DISQUS

Yes, let's continue to spend more money than we can afford and exacerbate the problems that caused this economic crisis in the first place. The economy's trying to correct itself. We should let it.

When are the conservatives going to realize (or come clean) that their central tenets are incompatible? Small government and militarism/foreign imperialism? These people need to get over the cold war, and get back to basics. Small government, individual and civil liberties. We need one of these parties to treat the government with disdain rather than reverence. I don't care which.

Hull City. Champions League in no time.

Michael, you can say it as many times as you want, you'll still be wrong. This is supposed to be a preview of what to expect from these teams in the upcoming season, not a venue for you to express what you think they should do. Jenas will start over Zokora every time the question is asked. You say that Zokora should start over Jenas in a 4-4-2 to balance the midfield. Fine, but the problem is that Spurs aren't playing a 4-4-2 anymore. If Zokora starts it will be alongside Jenas, not at his expense.

I'm curious what makes you think Zokora will start at Jenas' expense? Especially when Jenas has just been named the new Vice-Captain. This is more significant at Spurs than most clubs considering Ledley King only captains the squad for about 30% of the games if we're lucky. Robbie Keane was essentially our captain last year and Jenas will be this year; meaning: he plays.

If Spurs go into the season with the squad they currently have, I could see them lining up with this formation:

GK: Gomes

RB: Hutton
CB: King
CB: Woodgate
LB: Bale

DM: O'Hara/Zokora/Hudds
DM: Jenas
CM: Modric
RM: Bentley
LM: dos Santos

CF: Berbatov

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Spurs started the Norwich game in a similar formation. Jenas and Huddlestone played at d-mid with Modric at center-mid. O'Hara and dos Santos played wide while Bent played up top. I can almost guarantee you that Spurs will not play a 4-4-2 this season. At least, not in the traditional sense. Dos Santos or Arshavin, if he's brought in, will play the left midfield role tucked in slightly, allowing Gareth Bale to roam up and down the side line while Hutton at right back stays at home. More than Bale, anyway. It's a dedicated defensive midfielder that I want for the club, though. Zokora's not good enough, Huddlestone's not fast enough, and O'Hara's young and unproven. I'm crossing my fingers for one of Corluka, Albelda, or Veloso.

I doubt Lennon is going anywhere. Ramos is building a midfield of interchangeable players. I don't know if you watched the friendly against Norwich City, but the players essentially floated around the field where available. The difference between teams like Spurs and the big four teams is that the big four is able to keep quality depth. Ramos is looking to change that problem and you don't do that by selling players like Lennon. Spurs are likely to head into the new season playing a 4-5-1, specifically a 4-2-3-1. Modric is likely to play from a deeper position in front of a defensive midfielder with three of Lennon, Bentley, dos Santos, and hopefully Arshavin in the '3'. Lennon loses status due to his poor showings on the left side of midfield. While he's unbelievably fast, he's not as proficient on the ball as Bentley, dos Santos, Arshavin, or Modric. Modric will be able to slide further up in the midfield if necessary, leaving the backfield to Jenas, Huddlestone, Zokora, or a new signing like Albelda or Veloso. Whether I've articulated it effectively or not, Ramos seems to be building a midfield of interchangeable players capable of operating on the pitch independently of any artificially constructed formations. It's exciting stuff.