Christmas comes early

Am I dreaming? If I am long may it continue! everyone’s buzzing with positivity and we have our beloved Spurs back. I’m no longer looking across London and asking ‘why can’t we play like that’ or bemoaning the fact that we can’t we grind results out like United.

From front to back we are functioning as a top class team; Brad Friedel is showing us that life begins at 40! His consistency and calmness is proving to Spurs fans that the erratic Gomes just isn’t the man for the job. What a shame it’s taken so long to sign a keeper of his quality and composure, hopefully when he hangs up his gloves we can replace him with another top keeper in the same class (Shay Given would be my choice).

While our fine form has been a real team effort, it’s no coincidence that when Ledley King plays our defence functions better. Miracle man King’s experience and class is certainly aiding the development of our young defenders.

Firmly establishing himself as Kings partner is Younes Kaboul, who has improved and matured. His defensive attributes were never in question but his awareness sometimes let him down.

On the flanks, our unsung hero Benoit Assou Ekotto has been his usual consistent self and Kyle Walker is fast developing into England’s best right back. Walker’s loan to Aston Villa last year was the perfect career step and has identified the route we need to follow in future regarding our young talent. Let’s hope Caulker and Naughton can match his success upon their return next year.

The midfield for Spurs has obviously been lifted with the arrival of British bulldog Scott Parker, finally football fans and managers are realising what a great player he is.

Parker’s energy, commitment and reading of the game has allowed Luka Modric time on the ball to enjoy what he does best, the playmaker has settled once more and has a smile on his face again.

Flying wingers Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon are looking dangerous every time they pick up the ball, Bale’s finishing and crosses have been exceptional in recent weeks and Aaron Lennon is again dropping his shoulder and taking defenders on, both wingers owe everything to the fantastic support they’re receiving from their full backs.

In front of goal we always seem to have one of our forwards in form, if Adebayor isn’t scoring then Van der Vart probably will, while Jermain Defoe is benefitting from the squad competition and scoring goals when given the chance.

I was lucky enough to attend the game on Saturday against Bolton and I’ve never seen a more one-sided fixture at the Lane, the loss of Gary Cahill was harsh but when Spurs are playing like that then I don’t think twelve men would stop them. I must admit I feared the worst when I heard that Ledley wasn’t playing but thankfully Gallas coped with the intelligent fouling of Kevin Davies and there were no repeats of last Wednesday in the Europa League.

There’s a real buzz around the Lane at the moment, we have a great squad, a fantastic manager, and an excellent chairman so who knows how far we can go, now is definitely the time to push forward the plans for the stadium.

Everything seems to be falling into place this year, we’ve used the Europa to assess the quality of the fringe and youth players, now Harry and Levy can continue the good work of the last transfer-window and sell those faces that don’t fit. When the likes of Bentley, Jenas etc are fit they should be sold on the cheap to clear squad space and increase the wage budget, it can’t be helping the morale of the team having players that clearly aren’t in the managers plans around training.

Spurs have a great run of games leading into the New Year, after away trips to Stoke and Shamrock Rovers; we play Sunderland and Chelsea at the lane followed by visits to promoted clubs Norwich and Swansea.

If Harry can keep the squad fit and in form then all of these games are winnable and with Spurs riding high in the league we may be able to attract the likes of Cahill, Damiao, and Hoilett in January. It may be too much to hope for but it is Christmas after all. COYS