Can be a very useful asset at White Hart Lane. Luka Modric was spectacular last night, again looking worth every penny of that £16.5m we paid. He looks a lot more effective at the Lane where he probably gets more time on the ball and more freedom but there are no two ways about it, he’s quality.
Obviously, Stoke at home is a game we should be winning comfortably but considering the position we are in currently, the pressure on the players last night was huge. They all stepped up and put in what is probably our best performance of the season so far.
Carlo Cudicini look assured in goal on his debut. The fact he’s played very little first team football in recent times really didn’t show. Dawson and Woodgate are developing a good understanding together and although Ledley is sorely missed, I have much more confidence in this partnership now than I did early season.
Aaron Lennon was busy as usual and took his chance very well indeed. Bentley also had one of his best games in a Spurs shirt. I hope Harry keeps him on the right flank from now on because that’s where all his best performances for us have been. I may have been a little hard on him when playing out of position.
As solid as always was Corluka. I can’t rave about him enough, an absolute snip at £8.5m. The front two played well, Defoe with his goal and Pavlyuchenko often dangerous. I hope he continues to play this well once the temperature rises. Even Akotto and Zokora were largely mistake free.
I loved Harry’s tactic of bringing Huddlestone on in injury time to run the clock down because it takes the fat mug five minutes to bumble his way onto the pitch. Maybe he is good for something after all.
Poor old Gareth Bale, another game he doesn’t start and we win. It’s getting to be more than just a coincidence now!
The hard work isn’t over but the result lifts us to 13th in the table and psychologically I think that’s a big deal. Bolton away on Saturday will be a much sterner test but with Palacios and Chimbonda waiting in the wings, things are starting to look a lot brighter. Let’s hope the players continue this work ethic and stick enough points on the board for us to stop panicking, and then we can just enjoy our day at Wembley.
I’ll be first then.
mustard ain’t the word, they were the bollocks last night, onwards and upwards.
I’d like to see Pavs a bit more agressive in running to balls played ahead to him. Seems like he could be very good but is too timid right now. Could be dead legs, though, seeing as he’s played a full Russian season, then Euros and now is working his way through a Premiership campaign.