Tottenham blow it but can still challenge for the top four

Tottenham blew a two goal lead at Everton’s Goodison Park today to draw 2-2 but I still think Tottenham are a good enough to make the top four in the Premier League.

Although Everton are struggling and in a midst of an injury crisis, its still a hard place to go and Everton never know when to die.

Quality

Tottenham have the quality in their squad to compete with most teams in the Premier League. I was really impressed with Tottenham for about 25 minutes today. They can play superb passing football and destroy teams at times.

Options

Tottenham today had the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane and Gareth Bale all available on the bench. I must admit I wrote an article about how I didn’t think Tottenham were quite good enough to qualify for the Champions League earlier in the season.

However they have now changed my thinking and could make that fourth place. They are as good a bet as anyone at the moment. I don’t think they will be knocking their neighbours Arsenal out of the top four but they could just edge out struggling Liverpool. I believe Tottenham are in a better place at the moment to challenge for Champions League football.

Striking options

Striker Jermain Defoe  must be on the plane to South Africa with Fabio Capello’s England squad. I am a big fan of the little striker and despite the penalty miss I think he is looking really sharp at the moment. Arguably he is most natural finisher in the country but that doesn’t always guarantee you a place in the England team, just ask Ian Wright, Robbie Fowler and Andy Cole.

However he should go to the World Cup. He may not be a starter but a good option to have to bring on from the substitute bench. He is currently top goalscorer in the Premier League and he wouldn’t look out of place in any of the top teams.

Wily old boss

Harry Redknapp has always had the knack of inspiring teams. He usually picks up a poor team and transforms them into a decent solid squad. He took over when Tottenham were bottom of the Premier League table and that season they finished in midtable, just outside the European spots.

He has made some shrewd signings since finishing in midtable last season. He had a strong squad that were under-performing but hes strengthened his squad with the signings of defender Sebastien Bassong, midfielder Niko Kranjcar and striker Peter Crouch.

Redknapp usually knows his players well and he signs what he knows and hes previously worked with Kranjcar and Crouch at Pompey before he moved to north London. He also has an extensive scouting network all over the world and turns players into household names.

Competition

Tottenham have lots of competition for that fourth spot with the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City also in contention. All four teams have their merits as top four sides but only one can make the top four and the Champions League. It will come down to who can find greater consistency.

Liverpool are currently struggling without star striker Fernando Torres. Even worse for Rafa Benitez’s side the usual brilliant Steven Gerrard isn’t match fit after recovering from injury. They need to find form again if they are to make the top four. They are capable of making it and a good run of form could see them comfortably back amongst the big guns.

Aston Villa are a good solid side but I don’t think they quite have the squad that Spurs, City or Liverpool have. Villa have a good first eleven but after that they are short on back-up players. Manchester City have just came out of a drawing streak and could mount a serious challenge. However with the money they have spent they should be expected to challenge for the Champions League spots at least.

Ruthless

Tottenham have looked a bit more ruthless this season than in past seasons. However in the Everton match Tottenham had chances to kill the game off but missed some glorious chances. If they are to finish in the top four then they must start to win these sort of games. If they do find that ruthlessness then they will have a good chance of making it into Europe’s elite competition.