired
Steven Pienaar, Everton, £4.5million
Ben Alnwick, Barnsley, Free
Niko Kranjcar, Dynamo Kiev, £5.5million
Vedran Corluka, Lokomotiv Moscow, £5.5million
In:
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Hoffenheim, £8million
Jan Vertonghen, Ajax, £10million
What can we expect?
The change at Tottenham doesn’t just stop at personnel, either. Andre Villas-Boas’ continental style consists of a lot more then designer rain macs and the Portuguese is set to implement a new, more tactically defined style at White Hart Lane. One of Redknapp’s biggest criticisms was a perceived lack of tactical noose against the big boys and Villas-Boas will be expected to do more to change games then whacking on Jermain Defoe for the last ten minutes. The signs are so far that he’ll go with the 4-2-3-1 that he’s been playing in pre-season and supporters should continue to enjoy an attacking brand of football- hopefully more in sync with his time at Porto then events at Chelsea.
The almost infamous high defensive line, that seemed to cause such chaos during his time at Stamford Bridge, is set to make a comeback at White Hart Lane and the singing of Jan Vertonghen reflects AVB’s new style. Expect to see moves built from the back and a high, pressing game employed. Spurs might not be quite as swashbuckling next term, but that won’t matter if they can efficiently control and dominate games under their new style. The challenge for Villas-Boas, though, will be to get his forward line producing the goods. Spurs saw a lot of possession last season but were unable to see teams off and that is something that has to change if the Lilywhite’s are to push on next term.
One to watch
There is a sense that considering the hype, potential and ability of Gylfi Sigurdsson, his £8million transfer fee suggests that it must all be too good to be true. But Spurs have bagged themselves a real gem in the Icelandic international and supporters can look forward to watching a real entertainer at White Hart Lane next season. Sigurdsson demonstrated during his loan spell with Swansea the sort of skillset he will bring to N17 and he should be able to showcase it perfectly, playing anywhere in the three behind the striker. He has superb technical attributes, an outrageous shot from range and the sort of movement and awareness that can make AVB’s set-up stick. The ex-Reading product has already looked sharp during pre-season; expect him to go from strength to strength as the season goes on.
Breakthrough year for..
Steven Caulker’s rise over the past three years has been nothing short of meteoric and as he receives his first England call-up, there’s no reason why the 20-year-old can’t continue moving forward. Following successful season-long spells at League One and Championship level, Caulker made the all-important step up the Premier League on loan to Swansea last term- and he took it like a duck to water. Caulker had a superb term under Brendan Rodgers and was subsequently rewarded with a four-year contract at his parent club. Dawson, Vertonghen and Kaboul may all appear ahead of him in the que to start, but don’t write off Caulker’s chances. One Ledley King made his breakthrough in the 2000-01 season when a certain Sol Campbell was sidelined through injury. All Caulker needs is a chance but make no mistake, he has what it takes to breakthrough at his level.
Predictions
It’s difficult to judge whether next season promises to be one of transition or a platform to push on for Tottenham. The fact Spurs may still bring in two or three players expected to start in the first XI makes it even harder, but it’s difficult to see Spurs really regressing in the 2012-13 term. Patience will be needed, especially defensively, as the team adapts to an alien way of playing. Tottenham are certainly more suited to the sort of changes Villas-Boas is making than what Chelsea were, but it will take time to nail their new system.
Although the fundamentals are there: Bale, Lennon and Van der Vaart are now complimented by the superb Gylfi Sigurdsson and it will be exciting to see how they operate in a fluid attacking unit. There is a feeling that Sandro can really push on to make the season his and the returning Tom Huddlestone can only boost Spurs. Parker will come back stronger after surgery, and Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto can only get better. The retirement of Ledley King hurt, but Tottenham will now have the prospect of a stable back four for the first time in years. How the squad adapt to a new way of playing under Villas-Boas will be absolutely vital and the impending departure of Modric cannot be underestimate- however much fans may despise Modric the man, they cannot let it blind his contributions to this team over the past few years. But providing striking reinforcements are brought in and Modric is adequately replaced, there is no reason why Spurs can’t make an assault on third place in the league.
Prediction: Fourth placed finish, missing out third by a whisker with a strong showing in the Europa League.
Odds
Via SkyBet
– To finish within the top four 7/4
– Andre Villas-Boas to win a major trophy next season 3/1
– To win Premier League outright 28/1
– Tottenham winless in first four games 20/1
Progression, regression or indifference? Let me know where you think AVB will guide them on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me your views