The Season Starts Here

Finally we are off the mark with our first 3 points of the new season, and an away win against Wolves under our belt. The result however was somewhat flattering to an unconvincing display, but taking in to account that this was an away game where we have had problems in the post, I am happy to take these much needed points.

The team selection & formation was interesting with the inclusion of 2 of our new additions, Scotty Parker & Adebayor, both making their debut in the white of the Spurs shirt. With the current crop of injuries, we kicked off the game with a patched up backline, including the surprise re-appearance of the Rolls-Royce that is Leadley King. In midfield, Kranjcar was deputising for VdV, Bale lined up on the right to cover the missing Lennon, Modric on the left, and Scotty Parker slotting in the middle. Up front, Defoe and Adebayor started a new Tottenham strike partnership that will hopefully bring back the free-scoring games that were so common-place just a few seasons ago.

During the first half, both Spurs & Wolves had their chances, but the game failed to really come to the boil. The Spurs team looked like they had only just met in the changing room about half-an-hour before kick off, and that this was the first 45 minutes they had played this season. Only Parker stood out for Spurs in the first half, he looked up for a game and started well with some bite & determination in the midfield. Wolves looked comfortable at the back, and had threatened up-front, with the Ex-Spur Jamie O'Hara at the centre of everything good.

After the break, Spurs looked a little more comfortable and confident going forward, but for all the good possession and control, we still did not look like we were going to make the breakthrough. Modric still looked sluggish and out of position on the right, as did Bale, who seemed impotent on the right wing. Kranjcar was having a better game, and making some good movement through the middle and linking up nicely with the front pairing. It was exactly this sort of play that led to the opening goal in the 67th minute, with a good interchange of passes that ended up with Parker at the edge of the box pushing a sharp toe-poke goal wards, and excellent awareness from Adebayor to slip the defenders, stay on-side, and slot the ball in to the net passed the Keeper.

One-Nil.... Where did that come from..?

The goal appeared to settle the team, and a more free-flowing Spurs started to play the ball with more confidence & style. Ten minutes from the end the same formula was repeated, this time with Kranjcar & Defoe swapping a 1-2 pass to break the defence and a strong, low shot from Defoe past the keeper into the bottom corner. At this point I thought we could go on and and grab another couple of goals, but I think the team gave out a collective sigh and decided that 2-nil was more than enough and played out the last 15 minutes with little invention.

Overall the game was a good outing for the boys and showed signs that all was not lost for our season. Having said that I did not think that we looked convincing though, but with a few more games and a few players coming back from injury, we should start to gel and play the way we know we can.

My Player ratings: -

• Friedel - 7.5 - Solid and stable at the back, just what the defence needs
• Bale - 6.0 - Out of position and still out-of-sorts
• Kaboul - 6.0 - Reasonable performance
• King - 6.5 - Looked a little rusty, but a good first run-out for the season
• Walker - 6.0 - Never looked comfortable, always chasing the game
• Assou-Ekotto - 7.0 - Solid as rock, except for one mysterious back-pass
• Parker - 8.5 - Great combative performance in the middle for the new boy
• Livermore - 7.0 -Always looks energetic when given the chance
• Modric - 6.5 - Better, but still not back to his best
• Kranjcar - 7.0 - Linked up well, hand in both goals
• Adebayor - 7.5 - Did what he does best, a good Debut goal
• Defoe - 7.0 - In & out of the game at time, but a goal will help
• Giovani - 5.0 - Not enough time to show what he has