The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur News and Links for Friday, September 4

Good morning everyone – Fitzie is BACK !!!

And wow it looks like I missed out on a lot these last few days. Given all that’s been going on, I think it’s only appropriate to do a three-for-one hoddle today. We’ll do three little ones for you all and you can read juts one, all three, or none and get straight to the comments. Here’s what we’re cooking:

• EFL Champ roundup
• Look at month ahead
• Fitzie’s transfer window rating

Hoddle : Your EFL Championship Roundup

We’re only four matches into the new season, so it’s difficult to pull any notable strings here. I think Charlton will come to appreciate their strong start later on when the relegation battle sets in. Swansea look really good, as do QPR (although we’ve seen teams crash frequently in this league).

West Ham struggled in their first three games but soundly beat Wolves the other day, showing they should still be favourites for the automatics. Otherwise, it’s four defeats in four for Preston, while Burnley are also winless so far.

Top eight:

1. Swansea (10 Pts)
2. QPR (10 Pts)
3. Charlton (10 Pts)
4. Wolves (7 Pts)
5. Boro (7 Pts)
6. Bristol City (7 Pts)
7. West Brom (7 Pts)
8. Birmingham (6 Pts)

Bottom three:

1. Stoke City (3 Pts)
2. Burnley (2 Pts)
3. Preston NE (0 Pts)

Hoddle : A look at the month ahead

No European football means a less congested fixture for Spurs, who now have a (mostly) settled squad once we find out what happens with Richarlison’s status at the club.

There are only four matches this month, including the EFL Cup against Liverpool at Anfield. This should be a critical months to pick up points for Roberto de Zerbi, whose side showed some promise against Newcastle last week but stil walked away empty-handed. It’s time to get points on the table before a difficult October.

Tottenham Hotspur men’s schedule: Forest (5 September), Everton (12 September), at Liverpool (EFL Cup, 15 September), Villa (19 September)

The women’s squad also get their season off to a start this weekend against West Ham before visiting Liverpool and Palace. Some big names left the club this summer including Beth England and Molly Bartrip, so I’ll be curious what this new-look Spurs can do.

Tottenham Hotspur women’s schedule: West Ham (6 September), at Liverpool (13 September), at Palace (20 September), West Ham (League Cup; 23 September), Villa (27 September), at Brighton (League Cup; 30 September)

Hoddle : Fitzie’s transfer window rating

I didn’t submit my rating for the transfer window because I was away at the time. Nevertheless, I’d still like to contribute.

The Spurs brass unquestionably backed their manager. More than £300M was spent to refresh a side that nearly got relegated last year. Some big names left including Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario, but Mateus Fernandes represented a major signing of intent.

Bringing in Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free contracts was some really smart work, while Spurs went ahead and paid the premium for Savio who should bring a tonne of quality on the wing. I’m also hopeful for Omar Marmoush, while bringing in Mykhailo Mudryk makes little sense. Can De Zerbi unlock him? If he does, how does that help Spurs in the long-term?

Sandro Tonali was also a big get. All of this points to a very successful window on paper. Now it’s up to De Zerbi to deliver.

Things I didn’t like as much: Letting Will Lankshear walk away, which I think was a mistake. I felt there was a way to develop him through loaning him out, but it seems as if Spurs have a nice sell-on clause. I’m also less optimistic with the goalkeeper situation. I don’t think Dubravka will be a serious challenger for Antonin Kinsky, who I’m still not really confident about. I felt Spurs missed a change to upgrade there.

Ftizie’s transfer window rating: B+

Fitzie’s track of the day: I’ve Seen All Good People, by Yes

And now for your links:

The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham’s hectic summer window: Explaining the club’s transfer and wage policy shift”

BBC: “Fifa accuses Uefa of ‘smear campaign’ against Infantino”

The Telegraph: “Amanda Staveley blocked from seat on West Ham board”

The Guardian: “Mike Dean claims he played secret games for a laugh while refereeing matches”