Spurs (3-5-2):-Sullivan; Perry, Campbell (Capt.), Doherty;
Anderton, Freund, Leonhardsen, King (sub Sherwood 64), Clemence (sub
Etherington, 64); Rebrov, Booth
Subs not used:- Walker; Young; Korsten
Booked:- Anderton, Etherington
Charlton (3-5-2):- Ilic; Todd, Brown, Rufus; Kishishev,
Stuart (Capt), Parker, Jensen (sub Salako, 81), Powell; Bartlett,
Svensson
Subs not used:- Caig; Tiler, Newton; Lisbie
No bookings.
Attendance:-35,368
Referee:-D.Elleray
It happened over the new year of 1911/12,
but only subsequently happened once for the rest of the century
in the late summer of 1980, but now the Goonersaurus has not only
equaled it, but created his own shameful part of Spurs history.
The subject (which would probably be Graham’s on Mastermind)
is consecutive 0-0’s and we have now managed FOUR on
the trot. Graham tried his best before for this dubious accolade
with two sets of 0-0’s either side of a 1-1 at soon to be
relegated Blackburn this time in 1999. What the watching Sven
Goran Eriksson must have thought of this, god only knows.
On a mild afternoon in North London,
Tottenham lined up with the same side as against West Ham, with
Doherty again operating as the left centre back, and Booth
partnering Rebrov up front. As pleased as I was to see
Etherington on the bench, I was dismayed to see Krapston had
wormed his way back. Charlton had Keily, Kinsella and Johannsen
all missing and were there for the taking having lost two out of
every three of their away matches, letting in an average of 2.42
goals per game even with their best players. As Morrissey once
said “Stop me, Stop me, Stop me, stop me if you think you’ve
heard this one before”
The first minute of the first half was just
about as good as it got for Tottenham. For once, Anderton managed
to get in front of Clemence to take a freekick on the left-hand
side of the area as Tottenham attacked the Park Lane. His
dangerous whipped cross was met by the Doherty at the head of the
on rushing players, but he only managed to scoop his effort over
the bar.
The onset of the drab football ensued. No
one taking responsibility, with every pass square or backwards,
and not always to someone unmarked. After periods of this
drabness, when the ball is finally moved forwards it is lost.
Crap. Nobody allowed to run with the ball. Crap. This was also
compounded by no-one taking responsibility, motivating and
encouraging the other players. This is n’t Sol style (and
Sherwood makes too many errors to be credible in trying to do
this), but a Perryman, Roberts or Mackay was sorely needed.
Why are we so inept? Bad tactics. No more or
less. And this is Graham’s fault. Look at all the players we
had on the pitch today – all capable of playing well in the
Premiership and some above. So why are they so inept? The tactics.
One wonders how much influence QPR failure Euston has on this
issue. Remember, his replacement of Hughton in April 1999 was the
start of the decline under Graham.
As for noteworthy stuff in the first half,
Booth, realizing he may not get too much of the ball in good
situations, seized upon a loose ball 30 yards out, and although
he hit his shot high and wide it was good to see someone take the
initiative.
Charlton for their part were just as crap as
we were. Whereas Southampton had a legitimate claim on the
balance of chances in the last home game, Charlton were just a
non entity, with only Claus Jensen, who had their only shot on
target from a freekick midway through the half, emerging with any
credit.
I kept a close eye on Rebrov, and noticed
distinct signs of frustration at the way Tottenham are playing
– looking for passes from the midfielders who often chose to
pass square, or when he did get the ball finding that no-one was
offering for him. He did show that he retains all his vision when
he came deep and threaded a ball into Leo doing his trademark
late run into the box, but Leo could not get a good contact with
the shot under pressure from a defender.
More drab play followed before Spurs won a
free kick in a dangerous position 25 yards from goal. And as our
minds drifted back to Anderton free kicks of old, Clemence
stepped up to hit a weak shot into the wall. This did not please
the crowd who got on his back more and immediately started
singing “Graham out”. While I think any non positive
singing during a match is counter productive, the chorus of
Graham out is perfectly understandable.
Another freekick in a similar position to
the Clemence one was this time taken by Anderton, but this time
his shot was blocked by the Charlton defence, who managed to
clear before King pounced on the rebound.
Halftime was a relief, but the second half
picked up where the first half left off with both side producing
dismal, aimless, boring football. Anderton had another chance
from a 25 yard free kick, but his effort was well wide of Ilic’s
right hand post. Charlton managed a few long range efforts and
began to concentrate on playing on the break.
Another piece of history was made as Freund
managed to hit a half decent shot ON target forcing Ilic into a
straight forward save on the hour mark. Anderton broke well down
the right, but over hit his cross and a minute after took his
frustration out on the ref, who promptly booked him.
Graham broke the habit of a lifetime and did
a tactical substitution before the 85th minute, but
for some mad reason withdrew King instead of Leo for Sherwood,
although had enough sense to see that Clemence was getting
nowhere and gave Etherington his first stab at the Premiership
this season.
Spurs generally played better after the
introduction of these two, notably Etherington, who managed some
impressive runs at the Charlton defence. Despite Spurs getting
moderately better (which also co-incided with Charlton sitting
back more), it was Charlton who were almost gifted the match
after a cock up between Perry and Campbell on the edge of the box,
and the ball fell invitingly to Bartlett who shot straight at
Sully’s legs, with Jensen blasting the rebound wildly over
the bar.
Freund, who deserved a lot of credit for his
attitude, broke down the right-hand side and was well found with
a good pass. Freund got to the byline and cut the ball back
intelligently to Rebrov, who swept his first time shot straight
into Ilic’s midriff in what would have been a very similar
goal to his first at Elland Road.
Freund was also involved in our next chance,
sending over a long throw that was headed on by the Sol man and
eventually found its way to Leo who sent a looping header wide of
both the diving Ilic and his right-hand post. Etherington created
a couple of half chances with his energetic runs, but all went
astray and the supporters were streaming out for most of the last
10 minutes.
Despite being unbeaten in 2001, Spurs have
only beaten Newcastle and Orient since Sugar announced his plans
to sell the club, and the sooner ENIC get in and sort out the
direction of the club, its manager and its funding, the better.
We have the most important game of the
season on Weds night, and only have one fit, slightly out of form
striker to fill two places up front (and no left half of any note).
Korsten would be a disaster, but who else is there if he won’t
play the untried youngsters McEwen or Ferguson or Fenn? Charlton
are not up to much and are there for the taking if we can get
back to something near our best
Sullivan (6/10) – Did not have
much to do, but saved well with his legs from Charlton’s
only real chance
Doherty (6/10) – Another good
match, strong defensively (admittedly against a weak attack) and
willing to carry the ball forward
Campbell (6/10) – Rock solid
apart from a mix up with Perry that nearly gifted Charlton a late
winner
Perry (6/10) – Not as bad as
people make out and was competent at the back
Anderton (6/10) – He tried his
hardest and even got booked when his frustration got the better
of him and he gave Ellery some verbal. He was also at the centre
of what little football we played. Constrained within a poor
system or past his best?
Freund (7/10) – Had a shot on
target and was non stop for the whole of the 90 minutes playing
his usual game. Worthy of a good mark for effort and never say
die attitude alone.
King (6/10) – Was in the middle
of another solid performance in the centre of midfield when
inexplicably withdrawn by the Goonersaurus.
Leo (6/10) – A sub standard
match for Leo, although his contribution improved as the game
wore on, but he is a long way short of what we need from a
central midfielder.
Clemence (5/10) – A poor match
at left wing back, compounded by wasting several dead ball
situations. The crowd got on his back, which is not what an up
and coming 23 year old playing out of position needs. Withdrawn
for Etherington after an hour. Oh for that French bloke who used
to play left wing.
Rebrov (6/10) – Spent the whole
game chasing lost causes. Still has the eye for a good pass, but
gets the ball so rarely in dangerous situations.
Booth (6/10) – Ran his heart out,
but not as effective as Weds night as the stiflingly dull tactics
employed by Graham all but eliminated his opportunities.
Sub: Sherwood (6/10) – Did ok
within the Goon tactics in central midfield, and managed to give
his trademark hospital ball, this time to Etherington
Sub: Etherington (6/10) – Had an
encouraging game, with his energy and runs prompting the best
Spurs period of the match. Lets hope he gets a chance to build on
this