Sunday, 27 April 2008

TOTTENHAM 1 BOLTON 1

Tottenham's season continued to fizzle out with little more than a whimper as relegation threatened Bolton nicked a valuable point.

Spurs completing dominated the first half in front of new £15.8million signing Luka Modric in the stands, but not for the first time in recent weeks failed to take advantage of their dominance.

Bolton took a shock lead when Stelios bundled the ball home at the start of the second half.

But they couldn't hold on for a valuable win, as Spurs levelled matters just five minutes later. Robbie Keane's shot deflected to Steed Malbranque who finished from close range.

Dimitar Berbatov, who Juande Ramos admitted after the game could leave the club at the right price, should have secured three points for the home side, but he sent his late header over the bar.

Sunday, 20 April 2008

WIGAN 1 TOTTENHAM 1

An early Dimitar Berbatov strike was cancelled out by Emile Heskey as Wigan shared the points with Tottenham to edge towards Premier League safety.

Berbatov opened the scoring after six minutes, finishing in style after a crosss from Aaron Lennon.

But Heskey drew the scores level in the 12th minute with an impressive turn and finish.

Marcus Bent hit the bar in the second half as Spurs were once again unable to produce a consistant performance over 90 minutes.

Saturday, 12 April 2008

TOTTENHAM 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 1

Tottenham failed to capitalise on first-half dominance for the second game in a row, as Middlesbrough game from behind to claim a point at White Hart Lane.

Spurs created several chances in an impressive opening 45 minutes, and took the lead inside half an hour when Jonathon Grounds could only turn an Aaron Lennon cross into his own net.

Dimitar Berbatov and Jermaine Jenas were guilty of missing chances as Spurs once again failed to show the ability to kill of teams when they are on top.

And they were made to pay as Gareth Southgate's side improved in the second half, equalising when Stewart Downing's right-foot shot deflected off the head of Jena and past Radek Cerny.

And Boro could have grabbed the win with Alfonso Alves going close late on.

Friday, 11 April 2008

BLACKBURN 1 TOTTENHAM 1

Tottenham failed to capitalise on their first-half dominance, as Blackburn came back from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

Dimitar Berbatov put Spurs ahead in the seventh minute, tapping in from close range after a cross from Jermaine Jenas.

And Spurs, looking to forget the 4-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle in their last outing, should have scored more in the first-half.

But Blackburn equalised after half an hour after the impressive David Bentley brilliantly set up Morten Gamst Pederson.

The second half failed to live up to the standards of the first, and Blackburn looked the most likely to win it.

David Bentley appeared to be obstructed by Brazilian full back Gilberto, although whether he could have got out of the way is a matter for debate.

But Peter Walton waved away the home side's appeal as both sides had to settle for a point.

Sunday, 30 March 2008

TOTTENHAM 1 NEWCASTLE 4

Tottenham turned out a shocking second half performance as they were thrashed 4-1 by a resurgent Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

Darren Bent gave Spurs a first half lead when he expertly headed past Steve Harper from a Steed Malbranque cross.

But Newcastle grabbed a vital equaliser on the stroke of half time when Jonathon Woodgate failed to clear and the ball was teed up for Nicky Butt to level with a scuffed shot from the edge of the box.

And Spurs failed to come out in the second half.

Newcastle went in front just after the break when Geremi curled a free kick past the motionless Paul Robinson.

And a Mark Viduka stepover allowed Michael Owen to curl home a third as Spurs' defence capitulated.

Owen should have had another when he easily turned Michael Dawson but he put his shot over.

But Newcastle got their fourth when Obafemi Martin went through a calimitous home defence and slotted past Robinson.

Saturday, 29 March 2008

TIME FOR THE ENGLISHMEN TO PROVE THEIR WORTH

Following today's newspaper reports that the likes of Paul Robinson, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent could all be be shown the door in the summer by Juande Ramos the message is loud and clear - It is time for the English players to prove their worth to Tottenham.

Spurs have invested millions in young, English talent over the last few years, and it has certainly brought some success, as Spurs finished fifth in the last two season's and won their first trophy for nearly a decade this season, beating Chelsea in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

However Spurs are now expected to push on to challenge the top four along with Everton next season, and Ramos is clearly not convinced this can be achieved through English talent. Paul Robinson and Michael Dawson both look set to leave after struggling for form this season, while Darren Bent has not been given a run in the team but has shown little to justify his record £16.5million transfer fee.

Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas are perhaps the most likely to stay - showing glimpses of the qualities they can offer to the team.Huddlestone is young and still learning his trade and should be given another season to develop. His range of passing is one of the best at the club but he needs to keep fit and work on improving his mobility.

For Jenas, it is time he showed in these final seven games of the season that he can consistantly fulfil the potential that he most definately has. A player who frustrates his own fans, Jenas works hard but needs to impose himself on games and dominate the midfield in a way he has been unable to so far in his White Hart Lane career.

And perhaps the most surprising target for Ramos's summer cull could be young winger Aaron Lennon. After signing from Leeds, Lennon exploded onto the scene in the 2005/2006 season when he filled in for the injured Wayne Routledge and made the right wing spot his own, embarassing defenders with his lightning pace and quick feet.

Lennon looked a revelation as he showed his skills on the world stage as a shock success story of the 2006 World Cup. But since then Lennon has struggled with knee injuries and has not yet seemed to regain that early confidence and swagger that came from playing without fear. His crossing is his biggest fault - there is no gain from skinning your opponent if you cannot deliver the ball into dangerous areas from the byline.

Ramos has admitted Lennon must work on his final ball - and he must use the rest of the season to show he can improve. More than anything he must show on the training ground a determination and dedication to become the player we all thought he would when he first broke onto the scene.

The press reports may suggest a brutal cull, but it is likely Ramos will use the rest of the season to make his final decisions about these young English players. The message has been sent out - it is time for them to deliver.

Saturday, 22 March 2008

TOTTENHAM 2 PORTSMOUTH 0

A double substitution inspired Spurs as Darren Bent and Jamie O'Hara came off the bench to grab two late goals to beat Portsmouth.

With 10 minutes left Bent scored his seventh goal of the season, heading in after a mishit Dimitar Berbatov shot to bring up the century of goals at White Hart Lane this season.

And Bent then turned provider, laying on a tap-in for fellow sub O'Hara to wrap up the three points.

Former-Spurs midfielder Sean Davis could have given Pompey a first-half lead, but his chip was superbly saved by Paul Robinson.

And Michael Dawson hit a fierce drive that cannoned off David James' crossbar.

Both sides failed to put away their chances , until Juande Ramos' inspired double substitution in the 70th minute changed the course of the game.