Top four finish vital for future success

When times are hard in the Premier League, it is always nice to keep an eye on a promising future. Tottenham Hotspur’s poor recent run of league form has sent some fans into a rather depressing slump. From an optimistic point of view, things could and should soon pick up.

The rejuvenated pairing of Arsenal and Chelsea – Spurs’ fiercest London rivals – have recently enjoyed superb form respectively. From being twelve points clear in third place, Tottenham now find themselves three points behind the Gunners in fourth, and just five points ahead of fifth placed Chelsea.

The Blue’s blip at the Etihad last Wednesday night was not exactly unexpected. City’s home league record is envied across Europe. Saturday’s point at Stamford Bridge perked up Spurs fans their side look to re-find the form that saw them considered title challengers earlier in the campaign.

Wembley now also beckons after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Bolton in the FA Cup quarter-final. Tottenham fans know that although cup success would be a joy to behold, the club’s final league position is vital for future success.

Spurs most definitely have the quality to finish in the top four. When Aaron Lennon returns from his latest hamstring problem, the structure of the team will be regained and the slick, attacking football should hopefully return in full flow.

Qualifying for next season’s Champions League would pump positivity and confidence into Tottenham Hotspur, meaning White Hart Lane could be in for an exciting future.

Rumours – or rather expectations – that Harry Redknapp will take the England job, continue to persist. If Redknapp was to leave the Lane, Spurs would have to look for a big name manager in order to keep hold of star players. The likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric will inevitably be linked with moves away from Tottenham in the summer, so it is up to club chairman Daniel Levy to appoint a charismatic leader who will prevent key men from exiting.

Jose Mourinho’s love affair with the English Premier League cannot be hidden from the public eye. If Spurs are serious about their ambitions, such a big name has to be considered as a managerial candidate.

The current Real Madrid boss’ attitude may at times be questioned, but his success speaks for itself. Having already handled big characters and big clubs in his reasonably short career so far, Mourinho has been there and done it. This is what Spurs need.

Another name that should be added to the shortlist is Roberto Mancini. If City miss out on the league title to Manchester United, the Italian could be forced out of Eastlands. Although often criticised for seemingly negative tactics, Mancini has previously handled the pressure of coaching big clubs such as Inter Milan in his career. Bale and Modric will appreciate that, at least.

At the other end of the spectrum, Everton boss David Moyes has had an unbelievably consistent ten years in Merseyside with very little money to spend. If Levy could provide the Scotsman with appropriate transfer funds, who knows how far Moyes could take Spurs. Is it a risk a shrewd businessman is willing to take?

Obviously next season will see players leaving and players coming in. Central defender Steven Caulker has had an impressive loan spell at Swansea City this term, showing encouraging signs of a long term successor for Ledley King.

Kyle Naughton has also shown potential on loan at Norwich City. The right-sided full back will provide competition for Kyle Walker if Vedran Corluka is to leave Tottenham on a permanent basis.

It has often been said that Spurs have done incredibly well under Redknapp without spending ridiculous amounts of money on new signings. Compared to the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, Levy has invested rather wisely over the last two seasons, snapping up the likes of Rafael van der Vaart and Scott Parker on the cheap.

But would a couple of big money transfers push Tottenham on to a proper title challenge? If Spurs had gambled on Juan Mata or Leandro Damiao when they should have, could they have been looking towards a first league title in over fifty years this season?
The North Londoners have already been linked with summer moves for talent from across Europe. Lille playmaker Eden Hazard has talked up a potential move to White Hart Lane, whilst Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen has also spoken about a possible transfer.

However, it is thought that other English clubs are also interested in Hazard. Redknapp has already made it clear that Spurs will find it difficult to offer the financial packages that the likes of United, City and Chelsea can propose.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s loan spell comes to an end in the summer. The Togolese forward’s inconsistency has frustrated some Spurs fans, but the former Arsenal man’s goal and assist records are something to be admired.

There are other strikers out there that can do Adebayor’s job that wouldn’t expect to be paid £170,000 a week. Levy and Redknapp will surely see this as a reason not to needlessly waste money on the twenty-eight year-old.

Finishing in the top four is vital to Tottenham Hotspur’s future. It may even be necessary to grab a place in the top three if Spurs want to attract a big name manager and secure some star player arrivals. If expectations are met, a new sense of optimism will be injected into White Hart Lane. Failure could bring an extended sense of underachievement.

Negativity breeds negativity; Spurs must be positive and ambitious.

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