Keller keen for Pleat to stay on

13 April 2012

Some of the fans want David Pleat installed as the new Tottenham manager and there are increasing signs that the players do as well.

Pleat has led the side to a five-match unbeaten run since Glenn Hoddle was sacked and in a poll more than 70 per cent of the club's fans that responded now want him to be given the job.

More importantly, though, the players are also urging the club's hierarchy to put an end to the speculation and give Pleat the job on a full-time basis.

Kasey Keller had another outstanding game, with a number of exceptional saves to help preserve Pleat's unbeaten record.

While all the talk surrounds Hector Cuper, Graeme Souness and Martin O'Neill as possible successors to Hoddle, Keller, along with the rest of the squad, would be happy for Pleat to continue.

The American said: "David has been saying some very good things to us privately in the dressing room. These comments really hit the nail on the head when it comes to the different ways in which we can do things against other teams.

"The guys are responding to the way he does things and that is the key. The players are listening and working very hard for each other. That is evident on the pitch.

"My view on whether David should be given the job or not is that I like what I've seen so far from him, no question about it.

"I've never worked with David as a manager before now and I didn't know what to expect as a result of that. But I have been very impressed.

"We went through a period when we gave up 10 goals in three games but we have come back and conceded just one in the last five now. That's fantastic.

"One of the points David makes to us is with regard to the defence. He has told us not to trust a teammate to make the right decision or do what he is supposed to do. He has told the defenders to be pessimistic of each other. He wants us to think that others are going to mess up and that we must be in the right position if they do.

"It is little things like that which he is putting in players' minds to get it right defensively, and it is working."

Defence apart, Spurs were unconvincing against an impressive Middlesbrough side and it is clear that Pleat, or whoever replaces him, has plenty of work to do.

Freddie Kanoute was sorely missed, with Robbie Keane, Bobby Zamora and Helder Postiga failing to provide a cutting edge.

If it had not been for Keller, Middlesbrough-would have left White Hart Lane with all three points for the second successive season.

The American international first dived low to his right to smother a firm, right-foot drive from Doriva and then tipped over a long-range effort from Szilard Nemeth. His best save came in the 55th minute, when he managed to tip Gaizka Mendieta's dipping free-kick over the bar.

Pleat said: "Without the ball our back four were tremendous, they blocked and they tackled.

"A month ago we'd have lost that game.

"We had rhythm and ascendancy in the first half but we lost that in the second - although quite frankly I thought it was an exciting game even if it wasn't the highest quality.

"We didn't keep calm in the second half and we got a bit too anxious, whereas a top team wouldn't have had that anxiety.

"I am not down about that point. Middlesbrough are good opponents and all my reports told me they had been playing well with little fortune, and they deserved their point for sure."

Steve McLaren, the Boro manager, said: "Without a doubt, we deserved the three points. We know we can get better. We have certainly got the potential to finish sides off.

"We are slowly easing our way up the table and I know we can score goals."

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Martin O'neill

Keller keen for Pleat to stay on

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