Still waiting for the new normal

The world is waiting for a new normal with Covid-19 still very much a part of our lives. Most of us have been prevented from physically attending games this season. Sadly, due to team performances, that enforced absence has been viewed as a relief in some quarters. Jose Mourinho did not even manage one complete season as Spurs dispensed with his services in the week before our (failed) Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City, and the club appointed rookie Ryan Mason as our interim coach till the end of the season. At the time of writing (2nd June), we await news about a new manager/head coach.

We also await news about Harry Kane's future. Nothing is likely to take Harry's eye of England's delayed Euro 20 campaign, but Manchester City are strongly rumoured to be ready to pay what is expected to a massive fee for the services of a player who has taken his Spurs club tally to 221 goals, 166 of which have been in the Premier League. Will "One of our own" remain 45 goals below the wonderful club record of Jimmy Greaves, or will he stay to pursue that landmark?

Harry Kane won three club Player of the Season awards, and has won this year's Spurs Odyssey vote for just the second time. Bearing in mind Harry's fantastic goal returns that might come as a surprise. His final figures for this season are 23 Premier League goals and 33 club goals. Add to that 14 Premier League and 3 other assists and there is no doubt Harry Kane has had yet another great season on an individual level for his club. Harry won his third Golden Boot, and also the Premier League's playmaker award. Harry is the only (current) Spurs representative in the England squad.

The season was long and arduous. Due to Covid, and the late finish to the previous season, our 58-game programme started in September and included a total of 13 Europa League games which ended when we were dumped out in the Round of 16 by Dinamo Zagreb. We haven't managed to beat Everton this season, which makes a change, and they beat us 5-4 in the FA cup 5th Round. Our trophy chances ended with a non-contest against Man City in the League Cup. Fat hope! (Although the score was a respectable 1-0.)

There was considerable pre- and early-season excitement about the arrival (on loan) of Gareth Bale. Gareth was never going to reach the standards he displayed before his departure in 2013 to Real Madrid, but when given the opportunity he did show that class is permanent. Gareth ultimately scored 11 Premier League goals, 6 of which came in his last 6 league appearances of the season. Gareth scored 16 club goals in all. These included crucial strikes, completed with his two late goals in the last game at Leicester. Gareth has another year left of his Real Madrid contract, and is keeping his cards close to his chest about his future after playing for Wales in the Euros. An early retirement has even been rumoured.

The highs of being top of the Premier League for 6 games in November and December and beating Manchester United 6-1 away are long forgotten. Even "Sonny"'s early season form dipped in the second half, although he did score 22 club goals. On the one hand we had the ignominy of finishing below West Ham. On the other we had the limited joy of finishing above Arsenal once again. That is becoming a nice habit. We do have a place in Europe next season, but that will be in the new third-tier European Conference League. The name says it all really. Spurs just managed to scrape into Europe. Arsenal, who also wanted to be a part of the failed European Super League even failed to qualify for any European footballfor the first time in 25 years. Erik Lamela's incredible rabona goal against Arsenal won the BBC Match of the Day goal of the season, and also won the Premier League goal of the season award.

Stop press - (04/06/21) - Both Harry Kane and Heung-min Son were selected for the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Jose Mourinho described Dane Scarlett (still only 17) as a first team squad player next season and he made three appearances off the bench, including a Premier League debut against West Brom. 16-year-old Alfie Devine made a dream FA Cup debut against 8th tier Marine in a fairytale FA Cup Third round tie. Alfie scored in our 5-0 win and became our youngest ever goalscorer at senior level. Carlos Vinicius scored a hat-trick in that game and in all added 10 goals to the club's 124 goal tally for the season. Carlos didn't get many opportunities, and we await confirmation of his return to his home club Benfica.

Club captain Hugo Lloris and work-horse Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were both ever-presents in league games, playing every minute of every game.

Juan Foyth won a Europa League winner's medal with Villarreal, where he spent the season on loan. His team beat Arsenal on the way to the Final, when they beat Manchester United. Former Spurs right backs Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier acquired winners' medals with Manchester City and Atletico Madrid respectively. You can understand Kane's frustration.

Chelsea beat Man City with a technically proficient display in a game where Pep Guardiola got his selection wrong. Leicester missed out on the top four again, but they did beat Chelsea in the FA Cup Final and have two recent trophies to brag about when we next meet.

As well as Danny Rose, Paulo Gazzaniga is leaving at the end of his contract. Gazzaniga was latterly on loan with Spanish club Elche.

Unfortunately, it has to be said the short-term future does not look great for Spurs, but we faithful will keep going, and we'll keep hoping!

Remember, there are now Over 25 years of archives at Spurs Odyssey, where you can find reports on our games at all levels, including our under-21 and under-18 teams.

Don't forget to check out the players' current figures re. appearances, cards, goals scored and accumulated ratings to date below.

...if you want to read reports of the matches played during this season, then links are on the Spurs Odyssey Fixtures/Reports page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over 20 years!