Henry Winter Article in the Telegraph

yiddo

Ambition does exist outside the Premier League's elite Gang of Four, as a visit to Spurs' buoyant training centre yesterday confirmed. For all Kevin Keegan's downbeat assessment of anyone's chances of crashing the exclusive party enjoyed by Manchester United, Chelsea, Ar5ena1 and Liverpool, the upward mobility of Tottenham Hotspur is unmistakeable.

Talented people building diligently for the future could be found everywhere. In one office, the development coach, Clive Allen, discussed plans for the club's youngsters with the skills coach Ricardo Moniz, a former PSV Eindhoven player who teaches the Coerver method. Next door, the first-team coach, Juande Ramos, fine-tuned tactics with Gus Poyet and Marcos Alvarez for Sunday's game with Liverpool.
Ambition is everywhere. Tottenham's captain, Robbie Keane, sat in the sunshine before training, exuding fitness and hunger for success. Jermaine Jenas and Jonathan Woodgate strolled past, pleased with winning a League Cup but determined for more trophies next term when the team will have been strengthened further. Luka Modric has signed up, a new keeper is sought, possibly a new striker like Samuel Eto'o if Dimitar Berbatov moves on.

Good times return to White Hart Lane, the supporters' belief reflected in the long line of happy humanity that will snake around the ground this evening as fans queue to buy the new strip. Biding their time until the doors open at midnight, Spurs fans will talk of a side on the rise under Ramos, of why Modric chose them ahead of Keegan's Newcastle and whether they can make the top four.

"I can understand where Kevin Keegan comes from," observed Keane. "From his point of view, with the players he has, he needs to strengthen to push on. With Tottenham, we are a little bit different: we already have the players here. Next season, we have to be looking at winning the Uefa Cup, and definitely pushing the top four. It certainly is possible."

Keane is realistic enough to appreciate that Spurs will not be challenging for the title next season. "At this moment in time, I would have to say no. That's being totally honest. It depends who comes in next season. The gap between Chelsea and Manchester United is probably a little bit too far for ourselves. Even Ar5ena1 and Liverpool found that because of the strength in depth that Manchester United and Chelsea have and the world-class players they have.
"It is difficult to compete with them. In the one-off games we are quite capable of beating anybody. What let us down was consistency over a period of time - that's been the downfall. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea never seem to slip up."

The most vibrant symbol of the Gang of Four is United's Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned Keane's vote as Player of the Year. "If you asked anyone who would you pay money to watch, everyone would say Ronaldo," added Keane. "He's got everything. Young kids watching Ronaldo doing those tricks must inspire them to be like him. His (40) goals for a winger is incredible."
Keane mentioned one goal in particular, the back-heel from almost 10 yards against Aston Villa. "It is not difficult to do but it is difficult to get that power from that distance," Keane marvelled. "Ronaldo has been a revelation since coming to the Premiership."

The arrival of Modric demonstrates Spurs' desire to join Ronaldo and company at the top table. "I think so," agreed Keane. "It shows how far the club have come. Getting into the Uefa Cup attracts players like him. If we had been out of the Uefa Cup, it might have been different. It's vitally important that each season we grow, get better and better, try and break into that top four, and by doing so will attract players like Modric.

"What I saw of him against England (for Croatia), when he was fantastic, he will be a great signing. Modric creates so much as a midfielder it is only going to help me as a striker. Modric seems to fit the bill of a so-called 'Tottenham player', getting the ball down, passing and counter-attacking quickly.

"As a young lad, I knew Spurs were a massive club with a great tradition because of players like Hoddle, Gazza and Lineker, but when I came here, and saw how many fans there were, I realised what a big club it is. There always seem to be Tottenham fans everywhere.
"They are going to queue up to get the first jersey [tonight], and get the favourite players [name printed] on the back, and that's flattering for the players. The fans are very passionate here. Fans make football. No one wants to play in front of 20 people. You want to play in front of thousands and thousands. The atmosphere is brilliant at Tottenham on a night game, Uefa Cup or big [domestic] game. It was electric against Chelsea [the 4-4 draw]."

The Dubliner had a proposal to improve atmospheres even more. "I went to see Celtic last week against Rangers, and I have never heard an atmosphere like it. It's different because of the rivalry. The atmosphere was great with the flags and scarves. The English league is missing that a small bit. The only team who do that [with flags] is Liverpool. It would be a great idea to bring that back in, the massive flags and scarves."
Many people back in Keane's homeland are waving the flag for Spurs nowadays. "Support for Tottenham has grown in Ireland because I have been here for so long. People have always had their favourite teams, but if you asked them who their second favourite was they would say Tottenham." Ambitious people.


Interesting article but can't say that I've noticed too many people naming us as their second favourite team?

John W

I guess Keano has never tried to bring in a big flag to a EPL ground. One you can wave around (on a poll) like they do in Europe and Scotland. Flags with polls are a definite no, no at WHL - I know I have tried - they let me bring the flag in alright, but no poll - and you can hardly wave a huge flag without the poll, it just ends up wrapped around your face!!

I guess it just shows how out of touch the players are with the real supporters - However you would think before he made that comment he would have thought, "you know there must be a good reason why there are never any flag wavers at our home games" but no, he just blurts it out.......Typicle Keano, God love him!

Hatch99

John W wrote: »

I guess Keano has never tried to bring in a big flag to a EPL ground. One you can wave around (on a poll) like they do in Europe and Scotland. Flags with polls are a definite no, no at WHL - I know I have tried - they let me bring the flag in alright, but no poll - and you can hardly wave a huge flag without the poll, it just ends up wrapped around your face!!

I guess it just shows how out of touch the players are with the real supporters - However you would think before he made that comment he would have thought, "you know there must be a good reason why there are never any flag wavers at our home games" but no, he just blurts it out.......Typicle Keano, God love him!

Bit harsh John. To say Robbie is out of touch with the real fans is a bit rich. If anyone in our squad is in touch with the real world, its Robbie Keane. After what he's been tru in his life, he's well clued in to things. I know his brothers well and they make it over when they can so I can assure that Mr Keane knows what the fans think etc...

Keano, there's only one Keano....

galinka

I met Robbie at Heathrow last year after we were trounced by United. I have to say he was very sound, signed autographs talked to kids and had a pint!

Flags - on the way home from Carling final - the gate person at LHR made me remove the stick from the flags we got at Wembley before checking in!!

Can you imagine if you had a 5 foot 2x1 with you. Probably locked up.

I-Bleed-White

90% of the time when I tell someone I support Spurs they reply we are their second favourite team (unless they are Chels or Arse) i'd say Robbie is bang on the mark. I can't wait for next season all ready. **** it. We are gonna win the league. Oops. Pressure.

John W

Hatch99 wrote: »

Bit harsh John. To say Robbie is out of touch with the real fans is a bit rich. If anyone in our squad is in touch with the real world, its Robbie Keane. After what he's been tru in his life, he's well clued in to things. I know his brothers well and they make it over when they can so I can assure that Mr Keane knows what the fans think etc...

Keano, there's only one Keano....

Alright, bit harsh.........sorry Robbie:D

Just pi$$es me off that he thinks we are not as good, or create as good as atmosphere as the Celtic fans because they wave flags!

A, they have a lot bigger stadium, B, they are allowed flags (sharpened probably encouraged:eek:) and C, Celtic and rangers are the only 2 decent teams in the Scottish league, so no wonder they have so much support, and finally E, Have you ever been to Glasgow! - no wonder they are happy to be out at a match:D!!
Hope this is all taken in the good humour it was intend in.:rolleyes: