Football

Spurs not a one man team

For a number of weeks there have been a number of claims that Spurs are a one man team, this has been down to the individual brilliance of Welsh winger Gareth Bale. Whilst there is no questioning the ability of Bale, his pace, strength and left foot alone are second to none currently in the Premier League, Spurs have a squad that comfortably represents a top four side.

Defensive qualities have been there to see this season; French Number One Hugo Lloris has been magnificent since overtaking the ever reliable Brad Friedel as the clubs main keeper and has quickly established himself as one of the few top keepers in the League. In front of him is the ever reliable and uncompromising centre half Michael Dawson, his form since the turn of the year has been quite magnificent and most certainly deserves more England recognition.

Another main stay of the Spurs back four has been summer signing Jan Vertonghen, whether he has played centrally or as a wing back his performances have been superb throughout the season; his natural footballing ability added with the tonic of scoring goals in crucial games has quickly made him one of the key components to this highly efficient side.

Of the midfielders who have largely impressed this season Dembele has to be the pick of the bunch, much like at Fulham it is his technical ability and visual prowess to pick out a pass from the most improbable of angles that has supplied the likes of Bale and Defoe with goal scoring opportunities throughout the season. Add to that the competitive nature of Parker and raw pace of Lennon and the midfield is as good as there is in the league.

Arguably the only weak aspect of this Spurs squad has been their options in the forward positions. Defoe, before injury, was in top form; banging in the goals for fun and looked rejuvenated under the tactically astute Andre Villas Boas. Adebayor has simply looked uninterested this season, his goal return has been appalling and it would not surprise if one of AVB’s first moves in the summer is to sign a centre forward. American front man Dempsey has shown in glimpses what he can do, his stoppage time equaliser against United at the Lane went some way to win the hearts of the supporters, but in general has flattered to deceive throughout the campaign.

There is no questioning Bale’s impact this season, his goal return alone would suggest he has been an influential player this season. But all good teams have a key player, look no further than United and Van Persie or Messi at Barca. AVB must take great credit in how he has managed to take over the club, add a few players of genuine quality and continue to enhance the stock of Gareth Bale. Not much is certain in football, but what is a certainty is Spurs will challenge for Champions League football for many seasons to come; with or without Bale.

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