As Spurs boss Harry Redknapp looks to further strengthen his squad this summer, fans of the North London club are approaching one of the most anticipated seasons in club history after a brilliant end to a successful one last May.
After Tottenham open the 2010-2011 Premier League season at home v Manchester City, they’ve only a few short days until their all important UEFA Champions League two leg playoff series against the club they’ll be pitted against from Champions League third round qualifying.
It’ll be fantastic to see White Hart Lane a buzz on the night of their home leg encounter and equally as brilliant if Spurs are able to progress and qualify for the lucrative group stages. White Hart Lane is known for being an incredible venue with boisterous home support and a European night would be no different.
Spurs will look to build upon the season they had last year finishing fourth with important players who impressed during the campaign such as Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon. Tottenham also possess a core of good young players coming through the ranks such as Giovanni dos Santos, Danny Rose, Jamie O’Hara and Adel Taarabt that will aid in bolstering a squad with a potential fixture list as long as any of the top teams in Europe.
Redknapp will want to push on and won’t settle for an average year after coming off such a successful one. For Spurs fans though, what constitutes a successful campaign? Redknapp will have a balancing act of sorts on his hands if his team is able to reach the group stages of the Champions League, a realistic and likely happening. A long run in Europe will be the stuff dreams are made of for supporters, but not necessarily at the behest of the Premier League.
As fast spending Manchester City continue to snatch up solid players, Spurs hold on fourth could potentially be at risk. Redknapp himself has recently stated his intentions to pick up ‘one or two’ more players to enhance his squad, but will his priorities be on the league, Champions League, or will Tottenham end up with a squad deep and talented enough to challenge for the league or fourth place again while tending to European duties?
Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy is said to be top of Redknapp’s wish list as current striker Peter Crouch looks set to stay in North London if Redknapp is to be believed. As Spurs find themselves in a decent position when it comes to attacking talent (there’s no shortage with Keane, Defoe, Crouch Pavlyuchenko, Lennon, and Bentley) where else in the squad and with whom will Redknapp need to plug the holes with?
Spurs fans, this is your forum. You’ve come off a brilliant end to last season with home wins over Arsenal and Chelsea to finish fourth. You’ve got a handful of the Premier League’s best players in Bale, Defoe and Modric, a brilliant and proven manger and great support. What constitutes a successful season for you both in the Champions League and the Premier League? And lastly, which two players out there do you think Redknapp will move for that will most successfully bolster your already strong squad?
