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The "Spursometer" for August confirms that we have seen the best football from Spurs since October 2001! Then, we enjoyed 4 consecutive wins against Tranmere, Derby, Middlesbrough and would you believe - Newcastle!
No-one pretends that we are seeing anything near the finished article, with some errors to be ironed out, and more goals needed from players other than Jermain Defoe! However, the evidence has been easily seen that we are defending well as a unit, and playing on the whole with more composure and structure.
Here is just some of the evidence in support of the real progress Spurs have already made:-
1. I've lost count of the players signed since the end of last season. (Alright it's fifteen, actually!)
2. We have conceded less goals than any team except Chelsea.
3. Along with the aforementioned and the never to be mentioned, we are the only unbeaten teams in the Premiership after just 4 games!
3. Spurs now have three regular members of the England squad, after at least two years in the wilderness as far as England recognition was concerned. Those three players are Robinson, King and Defoe.
4. Spurs were linked with Figo last week, and the idea was NOT dismissed out of hand.
5. Gary Doherty has been released to a club that matches his level of play. Sorry Gary, you're a lovely feller, but endeavour alone is not enough for the Premiership.
6. Now that we have signed Coventry centre-back Callum Davenport, Coventry fans obviously recognise our new strength in depth, as they hoped for an immediate loan deal a la Chelsea!
7. Further signs of Spurs progress under "Fun-time" Frankie and "Happy" Jacques are the facts that we do not figure in the early season betting for relegation (you could get just 7/1 on us last year), and that Santini is as long as 40/1 to be the next Premiership manager to leave.
8. The knives of the press are sheathed for the moment! (or aimed elsewhere)
September will present new challenges, but surely Spurs will beat Norwich, then go to Stamford Bridge unbeaten and brimming with confidence to try and stymie Chelsea. That game and the last league game of the month against Manchester United will give us more of a picture of our true level. I look forward to these games with more excitement than I have felt for a considerable time! Long may it reign!
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