05-31-2023, 09:49 AM
With the start of the season drawing closer, I thought Id have a look at the upcoming season, the new players, the current squadand also if any le sons Malik Sealy Jersey can be learnt from last seasons 11th place finish.WHATS IN STORE. Spurs start the 08/09 season away to Middlesbrough. The Riverside club are worthy opposition, however Ramos will hope that his cla sy side will prove their talent and register their first win. Spurs have the players to get the 3 points, but will they kick on and get the job done?Spurs will be hoping for a good start, unlikelast season, when Roy Keanes Sunderland beatthe lillywhiteson the first day, 1-0. Tottenhams first home game will be against the same club. Former Spurs players Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque are likely to feature. League runners up Chelsea follow the Sunderland match. Spurs will be hoping for a result similar to that of the Carling Cup final, however new Chelsea bo sBig PhilScolari will likely prove a firm test.Tottenhams first 3 games will all be difficult, but Ramos should be looking at ending August on around 5 or 6 points. His squad have the capability of beating Middlesbrough and Sunderland but Chelsea could take 3 points from Spurs. However Tottenham always put up a fight against Chelsea meaning a draw could be a po sibility.The first North London derby comes on the 29th of October, taking place at the Emirates Stadium. Many Spurs fans believe that this is the year in which Tottenham will finally finish higher in the table then their bitter rivals. It could happen, but Spurs would have to find a consistency to rival that of Arsenals, who very rarely lose to substandard teams.Tottenham will also attempt to defend the Carling Cup this season. The competition holds a special place in Spurs hearts following last seasons win and you can expect to find Ramos fielding his strongest team in all of the clubs Carling Cup ties.NEW SIGNINGS. Ramos has been extremely busy in the summer Ed Davis Jersey transfer market. bringing in no le s then 5 players, with more new players expected before the transfer window closes. Spurs completed the signing of Croation Luka Modric who arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in July. The midfielder impre sed during Euro 2008 and was widely regarded as one of the best players of the tournament.Giovani Dos Santos arrived from Barcelona in June whilst Heurelho Gomes followed, joining from Dutch champions PSV. The goalie replaces Paul Robinson as the clubs number 1, with the latter moving to Blackburn Rovers. David Bentley later arrived from Blackburn, costing Spurs 15m, with the fee set to rise to 17m depending on futer performances. He made his debut against AS Roma, and found the net twice. 36 year old spanish stopper Cesar Sanchez also joined the club, signing from Real Zaragoza Robert Covington Jersey .THE CURRENT SQUAD. Spurs boast 3 good goalkeepers in Gomes, Sanchez and youngster Ben Alnwick. However none of the three have premiershipexperience.Gomes is likely to be the clubs new number one, with Sanchez and Alnwick likely to be used as backup. Paul Robinson leaves for Blackburn whilst Radak Cerny departs for QPR.Tottenhams defence looks to be shaping up well with King, Woodgate and Bale all at full fitne s. The club have good defensive cover in Dawson, Gilberto, Rocha and Dervite whilst Hutton is rapidly proving why he was rated so highly at Rangers. Hes likely to play a prominent part in Tottenhams season though hell mi s the opening game with a foot injury.Tottenham argubly have one of the best midfields in the league. New signings Dos Santos, Modric and Bentley Ashton Hagans Jersey are all expected to start with Jenas, Lennon andZokora remaining at the club. Malbranque has left for Sunderland, leaving a few questions over who will start in left midfield. Gilberto, Bale and Dos Santos are all po sibilities.Tottenhams greatest weakne s is probably their strike-force. Keane left for Liverpool and Berbatov looks likely to leave for Manchester United. If he does go, Tottenham will be left with only one senior striker, Darren Bent. However youngster Tomas Pekhart could feature.LAST SEASON. Spurs started last season on the back of finishing 5th in the league two years running. Jol started the season in high spirits but a first day lo s at Sunderland sent the club ona downward spiral. After a UEFA Cup lo s to Getafe, Jol was sacked. Ramos replaced him and steadily led the club back up the table. The club ended up in 11th but won the Carling Cup and performed respectably in the UEFA cup. Last season wasnt seen as one of Tottenhams best showingsbut it proved a steady start for Ramos and also deliverd some silverware.This season will be Juande Ramos first full season at Spurs. Many fans are optimistic and expect a top 6 finish. Spurs could do better; alas, they could also do a whole Jarrett Culver Jersey lot worse if the new team members dont gel. The 2008/2009 season promises to be a very exciting, and nail-biting, new season for fans of Tottenham Hotspur.