23-year-old Carrick lost almost two of the previous four years to injury. On his return to the top flight with Spurs, Carrick found himself in the reserves when Jacques Santini chose Jamie Redknapp over him for the holding role. Eleven games into Martin Jol's reign as Tottenham coach and the Geordie’s fortunes have taken a change for the better. After four back-to-back Premiership wins, Tottenham have shown their best form since Gerry Francis was manager in 1995.
"Where we are now is a decent position considering what has gone on but if we can come out of the Christmas period and we're in touch then we can set ourselves new targets. That means that the next five or six games are so important," says Carrick.
Against Southampton at the weekend Carrick set up one goal and began the move that led to another.
From deep inside his own half Carrick sent a wonderful defence splitting 50-yard pass to Fredi Kanoute who’s cut-back for Defoe led to the England striker scoring the game’s opening goal after eight minutes.
A minute before half time Carrick found Kanoute again, this time with a stunning chip. The Mali international had the time and space to control the pass and steer the ball beyond Annti Niemi inside his near post.
"Martin Jol has put me in the team - He's given me the chance and that's good. He's just told me to play my game and, although in the last few matches it has worked quite well, I know that there is more to come. The coach is an honest guy and what he says is what he's thinking - That's good for the players because we know exactly where we stand," says Carrick.
Jermain Defoe agrees with his former West Ham teammate,
"The manager is a strong character and he expects 110 per cent every time you put that shirt on. He's a nice man, he talks to you, and you can relate to him. He's a good coach with good ideas and I think you can see a massive difference since he's come in. Even in training he expects players to give everything and he pushes us hard. Only time will tell where we can end up but we've got a good opportunity now," he says.
Wilhelmson, a star of Sweden’s Euro 2004 campaign, could become available should Anderlecht accept a £3m bid in January. The 25-year-old can play on either wing and could give Tottenham another option in attack. Wilhelmson is friends with Tottenham fullback and fellow countryman Erik Edman.
"Tottenham will suit me perfectly. It is a very good club and I feel ready for the big leap in my career," says Wilhelmson.
Tottenham are also likely to take Czech Under-21 David Limbersky on loan until the end of the season after the right winger had a successful one-week trial at White Hart Lane. Limbersky was plying his trade in Italy's Serie A last season.
"I cannot wait for my chance to play in England. I have always dreamt about playing there. It was a demanding week, but I gave everything to it and it paid off. The coach promised me that I would get my chance," says Limbersky.
For Frank Arnesen, in charge of searching the globe for young footballing talent, the task that began last summer is finally beginning to show glimpses of success.
"You have to give the new players time to settle, especially when they come from abroad. Martin has done a tremendous job with the players who arrived in the summer - they are now showing us how good they are and we're happy with the way things are going," says the club’s sporting director.