· April/May 2008 figures
· Last Season's figures
2006-2007

We don't need another transitional season

August - 53%

The waves of pre-season optimism soon faded after two opening game defeats at Sunderland and at home to Everton (remember when we used to beat them every game?). Anthony Gardner (remember him?) scored our first goal of the season, and believe it or not Darren Bent was actually the first striker to score a goal for Spurs this season. This came after Malbranque and Jenas had put us 3-0 up against a hapless Derby side in the first fifteen minutes. My prediction that Derby would finish 20th (not difficult I admit) proved to be true, and Spurs reverted to type by losing at Old Trafford in the last game this month. The Old Trafford game was a good performance though, in which we got our first glimpse of Gareth Bale. Bale turned out to be a real player and a great signing, but sadly we only got to see him in 11 more Spurs games this season. It became evident that Martin Jol was on borrowed time before the first week of the Premier League season was out, after half the club's board were spotted chatting up Juande Ramos in Seville.

September - 57.2%

No league win this month, and bottom three at the end.Gareth Bale scored his three Spurs goals this month. One in the 3-3 draw at Fulham; a tremendous free kick to give us a lead against the goons; and one of two goals in our Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough at the end of the month. By this time, Spurs had thrashed Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta 6-1, and at least looked certain to qualify for the UEFA Cup Round Two mini-league. Bent failed to emerge and Berbatov, Keane and Jermain Defoe started scoring this month.

October - 55.71%

The commercial arm of THFC PLC got into full swing, as they celebrated the 125 years of Spurs history. The special commemorative kit (boxed edition for only £55 don't you know?) was worn in competition for the only time in the game against Aston Villa. Televised on Setanta, with the Lane adorned by free flags, Spurs managed a minor miracle by coming back from 4-1 down to make it 4-4, with Younes Kaboul's added time equaliser. This was to be the first of five games in which Paul Robinson (and the culpable defence)conceded 4 goals. Having had a slow start to the season, Robbie Keane started motoring, with 7 goals in the 7 games this month. The 4-4 draw left us in the bottom three, but a point at Anfield was enough to drag us up a place. Having led till added time (not for the first or last time this season), we conceded a late, late goal by Torres, and lost two points. The home UEFA Cup game against Getafe was an embarrassment for Martin Jol who apparently was one of the only men (the other must have been Chris Hughton) who did not know before the game that he was to be sacked. The two month wait for the inevitable was over in the most ignominious circumstances, and an honourable man had to go. Clive Allen looked after the team for one game, before Juande Ramos took over for the Blackpool game in which his tactical nous was demonstrated for the first (and not the last) time as Tottenham Coach.

November - 63.4%

Ramos continued a great unbeaten start to his Spurs career with 3 wins and two draws this month. Wins in Tel-Aviv and at home against Alborg in an exciting come-back from 2-0 down mean that after that Getafe defeat, Spurs looked certain to reach Round 3 of the UEFA Cup. There were away draws at Middlesbrough and West Ham, and a 4-0 win at home to Wigan, in which Jenas scored twice. This was only our second league win of the season, but enough to lift us to 14th, and away from trouble.

December - 66.25%

This month started with a surprising 3-2 home defeat by Birmingham. It was another late, late goal that won the game, and aggravated by the fact that it was scored by an ex-gooner. The month ended with a stupendous 10 goal extravaganza in a 6-4 winner against Reading, who had led at 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3, only to be beaten ultimately by Berbatov's four goal display, with a little help from Malbranque and Defoe. In between came a draw in Brussels to take us through to Round Three of the UEFA Cup; our first away win at Portsmouth with the help of debutant Jamie O'Hara (who went on to win the Young Player of the Year award); a magnificent win at Manchester City in the Carling Cup, despite Zokora's sending off and the sacrifice of scorer Jermain Defoe; a one goal defeat at The Emirates; and a 5-1 beating of Fulham on Boxing Day.

January - 58.99%

A new spelling for Arsenal was discovered by the end of this month, due to the fantastic result on the night of January 22nd in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg. Spurs had out-played their rivals away as well, and Jenas scored the away goal and the opener at White Hart Lane. By now Ledley King (who had returned to action on Boxing Day) was to play a part in Spurs remaining crucial games, playing the semi-final matches with his usual cool skill. The opposition of course claim it was their "kids", but they fielded most of their Premier League side at some point furing the tie, and at home, Spurs were simply magnificent. Other landmarks this month were Paul Robinson getting dropped after carrying Hunt's long kick over the line in the first FA Cup game against Reading; Robbie Keane scoring his 100th Spurs goal against Sunderland, and Jonathan Woodgate making a cultured debut at Goodison Park. Despite the chance of at least being a part of the Carling Cup 16, Jermain Defoe chose first team football at Portsmouth, where he was cup-tied for their winning FA Cup run. Defoe scored his last goal for Spurs at Villa Park on New Year's Day. Spurs' January acquisitions not only included Woodgate, but also right back Alan Hutton, who was quickly to become a favourite.

February - 63.6%

What Spurs fan will ever forget the Carling Cup win over Chelsea on February 24th? Not this one - ever! Ledley King played all 120 minutes, and achieved a dream by just about making it up those steps to lift the trophy with Robbie Keane. Hutton got a winner's medal in just his third Spurs game, super-cool Berbatov slotted the penalty equaliser, and Jonathan Woodgate achieved Spurs-hero status with his brave winner, even if it was a rebound off his nose! I'd also like to mention Teemu Tainio who had great glee in pointing Drogba to the scoreboard which reflected Spurs 2-1 lead, as they got involved in a spat on the touchline! Also in February, Spurs beat Slavia Prague on aggregate to reach the UEFA Cup 4th Round. Paul Robinson was awarded his place for the Final. Earlier in the month we out-played Man Utd, but succumbed to a last ditch Tevez equaliser. The Derby away win was really only achieved after the insertion of substitute Dimitar Berbatov. Spurs won 3-0 and managed one of our only three away league wins of the season, all of which resulted in "doubles" (Portsmouth, Derby and Reading)

March - 53.87%

The post Carling Cup "after the ball" syndrome was amply demonstrated by the lamentable 4-1 defeat at Birmingham, thus continuing the Spurs tradition of rolling over to relegated sides too often down the years. After losing at home to PSV, Berbatov's 81st minute winner capped a fine team performance at their place, but sadly we lost in the penalty shoot-out, during which Jenas telegraphed his kick which was easily saved, and Chimbonda fired wide. Good fun was had with the 4-0 win over the Hammers, and Robbie Keane scored arguably the Spurs goal of the season with his late equaliser against Chelsea in another exciting night at The Lane. The 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle though was the start of a real anti-climactic end to the season.

April/May - 57.03%

The Spurs season fizzled out with poor home performances, four consecutive 1-1 draws, and too little evidence of excitement and commitment by the players. Spurs had reached 11th place in January, and that is where they stayed till the end, finishing one place behind West Ham, whose league season had been so full of mediocrity. So, what does that say about or league season? Everything really, except that we were in relegation trouble early on, then had two good cup runs - one a sensational win - finished in a comfortable slot, and have got Europe to look forward to again next term.

We've seen loads of goals, a great Cup win, several landmarks and exciting games, but have to look forward to the possible departure of our best player (Berbatov), higher prices, and a need to strengthen our all too leaky defence, which let in 79 goals in all competitions. We started this season with hopes of Champions League, and such has been our inconsistency, even under the new coach, that such expectation for next season already looks like folly. Maybe another cup run then?

The "Spursometer" is of course an arbitrary and subjective reflection upon the form of the team over the course of each season. In comparison to last season (See last season's figures) there has been a marginal improvement upon the overall figure, and imporvement in the areas of skill, effort and score ratio. Defensively however, Spurs have declined, with more mistakes made, leading to three more goals being conceded over the season in two less games. We don't need any more transitional seasons, and whilst we must thank Ramos for a trophy in his first part season, next year will be the time for more qualified judgement on his ability to lead Spurs into a successful era.

Don't forget to check out the cumulative appearances and grades for the squad below.

...if you want to remind yourself of the matches played during this season, then See the Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over the last 8 years!

* less errors equals a higher mark

The Spursometer was brought to you by Spurs Odyssey in association with My Eyes Have Seen The Glory.