Tottenham Hotspur Premier League season 2014/15 guide

The problem with Tottenham Hotspur is always whether expectation will outstrip the reality of their squad and spending power.

It has surely been a key reason in all the managerial changes over recent years. The simple fact is that Spurs’ revenues are the sixth largest in the Premier League but, without any additional outside investment, the aims of chairman Daniel Levy would still seem to be a top-four finish.

Aiming high is a good thing. Placing unnecessary or unrealistic pressure on a manager can be damaging. There have not been major changes so far in the transfer window. Ben Davies will challenge the starting place of Danny Rose at left-back.

Mauricio Pochettino also remains determined to prise Morgan Schneiderlin out of Southampton, presumably to start in central midfield alongside Paulinho.

The issue, though, is surely that he will have to persuade Levy to make an offer in excess of £20 million to have a realistic chance of success.

Southampton say they will not sell at any price. Beyond Emmanuel Adebayor, the striker options also seem limited and, after all the changes last year, it will clearly be a massive season for all the players who arrived in 2013.

Pochettino is an impressive character but it should be remembered that the circumstances he inherited at Southampton were advantageous and his transfer record was mixed. He still has something to prove and any improvement on last season should be regarded as a resounding success.

After challenging so consistently for the top four in recent years, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are well placed to pull away this year.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Best starting XI Lloris, Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Davies, Paulinho, Capoue, Lamela, Eriksen, Townsend, Adebayor

Prediction Finished sixth last season and, while Champions League football is the stated aim, it is again likely to be out of reach again.

Transfers
In Ben Davies (Swansea City, £8m plus swap), Michel Vorm (Swansea City, £4.5m), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon, £4m).
Out Jake Livermore (Hull City, £8m), Iago Falque (Genoa, £4m), Heurelho Gomes (Watford), Lawrence Vigouroux, Kevin Stewart (Both Liverpool), Darren McQueen (Ipswich Town), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea City, swap), Grant Hall (Birmingham City, Loan), Alex Pritchard (Brentford, Loan), Kenny McEvoy (Peterborough United, Loan), Shaquile Coulthirst (Southend United, Loan), Jordan Archer (Northampton Town, Loan).
Released Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Cameron Lancaster, Roman Michael-Percil, Jonathan Miles.

Tickets • Cheapest: £32 (North and South Stand Lower)

• Most Expensive: £81 (West Stand Upper)

Dependant on Category of the game (A, B, or C). Cheapest category is C. Cheapest area to sit is the South Stand Lower and North Stand Lower. North Stand Lower also offers junior and senior citizen prices as well.

Ticket Office Number 0844 499 5000

Full list of Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League 2014/15 fixtures -