Leonhardsen, 4, 48
Riggott, 39
Carr, 45
Referee:- M.
Dean
Attendance:-
34,483
Spurs (4-4-2):-
Sullivan; Carr, Perry, Vega, Thatcher; Anderton (sub Davies, 89),
Clemence, Sherwood (Capt.), Leonhardsen (sub Dominguez, 70);
Rebrov (sub Korsten, 89), Ferdinand
Subs not used:-
Walker; Thelwell
Booked:- Thatcher, Anderton
Derby (4-3-3):-
Poom; Delap, Riggott, Bragstad, Higginbottom (sub Schnoor, 61);
Burley, Johnson (sub Bohinen, 83), Powell (capt); Sturridge,
Christie (sub Morris, 61), Burton
Subs not used:-
Grant (GK); Elliott
Booked:- Riggott, Johnson
Things did not
look good when I saw that Ladbrokes had rushed out emergency odds
without Rebrov and I feared a Ferdinand only forward line.
Luckily Rebrov played, but the subs bench lacked Young or King
and a recognised
forward (discounting the circus midget) which seemed a bit risky
with an injury prone Les and a non 100% Rebrov - but I guess the
goon knows best.......
Spurs played the usual 4-4-2 with Clemence coming in for Freund - so much for the non stop Spurs news of the information age as no-one reported his likely absence beforehand. Derby had an assortment of decent players, although were missing the crucial Carbonari (and Strupar) and played, but looked uncomfortable with 4-3-3 as opposed to their usual sweeper system that has frustrated Spurs at the Lane in recent seasons
Spurs started
very brightly and an early period of pressure was rewarded with a
“Galvin” special from Leo. Anderton and Clemence worked
a short corner while Derby dozed and as Anderton stretched to
reach a return pass from Clem, the ball broke to Leo who passed a
curling shot into the top right-hand corner. A great start
against a shaky Derby side who should have been at least three
down after about 10minutes. Leo broke into the box and forced a
good save from Poom and as the ball broke to Rebrov he could not
adjust his feet quick enough and forced the ball wide. Anderton
had a couple of shots and Les again made you wonder if he’d
ever headed a ball before 3pm with a header that would have hit
the corner flag
We can batter these I said to the Mrs after this early period of dominance, and she just gave me one of those looks. Spurs had other chances in the half, notably a couple of efforts from Anderton, but gradually became lazy, forgetting all the good pass and move that characterised the first 15minutes and gradually began to let Derby into the game. After several chances, it came as no surprise when Riggott was unmarked to flick head a Johnson free into the corner
With a midfield of Leo, Clem, Sherwood and Anderton, Leo could
have been give his favoured role on the right-hand side, Clem on
the left with Anderton and Sherwood as the central pair. This
would possibly have avoided many the incidences where players
drifted to their favoured positions leaving defensive gaps.
Anderton distinguished himself by playing for much of the match
with a head bandage from a clash with Powell, but still managed
to flick his hair in his own inimitable effeminate way
The terrace mongs decided conceding a goal was the right time to
sing Graham out, and I can understand why this is getting to piss
the players off. Singing to oust the goon should have been the
order of the last 10 minutes when we were comfortably in front,
not when we needed a boost on what was another quiet White Hart
Lane
Fortunately for Spurs in first half stoppage time, another good interchange of passes on the left presented the ball to Clem who sent a crossfield ball to Carr, who took the ball on a few paces before beating Poom with a low shot that bounced just in front of him. Christie did manage to get the ball in the net further into stoppage time, but the whistle had long gone. Carr had another excellent match and why the idiots at the club are doing by not giving him a pay rise in line with his status within the team escapes me? Saving up to extent the awful Thatcher’s contract no doubt
Spurs again started the half brightly and a good move down the
right culminated in an ordinary cross which was headed out, only
for Clem to win a brave header in the direction of Sherwood who
dummied/missed it and it ran on to Leo who calmly slotted home.
Although Derby have staged some marvellous comebacks this season,
this goal looked to have settled the match
Soon after it was again Leo who found himself with a scoring chance, but this time smashing the ball into the side netting which initially fooled most of the Shelfside. Leo had another chance for a hat-trick when receiving the ball on the edge of the box, but unselfishly squared the ball to Rebrov who muffed his shot
Derby used all
of their subs in a desperate push to get back into the match and
were unlucky not to score when Sturridge stepped inside Thatcher
for Sullivan to pull off an excellent save and the same player
later chipping
the ball into Sully’s hands when he should have scored after
getting on the end of a long pass
Leo was looking to set up a Spurs attacked when he crumpled to the ground clutching his hamstring and looks to be out for at least three weeks to ensure a miserable end to a frustrating 2000 for him. Dominguez was preffered to Korsten as his replacement and went thro his full routine of runs and falls to a hearty reception
Anderton’s deflected free kick fell to Rebrov in the inside right position, but he scuffed his shot to complete a frustrating day in front of goal. The last ten minutes or so were characterised by a more and more desperate Derby and Spurs could and should have added to their lead. Sherwood, who played much better although not brilliant on his 400th league appearance was put through only to see his fierce shot well stopped by Poom. Ramon also had a header and blocked shot near the end
Davies(Anderton) and Korsten (Rebrov) got 2 minutes at the end - which I’m sure they’ll be thanking almighty George for – for what its worth I thought that either of these two should have replaced Leo and especially Korsten could have showed why he was considered such a desirable player when he signed. Despite being a perpetually miserable c*nt, I’m still willing to see the so far dreadful Korsten get some time in his favoured position to show us if he is any good
Sullivan 7/10 - did a very good save in the second half which ensured a panic free last 20 minutes
Carr 7/10 - another good goal and an all round better performance than the slightly below par ones
Thatcher - 5/10 - like every Spurs left back, has little support from midfield, but again looked poor defending and poor going forward. Treacle must walk straight back into the team when fit
Perry - 6/10 - solid defencifly but not in the beckenbauer class when looking to start Spurs attacks
Vega - 6/10 - generally solid without the obvious mad Ramon moment
Anderton - 6/10 - another decent game, cut head and all, and for all his injury problems, we’ll miss him
Sherwood - 6/10 better but still below his very best
Clemence - 7/10 earned himself a run in the team irrespective of Leo (and possibly Freund’s injury) with some good passing and competative tackling. On this performance, he would get in the team in front of Freund everytime, but its stringing these performances together and improving
Leo - 7/10 - two goals and a good display. His running into attacking positions is excellent al
Rebrov - 6/10 - Some good stuff but not at his best today, probably related to the injury that made him a doubtful starter
Ferdinand - 5/10 - better than the shite display at Coventry, but it has to be remembered that Les is the man we require to score goal and he never looks like doing this