The appointment of AVB on the 3rd July 2012 was a big step in starting the clubs big future.
Like many other fans I was hesitant in being excited, but by the fact that I feared AVB may need more than a season to adjust properly.
With potential big signings things certainly seemed exciting. However after the loss of VDV and Modric we were always going to struggle unless suitable replacements were signed.
Transfers In:
Sigurdsson
Vertonghen
Adebayor
Dembele
Lloris
Dempsey
Transfers Out:
King
Nelsen
Corluka
Bassong
Kranjcar
Pienaar
Modric
Van Der Vaart
Dos Santos
There were of course further youngsters that left but I felt I would stick to the recognised names. Most importantly was the failure to find suitable replacements for Modric or VDV
The signings of Lloris and Vertonghen were great and were much needed with the ageing Friedel and retiring King, but the addition of Adebayor was one that we felt would have been great (yes he was not as free scoring as last season but he contributed well with important goals).
Before the close of the transfer window in the summer there was great potential in the signings of Damiao and Moutinho, but it seems more like it was a PR stunt as nothing ever happened. Even though the supposed issue of ownership was resolved before January for Moutinho we still did not sign the player. The Damiao one we will touch on again later.
I am happy (and was at the time) with the additions of Dembele (as he has been the engine for the team this year), whilst Dempsey has scored some important goals and Sigurdsson has been good as cover (but had then began to grow into the team throughout the season). However with 2 recognised strikers it was inevitable that an issue would arise.
A loss and 2 draws in the opening games were somewhat of a disappointment, with opposition such as Newcastle, WBA and Norwich there was some close attention being paid to the results and play by the fans.
However from the 25th August till the 20th October we remained unbeaten in all competitions. The most notable game in this time was a 3-2 historical win at Old Trafford. Vertonghen, Bale and Dempsey (with the winner) made it a great opening start to the season.
On October 25th we then suffered a 4-2 defeat to Chelsea which then lead to stop start spell in which we lost to Norwich in the Cup, then Wigan at home, Man City away and an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.
We then put our heads down and concentrated on results and went another 5 games without a loss and again notable games were a 2-1 win at home to Liverpool and a 3-0 away win at Fulham.
A defeat to Everton away at the beginning of December would be our last loss for some time with 3 wins and a draw in December alone! The most notable game this time a 4-0 away win at Villa (and a Gareth bale Hat trick).
January was a reasonable month, but we suffered a loss to Leeds in the 4th round of the FA Cup and shared points on away visits to Norwich and QPR. The most notable game being the 1-1 draw at home to Utd (although we should have won the game with ease).
In January we agreed to sign Holtby on a free transfer in the upcoming summer and finally captured Fryers, but to much disgust from Alex Ferguson who claimed it was planned and very under handed by Tottenham.
However due to supposed large failures in the transfer market we were forced to purchase Holtby from Schalke. We had supposed failed bids in on Damiao, however again there was no real effort made to sign the forward and it was here at this point that the board had huge failure and let the squad and fans down. Damiao was not a real target and this was the second time that Tottenham had manufactured this PR supposed bid to cover up it's failure or unwillingness to purchase. Moutinho was supposedly a done deal, but ownership held the deal up. People forget that AVB managed Moutinho whilst at Porto and was fully aware of his ownership, so no issue should have ever risen. Either way this was cleared up before Jan and still no bid was made. The same sort of issue arose in January where no "major" signing were made and talks supposedly broke down on each of our deals?
Whether fans wish to allow this to go unnoticed is up to them, however there was no apology made by Levy (in his end of season speech) for the clubs failure to sign a much needed striker, which essentially has cost us dearly for a second season running.
No man in charge can ignore 2 successive failure to strengthen in January which leads to your team not qualifying in the Champions League. Whether it was Levy or not he has failed to speak on this and therefore is unwilling to accept any part of the blame.
On to February where we saw a much better month with 4 wins and a draw. The most notable games for me are the 2-1 win in the Europa League over Lyon and a 3-2 away win at Upton Park.
March started well with a 2-1 home win against Arsenal and 3-0 win at home over Inter, but following that game and injuries we began to decline. 3 back to back losses against Inter, Liverpool and Fulham dented our season dramatically, but we regained our form at the end of the month with a well fought 2-1 away win to Swansea. Of course the most notable game being the win at home to Arsenal with our wing wizards Lennon and Bale both scoring.
April again saw a big dent in our League and Europa league. with 4 yes you got it 4 2-2 draws! Home and away to Basel (to then be knocked out on penalties), Everton and Wigan. The one saviour of the month was a fantastic game at home where we beat Man City 3-1.
Into our final month where we notched up a great 3 wins and a draw. The most notable game was our 2-2 draw with Chelsea, with our game in hand proving too difficult to walk away with the full 3 points.
So 72 points in a season, our best to date! That is a fantastic achievement and all of the team should be proud. Long term injuries to Kaboul and Sandro certainly made a large dent in season, but I still have a big grudge over the board's failure to add sufficient recruitments up front (especially in January with a known injury to Defoe and absence of Ade in Africa) we had an opportunity to sign Lopez on loan until the end of the season (from Lyon) and we were utterly let down.
I appreciate all of the hard work that must go on in the background at the club, with a brand new training facility, plans on our new stadium progressing well and some familiar faces coming back (Fruend we all love the huge passion you show on pitch side).
The big item always addressed is Bale's achievement this year with being the first players since Klinsmann (94-95) to score over 20 league goals in one campaign. The icing on the cake was the myriad of awards bestowed upon our talisman (however I am sure these were more important to him).
New additions Vertonghen and Dembele have won praise (and an award of being named in the Team of the Year for Jan). Their absences were highly visible in the team when not available through injury.
Although I feel several players have been over looked if you will, Dawson had a fantastic season, Lloris has been a rock in goal, Sandro was a key player until his injury and JD started our season well being recognised as the best striker at the club.
The player that I expected more from was Lennon. The past few months it has been hard to recognise the youngster, so I wonder if there are any issues there?
I do have a concern going forward. It’s not whether Bale stays as this is a certain (the player, manager and club have made this clea). It is whether we can achieve the right players to take the club forward? Without Champions League we will inevitably not catch the eye of certain players and it is these players that would make a difference at the club.
For me AVB is key as his passion and influence seems to hold a lot of weight with players. So fingers crossed we will see some high calibre faces come through the gates at the Lane, but I am stating categorically that we will not see Bale leave the club until after the end of the 2013-2014 season (minimum).
Well done to AVB you worked wonders with a small squad it was not replenished as it should have been. It took a little while to get started, but your talents are apparent at our club.
The players a big round of applause. Our best finish point wise in the EPL history.
Our board, I will only applaud on the appointment of AVB, but I will reserve judgement until the next transfer window closes (as you have a great opportunity to show the fans that you have every interest in taking the club forward), we expect to see big signings.
Finally the fans. Whether you are my followers/ readers or not, I think that we have been great this season. Cheered when we shouldn't, lifted the players up when needed. What more could we ask for?
Well until August now it will be transfer madness and the end of my articles based on my sole opinion and results. It will be rumours galore, but I will do my best to stamp out the rubbish out there and put forward only the best.
Thanks to all and bring on next season nothing but positives to think of from here on!
COYS!!!!
Email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/TottenhamMad