No one-season wonder

Published : Nov 17, 2011 00:00 IST

The Holland international joined Spurs in August last year for GBP8 million and soon endeared himself to Spurs fans with some outstanding displays in the Barclays English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Rafael van der Vaart proved to be one of the signings of 2010 and the Tottenham midfielder has already proved he is no one-season wonder.

Van der Vaart caused all sorts of problems playing just off an out-and-out striker and at the start of this season he has proved to be equally, if not more, effective.

The former Real Madrid man equalled a club record when he found the back of the net against QPR recently, having scored in his last five EPL matches.

With six goals in his last five EPL games and seven in total this season, the mercurial Dutchman has earned himself a reputation as one of the most clinical finishers in England.

Since arriving at White Hart Lane, Van der Vaart has scored an impressive 19 goals in 36 games to ensure Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko have been mainly limited to substitute roles.

And Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has paid tribute to the clinical finishing displayed by the dynamic Dutchman.

Redknapp said: “If you look at Rafa's goalscoring record it's incredible. He is just a great finisher. He is cool in front of goal and when the chances come he makes it look so easy. His two goals at Blackburn were world class.”

Spurs have not lost in the EPL since being hammered by leaders Manchester City in August and the London club have won six out of their last seven games in all competitions.

Van der Vaart is backing them to continue their impressive form and finish above arch-rivals Arsenal. “We are better than Arsenal,” the 28-year-old said. “In our last seven games we have won six and drawn once. It's a long season, but I think we have a bigger and better squad.”

He added: “Are we the best team in London? Maybe, but it's still early. We're in a good way. We are much better than we were last season. Man City is the best team in the league and below them you have a lot of good teams and we are one of them.”

Managers can often be heard venting their frustrations when chairmen and owners meddle in transfer affairs, but Spurs supremo Daniel Levy played a huge role in signing Van der Vaart and Redknapp is certainly not complaining about that.

© PA Sport, 2011, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, re-written, re-distributed or commercially exploited. Sportstar is not responsible for any inaccuracy in the material.