You can read Steve's column here and at www.comeonspurs.com every Monday.

Steve Perryman's Monday Football Focus... as told to Keith Palmer (5 Oct 2009).

Steve, welcome aboard ComeonSpurs.com and congratulations on Saturday's come back from 0-1 down. Exeter City, where you're Director of Football, seems to be a club on the up and up?

SP ; Thank you. Yes, it was disappointing to lose that goal, especially as it was down to a defensive misunderstanding, but the boys came back well and ran out deserved winners in the end.

Q ; As Spurs fans, we all follow the progression of Exeter. Bearing in mind Exeter's double elevation in the past two seasons, where do you see them going?

SP ; Of course, we're exceptionally pleased with events thus far. As you know, when I joined the club, they were racked with serious debt, with a seemingly precarious future. The previous regime had left them high and dry. Luckily, and might I add, quite professionally - our couple of F.A Cup ties with Manchester United obviously helped - but the back-room staff have performed miracles in lifting us up from the Conference to the dizzy heights of League One. Of course, it's sad to have to sell familiar faces on our journey upwards, but we've rebuilt with some exceptionally competent replacements. As you saw at the pre-season Exeter v Spurs friendly – which it was, with both sets of supporters mixing freely around the ground – the club is built on stronger foundations these days.

Q; So do you follow the Premiership as much these days?

SP ; Of course, like many others in our position, we have ambition. It pays as much to look up as it does to be aware of where you came from. Although each season seems to be getting more expensive in terms of outgoings, we have an excellent financial team in place with a view to taking that one step higher – and hopefully on again. Personally, as a Tottenham man, I always watch their games, with a sneaky eye on our immediate rivals, including you know who.

Q. Who do you see as the ultimate champions?

A . To be fair, it looks like the usual protagonists, but at least they have a little more competition this time. Manchester City certainly threw down the gauntlet in the recent ‘derby', while we all live in hope that Harry can build on his steady, impressive progress. Of the others, I guess it'll be Everton and Villa, possibly Sunderland, to chase the pack. Of course, come January, Mark Hughes may well go out and buy the other half of the World. We simply don't know how much money will be thrown at their quest for domination. Realistically, even Chelsea had to apply the spending brakes, despite the obvious resources of the man at the top. If it's true that he sits on a bottomless pit of cash, who knows where they could go.

Q. The top four; How do you see them individually?

A. Man U. are collectively strong, but I still think that time will prove that Ronaldo's departure is a massive loss for them. I feel sure that he could've turned some of their draws in to wins, while no team in the World could suffer such a loss and not have it affect them. There always seemed to be a goal coming just around the corner when he was wearing the coveted red shirt. Chelsea are probably a more balanced side at the moment, while those who are questioning Arsene Wenger should take another look at the record of a man who was lauded as ‘Arsene who?', when he pitched up as new manager. Few can question his ability to replace previous players, while he must be an absolute Godsend to his club Director's as he seems to protect their cash as if it's his own. That leaves Liverpool looking the most vulnerable of the four, although they can still turn it on with the big boys when their backs are up against the wall. It does make me wonder, sometimes, if Rafa can ultimately keep hold of his two treasures, Gerrard and Torres, if they do drop out of the top four limelight. In fact, it may eventually prove the other way round!

Q. And the mighty Spurs? Where do you place them in the grand scheme of life?

A; Well, they've most definitely improved! Spurs were in dire straits before Harry's arrival, and looking very much doomed. No matter what you may think of the man, he's an excellent team maker and inspiration. From minute one of walking in to the club he gave them a consistency that's been missing for years, with all due respect to Martin Jol. Since the season started, they've only gone down to two top teams in United and Chelsea, while they've suffered badly with losing influential players in key positions. Modric is top class, while no team in any division can lose three top class central defenders and not be affected.

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