Expert Blogs

Let me first be honest with you. I have been a passionate supporter of Tottenham Hotspur since the early 70s. Despite decades of isolated highs and rather too many lows, nothing will ever change my long-standing love affair with Spurs.

If you follow the English Premier League, you will understand why I have been walking around with a grin like the Cheshire Cat in recent days. For the first time in modern history, Spurs have qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

It is a remarkable achievement in a short space of time. In less than 18 months, Tottenham has hauled itself off the very bottom of the EPL to break the dominance of England's so-called "Big Four" of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Naturally I'm delighted at the rapid improvement. It is just reward for the hard work and talent of the team, but more importantly it's good for the game. Spurs' breakthrough proves the top four is not an impregnable fortress reserved for those with the deepest pockets.  

Tottenham is by no means a Premier League pauper but cannot compete, financially, with the likes of Chelsea or either of the Manchester giants. But what Spurs lacks in the bank, it has made up for in astute acquisitions fuelled by a "Buy-British" policy.

Rightly or wrongly, we live in an era when English champions have little use for English players. Foreign talent has swamped the Premier League to such an extent the England national team has suffered the consequences.

The most extreme example of this is the goalkeeping position. The relative lack of opportunity for young English 'keepers means England manager Fabio Capello is desperately short of options going into the World Cup.

Spurs are as guilty as most in this respect. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has stood by the unpredictable Brazilian Heurelho Gomes, who has won over his critics (even this one) despite an uncertain start to life in England.

Redknapp coaches as he played. During his pomp, primarily as a winger with West Ham United, overseas players were almost unheard of and viewed as some kind of exotic luxury by players and fans alike. Redknapp is 'old school' and England should thank him for that.

Several members of his current team will surely be on the England flight to South Africa. The strike partnership of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe can both expect Capello's call, as can flying winger Aaron Lennon who is refreshed and recovered from injury.

Several more have forced their way into the selection conversation. Central defender Michael Dawson has lived in the shadow of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand his entire career. Dawson's ability and authority at the back is a major reason why Spurs blossomed this season. If Capello needs alternates, Dawson won't let him down.

Ledley King's chronic injury problems have had a devastating effect on his international influence. The 29-year-old centre back would surely have gone to Germany four years ago had he not fractured a bone in his foot late in the EPL season.

Capello rates King highly and fervently hopes he has an international career ahead. Clearly fitness is an ongoing issue for the player but King's reading of the game is first class. Sadly his talent will be overshadowed by the health risks in South Africa.

There remains a vacancy on England's right flank. David Beckham's injury ended the debate about his inclusion, which improves Lennon's landscape. As for his understudy, what about his Tottenham teammate David Bentley?

His temperament and commitment has been questioned for some time. Bentley didn't help his own cause by withdrawing from an England U-21 squad some years ago but his talent is not in question.

Lennon, Walcott, and Wright-Phillips all have exceptional pace but none of them, in my opinion, can deliver a cross or free kick like Bentley. His technique reminds me so much of Beckham, who was never quick, but whose final ball was often deadly.

Bentley, like King and Dawson, is probably too far off the pace to make Capello's 23-man roster but the Italian tactician could do a lot worse than take Tottenham's six of the best to the World Cup.