Modric outlines title problem
by our special correspondent
Much has been discussed as late with regards to Tottenham’s ability to win the Premier League title this season. After a week in which they defeated Arsenal and Liverpool, people are wondering whether Harry Redknapp’s men can continue their progress and conquer all.
The league does seem more open than ever, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all occasionally dropping points when you wouldn’t expect them to and this has aided the argument for a team like Tottenham breaking the mould and become Champions.
Spurs boss Redknapp hasn’t exactly played down this talk either. He has said that it is about time his side start challenging for the title as it is the next step in their progression to one of the top teams around.
Luka Modric is the latest to have his say. He believes that there is one area his team have to improve in should they even have an outside chance.
The midfielder said: "We can beat everybody in this league but then again we have one problem - we have to play much better against teams which are not at the top of the table.”
"That is our problem. We just can't lose points against teams from the second part of the table. And whoever wants to be champions has to play as good against the top clubs and all the rest too."
This is something Manchester United and Chelsea have become expert at over the years, after all. Playing poorly and winning is all part of the package required to be leading the way come the end of the season.
An example of this is the way Manchester United’s season has progressed. Many would argue that Spurs have played better football than Sir Alex Ferguson’s men so far and yet the Red Devils sit top of the table with six points more than Redknapp’s men.
This isn’t to say that Tottenham can’t catch United though. They just need to improve in the area that Modric mentions. So, the game with Birmingham this weekend is equally as important as the one with Chelsea the following weekend.
The fact that a Spurs title challenge is even being discussed shows how far they have come. They have been wearing their Champions League Shirts for the first time this year and haven’t looked out of place as they push towards becoming one of the top European clubs.
Results 27-28.11.10
A. Villa 2-4 Arsenal
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool
Everton 1-4 West Brom
Fulham 1-1 B'mingham
Man Utd 7-1 Blackburn
Stoke 1-1 Man City
West Ham 3-1 Wigan
Wolves 3-2 S'derland
Newcastle 1-1 Chelsea
Spurs 2-1 Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Man Utd 15 8 7 0 35 16 19 31
2 Chelsea 15 9 2 4 29 10 19 29
3 Arsenal 15 9 2 4 32 17 15 29
4 Man City 15 7 5 3 20 12 8 26
5 Spurs 15 7 4 4 23 20 3 25
6 Bolton 15 5 8 2 28 22 6 23
7 S'derland 15 4 8 3 19 18 1 20
8 Stoke 15 6 2 7 19 19 0 20
9 Newcastle 15 5 4 6 23 22 1 19
10 Liverpool 15 5 4 6 17 19 -2 19
11 Blackpool 15 5 3 6 23 29 -6 19
12 West Brom 15 5 4 6 20 26 -6 19
13 Blackburn 15 5 3 7 18 25 -7 18
14 B'mingham 15 3 8 4 16 18 -2 17
15 A. Villa 15 4 5 6 17 24 -7 17
16 Everton 15 3 7 5 17 19 -2 16
17 Fulham 15 2 9 4 15 18 -3 15
18 Wigan 15 3 5 7 11 26 -15 14
19 Wolves 15 3 3 9 17 27 -10 12
20 West Ham 15 2 6 7 14 26 -12 12
