Middlesboro v Tottenham: A New Look Tottenham Finally Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Have Been?
Ever get the feeling of déjà vu? The dawn of the 2007/08 season brought masses of Tottenham supporters and pundits alike tipping Spurs to really challenge for fourth spot. However, after a woeful start - 1 win in the opening 12 games and a sacked manager after just 10 matches in, these declarations provided nothing more than ammunition for rival fans to mock Spurs’ continued illusions of grandeur. And now, one year on we hear the same claims only this time, after one massive summer shopping spree, they feel all the more possible.
They may have lost Keane; they may still lose Berbatov but Spurs remain steadfast in their pursuit for fourth spot. Impressive pre-season friendly performances against the likes of Serie A runners up Roma (5-0) and Scottish champions Celtic (2-0) have finally seen Darren Bent live up to his £16m+ price tag from last summer as well as displaying their newly found summer talent of dos Santos, Bentley and Modric. Will this finally be the year that actions speak louder than words for Spurs? They have a good fixture to start their campaign underway with; having not lost to Boro for the past four seasons.
Unlike their opening day opponents, Middlesboro have barely made any waves in the transfer window. Having only secured two new faces - Marvin Emnes and Didier Digard - and said farewell to seven, Gareth Southgate’s team sheet is looking a little on the sparse side. It has maintained however a couple of massive names. Stewart Downing must start this season in the same outstanding manner of the last if Boro are to make any headway. Afonso Alves is also key; his clinical finishing must be finely tuned.
Like Spurs, Boro have had a very good pre-season. However despite boasting 4 wins including scorelines such as 6-1 and 0-5, their opponents by no means carry the same weight as the teams Tottenham faced and thrashed. I think this new look, goal rush Tottenham is going to give Boro rather a rude awakening to the 2008/09 season.
Pundits Pick: Those Spurs claims could well be the real deal this time (away win)
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Tags: Boro, Football Predictions, footy 15, Match Preview, Middlesbrough, Premier 10, Premier League, Spurs, Totteham Hotspur
