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England Premier League

Is Tottenham Hotspur a Title Contender?

Samrin Hasib, January 18 2012,
Tottenham squandered a chance to head to the top of the Premier League on Saturday. As a result, once again, Tottenham’s title credentials are being questioned.
Gareth Bale.
Gareth Bale.
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A 1-1 draw against Wolves is not the result a champion achieves. However, Tottenham came from behind to take a point from this match. Coming from behind and picking up points is the mark of a champion. As a result, that draw can be considered a positive result.

Spurs last week beat Everton 2-0. In that match, Tottenham showed signs of a title- winning side. The first goal scored by Aaron Lennon was a wonderful individual effort to give Spurs the lead. The second goal from Benoit Assou Ekoto was a brilliant effort despite the deflection that fooled Tim Howard.

The trophy cabinet of Tottenham hasn’t been opened since 2008 when they lifted the Carling Cup. As far as league titles are concerned, Tottenham’s last First Division title came in 1961. Whether this barren spell will affect the mentality of the Spurs players is another question.

Tottenham can be considered somewhat unfashionable compared to their London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal, despite a six-year barren run, is considered a bigger threat than Tottenham every season and usually a title contender. Chelsea is one of the teams to have won the title in recent years. Chelsea is owned by a rich billionaire as Harry Redknapp pointed out recently. Tottenham has no such benefactor.

In the Premier League, there are teams that surprise every season. However, very rarely does a surprise package ever manage to finish in the top four. City was the package last season and Spurs produced the feat in 2010. Everton was the other team to do so, back in 2005.

The aforementioned teams however did not challenge for the title. They were merely challenging for the third or fourth spot and in City’s case last season, second spot. Thus, Tottenham is the first team in a while challenging for the title itself rather than for a Champions League spot. Tottenham knows how to finish in the top four- the next step really should be a serious title challenge if they are to continue improving.

Experience is very important when it comes to challenging for titles. Tottenham’s squad is not amongst the young EPL sides. Their players are mostly experienced. The squad has good players for every position. The absence of Ledley King has not been felt by the team. The back four has the experience of Michael Dawson, Younes Keboul as well as William Gallas.

Benoit Assou Ekoto has come on tremendously in the last few seasons. The bench that Spurs puts out always has the likes of Jermain Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Niko Kranjcar and Sebastien Bassong there, a bench that any Premier League club would like to have. Every club needs a special player to make the team tick and Spurs has one as well. Spurs might have done their best piece of business in the summer by holding on to Luka Modric, the stylish and brilliant Croat.

Yet, at the end the day, the draw against Wolves left them five points behind City. While a five-point gap isn’t humongous, will Spurs be consistent enough to take advantage of City’s slip-ups? How long will they be able to hold on to their current form?

Spurs isn’t a title contender just yet. In-fact, while they have enough to get past Newcastle and even Arsenal and finish fourth, their title credentials won’t be confirmed unless they are still in the running by Match-day 30.

For all the Spurs out there, enjoy the streak while it lasts. It might not last too long.

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