Spurs
(3-5-2):-Sullivan;
Perry, Campbell (Capt.), Doherty; Anderton, Freund, Leonhardsen, King (sub
Sherwood 64), Clemence (sub Etherington, 64); Rebrov, Booth
Subs
not used:- Walker; Young; Korsten Booked:-
Anderton, Etherington
Charlton (3-5-2):- Ilic; Todd, Brown, Rufus; Kishishev, Stuart (Capt),
Parker, Jensen (sub Salako, 81), Powell; Bartlett, Svensson
Subs
not used:- Caig; Tiler, Newton; Lisbie No
bookings.
Attendance:-35,368
Referee:-D.Elleray
It happened over the new year of
1911/12, but only subsequently happened once for the rest of the century in the
late summer of 1980, but now the Goonersaurus has not only equaled it, but
created his own shameful part of Spurs history. The subject (which would probably be Graham’s on Mastermind)
is consecutive 0-0’s and we have now managed FOUR on the trot. Graham
tried his best before for this dubious accolade with two sets of 0-0’s either
side of a 1-1 at soon to be relegated Blackburn this time in 1999. What the
watching Sven Goran Eriksson must have thought of this, god only knows.
On a mild afternoon in North
London, Tottenham lined up with the same side as against West Ham, with Doherty
again operating as the left centre back, and Booth partnering Rebrov up front.
As pleased as I was to see Etherington on the bench, I was dismayed to see
Krapston had wormed his way back. Charlton had Keily, Kinsella and Johannsen
all missing and were there for the taking having lost two out of every three of
their away matches, letting in an average of 2.42 goals per game even with
their best players. As Morrissey once said “Stop me, Stop me, Stop me, stop me
if you think you’ve heard this one before”
The first minute of the first
half was just about as good as it got for Tottenham. For once, Anderton managed
to get in front of Clemence to take a freekick on the left-hand side of the
area as Tottenham attacked the Park Lane. His dangerous whipped cross was met
by the Doherty at the head of the on rushing players, but he only managed to
scoop his effort over the bar.
The onset of the drab football
ensued. No one taking responsibility, with every pass square or backwards, and
not always to someone unmarked. After periods of this drabness, when the ball
is finally moved forwards it is lost. Crap. Nobody allowed to run with the
ball. Crap. This was also compounded by no-one taking responsibility,
motivating and encouraging the other players. This is n’t Sol style (and
Sherwood makes too many errors to be credible in trying to do this), but a
Perryman, Roberts or Mackay was sorely needed.
Why are we so inept? Bad
tactics. No more or less. And this is Graham’s fault. Look at all the players
we had on the pitch today – all capable of playing well in the Premiership and
some above. So why are they so inept? The tactics. One wonders how much
influence QPR failure Euston has on this issue. Remember, his replacement of
Hughton in April 1999 was the start of the decline under Graham.
As for noteworthy stuff in the
first half, Booth, realizing he may not get too much of the ball in good
situations, seized upon a loose ball 30 yards out, and although he hit his shot
high and wide it was good to see someone take the initiative.
Charlton for their part were
just as crap as we were. Whereas Southampton had a legitimate claim on the
balance of chances in the last home game, Charlton were just a non entity, with
only Claus Jensen, who had their only shot on target from a freekick midway
through the half, emerging with any credit.
I kept a close eye on Rebrov,
and noticed distinct signs of frustration at the way Tottenham are playing –
looking for passes from the midfielders who often chose to pass square, or when
he did get the ball finding that no-one was offering for him. He did show that
he retains all his vision when he came deep and threaded a ball into Leo doing
his trademark late run into the box, but Leo could not get a good contact with
the shot under pressure from a defender.
More drab play followed before
Spurs won a free kick in a dangerous position 25 yards from goal. And as our
minds drifted back to Anderton free kicks of old, Clemence stepped up to hit a
weak shot into the wall. This did not please the crowd who got on his back more
and immediately started singing “Graham out”. While I think any non positive
singing during a match is counter productive, the chorus of Graham out is
perfectly understandable.
Another freekick in a similar
position to the Clemence one was this time taken by Anderton, but this time his
shot was blocked by the Charlton defence, who managed to clear before King
pounced on the rebound.
Halftime was a relief, but the
second half picked up where the first half left off with both side producing
dismal, aimless, boring football. Anderton had another chance from a 25 yard
free kick, but his effort was well wide of Ilic’s right hand post. Charlton managed
a few long range efforts and began to concentrate on playing on the break.
Another piece of history was
made as Freund managed to hit a half decent shot ON target forcing Ilic into a
straight forward save on the hour mark. Anderton broke well down the right, but
over hit his cross and a minute after took his frustration out on the ref, who
promptly booked him.
Graham broke the habit of a
lifetime and did a tactical substitution before the 85th minute, but
for some mad reason withdrew King instead of Leo for Sherwood, although had
enough sense to see that Clemence was getting nowhere and gave Etherington his
first stab at the Premiership this season.
Spurs generally played better
after the introduction of these two, notably Etherington, who managed some
impressive runs at the Charlton defence. Despite Spurs getting moderately
better (which also co-incided with Charlton sitting back more), it was Charlton
who were almost gifted the match after a cock up between Perry and Campbell on
the edge of the box, and the ball fell invitingly to Bartlett who shot straight
at Sully’s legs, with Jensen blasting the rebound wildly over the bar.
Freund, who deserved a lot of
credit for his attitude, broke down the right-hand side and was well found with
a good pass. Freund got to the byline and cut the ball back intelligently to
Rebrov, who swept his first time shot straight into Ilic’s midriff in what
would have been a very similar goal to his first at Elland Road.
Freund was also involved in our
next chance, sending over a long throw that was headed on by the Sol man and
eventually found its way to Leo who sent a looping header wide of both the
diving Ilic and his right-hand post. Etherington created a couple of half
chances with his energetic runs, but all went astray and the supporters were
streaming out for most of the last 10 minutes.
Despite being unbeaten in 2001,
Spurs have only beaten Newcastle and Orient since Sugar announced his plans to
sell the club, and the sooner ENIC get in and sort out the direction of the
club, its manager and its funding, the better.
We have the most important game
of the season on Weds night, and only have one fit, slightly out of form
striker to fill two places up front (and no left half of any note). Korsten
would be a disaster, but who else is there if he won’t play the untried
youngsters McEwen or Ferguson or Fenn? Charlton are not up to much and are
there for the taking if we can get back to something near our best
Sullivan (6/10) – Did not have much to do, but saved well with his legs from
Charlton’s only real chance
Doherty (6/10) – Another good match, strong defensively (admittedly against a
weak attack) and willing to carry the ball forward
Campbell (6/10) – Rock solid apart from a mix up with Perry that nearly gifted
Charlton a late winner
Perry (6/10) – Not as bad as people
make out and was competent at the back
Anderton (6/10) – He
tried his hardest and even got booked when his frustration got the better of
him and he gave Ellery some verbal. He was also at the centre of what little
football we played. Constrained within a poor system or past his best?
Freund (7/10) – Had a shot on target
and was non stop for the whole of the 90 minutes playing his usual game. Worthy
of a good mark for effort and never say die attitude alone.
King (6/10) – Was in the middle of
another solid performance in the centre of midfield when inexplicably withdrawn
by the Goonersaurus.
Leo (6/10) – A sub standard match
for Leo, although his contribution improved as the game wore on, but he is a
long way short of what we need from a central midfielder.
Clemence (5/10) – A
poor match at left wing back, compounded by wasting several dead ball
situations. The crowd got on his back, which is not what an up and coming 23
year old playing out of position needs. Withdrawn for Etherington after an
hour. Oh for that French bloke who used to play left wing.
Rebrov (6/10) – Spent the whole game chasing lost causes. Still has the eye
for a good pass, but gets the ball so rarely in dangerous situations.
Booth (6/10) – Ran his heart out, but
not as effective as Weds night as the stiflingly dull tactics employed by
Graham all but eliminated his opportunities.
Sub: Sherwood (6/10) – Did
ok within the Goon tactics in central midfield, and managed to give his
trademark hospital ball, this time to Etherington
Sub: Etherington (6/10) – Had
an encouraging game, with his energy and runs prompting the best Spurs period
of the match. Lets hope he gets a chance to build on this