Vital Spurs Editor ‘Oxford Spur` helps us to preview the final game of the campaign at White Hart Lane
Vital Spurs Editor ‘Oxford Spur` helps us to preview the final game of the campaign at White Hart Lane…
How has the season fared compared to your hopes & expectations?
The fact that we go into this last game of the season with a decent shout at a top four place, and with a win, will achieve our best Premier League points tally should be seen as a real positive, especially when we have a new manager who works very differently to the previous one.
We also lost our two most creative players in Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart in the summer. Add to that the loss of Younes Kaboul, who was outstanding last season and Sandro who dominated so many games in midfield prior to his knee injury, and you have to feel good about what has happened and also for the future.
Sure, if we miss out on a Champions league place it will be a major blow, but personally I feel we are still heading in the right direction.
Will you end up in the Champions League?
My heart says yes, but my head says no. Arsenal obviously have the point advantage and a much better goal difference, so we have to win on Sunday and hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
A lot of credible journalists seem to be suggesting Gareth Bale enjoys being the main man at Spurs & will stick around next season & possibly beyond – how do you see his situation?
Not sure about the big fish part. I do believe he will stay, but not for that reason.
He is still only twenty-three, has just had his first child, remains close to his family, is still developing as a central attacking player and also appears to be enjoying his football with Spurs. if that isn’t enough, I also feel that the instability with so many of the elite teams, who either have or are believed to be looking to change their manager, means that perhaps a season of wait and see for Gareth might be sensible.
Does Danny Rose have a future at White Hart Lane? – he’s been wonderful for us & we’d love to keep him?
I hope so.
I believe we are slowly evolving towards a 4-3-3 formation and the idea of having a left back that has genuine attacking qualities, to compliment the same with Kyle Walker on the right, is a very interesting prospect.
I do feel that Benoit Assou-Ekotto is a player that Andre Villas-Boas doesn’t rate or trust, and he has often been dropped for key games or against teams that are a little more physical. Based on that, I`m sure that we will be looking for a new left back and I would be quite happy to see Danny get a chance, as I have been very impressed for him with you.
I do believe he needs more work on his defensive game, but as a player that has spent the majority of his career as a more offensive player, I think that will come. Anyway do full backs need to defend in today`s game?
Who will be your key man (other than Bale!) on Sunday?
Despite what the media like to portray, Bale has been some way below his best since returning from an ankle injury, but let`s keep up the pretence that we are a one man team.
To a degree, I believe it will help ease the pressure on the whole team, as everyone expects Bale to be a one man show. I think there are some worries that with Bale, Aaron Lennon and Moussa Dembele, all struggling to play at 100% due to current or recent injury, we might lack penetration.
Based on that, I will go with Jan Vertonghen, who has been superb all season to inspire us to victory.
One Spurs player you’d drive to his next club & why?
Obviously it would be good to finally see David Bentley leave the club, but if I`m honest, there aren’t any players that I really dislike or think are useless.
William Gallas has served his time and look certain to be gone in the summer, but he has in the main, served us well.
Similarly I feel that Brad Friedel is a totally different style of ‘keeper to Hugo Lloris, and I do worry that their differing approaches, lead to instability in defence. But again, he has done very well for us as a player.
One Sunderland player you’d pinch & why?
Danny Rose!
I like Stephane Sessegnon, who has flair, energy and always offers something and also Simon Mignolet is an outstanding ‘keeper.
What I do question is whether they are better than what we currently have as our first choice options and if I’m honest, I don’t think they are. Would you have Mignolet or Lloris? Sessegnon or Bale? The latter is a no brainer. Even in the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson or Clint Dempsey, the decision is close.
Match prediction?
My nightmare scenario is that Arsenal lose or draw to Newcastle and we draw or lose to you – that would be horrible.
What I am expecting is to see a nervous Spurs, but one that are hungry, whilst all you have to play for is to impress your manager, but I assume you also needed to do that at Villa Park. 3-1 to Spurs.
Cheers Oxford! Make sure to CLICK HERE to see how I answered Oxford`s questions.
