The annual summer speculation that THIS will indeed be the year Spurs finally breach the Top Four has begun a bit early. The studly Jonathan Woodgate is the first to broach the topic in 2009, some 3.5 months ahead of next season's opener. With current form that would have Tottenham in the 5th position if the campaign had not begun until New Year's... and at least a few new "established" players set jump on the Harry bandwagon before 2009-10 kicks off, I'd have to say he won't be the last either.
Quoteth Woody:
"I want to finish as far as we can up the league," Woodgate said. "The aim is always to get in the top four and the Champions League... We'll see how we do. It's going to be a better team next year, you can see how the team has changed under the manager we have now."
Is it really so insane to suggest that England's best striker right now might well be Darren Bent?
The 24-year-old scored 13 goals in the pre-season, and we should have seen this coming (then again, playing games against the likes of Leyton Orient, you're bound to rack up goals, right?), but since August 31 (of course he didn't score in the first two EPL fixtures), he's been on fire to the tune of 11 goals in 16 games (all competitions).
I know, I know... this simply shouldn't happen. And yet, he's in the Top 3 for EPL scoring along with Nicolas Anelka and Amr Zaki, forming perhaps the unlikeliest top scorers list imaginable. What kind of odds would you have gotten on that in July?
The Spurs revival is down to Bent more than anything, although Redknapp's influence and ability to extract hard work from his well-paid midfield is also paying dividends. Right up to the transfer deadline, one had to wonder just where the goals would come from once Berbatov and Keane were sold, but so far, Darren f*cking Bent has answered the call.
Yes, he's still young, and yes, he had a good track record at Charlton, but his 2008/09 exploits to date transcend all these accomplishments. He's in the form of his life, right now. Everything he touches turns to goals, and with a friendly against Ze Germans next week, can Capello honestly turn him down?
Fabio might; he does have two other in-form strikers in Agbonlahor and Defoe (both with 6 EPL goals so far), and it's almost inevitable that the crocked ghost of Michael Owen will still get a spot in the squad somewhere.
I cannot believe I'm saying this, but Bent should get a nod, surely. Put him in with Rooney and let's see if his Midas touch continues. Of course Ledley King agrees.
So for now, in light of this early-Xmas miracle for Tottenham, sit back with a jug of wine and a bottle of Vicodin, and enjoy some Darren Bent classics.
Now this is the Tottenham I remember! It's amazing how a team can, in the course of four days, go from being physically incapable of scoring a legitimate goal to popping off four on the road. In a derby. Against a stalwart Arsenal defense (ho ho!) Granted, they're still shipping them left and right, but that's OK, this is Spurs after all. How about the fight in 'Arry's Boys?!?
If ever a game was over with a half-hour to play, this was it. Adebayor punched home Nasri's chip and it was like Arsene yelled out "Feu!" The place cleared out fast, Spurs and Scum alike.
For more on why the early birds might have done better to stick around a while, follow me (to the video!)...
Spurs keep their derby unbeaten streak alive. Ten months and 18 days since last loss, at Chelsea, on Jan. 12, 2008. Last home derby loss: Sept. 15, 2007
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