The season so far....

With the International break upon us I have decided that now would be a good time to reflect on the progress of our players so far this season. The team has done well, make no bones about it reaching domestic semi and quarter finals and the quarter finals of the UEFA cup (possibly further) while still battling for 6th position in the league but not every player at the club could say they have had a good season. Here is my analysis of how their performance has been to this point:

Paul Robinson – has not been convincing this season and I no longer believe he is definitely a good enough keeper for a top 4 side, rarely does anything exceptional but he is good enough for us for now. Will definitely be at the Lane next year however I can see a young keeper being brought in to eventually replace him (perhaps Alnwick already has).

Pascal Chimbonda – there were those who didn’t feel he was worth the seemingly inflated fee we paid for Pascal at the start of the season but he has definitely proven his doubters wrong with very consistent and very dynamic performances at right back and even centre back. Good defensively, good getting forwards, dangerous set pieces and crosses better than Lennon. A quality purchase.

Young-Pyo Lee – was left out at the start of the season after a proposed move to Champions League side Roma fell through (they must have seen something we weren’t) but since Lennon has played on the left and afforded him some cover Lee has excelled looking every inch a Premiership left back. He is not as good as Chimbonda and he doesn’t have a left foot but he loves to get forward and with a real left-sider in front of him could prove a notable asset. Rumours still circulate that he will be off to Italy in the summer

Michael Dawson – has the heart of a lion at centre back however I feel he is perhaps not the smartest and distribution amounts to punting 40 yard diagonals. He is a brilliant asset when playing alongside King and I think he will grow and grow in years to come, he still has a bit to learn in order to boss the defence though. Will be a Spurs player for a few years yet.

Ledley King – Our most reliable player and an indispensable asset, we have missed him this season. Despite patches of very good form we have consistently shipped goals and King’s calm but solid influence could have made the difference. Will be like signing a new international quality centre back if and when he is playing regularly again.




Aaron Lennon – Coming on leaps and bounds, he burst on the scene last year and has continued his development to become one of our biggest attacking threats and a leading winger in the Premiership. Sometimes the plaudits afforded him are generous, he is far from the finished article lacking strength, consistency in his crossing and the ability to threateningly strike at goal but still makes things happen and his education will continue next season.

Jermaine Jenas – Has spent spells on the sidelines through injury this year and when he has we have missed his athleticism in the middle of the park. Can be frustrating by slowing down attacks and perhaps does not hold top 4 quality but at the moment he is doing a good enough job and it would take a quality player to keep him out of the side consistently.

Didier Zokora – was looking like something of a fall guy for our poor form around January as the midfield ceased to function when in fact it was his partner there that was causing the problems. Zokora has pace, tenacity and discipline and has proven a very worthy addition for us. Next season I hope to see more of his driving runs and more end product from them but cannot complain about his ability as an anchorman.

Steed Malbranque – It took such a long time for the stud to make his debut that people had already started to write him off. I insisted all along that this was a mistake and patience proved to be a virtue with Malbranque offering us some scintillating performances at times. He can lack discipline on the left side of midfield which has often exposed the left back and led to us leaking goals on that side but his true position is behind the strikers and we may see more of him there next year.

Dimitar Berbatov – my buy of the year, for any club in the Premiership. Berbatov has oozed class this season, his goalscoring return has been very good and his all round game even better. We have not had a striker of this calibre since Jurgen Klinsmann and it will be difficult for us to keep him beyond next season unless we can push on for Champions League football.

Robbie Keane – at one stage he looked to be on his way out of the club but once match fit he showed his quality and has contributed some very important goals. Unsure of his qualities as captain but he must be retained.

Subs –

Jermain Defoe – Has had a decent season and his scoring tally has improved but ultimately he is a bit greedy and doesn’t always seem to give 100%. In fact sometimes I think he barely breaks a sweat. His predatory instincts remain intact but he is not really progressing as I would have expected. Should be retained, for now.

Hossam Ahmed Mido – Harshly treated by the Spurs fans, has hardly been match fit all season due to injury and long spells on the bench. He will almost certainly make way at the end of the season and a replacement will be brought in, but has undoubted quality as shown in the first half of last season, needs to play week in week out to remain fit though.

Hossam Ghaly – A sturdy midfielder that likes to get stuck in, Ghaly is very much in the Premiership mould and has been useful in some fixtures this year. I am not convinced he is of the highest quality though and he does not ever take control of a match. Could be a useful squad member next year but will probably not be around White Hart Lane for many more seasons.

Tom Huddlestone – Was likened to Beckenbauer by Martin Jol earlier in the season but was found out when Spurs came up against higher placed teams with more challenging midfield line-ups. His mobility is a real problem and for a huge guy he just doesn’t get stuck in enough. Saying that he has talent and his progress over the next few years will be interesting to watch.

Ricardo Rocha – Experienced Portuguese international has quickly looked comfortable despite early slip against the Arse. Will probably be a good squad member for a few years but cannot see him becoming first choice too soon as the club will always favour younger players.




Benoit Assou-Ekotto – started off looking the business at left back but lost his way somewhat. I think he has potential but needs more help from left midfield if we are to see the best of him when he plays. Could stay, could move on. I wouldn’t be too upset either way.

Anthony Gardner – Fills me with little confidence. He is not as bad as people make out and would prove a good signing for another Premiership club struggling for a centre back (get your cheque book out Newcastle) but I firmly expect to see the back of him this year.

Teemu Tainio – Sold if uninspiring midfielder. The fact his re-introduction into the side signaled a turn-around is more an indictment on the lack of fight our midfield was showing with Lennon, Malbranque and Huddlestone in the side together. Still a useful player when up against a strong midfield but somehow doesn’t seem worthy of the first team on a regular basis.