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.”

Redknapp began to arrest the slide and defended his players in public, but there were more serious problems that had to be addressed, which included what should be done with fringe players who were not getting a look in. Former Egyptian international Hossam Ghaly was never given another chance by Spurs fans after a petulant reaction to being substituted by then manager Martin Jol. Ramos had refused to give him a squad number, but Redknapp was prepared to offer the former al-Ahly and Feijenoord defender a second chance until it became clear that Spurs supporters would not. Ghaly, realising that he had no future with Spurs, signed for Saudi Arabian outfit al-Nassr in January.

Another fringe player to fail to get a look in under Ramos was Kevin-Prince Boateng. The former Hertha Berlin prodigy was signed for £5.4m by Comolli, but following the arrival of higher profile players Boateng found opportunities limited and was shunted into the reserves, but Redknapp claimed to rate him highly. “I think he’s got a good future,” said Redknapp. “I think he’s got a big future. I’ve been impressed with him. He’s come in; he’s an under-21 international. He’s voted the best young player in Germany. He’s 6’1”; he’s got unbelievable ability. He’s got something; you know, he’s certainly one that we’ve got to get the best out of. If we don’t make something of him, then there is something wrong with us and the coaches here. They’re not doing their job in my opinion if we don’t make a player of him.”

Boateng was awarded the Fritz Walter Gold medal for Under-19 players in July 2006 – an award that is voted for by youth coaches and officials – that is wrongly referred to as the Best Young Player in Germany award. He came to England with high pedigree and expectations with footballing siblings and rich genes as his uncle is a Ghanaian international and he is also related to Helmut Rahn, scorer of the winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final. Boateng played twice under Redknapp before deciding that his immediate future lay elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund to be precise, joining the Bundesliga team on loan.

Meanwhile, Redknapp knew that changes had to be made to the squad. “I don’t think we’re going to bring in top players,” he said before the transfer window opened. “With the money available I need to get one or two of the right players in the right positions that will make us a better team, but it’s not easy; looking round it’s difficult to prise good players away from good clubs.” Jermain Defoe returned from Portsmouth, but quickly succumbed to injury. Pascal Chimbonda returned from Sunderland and Robbie Keane from Liverpool. They were joined by Wilson Palacios from Wigan and Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea, while long-serving Canadian Paul Staltieri left for Borussia Mönchengladbach on a free transfer. Fringe players Tomas Pekhart: David Button and Tony Archibald-Herville secured loan deals that took them away from White Hart Lane. Spurs are only two places and two points above the drop zone, so Redknapp still has work to do to retain his Harry Houdini tag and avoid repetition of the only blot on his copy-book so far – Southampton.