Can Tottenham catch-up to Manchester United?

Tottenham host Manchester United at White Hart Lane looking to recover from their derby mauling by Arsenal last weekend.

Tottenham have been superb all season and are still third in the Premier League table.

Quality

Tottenham have lots of quality but they are not quite ready to challenge the two Manchester teams at the top of the Premier League table. This game will be a yardstick to see how far Spurs have came this season.

Tottenham without a doubt have one of the best teams in the Premier League but have not quite developed the same consistency as the Champions or even Manchester City.

Start

This season could be the start of great things for Tottenham and their promising team. It all depends on whether Harry Redknapp stays with the club or not. If he stays then the former-Portsmouth boss could inspire Spurs to great things.

Levels

If Tottenham are going to become a real force in English football then they need to reach the level of performance that Manchester United reach every season. United manage to challenge for the big trophies season after season.

The Champions may not win the big trophies every season but they major to challenge. Tottenham are just starting to challenge at the top level.

Pressure

The Tottenham players are not accustomed to the pressure of challenging for major trophies. Most of the United players have been there and got the t-shirt. With challenging for trophies comes expectations and pressure.

Challengers

The Tottenham players are not even yet accustomed to challenging for the Champions League spots but all of a sudden they are the third best team in England. I have no doubt that Spurs will get a Champions League spot this season.

However there is a big leap from making it into the Champions League spots and winning the league title. That leap may prove insurmountable for Tottenham this season but it could be achievable within the next few seasons.

If Spurs can keep hold of all their best players and manager then they can challenge for the Premier League title in the next few years. Keeping hold of those valuable assets may prove difficult though with England pursuing their boss and European giants looking at their stars.

Money

Tottenham don’t have the spending power of Manchester City or the recent experience of United of winning trophies but they do hold a lot of promise. Tottenham have invested in players in recent years and it’s paying off.

The club is afraid of spending money but Daniel Levy is a very shrewd negotiator. He sometimes clashes with Redknapp, but at the end of the day he is one of the best in the business at getting Spurs the best deal he can.

The signing of Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart was a prime example of his expert business dealing. I don’t think Tottenham fans could ever accuse their chairman of letting them down. Levy runs the club in exemplary fashion and that’s why they currently find themselves third in the Premier League table.

Levy and Redknapp have proved the ideal partnership to make Spurs a success, even if they don’t always agree on certain issues. Levy’s financial nous has kept Tottenham competitive, without leaving the club in millions of pounds of debt.

Levy has given Redknapp money to spend, but has not allowed him to spend beyond the clubs means. As we have seen with the likes of Portsmouth that is very important in this day and age of clubs in financial trouble.

Behind

Tottenham may only be eight points behind Manchester United in the league, but in terms of development they have a long way to go to catch up with the Red Devils. United have had 20 years of competing for the big trophies but Spurs are only just starting out.

If the status quo stays the same at Tottenham this summer then maybe next season Tottenham can really start challenging the big boys. However for now they will just have to be happy trying to get closer to them in the Premier League table.

Can Tottenham catch-up to Manchester United?