Here we look at Tottenham’s performance in the first half of the season.
How have Tottenham done so far ?
A bit chaotic in recent months, the club’s fortunes have been mixed. Having said all that, Tottenham are still in with a shout of getting into the Champions League, and have secured their passage to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 100% record.
Manager rating
Who knows ? Tottenham achieved their highest points total ever in the Premier League up to mid-December, yet the manager still got the sack. Are Spurs better off with first-time manager Tim Sherwood ? Only time will tell.
Best game Tottenham have been involved in
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United. Probably been the most entertaining game to watch that Spurs have been involved in this season. Spurs took the lead twice, but failed to hold on.
Stand-out player
Andros Townsend was getting the early season plaudits, but quickly went off the boli and has now picked up a hamstring injury. Jan Vertonghen, when he has played at either left-back or centre-half, has been fairly reliable, and is a big miss when he is sidelined.
New signings
Soldado, Lamela, Paulinho, Chiriches, Eriksen. Soldado has failed to hit the heights he did at Valencia. Lamela was perhaps seen as the long term successor to Gareth Bale, but has yet to adapt to the demand of the Premier League. Paulinho has been quite consistent in the middle of the park, but needs to up his game – but did pop up with a late winner against Cardiff City. Eriksen has shown some classy touches. It’s just a case of them playing together as a unit.
Tottenham’s most significant win
Southampton 2-3 Tottenham. Tottenham’s first win under Sherwood is as significant as any. Spurs came from behind to beat Southampton at St Mary’s – with Emmanuel Adebayor returning from exile the key.
Spurs low point so far
Tottenham Hotspur 0-5 Liverpool. The 6-0 defeat at Manchester City deserves an honourable mention, but to get hammered at home by a main rival which results in the sacking of your manager has to shade it.
Strengthening in January
Do Tottenham need to strengthen, or should they just allow the players they bought over the summer to gel ? Will money be made available by the owners anyway – especially as Sherwood might only end up being an fairly short term appointment ?
The rest of the season
It’s difficult to predict what Spurs will do from here on in, as much depends on Sherwood’s ability to motivate his players. Tottenham are still in with a shout at the top four, although you feel the team needs to start putting a decent run together – and quickly.
image: © sachab
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