Can Tottenham juggle domestic and European campaigns?

Tottenham drew 1-1 at home to Sunderland last night, meaning they dropped yet more points.

It’s became a habit of Tottenham’s dropping points in the Premier League this season.

It makes you wonder if their Champions League campaign is proving a distraction.

Europe

Tottenham did really well to finish in the top four of the Premier League last season and are reaping the exciting rewards of playing in the Champions League this season.

They have already achieved a result which will go down in Tottenham folklore when they defeated European champions Inter at White Hart Lane in their last European game.

However for any European glories Tottenham achieve this season they seem to have taken their eye of the ball in the Premier League.

Focus

It seems that Spurs have slightly lost their focus on the Premier League. They are currently 6^th in the Premier League but are four points behind fourth place Manchester City, who also have a game in hand. There is still a long way to go this season but competing on all fronts will be difficult for Spurs.

Qualification

If Tottenham are to continue to consistently challenge for a top four place then they have to prioritise. Tottenham are a good team but they are unlikely to win the competition. If they want to make an impact in future Champions League campaign then firstly they have qualify.

If they don’t qualify for the Champions League next season then their time on the big stage could be very short-lived.

Quality

Tottenham have a very good squad capable of doing well in both all competitions but boss Harry Redknapp needs to find the right balance between keeping players fresh and winning games. He is a top manager and he will need every bit of his managerial acumen to juggle his squad effectively.

Not only has Redknapp got quality players but he also has a good strength in depth, which a lot of other teams in the Premier League can’t claim to have.

Baled-out

This season Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has emerged as one of the brightest young players in Europe. His performances this season have been fantastic and he is now being linked with a big money moves to the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.

However it is crucial that Tottenham keep hold of the 21 year-old Welshman. If they don’t manage to keep Bale they are sending out a signal that they cannot compete with the big boys of European football.

If Spurs want to become a major player in the European game then they need to keep their best players and Bale is one of their best players.

Consistent

Another player who is crucial is playmaker Rafael Van Der Vaart. He has become an instant hero at White Hart Lane. Van Der Vaart has always been an inconsistent player at other clubs (Ajax apart) but at Tottenham he has found an incredible consistency at the start of his Spurs career.

He has been accused of starting well at every club but then fading it’s crucial to Spurs success this season that he keeps up his good early form.

Doubt

I like Tottenham but unfortunately for them I don’t believe that they will finish in the top four. I don’t whether the players have become distracted by the Champions League and playing the likes of Inter or whether they are suffering slight burnout.

I do know that they are not playing as well as last season and I think the Spurs fans should enjoy their big Champions League nights, as I don’t think they will have any next season.

Will Tottenham qualify for the Champions League?