1) So… Champions League, not a ‘bad’ result v Twente I guess (he says jealously) will that distract from your Premiership campaign or are you set up to compete on both fronts?
I think we are still coming to terms with squad rotation after nearly two seasons of playing pretty much the same side game on game. It is fantastic to be in the CL and the sound of the tournament music in the stadium at the start of games makes it a magical experience, but as a club the priority has to be to retain a top four place again this season and I am guessing that the majority of Spurs fans would concede going out at the group stages to stay in the top four and have another go next season, better and wiser for the experience.
2) How has the early season been so far?
Not great to be honest, but in a season where the majority of other contenders have slipped up as well, we have perhaps got away with some disappointing results. As a team we look a little more vulnerable, perhaps as we adapt to a more fluid style from the rigid (ish) 4-4-2 of the last season or so. I would also point to the fact that we have possibly FIVE international CBs out tomorrow and this has been the case for a few weeks, how many other sides could happily cope with that?
3) What about your signings, who did you get in the summer and are they settling in?
Too early to say on Gallas and Sandro to be honest for slightly different reasons. Gallas is a great squad addition in terms of experience and ability to cover the central defence, but he doesn`t look 100% fit and his current injury won`t help his or our cause. Sandro looks a very decent prospect, but he will need time and games before he can really be judged.
As for Rafael van der Vaart, he was sensational against Twente and the fact he got 55% of the sites man of the match votes in a game where he missed a penalty and got sent off needlessly after an hour says everything about the game he played.
4) Any opinions on Aston Villa and more relevantly, the Gerard Houllier appointment?
Have to say I was rather surprised at his appointment and am not sure he is the manager I would have wanted, but that is more a gut feeling than any particular reason. I would have liked to have seen you go with a younger man, and touted Roberto Martinez as the one I would have gone for.
5) If you could have one of our players, who would it be and why? If there was a buy one get one free (yup, I live in my own little world) who else would you take?
I wanted Ashley Young with a view to playing him behind a main striker, as he is doing for you at the moment. It amazes me that so many Spurs fans thought he would have been over priced at around £20m. As for another player, based on our current centre half problem, I would probably take Richard Dunne, but then again I look at our impotent strikers and I would even take the mighty Emile, oh on second thoughts…
6) Where do you think Spurs will finish this season and will it be good enough for the expectant fans?
At the start of the season I predicted 5th place and I think that is probably about right based on the season so far. I imagine that City will have a strong shout at getting a top four place and can`t see Chelsea, United or Arsenal dropping out. Will that be good enough for the fans? Probably not for the reasons I stated in question 1.
7) Harry Redknapp, seems to be – bafflingly from the outside – mixed opinions?
Nothing mixed for me, he is a fantastic character and great manager. I like a manager who has a personality and isn`t afraid to answer difficult questions and in a game where it is all too often taken far too seriously by everyone involved, it is good to have a few characters, especially if they are also very good at what they do.
8) Who should Villa watch out for this Saturday?
Where do I start? Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart or perhaps Aaron Lennon, who I quite fancy to give Stephen Warnock a tough game. But let`s also consider Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone. I`m getting carried away now.
9) Prediction please kind sir.
2-1 Spurs, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, with Young to get a consolation and if that comes in I really will be kicking myself for not putting a few quid on…
With thanks to OxfordSpur from Vital Spurs
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