The mid season review: Spurs 2013/14

Now that Christmas is just a faint overfed memory of Port, cheese and turkey, it’s time to get back to Spurs. It has been a tumultuous first half of the season which has seen us hit the headlines for words, smoke bombs, record signings and sackings, but in amongst this how have the players been doing?

Who has room to improve? Who, if any are over performing? Who has been a disaster? Who needs to work harder?

Hugo Lloris – The French man has unquestionably been at fault for a handful of goals this season but is still a superb keeper. He might need to curb his natural instinct to rush out now that we are playing a much deeper line.

Kyle Walker – Is there a player who flits between the great and the appalling quite like Walker? If he can find consistency with his positional sense as oppose to relying on pace, I would consider him an excellent player, until then he will continue to frustrate me.

Michael Dawson – The Englishman clearly had his confidence sapped under the AVB “high line.” His rogering at the hands and feet of Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero will live long in all or memories, but one thing we can’t question is attitude. Limited? Yes. Full of commitment? Unquestionably. Love him? Yes.

Jan Vertonghen – His standout performance came against Everton, where even out of position his class was there for all to see, he was incredible. The match against City wasn’t. If ever a player was affected by Danny Rose’s injury, it was Jan – we need him back though, as soon as possible.

Danny Rose – A really impressive start to the season for the left-back. Not his fault that our system was designed to rely on his fitness. It has been great to have him back.

Vlad Chiriches – The Romanian has really impressed me so far. Chiriches seems to have a good reading of the game, pace and tackling, I look forward to seeing him and Jan play in the heart of our defence.

Nacer Chadli – The term “underwhelmed” doesn’t do it justice.

Paulinho – The Brazilian from what we have seen so far is a good player, who unfortunately has suffered from playing too many games. However, after serving his suspension he showed against Stoke a new skillful side to his game, until Charlie Adam crossed his path. When he is back, I really expect him to be a massive influence.

Sandro – Fantastic player, first name on the team sheet for me. It remains a concern that he picks up so many injuries….and seems to throw up. A lot.

Etienne Capoue – What I have seen has been positive. Capoue strikes me as a player who will be important for us. Pity his injury took so much longer to heal because I think he was sorely missed.

Christian Eriksen – Started quite well, but his injury came at a bad time (as if there is a good time!) but under our new manager is starting to play a pivotal role. Like Capoue and Paulinho, he will prove a very astute signing.

Lewis Holtby – Gives everything but I don’t think it will be enough to get a starting place should all players be fit. If everyone cared as much as he does that would be quite something.

Mousa Dembele – When he is on song, there are few midfielders more impressive in the Premier League. His susceptibility to injury is always a concern, and on the occasions when he is poor, he is really poor, however he remains a pivotal player. The talk of his leaving earlier this season worried me, he must stay.

Andros Townsend – A decent player who is very quick. Play him on the left more often (when fit) and he will be far better for it.

Aaron Lennon – The winger is very similar to Walker in the frustration stakes (for some) but for my money, he offers the team so much more. Lennon is vital to our future, it would be great if he could score a few more though, as we have never lost when he has hit the back of the net.

Erik Lamela – It wouldn’t be fair to criticise him, and he can’t be praised yet either. Will save his review for May 2014.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – I just can’t figure him out. He is clearly talented, so I can assume it is his role in the team that means he isn’t that effective. Can’t play wide as he drifts in too often, and hasn’t had many opportunities in a more central role – not likely to get many either.

Roberto Soldado – The signs are becoming more positive, and he has clearly been energised by our change in formation. High hopes for a fruitful second half of the season.

Emmanuel Adebayor – I stand by my previous statement a while back; had AVB played him more often he would still be in the job. I’m not having the wool pulled over my eyes, and we all know what can/will happen but for the here and now, he is massive for us.

Jermain Defoe – If he was more intelligent he would be a great player but I think he’ll always remain a player who could have achieved more. Whether he is here beyond January or not, he’ll remain a favourite but my expectation of someone with his ability will always be higher than the final product.

AVB – Self destructive or victim? Difficult to say, but I can say it has been a long, long time since I have been to so many games of varying degrees of boredom. Seems like a very nice bloke who requires a little more flexibility to become consistently good manager.

Tim Sherwood – Can’t believe I am writing his name in our manager write up but the signs have been promising. Judgement must be reserved but I suspect, winning a trophy or finishing top 3 aside, he’ll be replaced by the start of next season.

In conclusion – For a team in ‘disarray’ we are only one point behind the ‘brilliant’ Everton and two away from the ‘best Liverpool team in years.’ This suggests that we aren’t doing quite that poorly after all.

I have a feeling that the second half of the season, which does tend to be the time when the better teams assert themselves, will be a far more positive one than the first half.

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