Cometh the end of 2009. And whilst it wasn't strictly an annus mirrabilis for Harry Redknapp's men, it was certainly a year of overriding positives. As we sit healthily in 4th place going into the turn of the decade, there's a sense that the only way is up.
Even the traditionally difficult Christmas period has been kind to us. Boxing Day's hard fought 0-0 draw with Fulham was as much down to the goalkeeping heroics of Huerelho Gomes than it was down to anything else. Faced with a dangerous home side and a rampant attack, we found ourselves under pressure for the majority of the game. But Gomes, a name one tends to forget when discussing Tottenham these days, gave everyone a sterling reminder of his talent. He sprawled left and right time and again and kept goal as if to single handedly claim a point for his side. To confound the wonderful performance, it was on the same ground where he committed one of his higher profile errors last season.
Gomes has turned things around no end and all it took was a little faith from his boss. Whilst Carlo Cudicini was signed to provide back up and a kick up the arse, Gomes responded by putting to one side the troubles of his debut year and delivering a string of excellent, game changing performances. Redknapp's faith in his keeper has paid off and one must also credit Tony Parks, the goalkeeping coach brought in last year to assist the then error prone Brazilian. Every successful team needs a strong presence at the back and, in Gomes, Tottenham appear to have found one.
With a good keeper and a good defence, teams will struggle to score against you. And that's exactly what has transpired. The comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham two days later saw Spurs play with a confident swagger and an upbeat tempo AND stretched the unbeaten run to four games. What's more, no team has managed to score against Spurs in this period. West Ham rarely threatened after the returning Luka Modric bundled home an 11th minute sentimental goal on his comeback to the side. This after wing wizard Aaron Lennon once again came up against a defence he could torment. His direct running was a constant threat to the wobbly away defence and his pace and intelligence set up both goals.
In fact, Spurs should have scored more. Tom Huddlestone, who had a fine game, found himself in space often and rolled a shot straight onto the post when played in by Vedran Corluka. Jermain Defoe was revelling in the extra attention placed on him against his old team and he curled a wonderful free kick just a shade wide of the post with Rob Green beaten. Whilst the lead was just a solitary goal, there was danger that Spurs might throw it away but they secured the win with a swift counter attack.
Wilson Palacios fought tigerishly to win the ball on the edge of the Spurs box and flicked it to Modric, who advanced up the pitch and sensibly gave it to the pacy Lennon. The impish winger drove on with both Peter Crouch and Defoe further forward. Lennon moved it on to Defoe, who was forced to switch back on himself. Defoe then took it past two defenders before having his fierce shot rebounded out to him by Green. He made no mistake with the second chance as he powerfully lashed the second attempt high into the net to seal the win.
Spurs move back into fourth with Aston Villa, one place behind, in action tonight. After all that's said and done, it's not a bad way to end the calender year. January saw us hovering nervously around the relegation places but a run of fine form in March and April saw us not only leave the danger zone but threaten to secure a European place. Continental football eluded us but we bounced back in some style this season and are hitting heights not seen since 2005/06. On the periphery of the top four and with a squad that most managers would cut their right arm off for, the immediate future looks pretty decent for Tottenham.
Harry Redknapp has proclaimed there won't be too much transfer activity this month but don't be surprised to see Roman Pavlyuchenko sent on his un-merry way. The fourth choice striker has been sulking on the subs bench for months now while his agent talks up a move to sunnier climates. Rumours that Liverpool are interested in him won't solve that particular conundrum but any playing time will make the Russian a happier man. His departure would probably see another striker brought in; rumours abound that Redknapp is interested in Craig Bellamy but it's probably best to wait until things actually start to happen before speculating.
My personal best memories of 2009? 9-1 was a bit of a giggle. It's not everyday your team goes about physically destroying a team, setting record after record in the process. Going top of the league back in August was also something you don't see everyday. The second half of the year brought a whole host of positives as we went from strength to losing to Stoke to strength. The only regrettable incidents were that calamitous North London Derby and losing the Carling Cup final on penalties. It's safe to say David Bentley will never be trusted with a penalty in a Spurs shirt again.
With 2010 on the horizon, there's lots to cheer about. A juicy FA Cup tie with Peterborough is up next followed by some tough Premier League challenges. Liverpool away and Fulham at home are two games that will capture attention and provide more clues as to who is going to snatch that fourth place. With the end of the season now in range of Tottenham periscopes, thoughts inevitably turn to what a result means in relation to the final league placings. And with a tough end of the season coming, Spurs will need every point they can muster.
Hang on to your seatbelts. It's set to be an exciting one. Bring it on.
Always On My Mind
5 hours ago
