Villas-Boas’ Top
Flight Struggle
Friday, April 12, 2013
Sports Journalism
Parker Beaupré
From August all through February they looked a shoe in to
qualify for Europe but now as the race for a spot in the top four is coming to
a close, Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a difficult situation. After a
disappointing end to the 2011/12 season that saw them knocked out of the
Champions League, Spurs set their sites on attaining a top four finish. In
recent years under manager Harry Redknapp, qualifying for Europe’s most elite
competition was Tottenham’s only concern and their failure to do so is what
ultimately led to Redknapp’s departure from the club. After chairman Daniel Levy appointed Andre
Villas-Boas to succeed Mr. Redknapp, the club was very clear that it was to
focus on finishing in a qualifying spot in the English Premier League and that
above all else, qualifying for Europe is the club’s main concern.
Eight months into the season, Spurs find themselves currently
in fourth place, which, if the season were to end today, would see them qualify
for the Champions League. The road that lies ahead however is not as smooth as
the one that they have left behind them. With no Gareth Bale for an extended
period of time, Tottenham will be forced to look elsewhere for not only goals
but also someone to work the ball in from the flanks. The obvious choice would
be Gylfi Sigurdsson but his attacking prowess is rather tame when compared to
that of the Welshman Bale.
After last night’s devastating result against Swiss minnows
FC Basel, Spurs are in danger of wasting yet another season. Villas-Boas threw caution
to the wind and chased both the Premier League and the Europa League, a task
which is near impossible for a club with Tottenham’s depth. They have since
been eliminated from the Europa League and their position in the Premier League
looks to be a precarious one considering the number of injuries with which the
club is currently struggling.
Villas-Boas
finds himself on dangerous ground. Without Gareth Bale his team is nothing and
with Gareth Bale they will still have their work cut out for them. One can only
speculate as to whether they will qualify for Europe or not this year but it is
safe to say it will come down t the final day of the season until it is
finalized.
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