Another desperately disappointing performance from Tottenham in a semi final, making it four defeats in our last four since the great win against Arsenal in 1991. We can have no complaints about the result, they were better than us in all areas, but you had a feeling that we did n’t play as well as we might have done.

The madness of staging the “North London Cup” in Manchester meant an early start for everyone. I got the Spurs train put on by the club and surprisingly for something organised by the club, everything went according to plan, well marshalled by the Rasta steward.

As the drabness of the East Midlands gave way to the beauty of the Peak district, my confidence began to be hit by a dose of realism. We were up against a team full of top internationals, which have been together and successful for years, while we had a number of injuries and a new coach taking over for his first game. The train was pretty subdued partly as a result of having to get to the station and partly I suppose as everyone realised the daunting task ahead.

With a police escorted Metrolink to the stadium we were there with plenty of time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Spurs supporters had taken over the Sam Platt’s pub on the canal side and it was a great site to see the flags waving and singing. Elsewhere supporters mingled without trouble. We took our seats high up in the old Stretford End above where the players come out.

A rumour spread through the crowd that Campbell and Carr were both playing, but I was a little alarmed to hear that Iversen, Ferdinand and Rebrov would all start as well. Where would Iversen play? Would Hoddle change the system to have his 3-4-3 or would Iversen be given a midfield role in the 3-5-2 system. Either way this was not the news I wanted to hear. I also noticed that Freund was missing from the pre-match warm up although no one knew about the injury he picked up on Friday, which was the reason for his absence.

Spurs kicked off, with Arsenal attacking our end of the ground. Spurs struggled to get in to the game in the early exchanges as the 3-4-3 system became apparent. Arsenal had the best of the early chances with Wiltord blasting over, before Sully had to be alert to cut out a cross from Henry and a weak shot from ever rancid Dixon.

A few tasty challenges were going in from either side, typical of encounters between the two sides over the years, but Perry received a booking as he took out Wiltord as he looked to break away down their left. Spurs have their first chance after about 10 minutes when Lauren fouled Rebrov in a very similar position to the Gazza free kick in 1991. Our Number 8 this time unfortunately is Sherwood and along with Clemence, they tried an over complicated routine of running over the ball and the final pass never made it through to Rebrov.

Soon after we took the lead – the ball was played in from the left and chested down by Doherty to Ferdinand who’s shot was saved by Seamen’s legs. The rebound found its way to Iversen on the edge of the box. His miss-hit shot bounced up nicely for Doherty 8 yards out to cushion a deflected header into the net. I was frozen in amazement that we had scored, checked the lino had his flag down and then went mad.

Despite the early lead, Arsenal continued to dominate the game and it became clear that Hoddle had made a major tactical mistake in changing the 3-5-2 system for a 3-4-3 system as the players did not seem to immediately know their role and responsibilities.

This was especially evident with the two wide forward players Rebrov and Iversen, who did not effectively support Ferdinand when we had the ball and did not close down the Arsenal full backs when we were defending. At least Rebrov tried his hardest and no blame can be attached to him, but Iversen, who plays a similar role for his National side was very poor and it did not seem like he was 100% committed.

Elsewhere within the team, the loss of Freund in the middle left us vulnerable to Arsenal’s running with and without the ball, and despite their best efforts, Clemence and Sherwood could not match the contributions of their opposite numbers Viera and Parlour. Carr and Young were often left two on one with the wide attacking players not tracking runs from the back, while it took some great blocks and tackles from the back three to thwart the Arsenal advances.

It could reasonably be argued that Arsenal are superior player for player so it should have come as no surprise that they were on top, especially considering the injuries to key Spurs players, but if the Spurs players were better organised and demonstrated a greater desire to win than Arsenal, they should have been able to put up a stronger display. A big part of this goes down to an error by Hoddle, although my faith in him getting it right long term has not been diminished, especially considering he identified the current weaknesses in the team in his post match press conference.

Arsenal ran the match, but Adams had to be alert after 2o minutes when a chipped pass by Rebrov nearly put Tottenham in. Clemence gave the ball away soon after and as Pires advanced towards the Spurs penalty area a goal looked a certainty, but luckily for us, he hit his shot weakly at the relieved Sullivan.

The Arsenal pressure was non-stop, and they always looked dangerous with the ball, and as with 1991, we needed a second goal to consolidate our position in the match. Unfortunately this never arrived, and if we are honest, never really looked like arriving.

Henry and Parlour were inches away from connecting with a Wiltord cross/shot with an open goal after he’d burst into the area, and we escaped again. Silvinho had a one-two with Henry before breaking into our box again. His deep cross was met by the onrushing Dixon who forced Sully into a good save. Eventually, after several bad fouls, Poll has no option to book Viera.

Despite all the pressure it was still 1-0 to us, but the game was about to change for the worse. Sol set off to chase Parlour, and obviously feeling his injury took out the Gypo-Goon on the left touchline rather than chase the ball down the touchline. It was immediately obvious that he’d hurt himself and everyone feared the worst. The ref also managed to book Campbell for this, but it was academic as Campbell’s match was over. Another Old Trafford disappointment for Sol On the ground where his handball gave Newcastle the advantage in the semi final two years ago.

I’d hardly noticed that Pires had taken the free kick when I saw Viera rise unmarked to head home from the middle of the penalty area into the far corner. The disaster was complete.  Spurs resume with Campbell receiving treatment, ironically on his other ankle, on the sideline level with the dugouts and Spurs played for a few minutes with 10 men before Ledley King was introduced to replace Campbell.

In another example of Arsenal’s excellent running with the ball even someone like Parlour managed to burst past King and into our area before wasting his shot. Spurs who’d not functioned in the Arsenal half for much of the first half had the last chance of the half when Rebrov emerged from his left wing isolation to hit a 20 yarder which went just wide of Seamen’s right-hand post.

Half time arrived with the majority of us hoping that Hoddle would re-organise things to combat the Arsenal danger. I hoped to see the introduction of Leo for Iversen and switching to 3-5-2, but I think most of us were hoping against the odds rather than expecting anything in the second half.

The second half started as the first half ended with a shot from outside the area from Rebrov. This time it forced the sad pony tailed keeper into a save, which he eventually managed at the second attempt, with no one following up. At the other end, Silvinho nearly surprised Sully with a dipping 40-yard effort that went just over.

Perry gets a lot of stick for distribution, but his defending remains pretty good and he was at his best to defend a close range effort from Henry, and Doherty, who gave everything for the cause was on hand to thwart Wiltord.

Sullivan has two weakness – the less said about his kicking the better and the other is his ability to deal with crosses, especially deep ones. I should add that Sullivan is brilliant in ever other aspect of his game and the best keeper we have had here since Clemence. It was from weak punch from a corner, that the ball fell to Henry, but Sully recovered brilliantly to dive at the feet of the French forward and tip his shot over the bar. The first of his outstanding saves.

After 55 minutes, Spurs needed to change things around, as they were making no inroads into the Arsenal half. Leo was the man to come on, and he duly entered the fray, but to everyone’s disappointment it was Ferdinand, rather than the ineffective Iversen, who was replaced. It transpired that Ferdinand had a hamstring injury, so there was no choice. Leo slotted in well and Spurs entered their best phase of the second half as they switched to a more recognisable 3-5-2.

The next moment of Sully magic arrived soon after when Wiltord sprung the offside trap as the game became more end to end to be one-on-one with Sullivan, who stood his ground and did not commit himself, before saving with his legs, in the style of Jennings.

Spurs were featuring more on the break with Leo making good runs in and around the Arsenal back line, but it was Arsenal who had the next chance when Parlour headed at Sully from 10 yards out from a Henry cross from the left.

Just after Leo’s substitution the Spurs crowd who’d been pretty vocal anyway, raised another effort and transformed the atmosphere of the game with relentless singing of Glenn Hoddle’s Blue and White Army and We are Tottenham from the Lane. It was a magnificent effort, but unfortunately the players, despite their best efforts could not find the second goal.

Sullivan was again left exposed as Spurs pressed forward – this time it was Pires, but again Sully stood tall and managed to divert his effort wide for a corner. Another heroic effort.

With 20 minutes to go, it was still level, and despite not having the better of the match, we were still very much in it, especially as Sullivan was inspired at the back. I would have gladly settled for a draw at this stage and taken the lottery of penalties, but we were not going to be given the chance. Viera received the ball in their half of the centre circle and with neat footwork advanced into our half. Spurs were stretched and he released Wiltord who got to the by-line, before hitting a cross across the six-yard area for Pires to tap into the empty net.

Even with 17 minutes to go, it was difficult to see us coming back and a few heads dropped amongst the crowd and players. Our best chance of the remaining part of the match came from a Rebrov volley from a Carr cross, but unfortunately it was straight at Seamen.

Perry made a brilliant effort in tracking back with Henry and producing a great saving tackle inside the area when a third looked very much on the cards. Thelwell was introduced for Clemence, with Doherty going up front and Thelwell replacing Doherty at the back. Spurs tried in vain to raise a final effort with Young going closest with a curling shot as he cut in but Arsenal were not extended to defend their lead. Henry was booked for clashing with Perry in injury time but that was that.

After an injury time winner in the third round, a comeback from 2-0 down at Charlton and an away win at West Ham, this was a disappointing way to go out. Hoddle must take much of the blame for not having the side at its best, although it would have been a miracle to have won against Arsenal with the injuries and fitness levels of key members of the squad. This defeat puts us back quite a bit, as there will be no Europe next season, but in Hoddle we have the man to deliver success at Tottenham over the rest of the decade and beyond, and who knows, in this century our lucky year ending might be 2, or 3………

Sullivan (9/10) – Outstanding as ever with several fantastic saves in the second half.

Doherty (8/10) – Took his goal really well and was positive all over the pitch.

Campbell (7/10) – Was in the process of playing a heroic match recovering from his ankle injury when a challenge on Parlour damaged his other ankle. Losing Sol at this point was bad enough, losing the lead was the beginning of the end. Lets just hope and pray this isn't his last match for us.

Perry (7/10) – Another solid match at the back but his distribution of the ball lets him down.

Carr (7/10) – Not fully fit, but a grand effort and gave Arsenal problems down our right all through the match.

Sherwood (6/10) – Had a decent 20 minutes in the second half but slowed down our attacks with square or backward passing and gave the ball away too often. It looks like Hoddle has soused this with his comments in the press conference

Clemence (7/10) – Put in a lot of effort and did his best, which is all we can ask for.

Young (7/10) – Had a solid match in the new formation.

Iversen (5/10) – Even allowing for being played out of position, this was a poor showing from Iversen who lacked the obvious desire of others on the pitch like Doherty, Carr and even Clemence.

Rebrov (7/10) – Looked uncomfortable in his new role as left-sided attacker - either too deep when we were attacking or not covering sufficiently when we were defending. Put 100% effort in the all too infrequent times he got the ball and looked our most dangerous player.

Ferdinand (7/10) – Played well without getting much support from the rest of the team, and was unlucky to pick up another injury which curtailed his involvement.

Subs: King (7/10) – Unlucky not to feature in the starting line up, but performed with great credit when he replaced Campbell

Subs: Leo (7/10) – Played well when he got his chance in the reorganised team.

Subs: Thelwell (6/10) – Did ok at the back when he got his chance in the last 10 minutes

Hoddle's post match press conference - the good things are that he has identified the problems - poor and often negative passing, but with all the injuries and disruptions mentioned - why did change things so drastically?

Glenn Hoddle reflected on what he saw as a poor passing display in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final and admitted: "The lads are all bitterly disappointed in that dressing room. Semi-finals are all about winning and that goes without saying.

"I don't think we played well enough to win the game. To be fair there were too many disjointments there for us with Sol coming off, and it's his other ankle - his damaged ankle held up pretty well - and when he's off being treated they've got the equaliser.

"With players out four or five weeks, the likes of Carr, Sherwood, it was a very difficult week all round and we couldn't. We've had really pick the team until this morning when we knew Sol was fit. Les got a hamstring and that threw us as well.

"There were a lot of problems to deal with. Perhaps, if it wasn't a semi-final, three or four wouldn't have played. We wouldn't have taken a risk on Sol.

"They are reasons and facts but we didn't pass it as well as we could. We were a bit negative in our passing and I think they can pass better than that.

"That's where we let ourselves down - we weren't big enough and strong enough mentally on the ball. We need to pass the ball better and that's one thing we have to look to improve."