Fearless Spurs are good for 4th spot

There are certain words I would never thought to say, like “Gareth Bale is currently the best performer in the English Premier League.” Add to that, Spurs beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the same week. Football is crazy at the moment, there is no top 4, anyone can beat anyone.

Friday, April 23, 2010

There are certain words I would never thought to say, like "Gareth Bale is currently the best performer in the English Premier League.” Add to that, Spurs beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the same week. Football is crazy at the moment, there is no top 4, anyone can beat anyone.

Manchester United rescued their chances from the jaws of defeat with a late header from Paul Scholes that brought out hidden gay tendencies in Gary Neville. The euphoria was understandable, the kiss was not but it added some humour to a tense campaign.

United had problems, the win against Man City highlighted their lack of finishing power. Rooney was off the pace, Berbatov was comatose, and the late winner flattered them.

They are proven champions, Rafael is better than Neville, Carrick is fresher than Scholes, but when it comes to the crucial moments in the game the old pro’s are better. With Rooney still out off form, Man U must rely on Nani and Valencia to open the game in the middle for Rooney.

For Spurs they have to keep the game-plan, they are well-organised with two tight banks of 4, with Modric ghosting around. Michael Dawson looks like a player for England in South Africa, he provides vocal leadership with a smile and a laugh whatever the score.

Assou-Ekotto is also improved, Modric is sublime, Huddlestone is so cultured and has upped his work-rate. It is Gareth Bale who is off the meter in terms of improvement, he is playing left-back, left-mid, center-mid, left-wing and right-wing in a marauding role.

For Man U they have been saved by hard work, Park Ji Sung is phenomenal when you see his work-rate, him and Dirk Kuyt run 10km a game average. Football is now maths, to win a top level game your team has to run 35km total minimum, if you have a player like Park who can do 30% of all the running for the team it allows more creative players to play.

The Man U midfield is tight, they do all the dirty work, Giggs can come on and work wonders, as well as the guile and pace of Nani and the direct power of Valencia. Sadly apart from Rooney they have few options.

For Spurs, they have to sit tight and try to score early to destabilise the opposition then wait for a counter. Ledley King should start alongside Dawson, Spurs are expecting Aaron Lennon back, but he isn’t fit yet.

Defoe is back on a good run, Pavluychenko is playing for a release to go back to Russia. In the middle Modric is well protected by Huddlestone and can conduct matters, David Bentley is also dangerous alternating with Krancjar.

I see a Spurs win here, it seems like fate, they seem to be playing with no fear and a belief that they can change the history of the club with a win at Old Trafford. With Man City due to face the wrath of Arsenal, they could seal it with a win on Saturday. 2-1 to Spurs

ramaisibo@hotmail.com