Can Spurs really be London's best in 2012?

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul believes that the club can challenge both Arsenal and Chelsea as London's best team this year.

A bold statement considering the North London side have often found themselves in the shadows of the Gunners and the Blues in recent years.

On the other hand, many fans are of the opinion that the French international isn't far from truth and consider Spurs to be genuine contenders for a top three finish, behind both Manchester sides of course.

But, is there some truth behind the former Auxerre centre-back's prediction that Spurs can top the London pedestal come May?

It's no secret that the Lilywhites posses one of the strongest squads in the Premiership, in terms of strength in depth and cover for most of, if not all, positions.

But, what Harry Redknapp's side excel in numbers, they lack on the winning side of things, mentality wise. More often than not, especially last season, Spurs fail to perform against teams in the bottom half of the table in comparison to the so called 'top four' sides.

When it comes to playing the leagues finest teams, Redknapp's team step it up a gear and perform to the abilities that some fans expect. Against the 'lesser' teams, over-confidence can set in and they fail to get out of first gear, which is becoming more and more important in today's game.

It is this unwanted trait that saw Spurs fail to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive season. In fact, if they had picked up maximum points against the eventual bottom six, the 'Survival Sunday' win over Birmingham City would have seen the club lift their first ever Premier League trophy.

Instead, however, a fifth place finish, thus Europa League football, was the best Spurs had to settle for last season. The gruelling competition can take it out of any top level team and Redknapp has already confessed the league takes his priority this season, his squad selections for the two group games so far proving so.

Such an option for Redknapp not only showcases his squads ability and faith in his players, but also allows the strongest starting XI available for each Premiership game, something Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas may not have the luxury of utilising due to their respective Champions League campaigns.

And it's this commitment that could see Spurs become London's top team in almost 20 years. The players at Redknapp's disposal are more than capable of achieving a top four finish and then some. But London's best? Who knows. Arsenal and Chelsea are more than capable of finishing above Spurs and more often than not, the two have finished higher than them. But, the gap is ultimately closing, every good thing comes to an end and the same may be apply to both the Gunners and the Blues. It is possible and it certainly can happen. Whether it is this season or any season, it will happen and there is no reason why it can't be this one.

Comments

[SP]

You are right in your analysis of why Spurs failed to qualify for the CL last season - all of those defeats and draws to teams in the bottom third of the season came home to roost.
There were two features of these games: These teams were treating Spurs in much the way they would have treated United, sitting deep, stifling play, hoping for a point, attacking rapidly if chance arose to nick all three. Under these circumstances, firstly, the strikers just were not equipped to deal, and the only one who might have been, VDV, didn't really have anyone he could play with. And, secondly, when faced with this style of play, the team seemed to gradually lose drive in matches, and over the succession of similar matches.

What you don't add to your analysis is any discussion as to how this may have changed. Obviously, the arrival of Adebayor has brought a player that can play with VDV, and will score against this type of side. Secondly, as we saw against Wolves, there is absolutely no chance that when it gets to the 70th minute, with no sign of a breakthrough, that Scott Parker will linger with the rest in midfield losing drive - because drive is exactly what he will offer.

I don't know if Kaboul is right, it's way too early to write them off, but I certainly expect the addition of these two players to see the end to the dismal record against teams in the final third of the table.