How far can Spurs go this season?

© HansWurst76, Flickr 

Tottenham Hotspur claimed their twelfth league win of season last night with a 2-0 victory at Norwich City.  They have now lost just one domestic match in the last four months, capping off a fantastic first-half to the season. More impressively, Tottenham are third in the Premier League, ahead of local rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, with a game in hand on teams around them.

At this stage of the season, the question must be asked: are Tottenham Hotspur legitimate title contenders?

Other than Manchester City and Manchester United, Tottenham have been the most consistent Premier League side since losing their opening two matches against their Mancunian counterparts, and have taken 38 points from 15 games. Had they won a point against both Manchester clubs, they would now be just three points behind first place, with a game in hand.

Tottenham's early Europa League exit was disappointing, but that competition will not have been Harry Redknapp's main priority this season. Although they do have a large enough squad to deal with the daunting Thursday/Sunday fixtures, the Europa League served as somewhat of an unnecessary distraction, and Redknapp fielded a noticeably weaker side both in that competition and in their Carling Cup loss to Stoke in September. Tottenham's only potential distraction in terms of fixtures is the FA Cup: although a home tie with Cheltenham suggests that its younger personnel will be given the chance to impress in this tournament.

Tottenham's blistering league form is a credit to its strong core of players.  Brad Friedel has been assuring in goal, and the defence has conceded the fourth fewest goals in the Premier League. Despite changes at centre-half, Younes Kaboul and William Gallas have been generally very impressive, while Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto offer width and support in attack. The central midfield pairing of Luka Modric and Scott Parker is arguably the best in the Premier League, while Sandro has also stepped up this season.

Gareth Bale has been absolutely stunning so far this season.  His pace, vision and distribution make him one of the best footballers in England, and one of the most difficult players to contain.  If Tottenham are to mount a serious title threat this season, it will be due in no small part to this man. The front two pairing of Rafael Van Der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor is paying dividends, netting fifteen league goals between them to date. A typical starting XI offers a good mix of youth, experience, and depth in every position, making Tottenham a very dangerous side to play against.

© Bjǿrn Giesenbauer, Flickr

Gareth Bale's incredible form should provide Tottenham with a swift return to Champions League football next year

But full credit must go to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who has transformed this club in just over three years. When he arrived at White Hart Lane in October 2008, they were bottom of the Premier League, having taken just two points from eight games under Juande Ramos. Spurs finished eighth overall that season, taking 49 points from 30 games. Since then, Tottenham have enjoyed fourth and fifth placed league finishes in consecutive seasons, and an inspiring Champions League run to the quarter-finals. If this is Redknapp's final season at White Hart Lane, as speculation indicates, he is certainly bowing out in some style. Should he stay at Tottenham, he has a good chance of winning a league title there in the future. But with the England manager job looming after Euro 2012, it is a big if, as Redknapp has been as equally coy over his position next year as he has been regarding Tottenham's title hopes.

Whether Tottenham can mount a serious title challenge, however, is a different matter.  They were well-beaten by both Manchester City and Manchester United in August, although they endured a difficult pre-season with speculation surrounding Luka Modric's departure from White Hart Lane, and were at the time without Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor, who have since helped to transform their league position. At their best, they are capable of causing any side problems, and the two Manchester clubs still have the Europa League to contest in. With a seven point deficit, Tottenham realistically need both Manchester City and Manchester United to slip up in order for them to make ground on the top two.  But if they do fall short, fans are unlikely to be disappointed with a top-three finish and Champions League football, which they are very capable of achieving.

Although the season is far from over, other sides must recognise Tottenham Hotspur as a genuine threat.  They are playing better football than Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool (having taken seven points from a possible nine against these sides), all of whom have their sights set on Europe next season but have been inconsistent to date.  Early Champions League exits by the two Manchester clubs could mean that fourth place in the Premier League is not enough for a place in the upper echelons of Europe in 2012, so sitting in third position is currently a good place to be. Tottenham certainly have the tools to make a return to the Champions League next season.