It wasn't to be.

The year is 2013. The unthinkable has occurred. Sir Alex has finally stepped down at United. Spurs have broken their transfer record on a forward. Goal-line technology is set to be used in the Premier League as of next season. Tom Huddlestone has left Tottenham Hotspur. 3 years ago this could have easily been written as a piece of satire with the latter statement seemingly the least likely of the 4.

It's hard to find a suitable starting point with Tom. Although heavily flawed as an all-round centre midfielder, his ability to spot and execute a pin-point pass in the final third always left you lingering with that string of hope that he may build on this to become a prominent player for Spurs and England. Alas, it wasn't to be. There's only so many years you can hope a player will fulfil their 'potential' before admitting that this is about as good as it'll get. A couple of key assists from last year couldn't mask the fact that he didn't quite fit in with a squad now built on pace and power. He almost sat as the Woolworths of our midfield. He couldn't quite tackle or run, but had a nice technique about him.

It's clear we're building a leaner (no pun intended) and more competitive squad. The arrival of Paulinho & the expected arrival of Capoue renders Huddlestone and Parker redundant. They become assets that are needed off of the wage bill and the transfer fees to balance the books. We forever seem to be pushing our limits and stand reluctantly on the brink of finally achieving our season's goals. We fall that player or two short at key points in the season and find ourselves asking 'what if'. 'What if we'd brought in a forward, midfielder or extra defender when we could've'.

Pre-planning and anticipation for such events avoids seemingly knee-jerk and over-priced transfers. We're building a powerful squad of quality, not just a first 11. We forever seem anchored down with 'deadwood' players that act as fillers for those that are injured. I was a big fan of AVB's rotation policy last year and hope to see more of it this year. Although it'll be nice regularly rotating quality players ensuring those coming in will be match-fit and hungry to fight for their place. Competition for places will be ever-increasing this year, especially across midfield.

With another season in the Europa League, players will get the game time they'd desire. Real strength in depth is something we've lacked properly across the years but is key to competing effectively in all major competitions. We finally seem to be jumping on the treadmill this summer and look a far leaner outfit. We've bought in key areas and look to sell those that aren't wanted. The squad will take time to gel as one which may bring with it a slightly slower start than we'd hope. But that's football.

Tom will be wished all the best, maybe even missed at times, but with the ambition we've shown this summer. His name was always going to be one sounded out to other clubs.

Regards,
Ben - You can follow me on Twitter here

It's official. He's out for 3 months

Bitterly disappointing news came out of White Hart Lane that Tommy is likely to miss three months with an ankle injury.

I'm sure the word 'gutted' doesn't even touch the surface of how we or Tom himself must be feeling right now and this is another injury thrown onto the unwanted and depressing pile consisting of Jermain, Daws, Ledley and Aaron being just a few names below him. Soon enough we'll have a whole team there.

Jenas has come in and looked to have kicked off this season with some form but this news is a real blow. Maybe this will open up more opportunities for also Wilson and Sandro to exploit and hopefully a few players can up their game and push for this opportunity.

Who would you stick in place of Tom?

Regards.

Suddenly it's a busy week at Spurs Lodge

Shocked. What is it with our goalkeepers? We can't seem to go one game without one of them picking up a knock; certainly Carlo has today proved that if it isn't one way, it certainly is another. But despite our frustration of another injury to a 36 year old keeper that was quietly having a good season for us, our thoughts are with him. Let's hope he recovers well and can still play a big part in our season.

So it seems that Pav has finally said the words we were all expecting to hear. I was thinking it would be closer to January if I'm honest though. "I want to leave the club" The 6 words that always seemed to be heard by one of our forward players and on this occasion it is no different, it's official, Pav wants to leave. You have to pity the guy, shafted out when Keane and Defoe were brought in and never really got a real look in from then on after.

To finish on a brighter note. Thudd's been brought into Capello's squad. I must say I think i was about as surprised as reading about Carlo as I was reading this, but still, it's great to see him getting a look in. The boy deserves it, now for some minutes on the pitch would be nice.

So, a very up and down week this week. A lot going on, but how can we expect anything else?

Regards.

Something Tottenham REALLY could've done without

Four victories in five game. I'm not complaining. I'm pretty certain we all would've boasted a grin the size of North London if we'd known of our stunning start, in the summer.

We also managed to achieve this without Jermain Jenas. The 'marmite' of Tottenham fans. It's clear Harry still rates the guy. Pause for depressed sighs. And that's the problem we will constantly face.

Huddlestone and Palacios have been formidable in the middle of midfield for us so far this season. I think it's fair to say that a game can be won and lost in midfield. Tommy's passing and Palacios' strength have propelled us into the top four. We were smiling.

Then we received an apparent 'boost' that JJ has returned from injury. Oh no. Harry likes him so Sunday could see Huddlestone return to his usual role warming our bench. Let's hope Harry sees more sense and realises Jenas isn't good enough to start and Tommy deserves every start he's given.

I guess only time will tell.

Regards.

West Ham reject to replace Huddlestone

The writer of the 'Daily Mirror' must be a Spurs fan as, yet again, reports on their back pages are suggesting that Harry is ready to accept a swap deal with Aston Villa for Tom Huddlestone. So, is it the lightning Ashley Young, a player full of more potential than a young David Beckham of 10 years ago. Or is it the big John Carew, Villa's top scorer last year and a player that would fit nicely in the frame at Spurs? No, It is former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Shocked? I thought so.

Nigel Reo-Coker, what happened to such a bright talent? He went from the iron in West Ham's midfield, to a Villa utility man filling in where there's space. Maybe a loan move to a Championship club and regular playing time in the middle of midfield would get his career back on the right tracks; otherwise he may as well visit the local job centre, good luck with that one Reo. I cannot see him enjoying more success at Spurs than he did at Villa, he'd end up in the reserves.

Although, a 'reliable' source told the 'Mirror' that the duo are “playing tennis, bouncing ideas off each other" and, should this indeed be factual, then I'm sure Redknapp will try and opt for a better deal than that of Reo-Coker. Tom Huddlestone is a far better player than what Redknapp seems to value him at and, typically, will turn out an England regular after we shift him up North.

Although, should this former West Ham star join us, I'm sure the reaction in East London would be welcomed with open arms..

Regards,
Ben

Why we shouldn't let England's brightest asset leave for peanuts

Tom Huddlestone. A name Spurs fans are all to familiar with, we even have a song for the young lad. He can a knock a ball from one end of the pitch to the other, player to player with his eyes closed, his left foot is better than Bentley's right and striking the ball to perfection is an understatement- and he's only 22. So, I ask, why is Redknapp willing to let him leave for a measly £8m (£16m for City)? He was a leading star under the early Redknapp era helping us pick up points faster than Lennon can run the 100 metre sprint. Then, without reason, was left to rot with the other 'stars' camping on the bench every game.

Left on the bench was bad enough, then Redknapp invests £12m in a more experienced version of Tommy in the form of Wilson Palacios, the first Houndouran to play for the lilly whites. Where does this leave Huddlestone? On the bench for the rest of the season. Why? Given the experience, Huddlestone can become a very talented player, his passing is already among the best in the league and a better fitness level and a higher technical level could see him become a future England leader, the rock in England's midfielder and the heart in Tottenhams'. He could be our Steven Gerrard our Paul Scholes or Gareth Barry (on the playing side and not the financial, of course).

So I ask, why is Huddlestone up for sale, surely even a loan would be more appropriate. I do agree with the FACT that Wilson Palacios is a very good player for the short term, but in the long term- Huddlestone's the man for us. We should show this guy some respect and make him feel wanted other wise he'll pop up and bite us right in the arse.
This guy has talent, but of course Spurs have to look to buy talent- as always our youth policy is a training camp for other teams, we are just the stepping stone that gets them there. I'm not happy with this policy and letting a potentially brilliant asset in Huddlestone leave would be a mistake- especially if it were to a rival club also looking to challenge for the Europa places. I hear Villa need a replacement for Barry?

When will the Spurs board open their eyes to the reality that Tom Huddlestone is a very good player. Let's not sell our good players perhaps? Then possibly in the future we'd have a squad that may actually achieve something- it just depends how long Redknapps there for, I guess.

Regards,
Ben