New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino seems to have made a good impression with the squad,

Published: 14 August, 2014
by DAN CARRIER

A big season – Erik Lamela

THE talisman of what went so disastrously wrong last year is fit and raring to go. Now let’s see if he can tear up Premiership defences – as we were promised he could – and prove that technical director Franco Baldini didn’t get done by a Del Boy deal from Roma.

Shape up or ship out – Robert Soldado 

The list could be three-quarters of the first team squad, but for brevity I’m opting for Soldado. The striker must take his chances when he gets them and make the first team spot his own. But as I said, Soldado isn’t alone on the list. Andros Townsend must put injuries behind him and deliver the pace we so desperately need, Sandro needs to rediscover the barnstorming athleticism that seems to have gone missing in action, and Emmanuel Adebayor has to stop only playing when it suits him. 

Dugout dilemmas – Mauricio Pochettino 

We could have had Louis van Gaal or Frank De Boer if chairman Daniel Levy hadn’t mucked about so much. In the end he has gone for Pochettino, and now Levy has to stick with him and not get the wobbles by Christmas. Poch seems to have made a good impression with the squad, and the fans will like the fact he says he'll make no promises about where the season takes us but will instal an exciting, attacking, philosophy. You have to admire Pochettino’s desire to give a bloated squad the once-over and then get rid of a swathe of under achievers instead of asking Levy to splash the cash this summer on bench warmers earning huge wages. 

Goal for the season

Winning the Europa League and getting into next year’s Champions League would do – especially as our rivals for the top four look to have all made key signings over the summer. Personally I’d like to see Spurs turn over Arsenal, while we’ve also got some outstanding issues against Liverpool and West Ham to take care of from last season, too.

Far from the madding crowd 

It would be nice if Tottenham could confirm where the side will be playing while the new Lane emerges on the High Road – and put to bed the fearsome rumours that we may be schlepping up to Milton Keynes for home games. 

Give me Wembley any day!