Why Tottenham are Better Placed than Man City to Break the Top Four
by Mr Neutral on August 25th, 2009 57 commentsWho has what it takes to break into the big time?
There is something to be said for a gradual organic approach to building a successful football team and whilst Harry Redknapp has made some good solid purchases he also had the nucleus of a good quality squad to aid a rise up the table.
You can’t blame Mark Hughes for acting like the kid in a sweet shop, after all he is given a limitless pot of cash and then told to lead the club to glory but is the speedy route to the top one that can so easily fail?
Once the Eastlands boss gets his hands on Joleon Lescott he will have spent on near on £230m in the past two seasons bringing quality players to the Blue half of Manchester and during that same two seasons they have released players to the value of probably less than 10% of what they spent, is that sustainable, even for the club’s billionaire owners?
The White Hart Lane boss has also spent a small fortune in the transfer market, around £55m since he was installed as boss last October but has at the same time cashed in on outgoing players who didn’t fit his game plan, selling the likes of Darren Bent and Didier Zokora for decent sums of money.
Another bonus in the hunt for a top four finish for the north London side is the fact they were on such a great run of form from the end of last season and that should never be underestimated as a clubs confidence hanging over from the previous term can be crucial.
The toughest obstacle to real success at Man City is the need to get such a large number of players to gel together at the same time. The club has done well to begin the season with back to back wins but then both matches were not exactly against top opposition and the real acid test will come when they face some of the big guns. It will also be interesting to see how the club fares if they hit a patch of poor form and how the big names will react to that.
I feel that Spurs are in the right position to mount a more solid challenge for a Champions League spot simply because as a group of individuals they appear to be very tight knit, unlike the side under Juande Ramos and the tail end of the Martin Jol regime. There is a real sense that the players are doing all they can for their boss and that is a vital ingredient.
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anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Redknapp is simply a better manager than Hughes and it is very likely the moment City struggle they will sack their boss and start all over again.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
take it your a spurs fan?
Kop King - August 25th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Man city will finnish above spurs.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
and if spurs start struggling harry will jump ship again
Nick... - August 25th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
i think city need another quality striker and cm i think vorinin and lucas would do nicely i think liverpool would accpet 30 mil for both then they sign vdv and silva lol
then city would win the leage
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
City have bought, but they have also cleared out. Bianchi, Elano, Evans, Sturridge gone, Bojinov, Caicedo, Jo out on loan.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
The fact that Spurs have dropped out of the Reserves championship, and they face no european games, means they will be less fatigued and have a large selection of players at their disposal.
Posted by CyprusYid
Nick... - August 25th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
wat do people thing of my suggestion
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Only time will tell and then you will have to crawl out from under your stone to hold your hands up like lots of people and say WE GOT IT WRONG
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Can’t beat an article full of facts and figures. What research you must have undertaken for this cracker. I’m off to the bookies now to put my house on Spurs.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
What a Spurs biased article…….Spurs have no depth to their team, City have……all it’ll take is a few injuries and Spurs will finish mid table, possibly 7th.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Nick……your suggestions are crap
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
You underestimate Hughes. Firstly, unlike Redknapp, he has played at the very top level, secondly, he does not need to shoot his mouth off like Redknapp, who ofetn behaves like a barrow boy; Hughes on the other hand is quiet, articulate and intelligent.
I look forward to him proving you wrong, as I am sure he will.
I would also add that is only the media who saying he has to succeed this season. Whilst a pot would be nice, we have been shite or thereabouts for thirty years now, so another year or two’s wait is nothing.
I am also of the opinion that Hughes and Ferguson parted on bad terms – a common feature for players leaving Old Trafford; given that, I think Hughes has a pint to prove, and would love to see Ferguson leaving United just as his one-time protege takes City past them.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Spurs have a good first-team squad and may well have enough to make it a “big 6″. Given the spending they’ve done over a number of years now, they should be up there every year. City still have an edge in terms of first-team quality in a number of places, but they have one very big advantage – the overall squad is now much better and will prove to be a big factor at the end of the season. While Spurs will possibly do very well early on, as injuries and games add up, it’s difficult to see them keeping up with City who may not have hit their stride yet, but it’s clear what is to come. And winning games early on when they’re not playing particularly well means it’s going to be exciting when they do hit top gear.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I agree with anonymous!!
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
It is interesting to watch Hughes pay ‘over the odds’ for seasoned premiership players – all of them highly experienced in top level English football and if anyone had watched the opening 2 games, the ability to quickly gel was obvious – much less of a risk than buying ‘foreigners’ needing time to adapt to the tempo, pace and demand of the Premier League.
The key to City’s season is the depth of the squad and the quality of those in the wings – we will see more flexibility from Hughes this season and those that predict an early sacking might be disappointed. City’s record at home last season was only bettered by United – this was a team that started with Vassell in its opening line up. City are stronger and better equipped this season to take on and beat the very best – even a modest improvement away (and we have already won 50% of last year’s total) will ensure a strong finish – watch out, Spurs included!
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Typical southern tatt, city will finish above spurs . . .FACT, Redknapp will do one back to portsmouth as soon as spurs start there mid season slide . . . . Probably back to portsmouth when this farcical takeover concludes and he can waste all their cash.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Nick,
You need a reality check old bean, i think you should lay off the permanent markers and pritt stick for a while, it turns your brain to jelly. We are a fine without signing two reject mousers, wtf would they bring to our already brilliant squad. SFA
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Its sound advice except the prem has become dirty with money and this is all about americans russians and now arab oil barrons .And top four dominence by hook or crook and now pots of abu dhabi peoples money being wasted on the greedy bastards with the loyalty of a jackal and when people realise that we are paying 103 or more a litre for petrol to line the fat pockets of over drug over sexed footballer .Then hate will follow ,if the west brom player caught buying 500 quids worth of laced with shite cocane and glow in the dark dope grown in chenoble is a yardstick then we are being ripped of has fans by clubs sky and schofields prem league.Why all this bitternes from a game i love because bullying is accepted by teams chasing the golden goose and i no spurs are good enough to get in the top 4 but money and the disbanded G14 wont allow us to gatcrash the elite man city have bought there membeship we will need our new stadium to get to the table atleast .So dont expect to get into the top come january the rumours will start utd want bla bla and city and then we will fail with disgrunteld players wanting to move thats the facts .
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Spurs fans expect every year to be the one where they crack the top 4. It’s easy to forget that City are the most financially powerful club in world football, just because they have spent relatively conservative amounts on proven premiership players this year. So far.
Man City have bought a decent defence. Harry will no doubt get a couple of crazy rastas in before the transfer window, to support gravelknees and sicknote. They will disappear to the african cup of nations, then return a week late, with bloodshot eyes.
Some words for you:-News of the World. Metropolitan Police. Motorway service station. Car boot. Suitcase. Handshake. points deduction. Computers confiscated, including the Nintendo wii. defiant statement from the gates of a plush pad on the south coast, fit daughter-in-law.
Hughes and Rednapp will both be aiming for the top 4. But Harry will blink first. boom boom!
Nick... - August 25th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
lol
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Dream on you Cotney Tw@ts
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
U City slickers are off your heads if u think that u are going to finish above the Yids. As your biggest fan says wonderwall, in other words what a load of bollocks u talk… Harry may not of played at the level Hughes did, but he is ten times more shroud and clever than Hughes. We have not got the money that you have splashed out , where are we? Oh top i beleive hahaha. So stop dreaming above what you all are…….. you aint even has beens lol. What is in your trophy cabinet mugs.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
lol…. Tottenham have spent over 180 million since 2007. City have more players who have come through the ranks than Spurs too. This article is a complete failure.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Spurs have no squad depth?!
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Yes maybe in your dreams we can feild two first team squads you Muppets! Again where are you and where are your Trophies. Oh forgot you aint got none hahaha! Take a look at our full squad i think you will find it is as strong as any in the prem. You are all so thick are you Gooners in discuise?
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I still agree with anonymous.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Yid Army we aint mad we are bloody barmy! Sack for Hughes at the end of the season mark my words. He will fail to deliver after all the money he has spent!
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Can you lot read up there? if so look at our squad it is as big as any in the league. Just keep dreaming remember Blackburn where are they now? all the money they spent to win the title once lol. You are day dream belivers , Come back down to earth as rome was not built in a day.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
We are Tottenham from the Lane top of the table where we will remain. City are really shitty who struggle to remain in the top ten cos they might even go down again….
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I agree with the guy who said he agreed with anonymous.
I also think you’re all taking this a bit too serious. Much as I love football, you do know it’s just a sport don’t you? Stop wrapping up your identity with a club, and just support them instead.
If you’re losing sleep over your team’s results, you’re taking it too seriously.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Poor article. No-one can be sure where Harry will be in three months time. And City’s spending this year won’t be repeated. It;s just a catching up process so to mention sustainability is ludicrous. Still, if anyone could afford it, City can and I, for one, wish both City AND Spurs good luck. I’m tired of the top four’s domination. I think City will be the stronger though.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Spurs can field 2 teams for the premiership and still finish above City! (1st Team) Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddleston, Modric, Keane and Defoe. (2nd Team) Cudicini, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Bentley, Jenas, O’Hara, Rose, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch. And we will STILL have players left over! E.g Dos Santos, Chimbonda, Naughton! So shut you mouth City Scum!
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Good luck to both City and Spurs. Hope the ‘Sky4′ cartel is broken this season.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Well City need to play catch up cos they have been crap for years lol. But yes if they get above the Goons good on them, but They will have a while to gel and be as good as the Spurs. We are seasons ahead of them, And money thrown around does not mean they will finish in the top 6.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Gd nite to all the man from the Lane bids you goodbye for now….. Yid Army.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
i hope for citys sake they do well cos if they dont all their expensive players will fuck off for half the money city paid and city will be left with just lots of blank cheques to run around the pitch.. mind you the cheque would probably do better lol.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Spurs are Manures feeder club.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
City are Spurs’ feeder club **cough** Corluka **cough**
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
ha ha spurs years ahead of city ha ha fell off my couch good one pal made my nite……
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
As a Liverpool supporter this article is a big LOL. Spurs have been very lucky in the opening 3 games and City are a class above them right now.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Let spurs fans enjoy their moment at the top of the table -they will be back amongst the also rans soon enough – I remember both coventry and sheffield wednesday leading the table after a few games in years gone by, and am pretty sure they didnt finish top 4!..The season is a marathan not a sprint.
If I was a betting man I would back City to finish ahead of Spurs as the yids aint the same team when King is out and history tells us he is gonna be out for quite a lot of matches of the course of the season.
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
spurs so ahead of city
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
notice the liverpool fans all anti spurs cos they have started crap bunch of fools
anonymous - August 25th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Money buy’s success. Chelsea & Man Utd have consistently spent fortunes and won trophies as a result. Man City have money to burn and by all accounts Spurs don’t…….so City are clearly the best placed to suceed, especially in the long term. Some Spurs fans need to go and have a nice lie down in a darkened room to calm down. The season is 3 games old, enjoy a good start but it is no more than that.
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I am amazed at some of the cretinous responses from so-called spurs fans. Have they closed all the schools in London or something?
I guess ignorance and blind faith, combined with a refusal to accept reality are considered admirable qualities in the squalid, rat -infested back-alleys where these half-wits reproduce.
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 1:26 am
There have been just as many cretinous responses by Man City fans. And you’ll find similar cretinous responses from fans of every club all over the internet.
Nothing to do with schools closing. There are just a lot of cretins around.
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I couldn’t agree more with the last two anonymous-es…except to say that judging by the internet football fandom has a higher cretin quotient than most other walks of life!
I’m a spurs fan and i’m frankly embarrased by the neanderthal ravings of some of my lilywhite brethren…but i’m relieved to find the same moronic mumblings dribbling from the mouths/keyboards of fans of all clubs!
For the record with everton/villa/fulhams weaker squads facing so many extra games due to european commitments, Spurs n City should by rights be battling for 5th. I honestly think its too close to call…will city gel in time? will the pressure, expectations and egos be too much? will spurs stop flattering to deceive and fulfill the potential of the jol years (where we finished 5th twice) under harrys management? only time will tell. jesus h christ i’m looking forward to finding out COYS!!!
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 6:32 am
well said, 3:38! Watch on! COYS!
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
SPURS are way better than City, In every way except the owners money. Player for player, I would take spurs squad. But that Money can’t buy players that other premier league teams couldn’t buy. Teves 3rd team, Bridge, a few Barry played for middle of teh table villa for years, Belamy, played for 50% of teh leagues teams, so not exactly buying super players. So they have nothing that another team could not offer. They will finish top half, but thats about it. Maybe in a few years. Like spurs have been spending like crazy to catch up, and after a few failed attemps have quietly gone about their business pre season, not lost any players this year, as none of their team attracted any big teams after last years under achiving season. And now the big four dont have more money than spurs to spend on huge transfers which it would take to steal any player from spurs these days. Just ask Fergie and the 30 mil he wasted on Berba. Man city is exciting, but so is Notts county, but spurs aren’t worried about them either.
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
WHO have city beaten? 2 games and gonna win the league? If they were a top half team before the take over then maybe, there would of been something to build on, but can anyone name their team of 3 years ago? Please city fans calm down, sing your blue moon song and cry when it dont work out, like you always have
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Im a city fan and I am disgraced at what our club is doing – plain
Embarassing. If we finish top four it will be nothing to be proud about – anyone could do it with our money.
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I agree with that lasr anonymous bloke
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
To the anonymous city fan , who says what City have done is embarrassing then you are no city fan. Stand by your club. How do you think ANY club is likely to break the domination of the top without spending vast amounts to do it.
They are all light years ahead of City in terms of history and trophies so the only way ANYONE could break that is to spend and spend big.( chelsea, united arsenal where all spending fortunes when city (only last year) had to borrow money from City’s ex chairman to pay the staff))
Otherwise we would have to wait another 23 years before winning the full members cup again. GET real and get supporting your team !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anonymous - August 26th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
well said Anon of 11.10.
anonymous - August 27th, 2009 at 1:07 am
what a rubbish article, i could imagine City in the Champions League more than I could Spurs
anonymous - August 27th, 2009 at 8:19 am
the Spurs team have been through tough times and it shows quite tight and good vibes City yet to be proven some top drawer talent bought now they have to come together.