Tottenham Face 16 Days of Destiny

In 16 days' time, Harry Redknapp could be sitting down in his Tottenham office feeling like he is on top of the world, raising a glass of vintage to commemorate more fine footballing achievements.

Then again, it is just as conceivable that, while sitting in that same chair, he will be mulling over where it all went wrong for his team and possibly lamenting dodgy refereeing decisions or mistakes from his Spurs thoroughbreds.

Redkanpp’s Tottenham Hotspur side face five games in the next two weeks that will shape their season. Come out on top and there may well be another open-top bus parade filled with joyous celebration, but finish second best and the tears will turn to those of despair.

The entire campaign’s success rests heavily on the five results that Tottenham obtain in the next 16 days.

That is why the next five are the big five for Tottenham. They play in the Carling Cup final against Manchester United, they take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the second-leg of their UEFA Cup last-32 tie, and they face three vital Premier League games against fellow relegation candidates. Every game is a cup final, not just the trip to Wembley on Mar. 1.

“Six games in 17 days and all big games,” Redknapp said yesterday, which included last night’s UEFA Cup first-leg defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Redknapp knows that in the coming weeks, challenges will be abound for his Tottenham side, but he is also just as aware that if his players pass the many tests they'll face, then they can become heroes once more, just as they did when they triumphed over Chelsea in last season’s Carling Cup Final.

There is more on offer for Tottenham this time around as well, because there is also the chance of reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, where they would face a mouth-watering tie against fellow Premier League side Aston Villa if the Midlands side also manage to get through.

And three enormous Premier League games also lie in wait for Redknapp and his men, against Hull City, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland. The fear of relegation could be eased significantly with three big results.

This really is a make-or-break stage of the season for Tottenham. In 16 days' time, will it be joy or despair for Harry Redknapp? Will it be tears of happiness or tears of sadness for Spurs’ loyal supporters?

We will see.