So here it is. Last day of the season and the all important game that could decide a variety of issues as we go into the summer. Manager, players in and out and if we are dining at the big boys table next season. To be honest, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this thinking, I’m truly disappointed that 3rd place isn’t signed, sealed and confirmed already and this game being the celebration of that for the Spurs faithful. That’s just not our way though is it? What we are left with is a nervous 90 minutes for a must win game and praying for favours elsewhere.
The manager’s position probably isn’t an issue any more either, as even if we don’t finish 4th I would be very surprised if Daniel Levy will be sacking Harry Redknapp anyway due to the financial implications that come with doing so. That means we are stuck with him for another season at least, cheers the FA! Let’s hope there is a modicum of a relationship between the 2 left and Mr Levy finally let’s Harry at some of the money we must have in reserve which was waiting, most likely, for the new manager most thought we were going to have next season. In regards to the player situation, for both in and out, well that will depend on if we have Champions League football or not. Bale and Modric being 2 examples of that already and more recently Assou-Ekotto pipping up as well. I wish players would just keep quiet until the end of the season to see what position the club and themselves are in, unfortunately that’s not the modern way. It’s not like they had the chance to change the final outcome anyway is it?
On to the vital match against a side having one of their best seasons in the Premiership under the stewardship of the fantastic loveable man and one of our former favourite manager’s Martin Jol. He has Fulham playing some great, exciting football and they are a very dangerous side, one I would prefer not to have played in this situation. On the plus side they have nothing left to play for this season but as we all know Jol’s team don’t play that way as he loves to win. We also know how he left the club and while he wouldn’t want to do us harm, he certainly will set up his team to make it hard for us.
Spurs have played beautiful, flowing football at times this season and have won many plaudits for doing so but on Sunday it’s not about how we play, it’s just about one thing, 3 points. That’s all that matters.
We are also reliant on a favour from the new England managers team West Bromich Albion. If they can pull off a win or even draw against Arsenal and we can claim victory at the Lane, we finish 3rd. Then we don’t have to be biting our nails on the 19th May hoping for a Bayern Munich win over Chelsea. That would be left for our North London rivals. Surely we must be due something over the England debacle seeing on how debilitating it impacted our season?
I’d imagine the game itself will be quite an open one as Fulham like to attack and that will suit us with our pace. Most of their play will be through the impressive Moussa Dembele and Captain America Clint Dempsey, both of whom we have a supposed interest in bring to the club in the summer. Dembele is a clever player who links up play well and while he should score more, he certainly is a threat. Dempsey is just having an immense year with 17 league goals and 7 assists. By far the best in Fulham’s history, the American was very unlucky not to have been in the nominations for player of the year and in the team of the year also. He caries all kinds of threat, with his movement, late runs in the box and vision, the Spurs defence will need to marshall him closely to keep him out.
In defence man mountain Brede Hangeland will have to moved around and out of position so we can exploit the space behind him, a job Adebayor is more then capable of.
Kyle Walker will be tested by the runs of John Arne Riise and Damien Duff and will need the back up of Aaron Lennon to help out, while Pavel Pobregnyak has already proved he knows where the goal is in his short time in the league. Martin Jol has some very impressive youngsters he is giving a chance to also, most notably Kerim Frei, who seems like a livewire and Alexander Kacaniklic. Make no bones about it, this will be a tough match.
For Spurs the only real problem is at left back, with Assou-Ekotto out and Danny Rose suspended after his stupid lunge at Alan Hutton last week. Will Redkanpp go for the Martinez’s Wigan 3-4-3 formation or one similar. I would be very surprised given the magnitude of the situation and the fact that Sir Ledley is unlikely to be fit for the match. News also broke yesterday that he will require more surgery in the summer on his troublesome knee. That leaves us with shoe holing someone into the left back position. Redkanpp isn’t quite sure what he is going to do yet himself as he said at his pre match press conference that it’s a problem and they have a couple of ideas but they will see where they go with it. That doesn’t fill me with confidence!
The rest of the side will be the same as it has been for the last 3 games, especially with King and Parker doubts. I’m not sure either would have been able to force themselves into the team anyway, such has the form been of the beast Sandro and the solid partnership of Gallas and Kaboul.
Possible Line up:
Friedel; Walker, King, Kaboul, Gallas; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van Der Vaart; Adebayor
This match is all about us. If we win, we are definitely 4th, possibly 3rd if results go our way and that must of been the objective at the start of season. We cannot change other factors around us. A view reiterated by assistant manager Kevin Bond “We need to do the job we need to do and then at least no-one can stop us from finishing fourth. That’s what we have to focus on. If we get help from elsewhere, that’s a bonus, but we have to make sure we win our game first.”
Prediction:
Whatever your own personal views of how the season has turned out and on the manager and players as well, we all have to push them to one side until 4.45pm on Sunday. Then we can have our say and how we think the club can progress and go forward. The Fulham game is all that matters for the time being. We all know we have the team capable of doing what we need to do and the players will certainly be motivated for the game as victory could bring them the Champions League football they crave. With this in mind I’m going for a 2-1 victory and praying the Baggies help us out the Hawthornes.
Sing loud and proud for the boys: We are Tottenham, Super Tottenham, Super Tottenham from the Lane and make some noise!
TO DARE IS TO DO
COYS
Rob
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