SPURS: A Timetable for Success

Ahhh, the traditional early season doom and gloom is in full swing, you've got to love it haven't you? Us Spurs fans are nothing if not predictable. A few top class signings and a storming pre-season followed by zero points from 2 games and a nasty turn in the Berba-saga has sent some quarters into a mind-boggling frenzy of emotion. It appears as though following Spurs is the sporting equivalent of a desperate crack habit to some people.

Back in the real world we realize that losing the first 2 games of the season (even the first 3 should Chelsea twist the knife) does not wreck the season of a team whose target is top 4 flirtation and a couple of decent cup runs. To put it in perspective we are currently 3 points behind Arsenal and 4 points behind Man U - I doubt very much that we'll be crying into our eggnog if that's still the case come Christmas.

Anyone who actually saw the entire Sunderland game, and not just the highlights on MOTD, would have seen that Spurs dominated the second half but just failed to produce any clear cut chances. No, I'm not saying it was good enough, but there are encouraging signs and glimpses of a little of that pre-season magic. Ramos needs to find some balance - and fast, but I'm sure he will, he just needs time (not too much mind you). You don't go from Europe's most sought after coach to class dunce in 6 months. Chelsea will be a tough ask, but then after their opening day shenanigans they were hardly convincing against Wigan were they?

The Berbatov saga is getting on everyone's tits, but on the bright side will be resolved one way or the other within the next 5 days. This site is a firm supporter of the player, but even I'm of the belief he should now go. Say we keep him - what then? He's got a mountain to climb to win over the fans and we'd only have to go through all this shite again come January. The money monkeys have handled this with as much aplomb as they showed during Jolgate - but who are we kidding, Berba was always for sale. Otherwise the whole thing could have been nipped in the bud a year ago when Mr. Unpopular signed his new contract.

However, and this is where it turns, Pavlyuchenko is coming and this one isn't just internet chit-chat, the player himself says he's just waiting on his visa. The oracle known as the Daily Mail insist Spurs are also "working very hard" to bring Huntelaar to the party before Monday. Surely not - never in a million years says you - but then I'd have said the same about Pav this time 2 days ago. The Corluka deal is not dead and Russian superstar Arshavin still pines for North London with his own manager at one point "certain" the hairless one will be a Spurs player before much longer - speculation that will no doubt intensify now his compatriot is semi-confirmed and Zenit have signed Danny.

Let me remind you friends that, unlike tales of Heskey, Borriello and various South Americans. none of these deals are the usual harebrained stories invented by unscrupulous hacks during a boozy lunch. These are solid stories, backed by quotes from players and clubs alike (OK, the Huntelaar story reeks of Heineken, but the others are good). So let me paint you a rosier picture with this timeline for the next few days:

1. Pavlyuchenko announced Thursday
2. Corluka announced Friday
3. Berbatov sold to Man U Saturday
4. A performance of grit and determination sees us run out 2-1 victors against Chelsea on Sunday
5. Huntelaar and Arshavin announced on Monday

If the next 5 days pan out like this I rather suspect that even the most pessimistic Spurs fan may crack a little smile (once they've stopped moaning about the lack of a defensive midfielder that is).

Whether you agree with the details or not is irrelevant, if Pav and/or A.N. Others of suitable quality arrive, Berba goes and we get 3 points this weekend, next week is going to feel like the start of our season proper and maybe, just maybe, the doom and gloom can be put back in it's box - for a while at least.