The Project…So Far

In the wake of Harry Redknapp’s departure from White Hart Lane, many wondered what was on the horizon when Spurs needed a manager and Daniel Levy appointed AVB at the helm. Spurs were in need of a springboard to propel them into the elite of football and AVB was a man seeking a club to restore his crest fallen reputation. The situation appeared to be a simple equation with both Mr Levy and AVB in search of a common goal and objective. The only obstacles that stood in their quest for glory were opinions of the faithful on the terraces, whose thoughts polarised on ‘what’ and ‘if’ AVB could actually better their team in any way. That coupled with the fact that handling big ego’s was the new managers Achilles heel or so we thought.

So off the new season rocketed away and even though Spurs had a new look team, with some very quality additions, the same problems that plagued the Lily Whites begun to crop up (again) and caused the early games of the season to be very inconsistent. Knives were out for the new Spurs coach and the bookies couldn’t resist the temptation to put odds on AVB getting sacked a second time.

However, some historic victories in unlikely circumstances (ala the win over Manchester United) caught the eyes and imagination of the media and fans alike who begun to wonder what greatness could be brewing around the corner. Consistency seemed to pulse into the veins of the lifeblood of the team from nowhere and Spurs strung together some very healthy results.

By the turn of the new year, Spurs’ rejuvenated style of play attracted lots of plaudits and they found a new hero in Bale. Simply put, the lad is pure quality. Hollywood film writers would not have been able to put together scripts of some of the heroics he delivered.

Yet as with the ending in most Tottenham twists, you could be forgiven for being a little pessimistic that Spurs would blow it during the business end of the season. Besides, history has never really done the club many favours in that department. Some abject displays by Tottenham, saw them concede their secure league position until they finally got prised out of the coveted Champions League places.

Despite going through what could have been and all the ‘ifs, buts and maybes’ during the season, AVB had a record haul of 72 points. For those of you who missed the relevance of this point, it’s Tottenham’s highest ever points tally in the Premier League. Which can also be interpreted as a good step in the right direction.

Every project needs to start somewhere and based on the evidence of last season, the future bodes well for Spurs in light of the core quality already at our disposal and speculations of players genuinely linked to the club like Paulinho. Many would agree that AVB’s project has begun on a good note but for that to continue greater results will be an obligation. Only this time he will be judged under a lot more scrutiny than at first…

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