Tottenham Hotspur 2011/12 Season Preview
Tottenham Hotspur has some of the best young talent in the English Premier League (EPL), especially when it comes to attacking, but it’s the same old story of a manager, Harry Redknapp, not knowing how to get the best out of his squad. Spurs ended up in fifth place in the EPL last season with 62 points, 18 adrift of titlists Manchester United.
They haven’t improved themselves in the offseason other than the addition of goalkeeper Brad Friedel from Aston Villa, and they haven’t gotten any weaker either really. That could change though, as after his constant crying, Luka Modric could still be sold despite signing a long-term contract last year.
Spurs has always been a pretty good attacking club over the years and this year’s edition is the same. They have a wealth of talent up front in Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Robbie Keane, and Giovani Dos Santos. However, Redknapp doesn’t know how good he’s got it and inexplicably let Keane and Dos Santos go out on loan last season while the rest of his strikers took turns sitting on the bench. It’s unclear who he’ll keep around this season.
Spurs also have some quality attackers in the midfield with Aaron Lennon, David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Rafael Van der Vaart, Danny Rose, Niko Kranjcar, Modric, and Steven Pienaar. They’re not too bad defensively in the middle of the park either with Sandro, Wilson Palaciaos, and Jermaine Jenas.
The best of the defenders are William Gallas, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Sebastien Bassong, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gareth Bale. In fact, Bale is one of the best young players in the sport today and his runs up the wing are often pretty breathtaking. However, King is injury prone and Bale also missed a few games last season due to injuries.
In goal, Friedel is joined by Carlo Cudicini and Heurelho Gomes. Friedel is 40 years old though and Cudicini is 38. Gomes is only 30 and while he can pull off some amazing saves he can also let in the easiest of shots, often in the same game.
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Winner Odds
Sportsbook 5Dimes.com has Spurs’ odds of winning the EPL at +5250, which is sixth favorite. Realistically they have the talent to finish between third and sixth, but will likely end up fifth or sixth. For more Premier League winner odds visit 5Dimes.com.
Tottenham Hotspur Prediction
Spurs have some tough games at the start of the season against Everton, Manchester United, and Manchester City, so it won’t take long to see how good they’re going to be. Spurs aren’t likely to win the league and they’re not in danger of being relegated either. However, they’re better than a middle-of-the-pack team.
They have to be lucky with injuries, good in goal, and Redknapp has to learn how to utilize his players better if they’re going to finish in the top four and earn a spot for next year’s European Champions League. They could do well in the domestic FA Cup and League Cup if Redknapp takes the competition seriously.
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