When Harry said he was going to play the kids, I didn’t think he meant kids. They did us proud last night, Livermore and Carroll in particular performing with integrity and application helped out towards the end by a goalkeeper old enough to be their dad. Not everything worked but that’s only to be expected. Great result, no complaints.

At the start of the season Redknapp threatened to play the kids in the Europa League, but interestingly the names he mentioned at the time were Livermore and Townsend, young men with some on-loan league experience under their belts already, and the 25 man squad was deep even without Rafa. Injuries and an evil fixture list meant that assessment had to be revised to the point where the bench could have been the local pub team for all I knew, although the excellent Windy’s Blog will have all the information your heart desires.

Although Redknapp has sounded unhelpfully dismissive of the demands of the Europa League, I suspect this is born more out of frustration than a lack of ambition. He wants to shine in Europe: with all his experience he’s not had a proper tilt at this until last year. The ridiculous fixture list is not his fault. Thursday, Sunday, then Tuesday, it sounds like an end-of-season fixture pile-up after a bad winter but in fact it’s the powers that be killing the golden goose. Even I cannot work up any enthusiasm for the Stoke game. Absolutely no disrespect to them intended – they have done a fine team-building job over the last few years – because home to the Arsenal would be still be tarnished.

Back to the positives. Most impressive was the assurance and poise displayed by our young men last night. The joint was rocking and rolling, intimidating atmosphere but their concentration seldom wavered. Livermore once again willingly took on the responsibility of being the midfield leader. I’ve commented before about his discipline and understanding of his role, of maturity above his years. Carroll is over-ambitious at times – the simple ball is best to keep possession – but I applaud the way he calls for the ball, moves and makes himself available even if he himself is under pressure. Can’t ask for more.

These two set the tone for this solid effort. We kept our shape and the ball for most of the game, two banks of four when not in possession and quick to get forward when we had the ball. Too quick sometimes – cue a fearsome touchline rant from Jordan, presumably asking them not to over-commit and for Gio to link forward more. As individuals the back four were average. Walker didn’t get forward, Bassong’s late failure to challenge gave PAOK two good opportunities and Townsend needs to be told passing is allowed. However, as a unit they were seldom stretched. They held the high line, thus playing the Greek team offside, and the fullbacks didn’t wander. Credit to Redknapp for the tactic.

It worked: PAOK were naive and lacked ambition. I kept waiting for them to break loose but they never did. Wonder if they were intimidated to some extent by playing the CL quarter finalists? They were poor and hesitant.

The Europa League and another penalty won by Harry Kane. Anonymous last night, against Hearts twice and on this occasion last night, when he gets a chance he looks every inch the striker, quick, good touch, eye for the goal. That’s the promise he brings. Anyway, the penalty that wasn’t. Not given but stonewall, I believe the term is. It shouldn’t be, because stonewall means to delay or slow down, to block something. Certainly not certain. Pedantry feels so good all of a sudden. I’m not prone to it, but it’s such a release….

But the ref wasn’t a homer, he was just lousy. Cudicini was daft to leave his hands so close to the forward a couple of minutes later – the bloke stuck out his foot to make sure there was contact. The ref gave encroachment, it was but that mild encroachment happens all the time. Then Carlo pulled himself together. Lino waits until the keeper commits. So Carlo feints right then left suddenly. Lino sees him, has to push it further into the corner out of the way but too far and wide. Carlo grins.

Cudicini the heir apparent when our first choice retires? He’s lost some of the spring in his legs but PAOK went for the bottom corners not the top and Carlo can get down as fast as James Brown. Three good saves, one great.

Gio has never done a thing for us. He’s played out of position. The only thing I got from the Copa America was a sense of bitter envy at my fellow bloggers who had the time to watch it, but in other internationals I have seen, he plays across the front but behind the striker, not stuck out wide. Just because he can beat a man doesn’t mean he’s a winger.

Released from the burden of being the main front man, Pav could have done more with the ball. As ever, he and we were better when we passed and moved, not run headlong into tackles.

Like a sprinter at the Olympics, Spurs have to conserve energy for the later rounds but can’t totally ease up for fear of not qualifying. It’s a delicate balancing act. Redknapp is banking on wins at home plus a point or two away. That should be enough and he will play a strong side at home to get us through. This was a bonus and we are on our way.

Spurs are off and running. The rest have two games start but at least we are in the race. The season starts here.

Just as this new season had worked up a head of steam with the window closing, plenty of interest in how new arrivals and reinforced squads would fare, cracking football and lots of goals, the international break brought everything to a grinding halt. Like a train stopping sharply in the middle of nowhere when you are already running late for a party, for Tottenham fans it compounded our growing frustration. Even when we arrived, we hadn’t dressed properly or looked in the mirror and finished our make-up.

We weren’t ready. Without speculating over the reasons yet again (I’ve really had enough of the window), we did not sort out our business at a time when everyone knew the stakes were especially high. A couple of players and we truly had something. It wasn’t merely knowing who would be joining, it was also the possibility of a last-minute signing or departure hanging over the club that held us back. Two heavy defeats against the Manchester teams who both as it turns out are reaching new heights of brilliance didn’t help.

Now we know where we stand and can get on with it. Although I would have wished for more quality signings, this squad is more than good enough to compete in the league and all the cups, with cover almost everywhere, alternative tactical options are available and healthy competition for places. Post-match Redknapp sounded grumpy. He blamed the outgoing players as a disruptive influence but I wonder if subconsciously he was expressing that same frustration over failed purchases, an atmosphere of uncertainty and in his case the possibility that the chairman has not done as he asked. Like the rest of us, he just wanted to get on with it too. The Everton postponement was in hindsight a blessing in disguise because we clearly weren’t properly prepared.

For the sake of historical accuracy, Tottenham Hotspur’s 2011-12 season began about 57 minutes into the Wolves game. Our opponents just about shaded the first half and we had Friedel to thank for a few saves to keep us going, although we had a couple of chances ourselves. The messy beginning to the second period was resolved when we kept the ball for a few minutes and moved it around smartly. We had to wait another 10 minutes for the first goal. However, this was the moment when not only did we assert ourselves but a collection of talented individuals composed themselves into a confident, competent team.

No single player stood out: we have a solid team effort to thank for the win. No one man was at the top of their game, and that makes the victory more enjoyable as there is more to come. This proves the value of having the right men in the right place doing the right things. You don’t have to be all on perfect form to play well as a team.

Adebayor clearly wasn’t match sharp but he didn’t have to be to bring out the qualities of his team-mates. He can run across the line from side to side (or in his case stroll) or drop deeper if needed. Back to goal he can hold it up, facing it he causes trouble, it’s all the same to him. He’s there to make little runs in the box, either creating room for others or to pick up a ball into the channels. A toe-poke is all it takes sometimes, right place and someone being there on on the end of it.

Parker made some mistakes, losing possession unnecessarily a few times. He more than made up for this with his pass and move style that set us going, blending well with Modric: this could be a mouthwateringly tasty mixture in the future. He works hard and knows the needs of the back four when we don’t have the ball. He times his forward runs nicely, coming in the second wave so to speak when the gaps are clear in front of him.

Friedel had little to do in the second half but he exudes a sense of assurance in the box that we haven’t seen for so long now. King took 45 minutes to get into his stride – no criticism as I can’t recall a player who performs so well after injury disruptions like the ones he has had to ensure. An hour in and it was as if he’d never been away. It allowed Kaboul to do what he does best, to be decisive and commit himself. For the most part he did well – more of his trademark at-full-stretch interceptions in the box – and Walker is sufficiently aware and quick to slot into the gap left behind.

Bale didn’t stampede past defenders but he was unlucky towards the end and Harry’s decision to switch wings helped cover their left-side forays. Luka had a decent game, solid if not spectacular but he’s relishing this passing approach. He tucked in deeper to protect the lead for the final 10 minutes.

Two players that frustrate me, Defoe and Krancjar, did well. I don’t see much point in Defoe sitting behind the front man – he’s neither clever nor able enough to make the most of that. However, sitting left in the second half with Bale on the right made it harder for Wolves to start their attacks. My criticism of this so-called natural striker is his apparent reluctance to take up good positions in the box, so I was delighted to see his lovely finish to a delightful move for the second. A beautiful little goal, with the passing and movement that contributed to it. More please. Niko benefited from the solid platform behind and showed his best. For me the VDV role is his best position.

Ultimately the win was secured by 20 minutes of outstanding possession football after we scored. So often I’ve complained about how easily we give the ball away. Yesterday poor Wolves didn’t have a sniff and we closed out the win without any alarms. The shape of things to come – the team is the thing, keep the ball, work hard, concentrate and we can’t be touched.

Finally, a complement to Livermore’s growing stature is that Harry is confident enough to ask him to do a difficult job, DM to protect us from Wolves’ despairing attempts to get back into it, and young though he is, he knows just what to do.

Uncle Harry’s Long Arm of Comfort reached around the shoulders of one man who has complained about not getting away, Dos Santos. Shrewdly Redknapp put aside his obvious distrust of Gio’s abilities and brought him on for an ineffective but morale-boosting few minutes. I hope Gio got the message that now everything is settled, he’s a part of the squad too. Loved the way he looked up at the board before he came on. Me? Surely not? That is my number….

 

Thank the deity that doesn’t exist it’s over. The Modric saga and Harry’s inability to pass by a camera without giving an interview meant the last few weeks have been excruciating. Let’s get on with it now and play some football. However, here’s no denying the backdrop of genuine tension on deadline day. I’ve talked of this being the watershed season, the last chance to build on the foundation of a fine group containing four outstanding footballers. Parker and Adebayor will enhance the squad greatly but I can’t escape the lingering sensation that at this crucial moment more should have been invested in the team and that the reasons why stunt our growth in the long run.

No question, this is a fine squad. Adebayor is strong, mobile and dangerous in the box, in short, just what the manager ordered.. It’s hard to work out what motivates him. Tough enough to carry on after lying on the floor of a bullet ridden coach as teammates died around him, a wet January Wednesday in Stoke shouldn’t be too much of a problem but at City and L’arse, his interest waned and form declined. The loan nature of his transfer doesn’t help. However, he knows he’s first choice and that’s significant for him. Bale and Lennon out wide, Luka and VDV through the middle, should give him plenty of chances.

Parker is an excellent buy. The criticism around the boards is based on West Ham’s failure last season but takes little account of what he can bring to our play. He links defence and attack, passes well short and long, makes space for himself and for others and will fit straight in to the side.  What’s not to like. WHam went down through no fault of Parker, who at times tried to carry the entire team and often succeeded. Rumours say he rather than manager Avram Grant gave the half time team talk that led to the Hammers turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 away win, so here’s the on the pitch leadership we crave. He makes the men around him better players.

Above all, we’ve achieved my main target, keeping Modric, Sandro, Bale and Van der Vaart. Credit to Levy, unmoving and true to his word. So far so good.

But. Whereas I had hoped a loan striker plus experienced midfielder would be the basis of our planning for the future, they are the future. It’s who we didn’t sign that’s significant in the longer term, or more accurately, why. No fourth striker, bearing in mind we have only two other first team front men, both of whom are not quite what we want, and no centre half. Of the many players we were interested in, they either stayed with their clubs or went elsewhere. Why?

Taking last January’s window into consideration, I suspect that we have tried but failed to go for a host of players who fit our profile, i.e. talented players under 26 who are on the up and for whom a move to Spurs is a move up the slippery slope. In recent times, Berbatov and Modric are classic examples. Note that neither were cheap: Levy will spend if he feels we can get value. He doesn’t want to spend big on older players whose potential sell on value will plummet as they turn 30.

Unfortunately these men will not come to us, partly because we are not in the Champions League and partly because we don’t match salaries being offered elsewhere. Take Ageuro for instance. I believe the stories that we made a bid of £30m plus for him, maybe Rossi too, in January. City come in and we are nowhere. Same this window for Leandro – they have no incentive to move.

So we fall back on Harry’s old guard. If someone else is in for them, chances are our salary scale will be too low even if Levy will pay the fee. Bellamy for example – I’m assuming Liverpool offered to match or nearly match his giant pay packet. We have no chance. I’m assuming that Harry’s late night comment on Levy not being able to do the deal over Cahill also refers to salary not the fee. If I’m wrong, Levy is more foolish than I think he is.

I’ve said throughout the window that we didn’t have to sell in order to buy. Harry wanted to use 30 or 40 m from Modric to buy other players but we’ve emerged well over 20m up overall, including O’Hara for 4 or 5m. That’s not counting the CL income, so the availability of ready cash isn’t the issue. Levy being reluctant to spend because Redknapp will be gone by the summer, discredited either by his court case or by becoming England manager, doesn’t hold up either. Why not get rid of him now, or why let him have any money at all? Remember Levy was prepared to spend this window. Not perhaps as much as we would have liked but something nevertheless, and we still have a surplus plus Modric as an asset if the new man needs to rebuild.

There’s more weight behind the idea that the driver is the ‘I’ in ENIC. After all, as chairman Levy has a duty to shareholders and the owner Lewis to ensure there’s profit on that investment, for example if the club is sold. The new stadium is getting closer and we need money not only to build it but also to do so without destroying that investment.

In the end, Levy the consummate businessman is ignoring the forces that shape his working life, supply and demand. I admire his fiscal prudence on both a practical level, ensuring we have a sound financial foundation,  and on a moral level, resisting greedy players and adroitly avoiding the insane business practice adopted by other club owners blind to everything but the pursuit of success on the field. And that includes keeping tabs on his manager.

However, Levy is fast becoming the King Canute of football. He cannot singlehandedly hold back the onrushing tide of improving salaries if he wishes to secure the club’s long term interests. His unbending response to the Modric transfer was admirable but the same quality is a potential disaster when applied to budgets. Retain by all means the sound budgetary principles of not paying fees and salaries over the odds for older players but the club’s entire salary structure must be revised upwards. Otherwise we won’t survive the rat race.

Now it’s down to Redknapp, the coaches and the players. Despite my concerns regarding long term planning, it’s worth repeating that this remains by far the best squad we’ve had at Spurs in recent times. Time to realise that potential. Opposing teams have sussed our formation so Harry has to come up with Plan B. Parker and Adebayor will give more options in that respect as we have to switch from an over-reliance on two wide men to a passing game, flexible and interchanging in the middle as well as width. Pienaar will be important here. Frankly he’s done nothing so far but that’s his game.

Luka and Harry aren’t best friends any more – put it to one side. We’ve got one more season, let’s make the most of it. Hud, that ‘stepping up’ phrase I hate, bit more from you and you could be a star. Each individual has their own targets but the team’s the thing. The pressure’s on, time to deliver.