As we
approach the last few weeks of the season, the
cruciality (copyright Gaby Yorath) of the
situation finally hits home. It hadn't dawned on
me that Spurs had not lost at home since
December, but that is probably because they have
not won many of those games. All the pundits say
that you need to win your home games, so it
became imperative that we won some and the
Newcastle game was a start. It may still be
necessary to achieve victory over Southampton.
Recent results have been better with the draw
against Liverpool a bonus, except after the way
the game went it was disappointing. The win
against Palace should have been a formality; if
we'd had lost it would have been a great
embarrassment with their home record. Only
achieving a draw against Everton was a
disappointment, as expectation was high that
Tottenham could get three points and jump over
the Toffees. The two games that Spurs had to win
to ensure survival were Barnsley and Newcastle. A
draw after having a player sent off at Oakwell
for the second time this season was a reasonable
result and the victory over Newcastle was welcome
and well deserved . Matches against Wimbledon and
Southampton will be more difficult than in
seasons gone by, but with good team performances,
allied to the skill that Ginola brings to the
side , they should be winnable. It needs a
concentrated effort for Spurs to deny opponents
time and space to exploit and to move off the
ball to ensure that there are players available
when we are in possession.
There has been some
change in personnel of late. Walker has returned
from injury to replace Baardsen, who had
performed admirably in the England keeper's
absence. Gross stated that Walker would always be
first choice, but Espen can count himself unlucky
not to retain his place as his goalkeeping was of
a very high standard. He certainly saved some
points during his spell between the posts and
it's good to know that we have two such capable
goalies in the squad. Stephen Carr has been
turning in some storming showings lately, despite
suffering a few knocks. His crossing has improved
also, which helps provide more chance for the
forwards. At left back, there is still a problem.
Willo was doing OK until his injury against
Everton and Edinburgh is obviously out of Gross'
reckoning , so what are the options?? With
Clapham sold off to Ipswich, Spurs are really up
the junction. While we are well off for central
defenders, the alternative of playing one of them
in the left-back berth might upset the defensive
set-up. Sol can play there and Vega filled in at
right back against Palace. Although Gross has
told Scales he needs more match practice in the
reserves, he may be forced into playing him in
the vacancy created by Wilson's injury and Vega's
suspension. However, Colin Calderwood, who has
been used as a defensive midfielder, is more
likely to figure in the manager's plans and the
way he has been playing, deserves to.
In the centre of defence,
Sol has had a resurgence in form after a dodgy
period (for him) and although Ramon has been
getting some useful goals from set-pieces, his
defensive frailties are being exposed (i.e. the
last minute of the Liverpool game) . He did the
decent thing and fell on his sword (and Ashley
Ward) up at Oakwell, but his misdemeanour means
that the last two matches will see a new central
defensive paring.
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