Tottenham Hotspurs had the worst start in the history of the club, just two points from eight matches, which cost Juande Ramos his job and this was despite new players such as Luka Modrić: Roman Pavluychenko, David Bentley, Heurelho Gomes and Verdun Ćorluka joining in the summer. Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe left in the January transfer window of 2008, returning a year later and Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Paul Robinson all left White Hart Lane. Spurs had assembled an expensive squad that ought to have been challenging for European football at the very least. Ramos was sacked a year after his arrival along with his assistant Gus Poyet, first team coach Marcos Álvarez and sporting director Damien Comolli.

Harry Redknapp was quickly appointed Ramos’ successor and had his own ideas, which included showing confidence in midfielder Tom Huddlestone, an England Under-21 international. “Tom’s got great passing range,” said Redknapp. “I’ve been very pleased with him, but [Ledley] King and [Jonathan] Woodgate are very important to us too. Keeping them fit is going to be important for us this year.”