THEY CAN SCORE, BUT CAN THEY DEFEND?:

Harry Redknapp's Spurs side peppered with pace and goal threat: Could Tottenham really challenge for the title this season after so many years of unfulfilled promise? (Alan Smith, 22 Aug 2009, Daily Telegraph)

Ahead of tomorrow's trip to West Ham, wins against Liverpool and Hull prove that Harry Redknapp has assembled a very exciting side, peppered with pace and goalscoring threat.

Jermain Defoe is absolutely flying, in the form of his life, and the support cast isn't bad either. Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko vie for places in an attack supplied by the clever nous of Luka Modric and the penetrating speed of Aaron Lennon.

In central midfield, Tom Huddlestone has done very well so far alongside the impressive Wilson Palacios while the back door has been bolstered by Sebastien Bassong. When Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate return, Redknapp will be spoilt for choice.

Perhaps the biggest doubt surrounds the goalkeeper. Heurelho Gomes isn't just unpredictable, he tends to get injured on a regular basis, succumbing again at Hull after only 16 minutes. If Spurs are to prosper, Carlo Cudicini might have to play a big part.

Gomes is a fine shot stopper but a nightmare doing anything else with the ball and the rumor that Harry Redknapp wants to replace him with the notoriously boner-prone David James can hardly inspire confidence in Spurs fans. They're definitely a team to follow though if you haven't picked one yet, especially since Villa and Everton look dire.

MORE:
Altidore ready to unleash anger on top flight rivals (Sport Hull, August 22, 2009)

The 19-year-old striker, who signed on a season-long loan from Villareal 16 days ago, has seen his top flight debut held up by a string of set-backs.

Despite being granted a work permit early last week, he was forced to spend a week in America awaiting international clearance.

But having arrived back in England on Thursday night and trained with his City team-mates yesterday, Altidore was set to make his Tigers bow against Bolton today.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 22, 2009 7:19 AM