This has been a rollercoaster season, to say the least, for Tottenham Hotspur. Expectations were high for Juande Ramos after spending big on the summer purchases of Luka Modric, David Bentley, Giovanni dos Santos, Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko. However the bubble was burst, as Spurs opened with the worst record in club history through 9 games (0-7-2). Juande Ramos was thereafter disposed of (fear not, child, for he has moved on to greener pastures in Madrid). In came 'Arry Redknapp, and the next 9 games went far smoother, with Spurs posting a 7-2-0 record, climbing out of the bottom of the table. The Redknapp Revolution rolled on, adding key players Wilson Palacios, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Carlo Cuddicini in January.
In all, Spurs have climbed from 20th to 9th during Redknapp's tenure. I would like to take this opportunity to break down the chances of Spurs winning the 7th spot in the league table, and with it the final European spot.
Sitting in 9th, and with 7th a guarantee of Europa League qualification, Spurs obviously need to move up two spots in the remaining six games. Above Spurs (41 points) are West Ham (sitting on 44 points) and Fulham (43 points), while Wigan are even with Spurs on 41 points. I will break this down team by team:
Spurs:
An unenviable schedule is ahead for Spurs, with trips to Man Utd, Liverpool, and Everton still remaining.
Newcastle (H) - 3 points - Newcastle have been our "bogey team" the last few seasons, but not so much at White Hart Lane. Hopefully Shearer's magic will have no effect on us, just as it did on Chelsea
Man U (A) - 1 point - You may say that this is generous, to assume that we will get any points at Old Trafford. I would reply to you that though yes, they are the mighty Man Utd, We have already this year drawn with them twice (0-0 in the League, 0-0 after 120 minutes in the Carling Cup). Spurs have the ability to shut Man U down, and I think we will be motivated amply to do so again.
WBA (H) - 3 points - Need I say more?
Everton (A) - 0 points- Everton own us. They are better and they know it. And it's at Goodison Park... I just don't see us getting it done.
Man City (H) - 3 points- Two incredibly inconsistent teams face off... I base this prediction off of the fact that we beat them at the MiddleEastlands earlier in the season.
Liverpool (A) - 0 points- We played Liverpool in week 38 last season, and they wrecked us. I hope that by this point we will have already secured the 7th spot, but who knows?
That gives us 10 points in our final 6 games, finishing on 51 points.
Fulham
A decently less difficult schedule awaits the Cottagers. Trips to Chelsea (a top 4 side), Newcastle and Boro (both fighting for survival) could prove difficult. Villa and Everton will be difficult tests as well.
Boro (A) - 1 point
Stoke (H) - 3 points
Chelsea (A)- 0 points
Villa (H)- 0 points
Newcastle (A)- 3 points
Everton (H)- 0 points
According to my expert predictions, Fulham will earn 7 points in their final 6 games, finishing on 50 points.
West Ham
The Hammers have arguably the most difficult schedule of these four contenders for Europe. Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton all remain on the schedule, as well as a trip to Stoke (who boast one of the best home records in the Premiership) and a final weekend contest with Boro, who could still be alive in the relegation battle.
Villa (A)- 0 points
Chelsea (H)- 1 points
Stoke (A)- 1 point
Liverpool (H)- 0 points
Everton (A)- 1 point
Boro (H)- 3 points
As you can see, I predict a West Ham meltdown in the final stretch here. 6 points out of their final 6 games (and honestly, I feel like I am being generous with draws vs Chelsea and Everton) will have them finishing on 50 points.
Wigan
The Latics are served up a fairly easy final stretch, with Man Utd being the only top-half team that they will face. Granted, many of the bottom-half teams will be fighting for their Premiership lives, so they certainly will be no pushovers. Can Wigan put aside their recent poor form and finish strong in the 7th spot?
Rovers (A)- 1 points
Bolton (H)- 1 point
WBA (A)- 3 points
Man U (H)- 0 points
Stoke (A)- 1 point
Pompey (H)- 3 points
And so Wigan finish on 50 points as well. This brings the finish to:
7th: Spurs 51 pts
8th: Fulham 50 pts
9th: Wigan 50 pts
10th: West Ham 50 pts
Truthfully, this is impossible to predict. Games can go either way. I mean in my heart of hearts this is what I would love to see, but nobody can truly predict the finish, especially given how close it is at the moment. Best of luck to Spurs as they push forwards. In the dark they climb the slope, and the bravest thing of all (from the fan's perspective) is always hope!
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3 comments:
Scoops, you're normally a very good commentator, but your logic here is ridiculous! I know you really want Tottenham in Europe, but what were you smoking when you made these point estimates? First and foremost, VILLA SUCK! They are an easy 3 points for these teams, and I think the Everton game was a fluke and they haven't won since the 7th of February, I don't see them as big competition. Next, Fulham won't get the points at Boro? They have won their last two away matches, and are on something of a hot streak in general, and have I mentioned that BORO SUCKS?! And then the icing on the cake is clearly, Wigan getting 3 points total from Rover, Trotters and Potters? Please, I don't know where they'll drop them, but I'll give them 6 or 7 points from that group. I hate to be the midnight bell, but Tottenham has NO CHANCE at Europe.
*I just watched Around the Horn, I apologize for any douchebaggery or gross generalizations
Tottenham 1 - 0 Newcastle
HELL YEA!! One down, 5 to go!
Giblinho, just you wait... when my predictions come true, you will be begging me for more predictions in the future! I am the most clairvoyant 160 lb man on the planet!
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