Cock on Ball

5 wishes for 2008

by Scott

Looking back, 2007 did not go exactly to plan. We failed to make the leap from “best of the rest” to Champions League contenders; Martin Jol fell victim to the board’s desire for glory; and we crashed out of the cups when well-placed against Arsenal, Chelsea and Sevilla.

Here are my five wishes for 2008:

1) The defence is finally sorted out

This is hardly news but it simply must be the priority after almost two seasons of leaking goals, mainly from dead ball situations. 19 goals conceded from set pieces so far this season speaks for itself and is unacceptable. Hopefully Poyet’s anger after the Villa defeat – “enough is enough” – will signify a new beginning. King’s re-introduction will help, especially when he becomes match-fit, but doubts persist over the rest of the defence. Dawson’s health is a matter of concern and his form has been patchy at best. Kaboul’s troubles adjusting to the top flight are well-documented. In addition, Chimbonda has failed to hit the heights that made him the PFA right-back of the year and Lee is a squad player at best. While it hasn’t helped that Ramos has been unable to name an unchanged back four in his tenure, it is not good when the only player shining defensively is Didier Zokora, who is ostensibly a midfielder. For all the entertainment we provide, a part of me yearns for a series of hard-fought 1-0 wins.

2) The Berbatov situation is resolved – quickly

Since his obvious displeasure at being substituted against Sunderland on the opening day, more copy must have been written about our enigmatic Bulgarian than any other Premier League player. As Wenger noted, similarities with Henry abound: both are wonderfully talented, unmistakably egotistical and notoriously unpredictable. Wenger knew that his team was being held back by Henry’s shadow. So he sold him. Berbatov apparently wants to leave for a so-called “big club”. For all his numerous gifts – including his superb number of assists, better than any other forward in the league – it might be best to cash in now, say thanks for everything and prepare for life without him.

3) We win some silverware

Too many articles are written about how Spurs fans are deluded by past glories. We’re not. We’ve long ago accepted that we are no longer the force we once were and I, for one, just want to be able to celebrate something. The new manager has an excellent track record of winning trophies and I believe in him. The team which won the Carling Cup in 1999 was not, on paper at least, as good as the present side. Again, this might be the best option and – with the league looking like a write-off – could provide the easiest route to Europe. The UEFA Cup would be great too. Or the FA Cup. Anything to ease the pain of the innumerable false dawns and day-to-day misery of supporting Spurs.

4) Beating Arsenal

In order to win the Carling Cup we will need to do something we haven’t done for 8 years: beat the Gooners. It’s been embarrassing for so long how far we lag behind the other team from North London in all areas, despite all the close-season optimism. This year, they sell Henry and rack up 50 points without breaking sweat; we languish in mid-table with 24 points. Everyone remembers how we collapsed from a 2-0 lead in the semi-final last year and losing again to their reserve side would only reinforce the ignominy. I don’t care if they play their under-8 team, I want to get that particular monkey off our backs.

5) The plans for the stadium are finally revealed

White Hart Lane is too small and we are losing serious amounts of potential revenue by dithering. It’s a simple choice really. Either we go somewhere else and build a new stadium capable of pushing us to the next level or we revamp the current site. The board says that the decision will be made in early 2008. I wish they would get on with it.

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