Who Isn't Pulling for Spurs?

On Sunday, Tottenham will visit Eastlands for a tie that could shake up the title chase. City currently sit atop the table, three points clear of United and two more clear of Spurs. It was a shame to see Redknapp’s squad held by Wolves last week, because as Harry has said, “Spurs are doing it the right way.” Manchester City has built their squad solely on the bankroll of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and would be nowhere without buying players at absurd fees. On the other hand, Redknapp chairman Daniel Levy have managed Tottenham into the top three with smart roster moves and great financial management. Spurs biggest stars cost nothing compared to what has become City’s regular spending. Coincidentally, Spurs leading goal scorer, Adebayor, is on loan from Man City, another clever move that has sparked their title hopes. While Mancini juggles Aguero, Dzeko, and Balotelli (Tevez is still on officially on the roster) in on his over-talented front line, Redknapp has stuck with loanee Adebayor and Jermain Defoe and has still managed to boast 46 points and an impressive home record of 8-2-1. While Mancini’s squad has yet to face defeat at Eastlands this year, he also spent £82 million this season, while Spurs have actually gained £19 million from their transfer activity thus far this season.

One move that sticks out in recent Spurs transfer history is the signing of Rafael Van der Vaart. Quite the bargain at £8 million a year ago, managed 13 goals in his first year in the Premiership. Van der Vaart has 8 so far this season and certainly has more to come. He has been vital to the Spurs success this season, though he rarely plays 90 minutes, Van der Vaart is most times Defoe and rarely Pavlyuchenko will fill his place behind Adebayor before full time. But Rafa isn’t the most sought after talent on Spurs squad. Gareth Bale and Luka Modric have been in blistering form and there aren’t many big spending clubs without them on their radar. Redknapp values the pair like none other, saying Bale is worth £50 million and Modric is simply not for sale. There have been numerous reports and interest from rivals Chelsea and Manchester United for Modric, often refered to as a “genie” in midfield. Bale, the only Premier League player in last years UEFA team of the year, is said to be Barcelona’s number one target. Let’s hope the Spurs stay strong and hold on to their key components to fight off the more rich clubs, because it seems an abundance of riches can really take away form the sport. Spanish Premeira division has become a battle of two cash rich clubs, while Bayern tends to dominate Bundesliga while Serie A can tend to be more evenly matched lately. More rich owners in the Premier League can be a problem for the sport. Everyone should be pulling for Spurs if they enjoy the number one league in the world. (And the most likely one to card a player to trying to draw a card.)

Come around Sunday, we’ll see how Tottenham will match. Eastlands has been a fortress for Man City and Spurs were dominated 5-1 at home early this season by the Citizens. Since then Spurs have picked up momentum. An 11 game unbeaten streak was broken by Stoke mid December, and Tottenham haven’t posted a loss since. Emmanuel Adebayor will be unable to suit up with the premier league’s loan rules in effect, but Man City won’t will be missing some key players also. Kolo and Yaya Toure are currently on international duty for Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations, a trip Mancini wanted to postpone for a day for City’s FA Cup defeat to United. During that clash, Captain Vincent Kompany saw red controversially, so Man City's back line will be worn thin Sunday. – J. Hartnett

Crisis at Old Trafford

“The World’s Biggest Club” looks like they may be in the midst of a crisis. After a home loss to regulation-fearing Blackburn and a thrashing by Newcastle, surely Sir Alex will make some changes. So far, Ferguson says he won’t buy this window and that the club is fine despite some serious injuries. The lose of Nemanja Vidic, the club’s captain and last year EPL Player of the Season, is obviously the biggest blow, but the list goes on. The back line of United has had Carrick featuring regularly with aging Ferdinand always in a fitness battle and Phil Jones needed in the midfield. The Red Devil’s midfield has been an area of heavy speculation this season, the most common criticism being a lack of creativity. Even with Cleverly, Fletcher, and Anderson all available for selection, the center of pitch seems to missing something. Interest is players such as Luka Modric and Wesley Sneijder makes sense. Anyone who watched the most recent Champions league final can easily tell: a Carrick-Fletcher won’t compete with Europe’s elite.

It hasn’t been all bad for Sir Alex’s squad this year. They have more points on the table than last season’s league championship run, but competition has stepped up. Mancini’s disgustingly rich club has finally caught up and Redknapp’s Spurs won’t let up. This weekend’s FA cup clash with a Toure-less City side is huge for United. If United come out on top, Sir Alex will be able to sleep at night. Another City triumph over the Red Devil’s should truly plunge Old Trafford into crisis mode. - J.Hartnett

The Pass and Move GOAL OF THE WEEK!

Man crush activated. The pride of North Brunswick, NJ, Tim Howard scores against Bolton Wanderers during a mid-week Premier League clash. Sucks when your goalie scores and you still can't beat Bolton........................but for you Timmy, The Pass and Move will give you a good ol' U-S-A! U-S-A!

Can Spurs Finish Top?

After a beautifully controlled match-winning strike from striker Jermain Defoe, Tottenham Hotspur sit in third place in the Barclay's Premier League. They are only 6 points out of first place with a game in hand. What was most interesting to me after the game was not Defoe's 1998 hairdo, nor the total control Spurs had from whistle to whistle, but rather the comments from the freshly defeated West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson...

"They are serious contenders. They have proven that already.There is no question about that. They win their matches. They keep putting pressure on Manchester City and Manchester United to win their matches and they are getting some distance between themselves and the chasing pack so they have to be very happy with their first 19 games"

High praise to say the least. But wow, an EPL manager coming out and flat out saying that Tottenham is the real deal? Not just for the top 4, but for tops in the league? It has been decades since anyone, let alone an EPL manager, could say that the other guys from North London could legitimately hoist the premier league trophy on match day 38. No one is denying that Spurs are having a tremendous year, but I believe it is about time that some of these whispers of a Tottenham title run turn into legitimate warning shots, i.e. Hodgson's comments. The two Manchester clubs better take notice. The North Londoners have the perfect DNA to uproot the preseason favorites and capture their first league title since 1960-61. Spurs have one of the most highly respected managers in the game in tandem with a starting XI that'd give just about any team in the world a run for their money. When Rafa van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, and Luka Modric are all in sync, its a beautiful sight to watch. The power and pace at which Spurs play have been a defining feature of this team since the Harry Redknapp era had begun at White Hart Lane. And it is mainly because of the culture change and command that Harry Redknapp has had on this squad.

Coming into this season, many unsettling questions faced manager Harry Redknapp's side. The biggest of which was the challenge of keeping the likes of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in north London with no Champions League football to offer. As the transfer rumors heated up, Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy made it very clear to the predator clubs that at no price would they be sellers during the transfer window. They firmly believed they had the makings of a special team despite a disappointing 2010-11 campaign. This stance taken by the Tottenham front office represented an attitude change of sorts, and in my opinion is why Spurs have a legitimate shot at winning the title this year. You can never become a massive club if you don't view yourself as one. No more letting the United's of the world poach your Berbatovs and Carricks. Harry has brought the right focus and confidence to the white half of North London that is needed make a serious charge at the EPL crown. They have the manager, they have the talent, but do they have the depth? Only time will tell. 19 down 19 to go. ~E.Heffron

City Too Much for Liverpool

Simply put, the Reds never had a chance leaving Eastlands with points. City are yet to lose a game at home and Liverpool, though enthusiastic, could not create many legitimate scoring chances. With Suarez banned, Carroll was the lone man up front for the Reds to direct their crosses to, but Kolo Toure and captain Vincent Kompany proved to be impenetrable in the center. It seemed that every Liverpool cross, no matter the bend or pace had no chance of reaching a teammate as City won almost every header.

Manchester Citys first break through came by way of former Atletico man Aguero in the 10^th minute. A downward curling shot from beyond the eighteen found its way beneath Pepe Reina, a save he was expected to make. In the 33^rd, City struck again through a rocket header from Yaya Toure off a corner. Liverpoool continued fighting onward, maintaining the bulk of possession, until a Gareth Barry red card in the 73^rd showed a glimmer of hope for the Reds to salvage points. That hope was squashed two minutes later when a bolting Yaya Toure was taken down within the edge of the box for a penalty. James Milner stepped to the spot and fired a rocket in the top corner leaving Pepe Reina no chance at a save.

Overall, it was a dominating display by City. They may have had only 36% of possession, but had many more scoring chances. Man of the Match goes to Yaya Toure. With a goal and a penalty drawn, his performance sticks out slightly more than teammate Vincent Kompanys dominance in the back. Liverpool didnt approach this match the right way. Gerrard and Bellamy started on the bench and were substituted with 30 minutes left. Both players were on the forefront of the victory over Newcastle at Anfield only four days earlier, so its confusing Dalglish wouldnt even start his captain. After watching a match like this, it seems the Reds wont be playing Champions League football next year. Mancinis men seem a lock to compete again after a disappointing group stage this year. We will see how they play out Europa League, as they are most definitely favorites to win it.  ~ J. Hartnett