Mandem from the Ends.

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Spurs find themselves in an unfamiliar position of strength ahead of January transfer window
The last time Spurs lost a game, it wasn't even Halloween yet. The last time Spurs lost a league game, young lads were still getting acclimated to their new school schedule. Tottenham's winning streak reached thirteen games with their mid-week win over Chelsea, extending their lead at the top of the table to eleven points as they head into January and the winter transfer window.

Spurs' recent form makes this transfer window a bit of a nervy one for Spurs supporters who find themselves at the top of the table over halfway through their campaign. Tottenham Hotspur were last at the top of the Premier League table in October 2023, when they sat five points clear following a win over Crystal Palace. Prior to that, they were top early in the 2020-21 season. Their last league title, and thus finishing a season at the top, was the 1960–61 season.

With their success, do they stay pat and trust the squad that have gotten them this lead or do they go in for reinforcements at certain areas of weaknesses?

Supporters and pundits alike shouldn't expect much activity over the next four weeks if Spurs' history are any indication. It's a small sample size but last winter, Spurs made a big splash with the signing of Rodrygo but was otherwise quiet. They made overtures towards the likes of Kobbie Mainoo which led to nothing, brought in Jobe Bellingham on a loan that was a rather uneventful six months and signed Alidu Seidu.

There are some areas that could use some strengthening. Behind Destiny Udogie, there is a lack of a true rotational left-back. Valentin Barco has primarily been used as a midfielder and Djed Spence has been used there in a pinch as sort of a swing fullback, capable of playing on both sides. As the fixtures become congested, a more reliable option at left-back would be beneficial.

A name that has been linked to Spurs in the past is West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf who Spurs considered signing last summer but never made a formal offer. Andre Garcia, Lucas Jetten, Caleb Wiley and Michal Gurgul are other names that have been bandied about but would be a more developmental type than a sure-fire deputy.

There's also the question of the striker position. In the early stages of the season, it looked like Spurs made a terrible decision in not being more aggressive in replacing Randal Kolo Muani and even upgrading at the position, bringing back Mathys Tel and signing Elijah Adebayor, a League One striker. Tel has 18 goals on the season while Adebayo has sixteen G/A in sixteen games, already exceeding expectations.

So why striker? Victor Osimhen. Since Kwamele Owusu's appointment, Osimhen has been the white whale for the Ghanahian manager, pursuing the Nigerian international in the last three transfer windows and getting rejected every time. Do they make another go at the star striker with the promise that he could help bring them that elusive Premier League title (after the heavy lifting has already been done) or have Tel and Adebayo done enough to not warrant potentially upsetting a locker room that is currently hitting on all cylinders?

If Owusu's recent comments are any indication, the reinforcements for the final push of the season are likely to come internally. Owusu intimated that Spurs have been keeping an eye on some of their youngsters out on loans and are evaluating potential returns for them.

Centre-back Luka Vuskovic is a potential candidate, appearing in seven games for Manchester United. If Lucas Beraldo were to return to PSG, the path would be cleared for Vuskovic's early return as a rotational centre-back with Beraldo having played in thirteen games this season with varying output in terms of performance.

Wilson Odobert's injury has left Spurs noticeably thin on the wing and while his return is expected soon, Spurs could look to augment their depth in that area in an effort to afford Mohammed Kudus and Rodrygo more rest prior to the business end of the season. Mikey Moore at Monaco is a name to watch as is youth academy graduate Moussa Dubango, currently out on loan at Sheffield United. Internally, they view Dubango as a "future superstar" and he's continued to show flashes in his time with The Blades.

Goalkeepers
No. 1 • Guglielmo Vicario • Age 29 • 85 OVR • 23 App, 9 CS, 6.32 Avg
No. 12 • Jack Clark • Age 17 • 66 OVR • 7 App, 5 CS, 6.27 Avg

Centre-Backs
No. 37 • Micky van de Ven • Age 25 • 84 OVR • 24 App, 4 G, 8 CS, 6.81 Avg
No. 6 • Pierre Kalulu • Age 26 • 81 OVR • 19 App, 7 CS, 6.80 Avg
No. 4 • Kevin Danso • Age 27 • 80 OVR • 16 App, 4 CS, 6.74 Avg
No. 5 • Lucas Beraldo • Age 22 • 80 OVR • 13 App, 5 CS, 6.43 Avg
No. 5 • Alidu Seidu • Age 26 • 75 OVR • 6 App, 4 CS, 6.92 Avg
No. 2 • Ellis Robson • Age 18 • 67 OVR • 2 App, CS, 6.5 Avg

Fullbacks
No. 23 • Pedro Porro • Age 26 • 83 OVR • 21 App, 2 G, 6 A, 8 CS, 7.11 Avg
No. 24 • Djed Spence • Age 26 • 79 OVR • 17 App, 6 CS, 6.55 Avg
No. 13 • Destiny Udogie • Age 23 • 82 OVR • 23 App, 3 A, 11 CS, 6.91 Avg
No. 3 • Valentin Barco • Age 22 • 77 OVR • 17 App, G, 3 A, 4 CS, 6.72 Avg
No. 21 • George Bradshaw • Age 17 • 62 OVR • 1 App, 7.00 Avg

Central Midfielders
No. 15 • Lucas Bergvall • Age 20 • 80 OVR • 25 App, 2 G, 6 A, 9 CS, 6.98 Avg
No. 14 • Archie Gray • Age 20 • 77 OVR • 23 App, 7 CS, 7.03 Avg
No. 29 • Pape Matar Sarr • Age 23 • 79 OVR • 25 App, 3 A, 4 CS, 6.72 Avg
No. 8 • Leandro Barreiro • Age 26 • 78 OVR • 29 App, 3 G, 4 A, 6 CS, 6.95 Avg

Attacking Midfielders
No. 7 • Xavi Simons • Age 23 • 87 OVR • 24 App, 2 G, 13 A, 7 CS, 7.14 Avg
No. 10 • James Maddison • Age 29 • 81 OVR • 22 App, 7 A, 8 CS, 6.68 Avg
No. 25 • Andy Lawrence • Age 18 • 64 OVR • 1 App, 6.20 Avg

Wingers
No. 9 • Rodrygo • Age 25 • 89 OVR • 25 App, 13 G, 6 A, 8 CS, 6.98 Avg
No. 20 • Mohammed Kudus • Age 26 • 83 OVR • 22 App, 14 G, A, 6 CS, 6.95 Avg
No. 28 • Wilson Odobert • Age 21 • 77 OVR • 21 App, 6 G, 6 A, 6 CS, 6.70 Avg
No. 17 • Joseph Paintstil • Age 28 • 76 OVR • 27 App, 9 G, 8 A, 7 CS, 6.82 Avg
No. 22 • Frankie Stevenson • Age 17 • 64 OVR • 2 App, 5.80 Avg

Strikers
No. 11 • Mathys Tel • Age 21 • 81 OVR • 24 App, 18 G, 4 A, 8 CS, 7.06 Avg
No. 18 • Elijah Adebayo • Age 28 • 73 OVR • 16 App, 11 G, 5 A, 5 CS, 6.81 Avg

Premier League Table
Champion
1st • 19 GP • 51 Pts
UEFA Champions League
2nd • 19 GP • 39 Pts
3rd • 19 GP • 39 Pts
4th • 18 GP • 38 Pts
UEFA Europa League
5th • 19 GP • 37 Pts
UEFA Conference League
6th • 19 GP • 36 Pts
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7th • 19 GP • 35 Pts
8th • 19 GP • 31 Pts
9th • 19 GP • 26 Pts
10th • 19 GP • 25 Pts
11th • 19 GP • 24 Pts
12th • 18 GP • 23 Pts
13th • 19 GP • 22 Pts
14th • 19 GP • 17 Pts
15th • 19 GP • 16 Pts
16th • 18 GP • 16 Pts
17th • 19 GP • 13 Pts
Relegation
18th • 19 GP • 13 Pts
19th • 18 GP • 13 Pts
20th • 19 GP • 8 Pts

Premier League Top Scorers
Alexander Isak • 15 Goals • 18 Appearances
Mathys Tel • 14 Goals • 15 Appearances
Mohammed Kudus • 13 Goals • 15 Appearances
Gabriel Martinelli • 13 Goals • 19 Appearances
Anthony Elanga • 12 Goals • 18 Appearances

Premier League Top Assists
Xavi Simons • 11 Assists • 16 Appearances
Florian Wirtz • 10 Assists • 18 Appearances
Cole Palmer • 7 Assists • 19 Appearances
Yeremy Pino • 7 Assists • 19 Appearances
Matheus Cunha • 6 Assists • 19 Appearances

[JustinCase]

Halfway through the season holding a 12 points gap. Such a gap has been dropped before, for instance by Newcastle against Man United in 1996, if I remember correctly. But the title is yours to lose at this point.

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Halfway through the season holding a 12 points gap. Such a gap has been dropped before, for instance by Newcastle against Man United in 1996, if I remember correctly. But the title is yours to lose at this point.

not having to worry about Champions League football is going to help. we're also out of the Carabao already

defense has been a bit suspect recently but if we can clean that up, fairly confident we can take this home

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