How Do Tottenham Get Back In The Top Four

Tottenham Hotspur missed out on a Champions League place for the 2011/2012 season and will surely feel disappointed after their successful run to the quarter finals in the last campaign. So what do Spurs need to do to break back into the top four?

Well keeping hold of their key players would be essential to maintaining the strength of their squad. Croatian star Luka Modric has been subject of the most significant transfer rumours; with Chelsea, Man City and Man United all keen on signing the midfielder.

But Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is intent on keeping the Spurs ace. He laughed at a reported bid made by Chelsea for £22m. He said: ‘If there has been a bid of £22m, that is ridiculous. There are people being sold for £20m who are not fit to lace Luka’s boots.

‘We have to show him our ambition. If we can add one or two players, we can have another great season. If we’re going to try to get back into the Champions League and go for the title we have to keep our best players.’

PFA player of the year Gareth Bale has already confirmed he is staying despite interest from La Liga and Champions League winners Barcelona. Also £8m Dutchman Rafael Van der Vaart is likely to stay at the club to the delight of Tottenham fans.

Keeping hold of key players is vital but making the right signings will also play a big part in Tottenham’s success next season. A large proportion of Spurs’ goals came from the team’s midfield with Van der Vaart being the club’s top scorer with total of 15 goals last season. Bale was third top scorer with 11 goals.

So perhaps it is time that boss Redknapp needs to look at bringing in a new goal threat to White Hart Lane.  But the question is who? Chelsea, Man United and Man City have and will spend big this summer to chase their trophy dreams, and will probably snap up the best players before Tottenham can get a look in.

The manager also needs to look at his team’s defence. Tottenham rarely kept a clean sheet last season and that probably cost them their 4^th place spot. Keeper Heurelho Gomes also did not help towards the cause, costing Tottenham a number of goals, one of the most notable errors being at Stamford Bridge.

Brazilian Spurs player Sandro believes there is more to come from the club. He said: ‘I believe we deserved more from last season. We showed our quality by showing great performances in big games. We can hold our heads up high and return next season as a stronger team.’

What Tottenham Hotspur need to do is to continue building on their impressive squad without losing their most influential players. The rest is down to the squad to produce results that will take them higher up the league and brick themselves in that precious Champions League place.

James Harris