SENDING RAFA A FRUIT BASKET OF THANKS…

For all Spurs supporters, it’s been an even more hectic and ridiculous transfer window thus far. We have traditionally been good for the biggest signings AND laughs of the summer, plus you’ve always been able to count on Spurs for the most absurd rumor of the season (Rivaldo and Ronaldinho anyone?)…but even by our own ridiculous (and often comedic) standards, thus far we have topped ourselves. The difference is that it appears the club’s current manager, Juande Ramos, is capable of wrangling genuine world class talent. Not only that, he has actually managed to do what his pedecessor threatened to do but never could make happen, that is to say, he has been clearing out the deadwood and the not-quite-good enough, as well as the ones he simply didn’t fancy (Teemu Tainio was an exception, it was only his fitness record which counted against him staying).

Much has been written and said about the Robbie Keane transfer, but at the end of the day, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy played it perfectly. Keane is not the sort of player you can force to stay once his mind is set on leaving. The sheer level and strength of his involvement in all elements of the club would’ve rendered him a very, very dangerous element had his mood turned sour. He had to go once he’d stated his heart was set on the move, and thus for Levy to make sure the 20 million quid was paid and not just a figure bandied about like some Moroccan bazaar is really quite fine business. Especially if the replacement mooted becomes a reality (the author will not state his name for fear of jinxing the deal).

Dimitar Berbatov is a slightly different story in so much as his mood has always been dark and he’s always been a bit of a loner, thus no-one at the club will know the difference if he’s told he has to stay and proceeds to sulk. PERSONALLY I would do exactly this until he snapped into gear, however it is very possible that Ramos does not want one negative influence at the club, however quiet and consistent it might have been.

The signing of David Bentley brings a true Tottenham supporter to the club, where his undoubted quality will help springboard the club, but it is the form of Gio Dos Santos and Luka Modric which has fans buzzing right now. Obviously friendlies against Norwich and Orient won’t tell you everything, but what they did show  (especially in the case of Dos Santos) was what fantastic touch and vision they have. Dos Santos is going to be an incredible player (in fact, if Mexico get the best our of him and his emerging Arsenal-playing nation side teammate Carlos Vela then they will be some force) with strength, skill, amazing shooting with either foot and exquisite touch. And Modric will be a wonderful mover of the ball in this new Spurs side, which will be dedicated to keeping possession, moving the ball quickly and playing with a pacey swagger. It starts with another new face in goalkeeper Huerelio Gomes, who throws or rolls the ball out and rarely if ever booms the ball as far up the pitch as possible. Gomes has also already displayed a sense of authority and skill which looks set to make him a fan favorite, though it has to be said he does appear to have potential to be the Brazilian Fabien Barthez, which means everything it implies (yes, expect the odd clanger but they will be amazing to witness).

One of the more surprising beneficiaries of all this, is Darren Bent, for whom such a style of play is tailor-made. With the ball reaching him quickly plus often being laid in front of him as opposed to demanding his back-to-goal touch, Bent has found goals easy thus far, and would it be such an insane bet to say that the man could well hit 20-plus goals this season if he does get more regular starts?

Which all brings me to Rafa. Rafa Rafa Rafa. He chased his man around like a sneaky cheating husband, salivating at the thought of the hook-up, using anyone to help facilitate the situation. It worked. In the end, he managed to get his target to abruptly force the end of their previous footballing marriage and shack up with him and his other conquests (this analogy seems to be taking on the air of bigamy…ah well…)

But as we all know, people nearly always recover from broken relationships, hey, some even manage to upgrade their situation in terms of looks, style and company.

And with the dust settling, most Spurs supporters would admit that a collective fruit basket and thank you card to Rafa for pushing it all through is the very least that should be done in light of the electric vents and exciting future bubbling at White Hart Lane. Because when it comes to better looks, better style and better company, there’s a whole lot of shaking goin’ on in N17…