Club Focus - Tottenham Hotspur

Despite being a little out of date I thought it would be a good idea to publish the articles I have written for 'A Different League' that haven't been published on their website.
I have 6 articles a week to do so there are going to be times my pieces are not published, so a perfect time to have a personal blog.

Do Enjoy.


Earlier in the week, midfielder Luka Modric said for his side to make a charge on the Premier League title then Tottenham would have to improve their away form, form which has seen them come from behind to beat fierce rivals Arsenal just two weeks ago but also lose to league strugglers West Ham as well as a poor display at the Reebok to go down 4-2 to Bolton Wanderers. If Modric was hoping for some answer to his calls this week, he would have to be waiting a little longer now.

Despite dominating the first half against Birmingham, the White Hart Lane outfit could not extend their lead given to them on 19 minutes from Sebastien Bassong. A defensive crisis has seen Bassong play a more prominent role in Harry Redknapp’s back four. Injuries to Ledley King, Younes Kaboul, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson have meant Bassong has had the opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the starting eleven, and how he took his chance today, finishing from five yards after Gareth Bale’s well-hit free-kick was only punched away by England keeper Ben Foster.

Tottenham’s dominance continued in the first half, with chances from Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch being blocked by Blues defender Scott Dann and Foster in goal, respectively. If anything, it was surprising that Spurs went in at the break just one in front, and it was expected to see the London side come out in the second half the same they did in the first.

Alex McLeish’s half-time team talk had obviously been a wake-up call for the home side, when a swinging Gardner free-kick and a header were turned away by Heurelho Gomes. The home side continued to push for an equaliser and Gardner, who was the main man in all of Birmingham’s play, was rewarded for his solid performance with 10 minutes to go. Dann’s ball forward found the head of Nicola Zigic whose knock across the area found the incoming Gardner who wheeled away in celebration.

The match itself highlighted Birmingham’s resolve but also signalled more concerns for Redknapp in a lack of goal-scoring prowess along with their frailties in defence. The absence of Rafael van der Vaart meant Spurs lacked the creativity they would usually find had the Dutchman been on the pitch. Despite having the pace of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale on both wings, worries about the lack of goals from strikers Defoe, Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko are sure to put some supporters in doubt of their frontline.

Some positive news for Redknapp though. The return of inspirational defender Michael Dawson to the bench is sure to put Bassong under pressure, but with a home match to local rivals Chelsea next weekend, the manager has some big decisions to make.
This weekend’s point in the Midlands kept Tottenham in 5th but wins for Arsenal and Manchester City means competition for the Champions’ League spots is more fruitful this year. St Andrews is always a tough place to go to, as Chelsea experienced some weeks ago, but supporters who want to see Tottenham challenge for the title will want to see improvements up and down the pitch.