What have we learnt, if anything?

In keeping with Tottenham's season so far Taxi For Maicon is kicking off somewhat late and, in keeping Tottenham's transfer policy, we've also had a quiet summer.

The reason? Luka Modric. Every time we opened the paper, searched for 'Spurs' on Google or spoke football in the pub, it was the same old story. Certain publications were so desperate to push the story on that they've all now admitted that the Croatian never actually handed in a written transfer request.

We arrive at our opening game tonight, in very much the same condition we finished the season, so just what can we take from our summer?

Sales and strikers were top of the agenda at the end of last season and, whilst we wasted no time in securing some competition for the No.1 jersey, movement has been slow.

In the back of our collective mind, a concern manifested that the Modric saga would mirror the Dimitar Berbatov calamity of 2008, selling him at the last minute for a bumper fee but leaving no time to use the monies to fill the remaining hole – three months on and that concern has developed into a very realistic fear, as he's been left out the squad to play Hearts with a "groin injury".

Moving on, you would like think that after a full and successful pre-season, our squad would be in tip-top shape and raring to go but, to add to Luka's groin problem, we're missing Sandro, William Gallas, Steven Pienaar, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric, Tom Huddlestone and Wilson Palacios.

In fact it doesn't feel like we're in any stronger position than we were when the final whistle blew in our last game against Birmingham in May and today our first game back is soiled with the embarassment of the squad not being able to find a hotel in Edinburgh.

It's at least worth remembering that in May the bookies slashed the odds of Harry Redknapp joining Chelsea, so at least we still have our manager – for the time being.

Seeing some of the friendlies was also a reminder of the sort of quality we do have in the squad. Gareth Bale was back to business as usual, tearing down the left flank, Rafa Van Der Vaart, was scoring free-kicks for fun, even Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch found their shooting boots.

As far as building on last season goes, we all expected a bit more organisation, ambition and progress before the season kicked off rather having to wing it and take our chances with last-minute transfers again.

That said, progress is ultimately judged on the pitch and it'll be a relief to finally get the season underway. Next stop, transfer deadline day.