Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

From My Seat: Tottenham (A)

Considering all our well-publicised injury list, the team as texted through didn?t look bad at all at first glance but a deeper look revealed that whilst the players named were certainly good enough but they had not played together as a team much if at all. This suggested that we may struggle a little on the understanding front and as the game unfolded this became apparent as players runs were not picked out and passing had to be thought about more thus leaving any flowing joined up stuff almost impossible. But we stuck at it and even without testing their keeper we at least were not disgraced against a team right on top of their game and full of confidence in themselves and each other.

We started quickly and within the first 2 mins Saha reacted quickly in the box and swivelled and placed a shot past the dive of the keeper but alas also wide of the far post. That was as it turned out to be our best effort of the night. Spurs were on top and with their starting line up and bench compared to ours so they should have been. We defended well and broke when we could and although we did get crosses in and on the odd occasion a player with a little space in the box clinical finishing isn?t in our repertoire at present. For 25mins it was mostly even although with Spurs virtually giving free roles to Bale, Modric and Lennon they always looked the more likely.

For a period of about 15mins we continually made the unforced error of giving the ball away and almost paid when Distin had a good foray forward but played his final ball direct to Spurs who broke quickly and in a flash Adebayor was in with only Howard to beat but luckily for us he made a hash of it and shot wide. The warning wasn?t heeded and on 35mins after more Spurs pressure a ball was swung across field aimed for Lennon but Baines was well positioned to clear and 99times out of 100 he would have but not to night. Somehow our most dependable player swung a leg, missed the ball Lennon said thank you and cut in on goal and despite a lot of Blue shirted bodies gathering around him he managed to get it through legs and wrong foot Howard and his effort rolled home.

After not looking to bad and Saha having a couple of sniffs we were behind. A bit of a downer and it forced many a fan to wonder could we come back such is our lethargy in opponents penalty boxes. We tried and got to half time with no further problem but I did get the sense Spurs were playing within themselves and were prepared to be patient in the knowledge that we had little to trouble them where it hurts.

The half time chat was mostly concerning the manager's comment pre-match that the Arteta money whilst helpful for the club would have no impact on the field which was not going down to well considering what we had been led to believe. Considering what we had seen first half at least that amount was desperately needed on some mid-field power and guile as well as someone who has that rare gift of being pacey and able to judge the right place at the right time and able to deliver.

Second half got underway and first of note was thunderous tackle on Modric by Neville. Hard but fair was how Ref Atkinson saw it and considering his treatment of Rodwell in the derby we were pleased. Spurs broke from that tackle and Bale brought the best out of Howard. With Heitinga in good form and marshalling the defence well we were keeping Spurs at arm?s length and making them hurry a little when we counter attacked. Wouldn?t you just know it after another break that saw us in and around their box Distin went down and was helped off limping leaving the manager little choice other than to bring on the raw Duffy. Under the guidance of Heitinga he settled quickly and played everything simple. He is one tall lad and quite an asset in both boxes and from a corner he was up highest but put his header over.

The fact he had only been on the field a few minutes when we went two down was in no way anything to do with him. Assou-Ekotto found himself with time and space some 35yds out, he shaped to shoot but from that distance you always fancy the keeper but this one he hit ever so sweetly and it flew beyond Howard into the net. Even with all our problems I just thought we didn?t deserve that at that phase of the game. 2-0 down and a look at the bench all but confirmed it would be no points from White Hart Lane this season. In that second half we had moved Big Vic out to right mid-field and had Donovan up with Saha but the move changed little so on 70mins Drenthe replaced Victor out wide. He had a couple of trade mark runs from out to in but each time sort of fell to the ground with no contact leaving the Ref to merely wave his arm in a ?Get up ,? gesture. This falling over was to deny us a penalty after he was genuinely brought down by Kaboul in the box the Ref merely waved his arm again?Get up!

Pienaar came on for a 10min cameo and Spurs played some keep ball and a bit of the showboating stuff as they played the game out.

M.O.tM -- Heitinga

Overall a better showing than I really expected with some good performances from Baines, Fellaini and Neville. Bale was kept as quiet as any team keeps him and Neville played a big part in that.

The faithful were quiet really just a few burst here and there and what should be worrying for the club talking to a fans over the last four games there is a lot of disillusionment about. Even die-hard fans are saying things like they will see what happens by next season before renewing their ticket and this from fans who normally take renewing the ticket as a way of life. The feeling I get is it is not a case of outright anger and a will to whip the board into meaningful action but more of an acceptance that we have been miss-managed to a point where we are stagnating with nowhere to go, no support to the manager to even have a chance of progression and almost an acceptance that we will have to sell our bright young talent just to stand still or at least go backwards more slowly. All of this ebbing away at the very thing that is the lifeblood of all football fans?Hope. As this permeates through the 18 to 20 thousand hard core home fans and they start to consider not renewing their ticket then the outcome is not worth thinking about.

The Chairman said he thought the blue union had ruined the club but if the average fan does indeed lose hope and vote with their feet then the problem is much nearer home.

I hope for all concerned some resolution can be found before season?s end and start to put some hope back into fans hearts and minds and get away from a phrase I am starting to hear far too often ? We are watching and witnessing a grand old club slowly die?

Villa next and a lot of us will be still cheering them on so come on Board act in a way that makes us all want to keep coming and with some hope that we will again be able to compete for something other than doom and gloom.

UP THE BLUES

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