Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Q & A with Alan Fisher Of Tottenham On My Mind

This is the fifth in a series of previews of Fulham's opponents in the English Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur are a very well known club in the English Premier League. The team resides in North London. They play their matches at White Hart Lane. The capacity is over 36,000.  Spurs biggest rival is Arsenal.

Last season Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the English Premier League. They will also be playing this year in the Champions League. They are led by manager Harry Redknapp. The Chairman for Spurs is Daniel Levy. Players to watch include Jermain Defoe, Gareth Bale, and Michael Dawson.

To help me with this preview I have asked Alan Fisher of the blog "Tottenham On My Mind"  to assist me. For Spurs fans this is an excellent site. Alan is a long time Spurs fan and extremely knowledgeable on the club he follows. 

This is an exciting time for Tottenham Hotspur. They are in the Champions League. They are also a club to be reckoned with in the English Premier League. I asked several questions to Alan about Spurs. I wanted to get a sense of his thoughts on the upcoming season for Tottenham Hotspur. Below is my Q & A with Alan Fisher of Tottenham On My Mind.

 

Were you happy with last year's season finish? 

 Alan Fisher: Deliriously, ecstatically, blissfully, rapturously, crazily, overwhelmingly overjoyed and delighted. So yes.

 

What are your general feelings on the state of Tottenham Hotspur as the season is about to begin?

Alan Fisher: Very positive. We have a strong squad with several emerging players who can only get better, a good team ethos and above all a growing sense of confidence and resilience. A couple of high quality signings and we could really take off. The only thing that worries me is my unaccustomed optimism.

  

What Spurs players are the keys to your success this season?

 Alan Fisher: Gomes must continue his superb form from last season. King is a magnificent defender, as good as any I’ve seen in over 40 years of watching Spurs regularly, but who knows how his knee will hold out. Bale is potentially world-class and at times unstoppable. The real key is Luka Modric, a genuine playmaker, tough despite his flimsy build, skilful and clever. Build the team around him.

  

 What style of play would say Spurs play?

Alan Fisher: We are at our best when we pass and move at a decent tempo, looking to take the game to the opponents. Harry wants us to get the ball forward quickly and sometimes we lump it wastefully, especially if Crouch is playing. 
 

 

What are the strengths of Tottenham Hotspur?

Alan Fisher: The midfield is stuffed with skill and passing ability. On the flanks we have pace from Lennon and Bale, and although I thought we looked vulnerable at times, our defensive record, especially at home, was impressive last season. 
 

 

What are the weaknesses of Tottenham Hotspur?

Alan Fisher: I’m not convinced about the abilities of our strikers to score consistently against the best teams. Also, defensively we do not work as hard or track back as well as, oh, to pluck a name out of the air, say, Fulham…. Finally, last season we dropped points from winning positions too often – mental toughness.

 

What players were key acquisitions so far for Tottenham Hotspur?

Alan Fisher: If you mean this season, our lack of signings must have Harry twitching like expiring roadkill. Sandro, a young Brazilian central midfielder, has been signed and will be here soon. Highly rated – but aren’t all young Brazilian midfielders?
 

 

Were there any key losses for Spurs?

Alan Fisher: Everyone’s still here… rumour has it that the Milner transfer will open everything up. Expect player plus cash deals between Villa and Spurs with Jenas, Bentley, Keane and Hutton all expendable. All are useful, none are key.
 

Who are some of the young players of the future for Spurs? 

Alan Fisher: Bale at 21 is phenomenal, with virtually limitless potential. Not sure if they are young enough, but Huddlestone and Lennon are hugely talented and still only 23. If Huddlestone learns the art of that first yard being in the head, he too could become top class.

 Outside the first team regulars, teenagers like Caulker, Mason, Bostock, Townshend and Livermore are highly rated but it’s hard to see where their chance will come.

 

Watch out for Gio de Santos – likes to party and was on his way out but an impressive World Cup and pre-season may cause Harry to think again.

 

What was your favorite match for Tottenham Hotspur against Fulham?

Alan Fisher: I hate it when this type of question comes up and people always vote for recent players or events, whereas if you know your history… Having said that, we were superb in the second half of the Cup replay at the Lane last season. The 4-0 win at the Cottage a few years back was Ok too…and I recall Graham Roberts going in goal and us holding out, again at the Cottage, early 80s.

 But did I ever tell you about the time I saw Pele score against Fulham, west Londonboy from Ealing, used to pop down the district line to see Fulham when Spurs were away, those were the days…..

 

What is your prediction for Fulham?

Alan Fisher: Top ten but just outside the UEFA places. Hughes is an excellent choice as manager because he can organise and get the best from players.

 

 

Are you happy with the your manager Harry Redknapp? 

 Alan Fisher: To finish 4^th was a remarkable achievement so no complaints. He’s brought on several younger players and we have a great squad playing (mostly) decent football. Our prudent chairman Daniel Levy deserves great credit for curbing  Harry’s excesses in the transfer market and Redknapp is more focused as a result.

  Don’t take a blind bit of notice of anything he says or writes in the media – I don’t. Avuncular Uncle ‘Arry? Do me a favour – hard as nails.

 

Do you have concerns about the amount of games Spurs has to play this season with more matches with the Champions League

Alan Fisher: It’s not the number of games that concerns me. Rather, we are not used to the pressure of each and every game being important and the expectations that come with finishing in the top four. 

 

What are your predictions for the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspur? 

Alan Fisher: Stagger through the qualifying round followed by glorious failure in the group stages.

 

What are your predictions for the English Premier League?

Alan Fisher: It could be more competitive at the top than in recent years. Spurs will challenge Arsenal and City for third and fourth (but not first and second), while the wonderful Woy will sort Liverpool out even if they don’t have any cash. Chelsea or United for the title (again). Both will have to make changes so it’s hard to predict who will win out. I’ll go for United.

Predictable, but the promoted teams will struggle, as will Wigan. West Brom and Wigan to go down with Blackpool.

I want to thank again Alan Fisher of

"Tottenham On My Mind" with his help on this preveiw.