Lennon returns to restore balance to the facere

Here we go then. Swansea. At home. On TV. Nothing less than three points will do. Must win. Must push on. Must endeavour to win them all starting with this one. For all the talk of us rediscovering our mojo, it wont matter much if we don't take all the points. The buzz is no doubt back with us. Smiles on the faces of our players. Instinctive free flowing movement, pinging the ball about the pitch with style. This is the Tottenham of pre-blip form. But the comeback performance was in the cup. And it was contained in 90 pulsating minutes. This is the league and this needs to be the game that jump starts our end of season run-in across all remaining games.

I wouldn't change anything. Same formation, same tempo, same hunger and desire to attack and punish. Just need to punch our opponents rather than playfully slap them. Quick knock-out, then shuffle and dance around them to our hearts content. There was nothing wrong with the performance against Bolton. Creating chance after chance from wave upon wave of attack is a far better foundation to stand on than the confidence lacking performances we've witnessed in recent weeks which had us rocking back and forth in the corner. Take note of some of the scintillating passing, instinctive and to feet. That is  is confidence. Football is easy when you believe.

Swansea are perfect opponents. They will play their brand of tippy tappy and we'll play ours. Lennon is back in the squad which restores balance to the facere, giving us the necessary width to stretch opponents again if we choose to do so (from start or sub). Bale of old is gradually creeping back into the fold, bursting with energy and effective intent with thanks to a far more structured attacking formation. Our spirit will have been galvanised with the prospect of a trip to Wembley. It's time to consolidate and book that ticket for our continental away days for next season.

It really is this simple: L L L D D...W W W W W W W W

There should be no need for a rousing team talk. If you want it Tottenham, go get it.

I got Mila Kunis, but she's wearing a paper bag on her head

Chelsea 0 Spurs 0

From the match preview:

On our current form:

It's like a really crappy ground-hog day where you get stuck in the lift alone for hours on end with no means of escape rather than being stuck in the lift for hours on end with a flirty Mila Kunis.

What we seek:

The one repeated necessity that I've cited on a number of occasions during this spell of misery is that we need to somehow rediscover our fluency, our mojo. Be it from individualistic magic or a collective tenacity to dig out the result. Or alternatively, luck. Just a lucky break. Anything. It's not happened in the two games where we expected it to happen.

Sort of on the right track? Not exactly flirty seductive Mila Kunis. More Mila Kunis with a paper bag over her head. She's there, you know she's there you can see her and she can still do the type of things Mila can do but, well, the paper bag is getting in the way, masking her beauty. There needs to be more bite. Imagine seeing her bite her lips. Bite Mila, bite! If anything just bite your way through the paper bag. In conclusion, the paper bag needs to go.

We haven't quite recaptured our mojo but there was fluency, structure and some restored pride which are all welcomed returning ingredients that have ever so subtlety spiced up Spurs again. I'm pretty sure I also caught a glimpse of ye olde leadership.

A first half of containment and patience, although from a personal standpoint it felt a little risky even if Chelsea had no clear cut chances. There was still an element of uncertainty at the back for us. Going forward, we played to the smart counter but with no hefty impact. Until that is we were all  left staggered on the brink of half time wondering how we failed to score and go in at the break a goal up.

A full pelt uber-confident Spurs side would have pulled this Chelsea side apart but then that particular Spurs side is MIA. The current one dug deep and in the second half we added that extra bit of zest and urgency to our play. We had more possession and crafted more chances on goal. We even had a couple of half decent set-pieces. Towards the end of the game we not only looked more likely to score, we looked certain. That lucky break still deserting us for the moment meant it finished goalless.

I'm happy. I'm content with it. First half I was concerned about the ominous nature of the game, heavily congested midfield with not much down either flank. It was ugly, stuttery summed up with Redknapp barking orders to Sandro to sit rather than chase. Our set-up there to frustrate and stop Chelsea from functioning, so sure  the game was unspectacular for the most part but who cares about Sky Sports and the neutral viewer? Credit to Harry because in the second half the tempo was far better and also aided by the way the game slowly started to open up, which was an expected eventually after such a non-eventful start.

The manner in which our players grew with confidence was more than evident in the way we kept pushing forward. Adebayor worked hard, holding up the ball, doing everything a team player does and proving that he is of the ilk of forward that works in this system and works in a team that includes so many attack-minded players. Shame he scuffs his shots more often than not. When he rounded Cech, that should have been the 1-0. Second time I celebrated prematurely in the game (the first being when van der Vaart struck it with his opposite good peg in the first half). Story of our day along with the header from Bale striking the woodwork and the Gallas header from a decent set-piece (I didn't make that last bit up - a decent set-piece). Bale even had the audacity to get a dead ball kick on target, forcing a save.

Talking of Bale, this kid has not turned into a massive egotistical nutjob that thinks he's 'made it' and swans around disinterested and not bothering to do anything other than take on the world on his own. Thanks to our lack of depth on the flanks we can hardly rest him or attempt to rejuvenate which means he continues to play and perform on a half empty (not half full) tank. Probably not 100% physically either. When confident, you tend to be far more instinctive. He appears to not only spend too much time over-thinking but he's also making the mistake of over-compensating by doing too much when the simple ball is sometimes the best option. Get behind him, support him because he's not going to get dropped any time soon.

Having said all that, even a 60% Bale can be influential, and he was. Along with Modric who got better and more effective as the game got on. Gallas also a highlight (although one or two moments reminded me of the requirement to bolster the centre-pairing options for next season).

One step at a time and this is as good as any foundation to build on. Even if 0-0 doesn't look it and even though we shouldn't quite celebrate our full return to form just yet (remember, paper bag needs removing). Chelsea lucky on the day relying more on half-arsed penalty claims than anything else although Brad was beaten for the Mata free-kick (was that us getting lucky?).

There's life left in us for sure. But the games are now fast running out. We'd have taken fourth place at the start of the season. That is looking good what with further complacency unlikely after our three successive defeats/blip. No more margin for error. Been there done that, we now have to make sure we start winning at home (win all home games) and work as hard as we did today away. Third should still remain the target.

We're beginning to wake up from our slumber just in time for the up and coming frolics and twisty banter that will no doubt consume us up until May.

The fizzy pop has gone flat

Spurs 1 Stoke 1: One point from twelve

I think we can start to panic. Not the screaming down the road pulling out your hair foaming incoherently panic. Just the quieter biting of the nails version. Perhaps some of you prefer the former rather than the somewhat hopeful latter. Plenty around me in block 34 opted for a third choice, which involved mostly of screaming obscenities at our best players informing them they are in fact nothing more than excrement. Oh how the fickle love to dance in the moonlight, howling with sadness. Excrement? I’d argue that’s a tad (no, I’m not going to do the obvious pun) unfair although it’s the perfect description to label our inherently poor set pieces which once more personified a night of frustration with perfect grimness.

I’m not sure where to start so I’ll just start moaning and whatever I type will have to do, so please don’t expect anything linear or in a traditional matchy reporty chronological order delivered with flair. I'm fragile at the moment.

Might as well start with the set pieces as they are fresh in mind. Expect the most obvious conclusion and you will witness it over and over and over again.

Ball fails to beat the first man.
Ball pings past everyone.
Short corner is not played because that would involve creativity.
No intelligence with free kicks, other than to have a go, might hit the target but probably won't.
Concede a goal from a free kick because that’s the expected result from a dead ball against a side that score a fair few from there.

Just after conceding I noted one or two players holding out their hands in a philosophical manner, pondering what had happened. Half expected them to reveal t-shirts proclaiming ‘Why always us?’. There is a fundamental brain fart that continues to linger in and around the heads of the players we posses regardless of how technically gifted they are. No one is capable of resolving this perplexing nightmare we never seem to wake up from. I'm still talking about the set-pieces here but also, the lack of want, the lack of stepping up and finding that relentless tempo from earlier in the season. When we dug deep on occasions, made our own luck, forced things to happen.

The Stoke goal, it did came against the run of play. And yet to be fair to them, at least they got something on target and by virtue of doing so scored and therefore deserved it. First half Luka had a couple of efforts. Bale's loop not dipping under the crossbar. There were one or two other sort of half promising moments either in the box or in the build up when attacking towards the box, but let’s be honest here. It was all ominous, that mocking apologetic football akin to knocking on a door you just need to get through hoping someone will answer when it would be far more apt to kick it down.

Sure, we had Bale on the left and Modric in the middle and one up front. I would, under normal circumstances, talk about how we are a side that is reliant on having our best players in their best positions and thus struggle if there is even one player missing. But this is a weak excuse. It’s still true in many ways as illustrated when the manager has tinkered to resolve problems with width. But in this instance it transcends selection. Adebayor has hardly been setting the world on fire recently and although his hold up play remains important this should not hold us back. And yet it did. If Adebayor isn’t setting the world on fire, Saha is attempting to do so by using a wet match.

Oh Saha, when you have the ball at feet, look up, look up. Pass it to a team mate. Alas no, the ball was persistently played to nobody or into space where an opposition player could thank and collect. There was one moment where he gave this look, with a swing of an arm, which was reminiscent of someone that couldn’t even be bothered to portray genuine care. Just wanted to look like he did. Oh golly gosh, the ball has been wasted. Darn it.

Is that harsh? Probably, but there was not enough about him. Defoe (on for Niko) gave us some direction when he was subbed on but it was hardly a tactical master-stroke. Gio came on for Saha. If that doesn’t tell you how desperate we are for something, anything to happen...

That's not to say simply having Saha up front ruined any chance of winning the game. The problem remains a collective one. No edge to our play at all. No fluency (thanks Harry for the confirmation).

King limped off. The logic here was probably, ‘Let’s play him in the must win home game because we’ll probably not win away to Chelsea’. Oops.

Scott Parker is now looking like the player I thought he was before we signed him. He’s completely out of form. Was always going to happen, him burning out like this. Hindsight will point out we should have roated more.

Much like the Everton game, we statistically battered them. In physical form the story was altogether a different one. A tale of woes and woefulness. We didn’t really carve out that many opportunities. We didn’t test their keeper enough. The football was flaccid, limp and lethargic. Now I know that a good solid side that has basked in consistency for the most part of the season and has also crowed loudly in acceptance to the plaudits given for the football played doesn’t turn rubbish over a game or four. But we might as well be because the results we’re producing are not inspiring or aspiring.

‘It’s all about the performance’, some would say, well yes okay, I get that. But the result matters more when you’re in a slump. Sure it’s not the good olde Spurs slump of old. We have not completely unequivocally surrendered. The effort is there, the execution isn’t. But we’re in danger of allowing this loss of confidence to destroy all that has been built. There’s a game, a moment that is meant to galvanise our team and allow us to once more attain momentum. But it’s not forthcoming. It’s all just a little too laborious in effort. There is no hunger, no ruthless 'win at any cost' desire. That mojo is not lost behind the sofa. It's fallen through the floorboards into the flat downstairs. And that door, we're still just knocking on it instead of knocking it the **** down.

I don’t know if it’s the England job. The court case. Redknapp or the lack of leadership on the pitch. What I do know is that nothing we’re doing at this moment in time is deserving of us retaining 3^rd spot. Which is why we’ve lost it. If we want to reclaim it we’ll have stop feeling sorry for ourselves and grow that pair that appear to have gone from grapefruits to grapes to pomegranate seeds. Post-Chelsea, the fixture list is one we should seek to lap up. Should.

Around the 90^th minute mark I bid my farewells to the two staunch Spurs fans to my right (one of which made the quote of the night stating how the best ever Spurs side of recent years was still miles behind the worst Man Utd side of recent years...ooh snap) telling them I needed to visit the bog and that I would watch the final minutes of injury time on the tv screens below before departing. I’ve done this once before and we scored (Keane, 4-4 v Chelsea) so off I went. I found a cubicle with the least amount of puddle to swim through and watched my fluid elegant flow hit the basin. Best move I had witnessed all night. I then walked out of the bogs looked up at the screen and within seconds saw Bale cross for Rafa for the 1-1. How nice of us to finally make a breakthrough.

I shrugged and left for the Seven Sisters.

I shrugged because had we done that 10 minutes earlier we might have found the belief for a second and thus securing that galvanised ‘performance’ to aid with reconstructing our depleted confidence.

Instead, we now go to Chelsea off the back of 3 defeats and 1 draw. At least we can recycle ‘mind the gap’ for their attention although best use up your quota of gags before the weekend before the five point buffer gets cut down. Oh come on, we never win there, do we? Although if there was a game that could galvanise our season this would...ah, never mind. Let's just wait and see.

Oh the joys of football. It’s never easy. It’s always cruel. It always makes us feel alive. Because we are. Alive. There's no shallow grave dug yet. I can see the shovel but no digging. And yet in amongst all this depressive rhetoric I still fancy us. Is that delusion? I’ve looked in the mirror and I’m not foaming so I’m pretty sure there must be some logic in my belief. We took a point in a game where we never looked like taking one. If that is our fight back its hardly one of epicness. But it's a start. It's a point. It's not a defeat.

There is now no disputing what needs to be done to get the job done. Either stand up and be counted or sit back down, put your feet up and whistle the day away whilst you throw it all away.

We are still super Tottenham, just without the super bit. Just plain old Tottenham. Do what it takes. Sellotape the flipping super onto the Tottenham if you need to. Just get the job done.

x

Strength. Width. Tempo.

Stoke, under the lights. I'm sure once I get to N17, walk down the Seven Sisters, have a beer or two and take my standing place in the Park Lane Lower I'll find myself edging back towards the necessity of us acquiring all three points. I remain fairly detached still from the pressures of finishing in the top four and retaining third place ahead of the two other London clubs below us.

Fabrice Muamba remains in our thoughts. It's great news that he's no longer critical and is in a stable condition, progressing well. Life goes on and so will football, even if for the moment it still feels some what unimportant in comparison. I wasn't at the Bolton cup game. I'll be there this evening (a rare occasion post-fatherhood) and I guess I wont know until the game kicks off how subdued the atmosphere will be. Hopefully it wont be. Harry said no player will be selected if they're not in the right frame of mind. If anything, we'll honour the lad as he continues to fight on and off the pitch. I'm positive all players will want to participate and do so with utmost professionalism.

I think the manner in which we played in the abandoned cup tie (aside from the openness in defence) would be a good starting point to continue with this evening. That means Bale out wide on the left in a more traditional flank role. Modric in the middle and van der Vaart free to roam from the right. It's a must-win game. Doesn't feel like it is but placing everything aside and taking the game in isolation - we can't afford to drop points at home. Not just in this game but all our remaining fixtures at White Hart Lane. Chelsea away to City, Arsenal away to Everton. It wouldn't be that surprising (considering the roller-coaster nature of this season) if the home sides falter. Ironic that for the best part of the season I've always cited how other results are of no interest to us. However now, the interest in what happens elsewhere is of a slightly more keen nature. It would be nice if our rivals came unstuck.

We need plenty of spirit and desire and complete focus at the task at hand. We're up against a side that has already beaten us twice this season. Make no mistake it's a tricky fixture under normal circumstances let alone following what happened in our last one. They are physical and dangerous from set-pieces. We need to grip the midfield and play our game and let them worry about attempting to contain us. Got to be organised when defending from high balls. We've also got to be wise to them breaking up our play so we might need to be patient in some of our build up play.

Strength. Width. Tempo.

Life does go on and we should embrace the positives and do them justice.

COYS

Fix up

I've been deeply philosophical in recent weeks and equally cautious. With each passing game when considering a battle cry for the next one (knowing the risk of repetition and the sorry fact that what follows is a post-match post-mortem allowing for both the knee-jerkers and the blind faithful to knock heads together) we stand waiting for something unexpected to happen. Like a win.

It's the FA Cup this time. That's not unexpected. We've had one of these puncture our league games before. The win in the previous round against Stevenage was hardly inspiring but taking into account the away team performed admirably in what was their 'cup final' it was never going to be a walk in the park. Spurs were professional enough in the end to get through and into the quarters with a semi-final the new prize to those that dare to achieve. Being that this is now a quarter, as a collective, we have to up our game to match the desire required for this stage of the competition.

As for repetition, I was going to cite the catalyst nature of this fixture . In isolation, it's potentially 90 minutes from a game at Wembley. A push for silverware (remember when this ilk of adventure meant something important?). In terms of our season, it's a chance to re-birth lost confidence. Blah blah blah. Re-read any of my prior match previews. It's the same colourful emotive nonsense that has failed me each time.

To compound matters further, Harry Redknapp appears to have taken responsibility to inspire the troops and fans in the post-match build up.

“Finishing top four is not a must to keep those players. If Arsenal don’t get in the top four, are their best players going to leave? If Chelsea don’t, will their best players walk away?"

“It doesn’t work like that. We don’t have a divine right to be in the top four. If we finish in the top four — and I think we will — we’ve punched above our weight"

“If we don’t make it, it’s just one of those things. We’ll have given it our best shot. We’re third in the league and we would have taken that at the start of the year"

“We’d be way over expectations if we finished in the top four. We haven’t finished above Arsenal or Chelsea for a long time and it looked like it would be tough to finish above Liverpool at the start of the season. We’ve finished in the top four once, not every year. If we do it this year, it will be fantastic, and I think we will.”

My blood is pumping and I'm dizzy from the head rush.

Underplaying much there Harry? Protecting the brand name? Comfortable? I'm hoping his team talks are a little more zesty in delivery when standing in front of the players with the aim to muster up some passion.

Pundits, managers, fans, the lot of us basically change our perceptions on a game to game basis to suit our emotions and analysis and protect ourselves from suffering if what is expected and first predicted doesn't happen. We've gone from just outside top four, to top four, to third, to title challengers, to third, to possibly 3rd, to probably 4th and now 'it will be expected if we finished 5th'.

Fix up Spurs. Regardless of the contradictions and media sound-bites, finishing outside of the top four now would be a failure compared with the form we've displayed across the season as a whole. A failure of ours rather than the result of others.

I'd like to see far more emotion (from the players its a given) but also from the gaffer, but then this is hardly a revelation (his comments to the press). It's textbook. Still, words are just words. Actions on the other hand...

We have a chance to stick those white and blue ribbons back on a piece of silver we've not had our hands on for far too long. A cup once synonymous with this club. It's all about glory, right? Nothing in the small print saying that glory can't be packaged up in two parts.

Get it done Spurs. Cup on Saturday. Then Stoke under the lights. Wake up. A good performance is imperative (rather than 'just win any which way') as we have the tools to play well and with flair. We need to apply them to inject that belief back into the side. Momentum. Remember that?

As for a traditional DML battle cry, it would be rude not to, so I'll end on this:

COYS

It's time the cockerel sharpened its spur

Everton 1 Tottenham 0

If the Woolwich game was a choke and the Utd game a clinical mugging, Saturday evenings defeat at Goodison Park was...a disappointment. Three successive defeats, a taste we've not acquired since the hedonistic days of Juande Ramos. I'm not about to knee-jerk. Not yet. Even if the three defeats are the result of our form degrading since the new year. That gap of points we had? That's proved to be a safety net. A buffer. Once its gone there is no margin for error. Fall and it won't be pretty. Unless we end up falling on top of others who aspire to get ahead of us.

The science is simple. Stoke in our next league match where we truly find out whether our balls are the size of grape-fruits or nothing more than shrivelled grapes. If the slide persists it will fuel the belief in others whilst distinguishing our own. An exceptional season turns to disaster. From humble beginnings ("we'll do well to battle hard for 4th") to giddy heights ("we're contending at the top") this was all our own doing. Much like the unravelling is our undoing at this present moment.

For the sake of positivity (I'll hazard a guess this is one commodity that is currently lost in in the depths of our thoughts consumed by its arch nemesis) we are still masters of our own destiny. We have not been punching above our weight. Other rival clubs have not suddenly reclaimed past form. We haven't had a blip all season long whereas others have had several. We've had all of ours in three successive league games. That gap was an illusion of circumstance.

The panic button is present in the same room that we stand in but our finger is not hovering above it even though we are staring directly at it. It's crossed our mind to run across to it and thump it with anger. That's the easy way out. We all know, Tottenham never takes the easy way. It's always, unequivocally the hard way. We're apologetic at the moment. From manager to players, there is no mental strength and assured focus. No responsibility. There has to be more than hollow excuses about it being one of those days. Sure, one of those days one week but three times in succession?

It wouldn't be entertaining if we navigated our most crucial period of the season with skilled professionalism, digging deep to retain some reminisce of momentum. Using the same pragmatism that our rivals are proclaiming, from inconsistent under achievement to tenacious spirit, there is nothing to suggest we can't turn this around. The same way its been turned around by those that have spent the season chasing and falling. We've spent the majority of the season looking forwards not back. As perplexing as it all is at the moment, this is not a self-fulfilling prophecy tinged with expected failure. It's not a throwback to that side we once knew, lacking spine, bones brittle like crisps. What we are is dangerously close to reflecting that persona. The difference is we all know what we are capable of when we fire on all cylinders. That's our real persona. Even if its not one that is seasoned in close season pressure chasing a top spot (whereas both Woolwich and Chelsea have experience in doing so). It's still one capable of achievement.

Confidence can be drained out of you but it can also be won back. Just takes one game. How can I as a supporter give up on that one game when that game has yet to be played? That game has to be the next one (Stoke) by virtue of losing this one (Everton) and the one before. After that, if we're in the same predicament, I'll start walking slowly towards the panic button expecting the inevitable self-destruct.

We are out of form. Individually and as a collective. Tactically a mess. The irony? The game looked like a 0-0. Could have so easily been a 0-0. Could have also seen us win it (based on 2nd half). Moyes men, unattractive and defensive. Spurs misfiring all of the pitch. A mistake leading to the goal that would give the points to the hosts. Could have been, wasn't, was 1-0 to them.

How? Why?

"How to lose games and influence people to start calling you limited now that we're not winning" by Harry Redknapp.

• Don't play the best formation based on the players available
• Don't start players in their strongest positions, including your two best players
• Stick Bale on the right (lose the chance for genuine width and dynamism)
• Stick Modric on the left (lose creativity and guile)
• Start a striker based on recent form, but add him to the line-up to accompany your other striker instead of dropping him to have just the one up front. Probably because deep down you know that having Defoe up front on his own will be detrimental to that particular system, but you start him anyway
• 442 doesn't work so persist with it
• This in turn will leave the midfield outfought due to being pressed/out numbered by the oppositions midfield with lack of drop-back by forwards to support

It was a bit like that island out of Lost. Strange happenings all the time with no explanation and you never quite work out what's going on. If you took a step back from it all, as bad (in comparison to good) as we appear to be playing - it's still not catastrophic. No big explosion. We just need a slice of time travel and a chorus of a grand old team to put this right.

The goal was a gift (more so than a mistake), Kaboul completely falling asleep after leaving his position to then lapse again and allowing Osman to square the ball to Jelavic to score. We continued to struggle with retaining the ball, our passing lacked fluidity. No inspiration, no perspiration. No mojo. No luck.

Why does the simple ethos of playing your best players in their best positions and not accommodating anyone who doesn't fit in not cry out for the attention it deserves?

Modric was heavily marked and unproductive out on the left. A position that is not unlike imprisonment. Bale equally ineffectual until he shifted across to the left for the last 10 minutes. Our set pieces personified our performance. Erratic and without intelligence and direction.

If we were not so limp up front we could have still carved something out of the game. In the second half, we almost did.

No immediate changes to the side but the tempo was more driven and there was urgency. Nothing special and most definitely deflated in comparison to our more bullish performances from our sparklingly back catalogue before the implosion (although arguably we have actually degraded away from home over a longer period of time if you wish to recategorise certain below par wins away from home from 'dogged' to fit into our current demoralised state of mind).

Saha replaced Adebayor. For all of the time Defoe spent in offside positions he was far more alert and more likely to craft a chance than his team mate although he remains completely selfish and suffers from lack of spacial awareness when it comes to understanding his team mates and their movement. Our set pieces continued to degrade further (so many levels of bad are conquered here). Chances presented themselves but were dismissed with disguised disdain like a heavily knitted cardigan given to you by granny at Christmas.

The flanks remained broken. If Karl Marx played for us, he'd be stuck out on the right. The gaffer would probably tell us nobody would expect him to be there, he'd say its "a bit left field" to do that and that's why it might work but it's not really left field, is it? It's right. But not actually the right thing to do because he's left.

Confused?

Welcome to Tottenham Hotspur tactics 101.

Was Bale on the right because of what Everton had achieved against us and more specifically him,  nullifying Gareth forcing him onto the right to escape their attention in a prior encounter? Why not simply play to our strengths than concern ourselves with what Everton might be able to do? Square pegs, round holes. 

I've mentioned that the second half was far superior to the first half showing. It was. Everton continued to be reactive to us pushing forward, the home crowd no doubt saving their voice for the derby rather than waste it on the cockneys. Bale dived (because it's what he has to do from time to time - I'll blog about this separately but some of you really have to start supporting the player and stop constantly hating on him). Saha hit the woodwork. Another (genuine) highlight of the second half was the introduction of van der Vaart. Even though at times I couldn't quite work out where he was meant to be playing. Still, next time you (some of you, not all of you) complain about the luxury of the Dutchman, try changing your straitjacket to something a little tighter. Extra padding to your cell might also help you out with the banging of head on wall. In our blatant hour of need, we need our talisman out there because someone has to take the responsibility to drag us up from the floor.

Did we 'batter them' in that half? Yeah, sort of. Like I said earlier, we could have carved something out. Alas, there was no structure or style to our endeavours. Throwing everything at the Everton goal with no patient build up or plan. Don't pretend you didn't see it playing out like this when the line-up was announced. We appear to be accepting defeat rather than utterly despising it. It's all very much fragmented.

So what now?

Another cup game punctures the fixture list before we face Stoke. Two successive home games before we go to Chelsea which will allow players and supporters to unite as one again. Two games which need to be used as a catalyst. As a club we need to embrace the challenge ahead without the anxiety we've displayed in recent games and to do that we have to be at full strength. One hymn sheet, countless choruses of Glory.

If we believed the hype when we played and won games consistently then we can so easily believe the hype that tells us we've bottled it. That's the danger. This is where we need to grow a pair. At some point soon there wont be enough games left on the calender for us to rally the troops and spit out battle cries with myself thumping the keyboard manically demanding swashbuckle. Winning ways need to be reclaimed. I'd say any which way possible but I know this side is capable of winning with swagger. Whilst said swagger is MIA, any which way possible is a good place to start.

As bad as things seem at the moment, it will only take a couple of results to change everyone's perspective again. Next two are pivotal. The ones that follow might be a blessing.

So grape-fruit or grape? Get a grip of it Spurs. That includes you Harry. That includes every single one of you wearing the shirt. Every single one of you singing for the shirt. Do or die or dare. Shouldn't that be inspiration enough?

Stand up, be brave.

It's time the cockerel sharpened its spur.

Mental

Another game live on the box. The potential for more televised heartache and heartbreak. A trilogy of defeats would turn a blip into a psychological mess. A good team doesn't turn to mush over night. But a good team can suffer if they begin to believe that the Gods are turning against them. The first defeat was a capitulation and deserved. The second we played well but naivety and incompetence buried us under a three goal mugging. Everton away is hardly the best place to go to seeking redemption but is probably the best game for redemption to be found. What better way to brush off the negatives and reboot the faith required to get us up off the floor and fighting again.

Moyes men are a unit that are fully aware of their strengths and weakness and play to contain and frustrate. They will be physical and tactically astute (our fullbacks have been made to suffer in the past). There is no disputing that any weakness we plan to mistakenly flaunt because we're too busy losing discipline or lacking in patience will be jumped on and duly punished.

That's not to say we can't give them something to worry about. Everton are hardly made of the sexy stuff. And if we compare quality, flair and trickery pound for pound we have it in abundance so we need to be ruthless when applying it. If they defend deep then we must hold onto the ball. Don't let them dictate the games pace, look to take advantage of it. Whether that's a defence splitting pass or disguised ball or a counter-attack. We've got so much creativity and vision, it's enough to make you blush. Blush when we put it to good use, blush when we fail to use it at all.

We've let ourselves down by losing some of that cohesiveness that played such a pivotal role in our long standing run of good form. We must defend set pieces better. Play our possession football. Just keep it simple Tottenham, embrace the back to basics mantra. It doesn't have to be over complicated. Strongest players in their strongest positions. Player instructions are key and it's an area where most (watching and micro-analysing) start screaming for Bale to remain wide and why hasn't he been instructed to do so and so on. Vital that we look the team and play like a unit. That starts with the gaffer. It leads with the captain. An executed by the players.

Personally, I'd have Adebayor upfront (he might not be as sharp as Defoe at the moment but he's a far superior team player) with a trio consisting of Bale, Modric and van der Vaart with Sandro and Parker holding behind them. Parker fetches and carries. Modric recycles. If van der Vaart journeys inwards then Sandro builds a wall behind him. Same with Bale. Ideally our left winger will stretch Everton by dragging players out to the flank meaning more opportunities to dink the ball through the middle, something Luka will relish. Player instructions simply need to outline player responsibilities, covering and protecting each other. I'm the king of the obvious. Harry will probably go with 442, we'll win 3-0 and I won't post tactical musings again.

I've always gone with some wild prediction in recent weeks with my preview that we'll re-invent push and run and demolish our opponents because we have to reclaim authority and grasp destiny back from the clutches of evil and other colourful metaphors concerning war and pride and desire. I'll be content with us playing rubbish and winning 1-0 with a deflected goal in our only attack in the game. I'd prefer the former to the latter but a win this Saturday, that's the most important thing and I'm happy to contradict my usual necessity to play the Tottenham Way. There's no doubt every time we run out onto the pitch we attempt to play the Tottenham Way. It just doesn't always happen. And if it doesn't happen then nick it, steal it, mug it off. Just like Utd did to us. It's what the big teams do, right? We've had our fair share of average performances this season, games where we've come away with all the points (Fulham away anyone?) so we have more than just the one dimension to our play.

We need to prove it.

We asked for a good reaction to the NLD loss and in some cruel twisted way got it (in part) but had nothing to show for it. Forget style for the moment, let's take the substance of three meaty points on the table. Then that blip doesn't turn into a crisis of confidence which can spread like the plague. It stalls the pressure. The pressure from others but more importantly the pressure from within. That pressure then turns back into belief and onwards we march.

Not taking enough points off the other big sides will only prove costly if we don't wake the **** up and take them off the remaining teams.

Mental strength.

COYS

Tottenham need to be united

Just because we've had a consistent season where you can count the amount of disappointing performances on one had and spent the bulk of it in the top four (third) doesn't mean we can all take it for granted that the games left will follow a similar pattern. An odd blip here or there but nothing to derail us. I shared some stats earlier in the week, more theoretical than stone cold mathematical that suggested we've got little too worry about. I ignored the variables. Have we got a little too carried away? Add the variables into the equation and you might end up pulling out your hair and making paper aeroplanes out of the note paper as you give up scribbling the countless connotations of what might play out based on what might happen elsewhere.

I still refuse to look elsewhere and worry about it. We all know everyone vying to be in the top four will hit purple patches and muscle their way closer inwards. We can only attempt to guide our own destiny and possibly dent one or two others in the process between now and the end of the season. Even if it means mudding it with dirty hands. It's time to get back to basics, get gritty and re-ignite the fire in our belly. I don't just want to hear a battle cry, I want it to bleed out my ears.

One good result doesn't define a season. So one bad one should not do the same. Shame on us if it's a catalyst for a free-fall. As much as Ferguson has a point about Harry and the effect of the England job unsettling the team, that's most part textbook kidology in the build up to Sunday's game. The players owe it to us and themselves to display the desire and hunger that got us into the position in the first place. That position I'm talking about is the position of challenging at the top of the Prem and forging that winners mentality. 3rd place is a consequence of the work ethic we've stuck in.

Okay, so we still have issues with taking points against the very top sides. Historically, we've struggled. But this has been a season where everyone has landed a knock-out punch on each other. A season of contenders, with no apparent champion elect (bored of The Project).

Having to face Manchester United in our next game is the fixture lists way of laughing at us. But it will ease up soon enough and it's important we stay true to what we've built up this season in terms of momentum. Not get side tracked by outside interference and not allow the glamour of the FA Cup to blind us as we stand perilously unbalanced on this ladder that's being shaken from below. I said it will ease up. Shame on you if you believe that to be the case. Every single game should be seen as do or die. Spirit of 2010. Not the gut wrenching collapse of 2006.

Wayne Rooney has recovered from a throat infection. I'm more focused on making sure we're the ones that don't choke. Hopefully someone has redrafted the over-used script that gets acted out time and time again when we clash with United. Could do with a new twist in amongst the expected drama with confidence and bullish determination in the leading roles. Preferable Lilywhite than Mancunian red.

Get on it Spurs. Get at them. Play with width and play with style. No unnecessary tweaking or undisciplined selections. Team unity over individualism. This won't be easy. We all know Ferguson's men can always dig out a result when they need one. The pressure is on them, equally compared to the pressure on us. They are chasing their noisy neighbours who appear to be quietly edging towards the title. We have to shift on from the anomaly of last weekend and rebuild the foundation for further momentum.

Play out of your skin Spurs. Sing your hearts out in the stands. Tottenham need to be united.

Tottenham need to beat United.

Go get some

One thing that's sticking with me at the moment is that thanks to the lofty position and the accolades and all the positive sound-bites and of course not forgetting the facts relating to form...we go to the Emirates as a team expected by some many to win. Wasn't that long ago we couldn't muster a win away from home against any of the considered 'big clubs'. We've only recently punctured that unwanted record (last year at the Emirates and Anfield) so this derby day on Sunday will require us to consolidate the new found belief we've stamped across the league this season and truly, definitively, once and for all prove we've grown up and don't mind invading someone else's patch and giving them a good smacking (that's a metaphor for the football rather than any norty business outside).

This isn't about coming back from the dead like last season. We've done plucky one too many times. This is about playing the Tottenham way, with pace and style. Playing without fear and playing to win not survive. No doubt they will also embrace pace and their own style and attack us. Best midfield wins. The irony is lost on them however, believing we are the ones that remain in their shadow when the reality is, they refuse to step out of the shadow cast down on them by distant memories of former glories.

Caution from within however, even a slight sense of nerves or an inability to focus and its not beyond the realms of possibility to get knocked out, blind sided. But if there's one thing this Spurs side don't struggle with these days is knowing what's expected of them and delivering it.

I hope I'm right. I hope their position flatters them and we flatten them.

Time to find out how big our balls are.

-

Episode 31 of The Fighting Cock podcast will be released Saturday after midday on itunes and the FC website (click on image below). It's a North London Derby special. Ooh, I can feel it in my bones, I'm going all tingly...North London is ours, North London is ouuuuuuuuurs...

For the podcast archive click here.

Harry Redknapp was wrong

Tottenham 5 Newcastle United 0

If there was a performance that defined the word galvanised this was it. Harry’s court case, the England job, the White Hart Lane faithful, the players...everything fused together perfectly to drive forward an emotive and at times wonderfully majestic game of one-sided football that illustrated what is so good about this Spurs side.

Patience is not a virtue that is often allowed to settle in amongst all the hyperbole and drama at any given club. We all knee-jerk in some way. Sometimes more subtle than the next person, but we’re all guilty of it. It’s simply self-doubt in an opinion or in someone or something. You react to it without properly processing every eventuality. One of the common trends of complaint and concern this season has been our squad depth. This was under the microscope recently during the month of January, resulting in players leaving the club and a couple arriving. Replacements for back up players when we all craved top drawer signings.

We scoffed. Scratched our heads. Fickle and forgetful considering the last time we misbehaved like that was when Scott Parker was signed. It’s almost like we reset our pragmatism each time. We're actually a very decent side. We should revel in that far more than we do and have confidence in that fact. In Harry we trust, finally we trust him.

No van der Vaart so no 4411. Saha upfront with Adebayor in a traditional 442. Kranjcar retaining his place. Defoe and Lennon returning  on the bench. The galvanised effortless movement and attacking prowess was beastly. Every player alive and hungry. We’ve questioned and debated the form of Adebayor, excusing his lack of goals because of the way he fits into the system we play but still we've shown concern for his quiet performances as of late. Isolated at times and with a despondent first touch. Yet against Newcastle he was electric. Unplayable. Four assists. Two for Saha one for BAE. Took the fifth goal for himself. Adebayor with eight assists for the season (edit: It's ten assists apparently). The option of playing two upfront when Rafa is unavailable is now enticing. Trust.

The new founded double act working tirelessly, running into space, into the channels looking for the ball, looking for each other. Saha, a wealth of experience knowing where to position himself. Along with every other Spurs player out there, they made a point. They made three points.

We showed everyone watching what Redknapp has crafted at Spurs when Spurs turn up at full pelt.

Benoit in the 4^th, Saha in the 6^th, Saha in the 20^th, Kranjcar in the 34^th. Saha's second a joy to behold in terms of team work. Over on the bench Harry was displaying pure emotion, releasing the stress of the court case with each goal scored celebrated like he was punching the bitter face of the HMRC.

The home crowd boisterous and proud singing their support for the manager. After the Wigan game (the support sang for Harry) this game finally witnessed a genuine embrace from the stands. A bear hug Martin Jol would have been proud of. One Harry fully appreciates. It’s almost surreal, hearing ‘We want you to stay’ when at times we’ve been quite withdrawn for vocal support for him by name. Mainly due to the fact that he has distanced himself from Tottenham (‘them’) and the fact that he has very much always prioritised his brand name above and beyond all. He probably still does but you can not detach yourself from a club completely without the consequence of forging an affiliation with its fans.

We know Harry, we know he’s about looking after number one but he’s let his guard down a little. Just enough for us to finally invite him in. It’s a very poignant moment this. And deserving for the successful restructure of a club that was a mess and massively under-performing when he first arrived.

Newcastle had an effort or two in the first half but nothing that looked like puncturing our defence successful. If there was a criticism to be aimed at us I would suggest we need to start looking at taking free kicks instinctively rather than attempting to craft some ilk of masterpiece from a set piece. But that’s been a long running issue with us. Corners included. At half time and at 4-0 the most telling stat belonged to the aforementioned Adebayor. Four assists, so lazy he couldn’t be arsed to score any himself. Until the second half.

The second half was not as rampant and bullish as the first. But it was still one of comfort and joy. In the opening forty-five we dominated with concise effective possession. We were clinical and brutal in our approach. You can question Newcastle’s positioning but to take advantage you still have to endeavour to do so. Which we did with pace and tempo, relentless punishing tempo. Sometimes it just clicks altogether perfectly. Even with the players missing and the ones on the bench we did not look like weakened in any way. We welcomed back our manager and reminding him that there is more quality to work with in N17 than there is with the Three Lions. If he fancied staying put.

As for the second half not being rampant. Luka and Niko continued to work their socks off. Parker dominated Perch and Guthrie (mismatch) with his tenacity and commitment. Newcastle desperately missing Tiote and Cabaye. Even when we started to give the ball away a little, we never looked like a side that was concerned with the pace of the game slowing down. The fifth arrived on the 64^th minute mark, Saha header with Adebayor hooking the volley into the net and then getting tickled for his effort in celebration whilst holding his knee on the ground. One or two other half chances here and there. The crowd continued to sing Harry’s name. Lennon and JD replaced Bale and Saha. Nelsen came on for King. There was even time for a superb reflex save from Friedel from Ba.

Perfect evening. Handshakes all round.

The back line was powerful. BAE brought the crazy. You almost forgot we had King and Dawson there. In control and composed. So good, you didn’t even notice them. Apart from Benny. He always makes sure you notice.

Parker and Modric the perfect middle two. With Livermore performing so admirably and Sandro an option, we look to be fit and ready for the battles we face in the coming weeks. Parker was back to his best, tackles and distribution. Luka is Luka. A gem, a wonderful rare gem, a thing of beauty and priceless.

Bale solid, hard working without the individualistic quirks.

Kranjcar equally solid continuing his form from the Liverpool game, defending/attacking. Team player.

Adebayor’s best performance in Lilywhite. A Godzillaesque impact on the game, smashing down the black and white skyscrapers that Alan Pardew has built.

Saha a revelation. Levy and Harry’s moneyball transfer tactic coming up trumps again. If he stays fit and performs with this level of movement/intelligence then we have the rejuvenated kick we’ll need to make this second half of the season as successful as the first half. Defoe looked lively when he came on, fitting into the style of play Saha left when he was replaced. All three should keep each other motivated enough to compete for a place up front.

At the final whistle, with Newcastle outclassed, and everyone Lilywhite gleeful, we could all look back at what was further proof that the progression of Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham continues to gather pace More than it's already gathered. Ambitious. Daring is achieving.

A team of brilliant individuals that play for each other and the unit. A team that plays for their manager. A team that can adapt formation when necessary. A team, on form, easing to victory over one that lacked any cohesive shape and simply failed to contain and compete sufficiently enough to make a fight of it. To bully a side like this is a requirement if you aspire for the progression to continue.

Suddenly, there is no knee-jerking looking at our squad. We have an option to play Niko who will retain possession well and link with Luka when discipline is required with a touch of cross-field vision. Lennon is now back if we wish to exploit space and stretch with width. With three forwards available we can rotate in a 442 and still have the option to play the 4411. With one defeat in 30 or so home games we have set the benchmark for ourselves to complement our possession by scoring goals and killing teams off. We’ve bossed many a game and not done that. It’s so much easier when you’re clinical because you can seek to push the game beyond the opposition in no time at all.

As for the gaffer, he wont be able to say no England. Its the pinnacle (for him). However, sometimes, an epiphany can change all that. Hoping he had one yesterday.

Harry Redknapp was wrong.

This season is the best we’ve ever had it. Last season was evolutionary as was the one before. It’s continued into this season without the slumps and loss of confidence. Just strength solidified from one game to the next, momentum held close to our pumped out chests as we crow at ear-bursting levels. Tottenham, a big club in a big league.

Fantastic players, freedom of expression, brilliant football. That’s as good as it can get for anyone.

You should love your club unequivocally no matter its stature or position. But you should never feel guilty if you lust for something more. Our tradition and our style, the Tottenham way...we’re oozing it at the moment. Not in cameos like so many seasons in the past but in sustained form. Long may that continue. Because when you strip away all the want for silverware and top four what truly matters at the end of it is the joy your team gives you. This team doesn't fail to disappoint and I can't smile without it.

Harry Redknapp was wrong but it still makes him right.

Love the shirt.

Tottenham expects

And we're back. Back to the football once more. Sort of.

We've got a game that will no doubt be dominated by the vocals of the home support singing the name of Harry Redknapp. It would have been all about the not guilty verdict but it's shifted a little thanks to that little matter of the England job and it's availability. In today's press conference Harry handled himself very well. The media present lapped it all up (the joke about losing the England job before he's even got it went down a storm). That's Harry. Entertaining. Gives them the sound-bites they demand. Whether he can keep everyone onside a year or two into looking after the national side is up for debate. The press, they will always turn on you. Even a favourite will be built up because the sound of the thud made when he falls is too much for them not to crave. Perhaps Harry is the chosen one the media will worship no matter what.

/tumbleweed

Other footnotes from the conference include safe and respectful answers to questions relating to England and that other thing, whatisface...oh yeah, Tottenham Hotspur. The club he's currently contracted with. It's hard to work out exactly what Harry might do next. You would expect him to want the national job but he hinted its something he'd have to consider with his family (managing England can seriously damage your health). He's focused on Spurs he says. Which is what we expect from him until circumstances change. Hopefully if the FA ask for permission then they along with Redknapp agree its best to wait until the summer to make anything official. That way, everyone is content.

We've still got plenty of work to do this season. It would help if something happens quickly either way. I can't be alone in being completely bored of all the (rival) managers and players and their constant approvals for Redknapp for England. This is also quite beneficial to our 'opponents'. Bless their concerned hearts. We need more Chelsea/Utd/City players telling us what the FA should do. I do know they get asked the question by journalists so they are obliged to comment on it. Would still like to see a memo fired out to the ones that frequent Twitter stating they should stick to discussing Nandos than stating the bleeding obvious. Shock horror <insert name of English footballer here> would like Harry as the next manager. Really? How unexpected. Shame no one dared to be more original, if anything just to cause a nice distraction to the mundane. Warnock for England trending would have made my day.

But then that's the nature of the game. Tabloids and Sky will make sure they ask a dozen people for their opinions to continue generating the hype to fuel their 24 hour coverage of an hours worth of news.

I know people say it's akin to tapping up. It's not (not really) but its still amusing how dismissive everyone appears to be of Spurs in all this whilst we are told by various ex-pros and pundits along with current Top Four opponents that the FA just have to give him the job. Don't ever believe that the media perceive us the darlings of the Prem. It's Harry they adore. We just lucked out. The patronising is grating but we're big and bad enough to ignore it, right? We've had to deal with a lot worse down the years.

So, to the football then. Newcastle United at the Lane. No van der Vaart which means no deep moving link-up play with the midfield. This could result with one up front with that one looking more like a zero, all alone and isolated. Perhaps not as extreme as what we witnessed away to Liverpool. However, this being a home game we'll more likely to move the ball with better fluidity and create chances even with a single body working the box. Then we have the return of Aaron Lennon and his probable inclusion giving us complete width from the right to the left. Would be rude to dismiss the shift Niko put in last Monday, so he's in with a shout to retain his place if Harry prefers to introduce Lennon off the bench.

One up front? You've got to fancy a more traditional 442 for this one. We got away with it at Liverpool because of the restraints on selection. We can dare to achieve a little more at the Lane.

It's Newcastle United. They're going to give it a go and they'll be sparky up front, not afraid to attack. So best we look to dominate as the home side should do and keep them busy at the back. Something that will work better if we start with two forwards. Radical stuff.

Defoe is back. So Adebayor will have a partner unless JD isn't quite 100% and Saha is preferred. King should be available (to partner Dawson) but Sandro and Kaboul are doubts. Shame about Sandro as we could do with being very competitive in the midfield (although his inclusion would not quite fit into a 442 - and there's always Livermore for backup). Control the middle and you'll control the game. The onus is on us so we simply can't afford to be bullied.

Effective possession. Something the likes of our two key players are more than capable of doing. Parker patrolling the park and Modric making magic. Got to be confident with that. They've got to be equally pumped up when White Hart Lane will be positively bouncing with energy and noise. I also hate to see Alan Pardew smile.

It's another big game for us. When do we ever involve ourselves with anything less? It's a good time to be Spurs. Harry has done a grand job for us. I remember the start of this season well. The despondency based on the back end of last season and the suggestions that he had taken the side as far as he could. Proved everyone wrong again. He makes a habit of surprising people. If he moves on we'll remain a fantastic proposition for the next man to come in and take the helm. That's still neither here or there for the moment.

All that matters is the next game. Anfield was a test, one that had us display a master-class of grit and defending in containment. On Saturday we have to defend our proud home record by attacking. The lucky ones going will sing their hearts out and we'll endeavour to go marching on.

COYS.

Love the shirt.

Plan B, not pretty, but it works

Liverpool 0 Tottenham 0

All things considered, a good point at Anfield.

Tottenham’s Plan A is one of majesty, pace and devastation when applied with pomp and confidence. A full strength Spurs side is arguably the best footballing side in the country, and by virtue of the quality we possess it means we can compete with anyone. Sometimes, it falters a little, we make hard work of it which can result in a bit of a grind to churn out the three points. Every team has its off day, but truly aspiring teams with tough mental strength and spine can still win when playing below par. We still prefer the occasions when the swagger is wonderful and the opposition mesmerised. But you can’t always be at full strength.When we’re not, we’ve got Plan B.

It’s not really a Plan B though, is it? It’s more of a damage limitation exercise. Actually, that’s unfair. Scrap that. It’s more of an emergency restructure. It’s usually something we witness when we lack width (either one or both of our flankers). But Plan B is good for the soul, if not beauty to behold when watching it unfold on the pitch. When you’re not at your most effective and can’t attain full pelt, you dig deep. Its more slow brooding and stop-start. Depending on the opposing side, this can be a test of fortitude and concentration.

I’ve written about our squad depth a number of times this season. The fact we are so finely tuned that a key player missing here or there weakens us with far greater impact because of how much we rely so heavily on our system. I said in the preview for the Liverpool game that this is a testing period, every game is now massive in terms of retaining momentum. Every point vital as we aim to consolidate third or better.

If we trip and fall, I have no qualms about our ability to stand up, dust off and continue the march.

We didn’t trip and fall at Anfield on Monday night. We got pushed about a little by a side that likes to impact games with their physicality. In response we simply defended resolutely. We displayed grit and courage and even though the game as a spectacle was poor (boring at times - edit: need to elborate on this, what I'm refering to is the expectancy of say how we performed away to City in the second half in comparison to soaking in pressure at Anfield) we played with professionalism and gained an important point in doing so – momentum intact.

Several players unavailable (Lennon, Defoe, Sandro, Kaboul, van der Vaart) which meant others deputising with the usual team responsibilities. The bench consisted of the following outfield players: Nelson, Khumalo, Rose, Luongo, Lancaster, Saha. Illustrating again how strong our first team is but how we lack the same ‘replacement’ quality when they are missing and have to make do with youth and oldies.

Luka in the Rafa role, an example of the deputising, pushing more forward offensively rather than staring in his more natural deeper position. We shaped up in a 433 with Livermore, Parker and Modric in the centre and Bale/Niko behind Adebayor. Bale is obviously going to be contained on the left with no concern for the right with Lennon missing – which is why Bale once more ventured into the middle (to help out our lone striker). It’s not perfect, but there was no criminal negligence in terms of lack of discipline.

Slow starts for one or two others (Livermore’s positioning was tricky to work out early on), but the midfield trio worked their socks off across the 90 minutes. Parker outstanding in the second half making up for one or two mistakes in the first. Modric again imperious in terms of pass production and close control and perhaps understated by some who seek more dynamic creativity from him. Can’t be expected in every game. The way he retains and recycles possession should never be scoffed at. Sometimes we simply need to match and attempt to better our opponents to make sure we don’t lose the midfield. Its also apparent how important van der Vaart is, dropping deep and linking play.

Dawson another stand out player at the back, no coincidence with King by his side. Friedel alert when called into the game to shot-stop. But alas, the match lacked end to end clear cut chances. Adebayor mostly isolated up front and when in possession not able to keep it or use it’s efficiently. Walker also struggled a little to get past Johnson but got himself involved in terms of defending.

There was no disputing a solid first half of football. Liverpool don’t lose at home (don’t win many either) and although I was confident of a win pre-match – changing my mind after the injury news – I was more than content with how the game was playing out. We were not being bullied or struggling under pressure. There was no pressure. No mistakes either. Containment with the added bonus of perhaps a cheeky counter-attacking winner. The key here was to get Bale into the game or for Bale to get himself into the game more and for us to support Adebayor and for him to hold the ball up.

No Harry Redknapp at the game. Insert joke about the Anfield Cat being Harry’s next bank account. Nothing Kevin Bond couldn't handle (team talk, not the cat). We looked to continue the consistency in the second half. Which came to life when Bale was fouled and got up and pushed Agger, then got a yellow card for it.

By fouled I meant dived. Have not a clue what was going through his head. Only part of his game I disapprove of, it’s not clever and it’s not Tottenham. We don’t cheat and we don’t dive. Well, unless you’re Bale. He’s done that twice and got booked twice for simulation this season. I know there are some stats that show Bale v Ronaldo and how Bale has scored more and assisted more at this point in his career than Ronaldo has. But please Gareth, don’t try to own the play-acting stat too. Lucky not to get a red. Perhaps frustration was getting the better of him. Another learning curve to navigate.

However (there’s always a however). Being critical of the player, it doesn’t sit well with me. I want him to develop and to continue to progress and improve to truly world class stature. But I don’t want to spend my time bemoaning the kid whilst he wears the Lilywhite. Remember when he was a left-back that couldn’t win a game? He’s come a long way, he’s picked up a few bad habits. We’ll have them ironed out of him in time. He didn't quite manage to fulfil my half-time wish to get into the game more. He's not always going to have the space. He'll learn how to manipulate it from one game to the next, from one class of opposition to the next. Neo couldn't leap from a building or stop a bullet in the early days. So let's hope Redknapp does a good Morpheus impersonation.

For now, enjoy while you can. And be patient.

Bale could have won it for us late on (86^th min). A rare fluff in a one on one. Carroll equally wasteful for them, so no complaints. And Suarez more so (87^th min) with a free header.

Saha made his début, a like for like replacement for Adebayor, isolated and difficult for him to get into the game. Parker shot blocking a Gerrard effort and was also assaulted twice by Suarez. Niko – we are quick to be critical of him when he doesn’t perform, so best to give him credit for his work, especially his defensive shift.

That’s twice I’ve mentioned the returning hero (Suarez) in what Sky Sports were building up to be a fairytale return for the lad. A standing ovation no less from the home support and salivation from the commentators. What a guy. No fairytale ending though. He'll have to make do with the banners.

In the end, goal-less. We passed our test. Emphasis more so on defending than attacking. King always glues the back four together and everyone played their part. Collectively, as a unit – they all played a part in making sure we took that point.

Liverpool, in form, could not break us down or get any clear stranglehold on the game. It’s frustrating in some ways that we could not play what we are accustomed to seeing. Liverpool are Stoke but less effective. Plenty of dirtiness, little class. On and off the pitch. Skrtel on Bale. An occasion where Gareth is well within his rights to stay down. Off the pitch, can I mention Suarez once final time and the embarrassing siege mentality of Dalglish? An ugly football team, an ugly club. Happy to see them sat in the pot along with one or two other sides that can’t quite get the better of us these days.

Football cycles. You live through them. You deny it's happening to you, whilst others embrace the change. Soon enough, all you have is a turn of your head whilst you look back and remember the past. Then there are those busy with looking forward, making the future theirs. We are still living through it. Nothing has yet to be set in stone.

Proud as ever to be Spurs. Hope we get the core (first team starters) of the missing players back for Newcastle. That’s going to be a massive three points. Like every other game.

COYS

Love the shirt.