It would be nice if Tottenham could go out and play flowing, exciting football from the start against all and sundry, but the other team are there to make it hard for us, in whichever way they can. Therefore, it is necessary to battle away to establish the right to play our football. This attitude is being instilled by George Graham and although we are currently in a tranche of draws, which everybody said would be the case when he came to the club, they are at least showing that Tottenham are not an easy touch anymore. That any team who wants to win against Spurs will have to work very hard to do so.

With Tim Sherwood signing yesterday from Blackburn Rovers, it appears that there are now numerous options as to how the team can turn out in midfield. The idea of his coming to Tottenham is to add a ball winning, ball playing man to the equation. With Darren and David, we have two players who, on their day, can make things happen. Nielsen is a good box-to-box player, who will always chip in with a few goals here and there. Newcomer Freund has yet to settle in fully, but appears to be a dogged closer-down, who gives 100% for ninety minutes. There are also Fox, Sinton and Clemence available and although his trip to play for Algeria may have set Graham against him, Moussa Saib can be a useful weapon to open up defences with his accurate passing.

The talks over the fee for Alain Goma continue and there is obviously the realisation that the centre of defence needs strengthening. With rumours that Calderwood may be allowed to leave if the price is right, that leaves Vega as cover for that position. Young has done tremendously well since his introduction to the first team and Scales' operation rules him out of the picture until the next campaign. Justin is having a renaissance at left-back, while Carr has been one of the most consistent performers on the other flank. A new face to challenge them would be beneficial, but at the moment is not top of the list. Taricco has yet to feature in a full game and I would like to see him in action, as his substitute appearances have given tanatalising glimpses of what he can do.

Up front, Les seems to be coming into the best form of his Spurs career. Let's hope he can stay fit. Armstrong was unlucky to be suspended just after scoring a hat-trick v Everton, but Iversen is also playing well and while not a regular scorer, plays his part very effectively. It is nice to have three in-form strikers vying for a place.

So George reckons it will take another year before he has the Tottenham squad the way he wants it. Well, we had better hold tight for a lot of new faces coming and old ones leaving if that is the case. He appears to be quite a ruthless manager and therefore, he could cut away some of the deadwood without too much worry. A big squad is only useful if you intend to put the players in it to their best effect. The pursuit of trophies and a successful Tottenham team is the overall aim. How GG intends to get there will be a very interesting operation.

MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
AND THE SPURS GO MARCHING ON !!!

BRUCE CASTLE