It could be said that Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have effectively switched places, Spurs now challenging for a top 4 finish, Liverpool languishing in the top half of the table, challenging for the Europa league. Only time will tell, but this weekend’s match at the White Hart Lane, is a perfect opportunity for Spurs to really show if they are the real deal, or just overachieving.

Now, some of you may be wondering why I say they may be overachieving, and I’ll now explain why. Spurs did well last season to get a top 4 finish, beating Man City at Eastlands 1-0 that effectively sealed their 4th place finish. They fine-tuned the squad during the summer, signing Van Der Vaart for a bargain £8mill for someone of his calibre. (He is definitely my signing of the season so far for the premier league as a whole) Overall, compared to last season, they have definitely made progress, recording impressive wins against Inter and most recently, Arsenal. But my quarrel with Spurs is that other than those 2 victories, have they REALLY shown 4th place potential, let alone “Title credentials” the media have been so keen on implying?

At home, they’ve drawn against City, Everton and Sunderland; lost against Wigan and won against Wolves, Blackburn and Aston Villa. 3 draws, 3 wins, 1 loss, fair enough, but are Spurs really good enough to come up against the spending power of Man City? I think perhaps, in a few seasons, Spurs may soon become a regular top 4 fixture, as I can foresee my beloved United soon finding themselves in a bit of bother over the large debt piling up, just as Liverpool did.

Spurs, a team in development, you could say. On the other side of the coin for this weekend’s match, is Liverpool, who after getting new owners in the form of John Henry and the New England Sports Venture, are a team who are most definitely in transition.

From a spectator’s view, at times Liverpool look as if they are tipping from going back to their best form, to falling off the crevice upon which they stand. Signing Hodgson in the summer to replace Benitez, was always going to be a big ask for the Englishman to step up to the plate, fair enough he had a miracle season at Fulham, but miracles can only get you so far in the premier league.

Liverpool had a wretched start to the season but more recently they’ve began to pick up steam, recording fortuitous wins against Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea on the trot. But, then came a draw with Wigan away and then a 2-0 defeat at Stoke, and then the high of beating West Ham at Anfield at the weekend, 3-0. It tells a story about Liverpool this season that makes me think not everything is right at the club, maybe it’s the manager, maybe it’s the players, but something isn’t right. It happened last season for Liverpool: Bad results against the “poorer” sides in the league, that’s what, caused them to come 7th. You can record wins against the big teams in the league, but the lower teams in the table can always bite you in the arse when you least expect, that’s why the Premier League is the best league in the world!

So, this weekend’s match proves to be a cracker, and it will most certainly provide surprises and shocks whatever the result. The match is between 2 teams; one, a sleeping giant, yet to be awoken from its slumber after a bad beat at the World Giant Championships, and the other, a developing force to be reckoned with, that needs improvement, but is almost ready to compete with the best.

I could mention Liverpool’s signing’s and transfer dealings, but not in this article, maybe another time. Finally, I’ll update this topic with the team sheets prior to the match. Hope you enjoy, and please comment your thoughts below. Cheers

Great work again Narl.

This match should be a really good one Im hoping i finish work before it starts so i can watch it.

Should be interesting to see what Spurs team shows up and what Liverpool team shows up there both going up and down this season, Liverpools more noticable obviously as they were in the relagation zone and a lot of bets went on them going down. (Bookies will be laughing now).

Spurs are going out Wednesday to try and get through there group that night so they will be full strength, it will be interesting to see if they can come out as a top 4 team or the side that lost 4-2 to Bolton (thats not taking anything away from Bolton as to how good they are this season)


My Prediction 2-1 win for Liverpool

Great Work Yet Again Narl

Another amazing article, Narl - just proves that you deserve to be part of the Writers Crew.

It will be interesting as Liverpool will probably rest the majority of the squad on Thursday night, and Tottenham have a big game against Werder Bremen tonight.

It could go either way, but I think it may be a draw - and quite a good game a well.

My mistake...it's too early for me

I thought we were playing as well but its next week so a fresh team for Spurs im hoping anyway, knowing out luck we will have about 3 injuries in training.

Liverpool might actually get something then - it depends though, I guess it's a good thing for Spurs as their home tonight, if they were away then it might have been very different.

Most people think Spurs have done rubbish when they come out of Europe where in truth they have

won 2
drawn 1
Lost 1

Thats not that bad really

And that defeat was away at Bolton - which is never an easy place to play, especially with the form Bolton are in this season.

I for one, never thought that about Spurs at all, they generally do win games, and they have to if they want to qualify for next seasons Champions League.