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First of all, I
don't usually have time for deluded Charlton Athletic fans such as Alan
O'Brien, but, for him, I'll make an exception. Now, now, Alan, I
understand that you're frustrated at your team being rooted to the
bottom of the Premiership, but that's no excuse for you to start posing
as a Spurs fan. I got in there first son, 24 years ago, so keep
your criticisms for the Valley and keep your nose out of my business.
Spurs business.
Speaking of, I felt
that the boys played really well today and should've taken all three
points, but for some poor finishing from Mido, admittedly someone that
I've been championing for awhile. The Egyptian played well and
gave the Rovers defence problems, but just couldn't take his chances.
I don't think it helped having Defoe alongside him, as the England man
was again ineffective. It was good that he converted the
penalty, not just for Spurs but for his confidence. Maybe it will
represent a turnaround in fortune for Defoe and the goals will start
coming.
However, the
likelihood is that Keane and Berbatov will reclaim their spots in attack
come Thursday. It's the right thing to do, as Berbatov has saved
his best performances for Spurs in the UEFA Cup. I fully agree
that the man is class, but his game is suited to Europe, not the cut and
thrust of the Premiership. That's all I was saying. You need
to show urgency in league games and that's something Mido gave us today,
even though it almost cost us a penalty and red card, via inadvertent
handball. He showed desire, commitment, that he wanted to
represent us.
If he'd taken his
chances, it would've been hard for Jol to drop him this Thursday.
On the other hand, MJ could try the two big men in tandem, albeit
unlikely.
The midfield is
interesting right now, with no Jenas or Lennon, and Ghaly available
for one more game before suspension. Now, I'm not knocking him
here, but Zokora was
hit and miss today. His passing was at once exquisite and sloppy,
his tackles excellent but few and far between. Most worryingly, he was
shrugged off the ball too easily and perhaps could've supported the
attack more than he did, especially with Huddlestone covering the back
four. A good example of this was late in the game when Defoe made
a good run in behind the Rovers backline and sent in a good cross, only
for it to be missed by the two Spurs players in the box. What it
could've done with was for Zokora to have made the run into the box,
like Lampard does for Chelski. It must be said though that Zokora
and Huddlestone bossed the midfield today. They're showing the
signs of a good partnership, but need more games together to really gel.
Either side of
them, it was desperate stuff, seeing O'Brien's boy Ghaly trying to cut
it on the right flank was painful. As was the case last week, his
only meaningful contribution was winning the penalty. He did do
one other significant thing by getting sent off, meaning we don't have
to put up with him for a couple of league games. In that same
incident, the hapless ref dismissed MJ from the touchline in a move that
was clearly done to send the crowd home happy. There are too many
refs like that now.
On the left, we
had Davids who actually played OK and was more disciplined than
usual with his passing and tracking back. It wasn't a bad half for
the Dutchman and
I was surprised that he came off, but it worked out in the end.
Malbranque was full
of running, but didn't really see much of the ball, not enough to make
an impact. At least the Frenchman looks fit and hungry now and
could be set for a run in the side. At the back, Assou-Ekotto was
very sound and composed, clearing his lines well
and defending confidently. Once again though, a black mark against
him is his lack
of attacking and a conviction when he does attack. One such moment
was when BA-E got on the end of a sweet Spurs move, at an angle, only to
miscue his volley. It was a
great chance and the least he could've done was hit the bloody
side-netting !
King and Dawson
were rock steady again and the Blackburn goal was great, neither man
could be blamed for it. I think that the goal came against the run
of play, because
Rovers hadn't really got out of their own half, never mind create a
chance, when
Tugay scored. Spurs finished the half strongly and could've gone
into the break 2-1
up.
It's another day,
another lesson for this rather young Spurs side and more
points dropped. Here's hoping for another great European night for
Spurs and that I
don't become a cloak-and-dagger Charlton Athletic fan like Mr O'Brien.
S J Wightman |
Blackburn
Rovers
(Away)
