Saturday 20th January 2001 FA
CARLING PREMIERSHIP
Referee:-
Mr. C. Wilkes
Attendance:-
36,095
Spurs
(3-5-2):- Walker;
Perry, Doherty, Campbell; Young, Anderton, Freund (sub Leonhardsen, 76), King,
Clemence; Rebrov, Ferdinand (sub McEwen, 20)
Subs
not used:- Segers; Thatcher; Davies No
bookings
Southampton
(3-5-2):- Jones;
Lundekvam, Dodd, Richards; Khalej, Kachloul (sub Pahars, 82), Draper, Oakley,
Bridge; Davies, Beattie
Subs
not used:- Moss; Marsden, Soltvedt, Rosler Booked:-
Richards (foul on Rebrov)
On a
bitterly cold afternoon in N17, another poor showing from the team did little
to raise the spirits of the White Hart Lane faithful. Spurs were without the
suspended pair Sherwood and Sullivan but welcomed back Walker and Freund to
replace these two as well as the Sol man and Ferdinand (briefly), who missed
the trip to Everton through injury. Young was also in the side ahead of the out
of form Leo, and there was no place in the 16 for the awful Korsten. At 2.45 I received
a text message on my phone from the Giveusthescore info service informing me
that the result of the match was 0-0 – I should have taken this as an omen and
headed home there and then.
Although
the game did not have a goal, this cannot be put down to any defensive tactics employed
by Southampton – who had a fluid 3-5-2 system with everyone knowing their job
and working for each other. The Saints had the first chance of the match when
El Khalej got in behind Clemence on the Southampton right forcing Walker to
make the first of a number of good saves before Perry, who was initially at
fault for playing El Khalej on, blocked a goal bound shot from the rebound.
After
the dismal display last week, it was nice to see us register a shot near the
target within the first five minutes when a Rebrov snap shot from just outside
the area after a Ferdinand knock down which dipped and faded wide of Jones’
left hand post as Spurs resumed their usual tactic of attacking the Park Lane
in the first half. As well as a shot near the target, we were also treated to a
corner within the first 10 minutes and Campbell got highest, but his downward
header went straight at the Saints keeper.
Freund
also announced his return to the first team with a stretching “effort” from just
outside the left-hand edge of the box, which just made it inside the corner
flag on the otherside of the pitch. Davies had the best chance of the opening
exchanges, but he headed straight at Walker after a cross from supposed Spurs target
Kachloul.
Much of
the blame for today’s disappointment must rest with the dull tactics employed
by the Goons. From my position on the halfway line in the lower shelfside, I
had the constant arm waving and shouting of Euston in my vision for most of the
match. This man is an arsehole and the joint architect of the dumb tactics we
employed for much of this match, which I have previously described as “pass and
no move”. This involves someone receiving the ball, and everyone else stopping
and standing still while the player who received the ball, seemingly wherever they
are, turning to face their own goal and play a square or backward ball to a teammate.
This process is repeated until usually Perry is left with no option but to
oooof the ball for Rebrov to contest in the air. At least we were spared the constant
hospital balls played by Sherwood.
Much of
the “success” of this tactic revolves around the hold up play of Ferdinand, but
he pulled up lame after about 10 minutes to be replaced by McEwen. As much as
McEwen ran hard in a lost cause last week, he is possibly the worst header of a
ball I have ever seen in a forward position at Tottenham – he makes Anderton
look like Bobby Smith. Unfortunately, the Goons did not possess the awareness
to realise that without Les they needed to change their tactics.
The
next chance that fell to the Saints was presented to them by a weak back header
by Doherty, but Walker, who presumably did not call to initialize the error,
redeemed himself with a good block from the inform Beattie. The game settled
into a predictable pattern after the opening exchanges as Southampton had
little trouble in breaking up the feeble attacking ambitions of Tottenham who
were sorely missing the attacking drive of Carr (and Ginola). Before halftime, Clemence
ran on to the ball and hit a low dipping shot, which Jones did well to turn
behind for a Corner.
At halftime,
Spurs were a little fortunate to be level, but the old boy selected as the
Spurs representative in the hit the bar competition gave everyone some much
needed cheer by hitting his attempt about three yards. He was a lifelong fan
and seemed to enjoy his moment of glory in front of the crowd who gave him a
great reception.
The
second half continued in much the same fashion as McEwen and Rebrov being
beaten in the air by Richards and Lundekvam at the heart of the Southampton defence.
The best Spurs chance of the match was created by an all to rare piece of
Rebrov magic when he twisted and turned on the left hand edge of the pitch
before delivering a whipped cross which King did well to meet with a looping
header that agonizingly hit the bar with the Southampton defenders able to
clear.
Tactical
genius Graham decided Leo for Freund as the best he could offer to win the game
– at least he did n’t bring a defender on to make sure we did n’t lose,
especially as that defender would have been Fatcha.
This
was not the performance of a team at ease with tactics of a manager who has
been at the Club two and a half years. The optimists will say we’re unbeaten in
2001 while the miseries (who know better) will counter with the fact that we
have only won one of our previous nine league games.
Walker
(7/10) – a good
match by the floppy haired smiler with several important saves, but with the
brilliant form shown by Sully, Walker’s chances will be limited, although it is
nice to know we have a couple of decent players for the goalkeeping position.
Campbell
(6/10) – a solid
if unspectacular match from the great man.
Doherty
(6/10) – looks a
regular first teamer and apart from his bad back header had a good match
defensively
Perry
(6/10) – made a
very important block in the first half when the goal beckoned after Walker’s
save fell to a Southampton player and was generally ok.
Young
(5/10) – was given
the impossible task of replacing Carr at Right half and although he tried hard
and generally played ok, did not offer enough
Freund
(5/10) – a quiet
return where he did his usual closing down and tackling but offered nothing offensively
Anderton
(6/10) – always seems
slightly more motivated for matches against his home town side who give his a
little stick in their inoffensive way. ran hard but ultimately created little
and had few outlets for his passes. Hardly justifies his star billing (and
wages) these days.
King
(6/10) – the mark
of a class player is to always look like they have time on the ball, and this
is Ledley personified. he plays the midfield link role well but with Freund
doing a similar job, the midfield did not offer enough creatively. With his
place in the team guaranteed, he could express himself on the ball a bit more.
Clemence
(5/10) – offered virtually
nothing wide on the left in a midfield that offered little overall
Rebrov
(6/10) – Unfortunately
does not get in the game enough as a result of the way we play, but when he
does, he looks class. Graham’s next challenge should be to build the offensive
tactics around Rebrov rather than expecting him to be another Ferdinand.
McEwen
(4/10) – I hate to
be harsh on the young lad, but he looks really out of his depth at this level.
(Leo & Leo – not on the pitch long enough to warrant a rating)