Tottenham Hotspur

After a fourth placed finish in 2009/10, added to the bizarre remarks of Harry Redknapp concerning a title challenge, last season kind of slipped away in the end and Spurs were off the pace in 5th. Their summer has been dominated by the will he won't he departure of Luka Modric, and while other have been strengthening Tottenham have been left behind.

Goalkeeper

Heurelho Gomes is one of the most hit and miss keeper the Premier League has seen. Stunning one minute but horrific the next, and it seems Harry Redknapp has had enough of this up and down form. Carlo Cudicini is still on the books, and now Brad Friedel has linked up with the squad the battle for the first team place will be fierce.

Defence

There's quite a bit of strength in the Tottenham defence, although the injury troubles of the main man at the back Ledley King is a constant concern. Michael Dawson is a solid centre half, while the full backs try and attack as much as possible.

Midfield

If Modric goes he will of course have to be replaced, but other than that there isn't an awful lot wrong in the middle. Gareth Bale is getting recognition world wide, Sandro continues to impress while Rafael Van Der Vaart was a fantastic signing. Steven Pienaar and Aaron Lennon need to impress after a sticky season last time out.

Forwards

There's plenty of goals from midfield, but do this side's strikers contribute enough. Talk is rife of comings and goings, but it does seem this is where Redknapp needs the most help. And there isn't a front man out there who hasn't been linked with White Hart Lane yet this summer.

Manager

After pulling Spurs from the relegation places to Champions League in two season was a master stroke. As a result now though expectations have gone through the roof, and it could be a problem living up to what fans believe they should be achieving.

Areas to Strengthen

A prolific striker need to arrive, this could be the difference between the top tier of Europe or being nowhere. If Modric departs the Croatian will need to be replaced, but some of the deadwood need to be driven out.

Expectations

It would be unrealistic to expect a title challenge, but now Champions League football has been tasted both players and fans have got the taste for it. This could however be out of reach with the money spent by the other sides around them.

Odds

50/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Brad Friedel free (Aston Villa) Scott Parker £5m (West Ham United) Souleymane Coulibaly undisclosed (Siena) Cristian Ceballos free (Barcelona) Emmanuel Adebayor loan (Manchester City) Yago Falque loan (Juventus)

Players out 
 
Jamie O'Hara £5m (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Peter Crouch £10 (Stoke City) Wilson Palacios £8m (Stoke City) Robbie Keane £1.8m (LA Galaxy) Johnathan Woodgate free (Stoke City) Paul-Jose M'Poke undisclosed (Standard Liege) David Bentley loan (West Ham United) Jermaine Jenas loan (Aston Villa) Steven Caulker loan (Swansea City) Bongani Khumalo loan (Reading) Nathan Byrne loan (Bouremouth) Ryan Mason loan (Doncaster Rovers) Jon Obika loan (Yeovil Town) Kyle Naughton loan (Norwich City) Olumide Durojaiye (released)

Gareth Bale - simply superb!

It is often a difficult task in sport, to find an Englishman who is jealous of anything to do with their neighbours.

However 21-year-old flying winger Gareth Bale is proving to be an exception, and after another storming display people up and down England are declaring "if only he was English."

His Premier League form has been excellent so far this season, but it is the last two European games that have put him on the radar of Europe's elite.

In Maicon Inter Milan have one of the best right back in the business, Bale though has made him look pedestrian for 180 minutes of football.

As if a tremendous second half hat-trick in the San Siro wasn't enough, he laid on two goals last night as well as a number of other chances.

Is their anything that he can't do?

He can help out in defence, run at defenders and skin them easily, take dead balls, cross, shoot pretty much all with the same effectiveness.

However with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan all rumoured to be interested, Spurs will have to do everything they can to keep hold of the Welsh winger.

Not too far in the past Spurs were willing to get rid of Bale due to poor performances, but they have stuck by him and look at the effects.

Lets just hope he realises this and does seek pastures new on the continent.