It feels strange to be writing an article praising Tottenham Hotspurs while I’m on flight from London to Mumbai just after having visited my beloved Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium. But its inevitable - every time I have watched Spurs play this season, and agreed its mostly been highlights, I’m just amazed at how brilliant they are. Tactically astute, patient build up play, smooth transition from defense to midfield to attack, and the best part, players who gel. In a season where admittedly Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are shadows of what they have been in the past, this team from White Heart Lane is probably one of the brightest sparks of an otherwise under par Premier League season. Here’s a tribute to this fantastic Tottenham side, and the man who has made them what they are - Harry Redknapp.
Had it not been for that 5-0 thumping by Manchester City right at the start of the season I would have probably gone on to say they were the best team in the Premier League right now. And who would have thoughts, 3 games into the season, Spurs bottom of the table (despite having had their first match cancelled and hence played a game less), having conceded 9 and scored just 1. Champions League was seeming like a far cry even that early in the season. But today you listen to their players talk about challenging for the title and the Europa League being a “nuisance”. When Redknapp took over from Juande Ramos in 2009, they had lost 8 of their opening 9 that season. Three years on, they went on a club record 11 game unbeaten run in the league, winning 10 of those. Even when it came to an end, it’s fair to say the referee had a howler, and they probably deserved a draw away at Stoke City.
Lining up with a 4-4-1-1 (or sometimes a 4-4-2), Redknapp has got the perfect mix of it all at the club. Pace on the wings in the form of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon, precession from Luka Modric and Scott Parker, Adebayor and / or Defoe with the classy finishing and van der Vaart as the perfect link up man between that midfield and attack (although usually one of him and Defoe). Not to forget a 40 year old Brad Frediel guarding a strong back line.
But apart from the obvious tactical genius that makes this side look like they flow like water, you can’t take away credit from Harry Redknapp’s most amazing skill - his prediction of the future and his superb man management. Just think back to all these players mentioned in the paragraph above. Gareth Bale went from being an up and coming youngster to PFA player of the year and one of the best left wingers today virtually overnight. Modric and Lennon came to the club and young ages and were developed through and through. Van der Vaart had roughly four good games in his two seasons at Real Madrid prior to his move to the Premier League. William Gallas seemed like a finished man at 32 at his arch rivals Arsenal. Jermain Defoe, who after a sparking start in his first spell at the club, lost that midas touch and it was Redknapp who took him to Portsmouth and helped him rediscover his form before bringing him back. And did I mention their keeper is 40 years old. Oh yes I did!
It’s not just the development of players that Redknapp has been astute at, it’s also the timing to sell them. Peter Crouch, Jermaine Jenas, Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane were all let go just at the right time despite having being hugely important members of the team at some point or the other. How about the discipline he has organized in the side. An example being sending Keane off on loan to Celtic just 6 months after signing him back as the club’s 2nd most expensive transfer at the time. Or not letting Luka Modric join Chelsea in the summer, and still getting the best out of him, at a time when he said out loud he wants out. Probably his only poor decision in terms of departures has been Darren Bent, but you can be sure Harry had his reasons when he did that. It can be easy to forget the tight wage budget he runs at the club, but that has been essential in ensuring that they are financially stable and have the means to chase every striker in Europe when the transfer window opens.
Underrated might not seem appropriate to describe a man who is been touted as the next England manager by just about everybody other than Spurs fans. But with his achievements over his career, and specially the way he has turned Tottenham from a mid table side to a Champions League team and one that can realistically challenge for the title. Genius at man management, astute in the transfer market, tactically brilliant and a strict disciplinarian, Harry Redknapp is one of the finest managers in the game today. It would certainly not surprise anybody to see this Tottenham side finish 2nd or 3rd (or even win it if City have a landslide) and certainly end as the top London team for the first time since the 1960s.
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