| S |
|
64.5% |
| P |
|
66% |
| U |
|
54% |
| R |
|
54%" |
| S |
|
45% |
| = |
|
56.7% |
Form Guide Aug 2012
P W D L F-A GD Pts
2 0 1 1 2-3 -1 1
Pos:- 14th
· May 2012 figures
· Last year's figures
Aug 2011
Better than last year - or is it?
In August last year we played two league games and lost both of them. This year we have again played two games and drawn one, losing the other. So, we've made a better start this year, or have we?
The "Spursometer" is a marginal improvement on last year's 55.3%, but in August 2011, we played Hearts at home and away, winning the away game 5-0, which was a result and performance that heartily enhanced the overall figure. Those two opening defeats to Manchester City and United made depressing reading when it came to assessing player and team performances, and the manager's abilities.
At least last year we could say we had lost to arguably the top two teams in the country. Indeed, the end of season Premier League table confirmed this for a fact. However, so far this year we have lost to a team who will probably again be our competitiors for the one Champions League place that is likely to be up for grabs (Newcastle). That result is worse than last year's draw.
I am suggesting that Manchester (United and City) plus Chelsea will make up the top three. Had we secured such a position last season, then Harry Redknapp would probably still be with us. It's going to be a much tougher job for new head coach Andre Villas-Boas to win what could be a five-way battle for that spare Champions League place. The other contenders, in my estimation, are Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton, who are looking uncharacteristically strong in these very early stages.
Our draw at home to West Brom is another deterioration on last season's result, when we managed to hold on to a one goal lead.
So, defeat to last year's top two teams, I would suggest, was not as bad as reaping just one point from more moderate opposition this year.
We all know only too well that we have not hit the ground running, and that our transfer business may not be concluded until midnight Friday 31st August, 2012. At the time of writing the significant transfer news this week is that Luka Modric was sold to Real Madrid and Moussa Dembele was signed from Fulham for half Luka's fee. There are all sorts of irons in the fire, and I would suggest that Dembele will be the only new player to feature against Norwich on saturday.
As I write, I am hearing that Jermain Defoe has signed a new three year contract, so any speculation about him departing is not warranted. Sadly, Younes Kaboul had a knee op yesterday and will be out for four months, so we must hope that Michael Dawson is not allowed to leave.
Nominally, new signing Jan Vertonghen is the August player of the month, but he only made one appearance in the two games. Much as he impressed, I am not inclined to formally "award" the prize in a part-month, when Spurs fans have so far been under-whelmed, and have yet to be convinced of the qualities of Andre Villas-Boas, who so far scores 6.23 out of 10.
There are 6 games to look forward to in a busy September, at the end of which we will definitely have more idea of where we are going this season.
...if you want to read reports of the matches played during this month, then links are on the Spurs Odyssey Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances since November 2000!
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