Fanzzone: Tottenham Hotspur

Step for a moment into the shoes of a Spurs fan 

As part of a regular feature on Premier League supporters - note: not the Prawn Sandwich Brigade - Footballzz spoke to lifelong Tottenham fan Rich Powaza, who believes Spurs have their best team in memory, but whose optimism is weighed down by the ghost of seasons past.

On the up...

Revitalised under the stewardship of Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham boast the best defensive record in the division and, with the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli in their line-up, some of the hottest young English talent around. 

In attendance at White Hart Lane for the 1-0 win over Watford, 39-year-old Rich believes the Spurs 'Class of 2016' is the best he can remember:

"The reason being we are a whole team. Bale was obviously world class, but player-for-player this team is better than the ones with him and (Luka) Modric. Our spirit and mentality is different now and we have a strong keeper and two strong centre-backs - I think Alderweireld is one of the best in the league - which also makes a huge difference."

Hugo Lloris Tottenham Total

152 Matches   13591 minutes

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Toby Alderweireld Tottenham Total

32 Matches   2880 minutes

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Jan Vertonghen Tottenham Total

156 Matches   13720 minutes

7

26

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Argentine Pochettino is carving a real reputation for high-quality, high-pressure football and Rich is in no doubt that the recent turnaround in Spurs' fortunes is down to the former Southampton boss. 

"Our fitness, for one, is so different under him and we are far more of a team. We used to have stars dotted around and just play through them, but now we have a gameplan. 

"Against Watford we were very impressive. We never gave up, kept on the front foot, remained patient and found a way through Watford's two banks of four. It was just a matter of time before we scored."

'Kane was very average'

England forward Harry Kane burst onto the scene with a vengeance last season, scoring 21 times to finish as the Premier League's third top scorer behind Diego Costa and Golden Boot winner Sergio Aguero. The transformation in Kane's game initially amazed our featured fan, but after his success last season, Rich felt there was no chance of him being affected by 'Second Season Syndrome':

"The early Kane who was going on loan everywhere was very average. When he came on as a sub for us back then, we used to groan - we never saw him developing as he has, not in a million years. 

"I have no idea what he did pre-season last season, but now he's a completely different player. I expected him to do well again this season as he's not a one-trick pony, he's got a lot to his game - heading, hold-up play, awareness - and I didn't think all of that would suddenly disappear."

Eric Dier Tottenham Total

70 Matches   5854 minutes

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Harry Kane Tottenham Total

111 Matches   7515 minutes

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Dele Alli Tottenham Total

32 Matches   2091 minutes

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Although Kane has shone, another young Englishman has perhaps been Spurs' outstanding performer this season, and Dele Alli's emergence has been a very welcome surprise to the 10,000 or so fans that occupy the Paxton Road stand: 

"Dele Alli's in the Steven Gerrard mould, an eye for a goal, an eye for a pass. He looks a really good footballer. I hadn't heard much about him before he joined, but he's come from League One to the Premier League and looks like one of our best players, which is no mean feat. I like the bit of niggle he has in his game, we've missed someone who can mix it in midfield and he and Eric Dier - who has come on leaps and bounds - can do that."

To dare is to...dread

However, while the Latin tattoo on his wrist may read 'To dare is to do', ardent Rich is wracked with the jitters now that the North Londoners have the look of genuine title contenders. 

"I am worried about us having too much on our plate and think we will suffer somewhere along the line. I would rather we just play in the League and the FA Cup and use the reserves in the Europa League. 

"I'm mainly apprehensive because of the past, because of the way we always 'do a Spurs' and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It's like I can't believe we might actually win the league.

"There is a Spurs blog I read (dml - www.dearmrlevy.com) that reflects how most Spurs fans feel right now. It recently said that we are all a bit unsure about how to behave or react at the moment and that if we keep on winning, we might all suffer an imminent heart attack. That pretty much sums it up."