It seems like an eternity since Spurs last took to a football pitch and although the result at the Emirates was disappointing enough, it also put into focus the way that the rivalry between the two clubs clouds the bigger picture at times.
Meanwhile, as new signing Christian Eriksen talked in terms of a title tilt, Tottenham’s Head Coach Andre Villas-Boas was quick to dismiss such suggestions. He claims that the flood of new arrivals at the club has raised some hopes but adds that Spurs just aren’t ready.
“The circumstances are difficult. The investment that we have made raises expectations in people but what we have to do is create a team that bonds together,” Andre said.
“That takes time and we see that our opponents are one step ahead as they have players who have been together for many years; that is an advantage that we don’t have.”
Those seem to be wise words but in the wake of that defeat last time out, it does refocus our long term ambition. Instead of fighting with a team who seem happy to scrape fourth place by virtue of a point, this new look squad could be battling for the ultimate prize in seasons to come.
AVB went on to emphasis this point,
“I think we have invested a lot in young players that have real potential. Obviously we will have to work with them to make sure they develop into the world stars that we think they can become,” he added.
“All of them have great ambition to succeed and win titles which is one of the criteria that we wanted. Now it is about creating a team that bonds together and assumes the responsibility of winning those titles. This is what we have now and hopefully we can get a good response.”
For now the focus returns to league action and a home game with Norwich but in the future, our ambition may just hit the next level.
I can understand taking pressure off yourself and the team by playing ambitions down, but after adding £100m to the team battling Chelski and Arsen*l for 3rd-5th last season, only a fool would write off our chances of finishing above both of them, at least, even their own fans are worried. That would put us top 3 which would make us a realistic challenge for the title. We certainly shouldn’t be writing the title off until it’s no longer a possibility, teams far below us will all be saying ‘Let’s see how we’re doing at Easter, if we’ve got the points then why not?’. After all, Chelski and Arsen*l talk up their ‘title chances’ until Easter every season.
Two years back, we could, and SHOULD, have finished third, and were within touching distance of the Mancs for much of the season, all this under the totally despised Harry Redknapp, the devil incarnate for some on the Spurs sites. Well. if AVB is half the manager his fans claim, and Levy has bought so brilliantly, why shouldn’t we be challenging at the very top? Since I don’t rate either Levy or AVB, I don’t expect it to happen this year or any other with ENIC holding the reins, but surely those who don’t share my doubts have got to have some faith in their idols – it can’t always be ‘next season’, or can it with ENIC, Levy and AVB?
While I like AVB for downplaying just about everything in his press conferences, I think this one was ok to say… “we’re going to go for it.” After reading this, I too am a little flattened by the statement. My expectations are to challenge for 4th, but I am always hopeful it will be more. Reaslistically, I think we can pip Man U, and I hope they end up behind us, but I still don’t see us legging out Chelsea, City and Arsenal.