Same old story for Savage

14 April 2012

Robbie Savage is not one of the most gifted Premiership midfielders but Glenn Hoddle has 13 days to find someone with his passion and drive.

Hoddle also faces possible action from the Football Association after criticising referee Rob Styles over the controversial penalty that decided the match in Birmingham’s favour.

Savage earned the wrath of Hoddle and his assistant John Gorman by appearing to climb all over Anthony Gardner, but Styles adjudged it to be the Spurs defender who was at fault.

City’s new signing David Dunn scored from the spot to give Spurs’ travelling faithful an unpalatable taste of deja vu. It’s a new season but it already looks like the same old story.

A crippling injury list, a powder-puff attack and an away defeat against a team they should have beaten had most fans wondering if the close-season break had actually taken place.

Spurs have not scored for three games now and £6.25 million Helder Postiga is yet to settle into English football. The Portuguese striker wanted too much time and looked off the pace.

The midfield, with the exception of the excellent Jamie Redknapp, cried out for someone with Savage’s never-say-die attitude.

When Savage left the field because of cramp, he exchanged words with John Gorman. The pair had clashed over the penalty and Gorman said: “Savage was telling me how good he was. I was a bit annoyed because he was giving me some. But I wouldn’t waste my time on him.”

Savage knows his strengths. He said: “That’s what I’m about. They have a throw-in, I chase a ball when there’s no danger and win a penalty.

“I can’t change. If you took that away from me, I wouldn’t be the same player.”

Spurs improved when Postiga was replaced by Bobby Zamora, but the closest they came to scoring was when Robbie Keane hit the post when he should have scored.

Astonishingly, Hoddle claimed the outcome had been decided before the game began. He feared for the outcome because Styles had sent off City’s Kenny Cunningham in pre-season.

He said: “The guy had a big problem with Birmingham in Malaysia and there was a big hoo-ha. Before the game we were scared about it and I could tell it was in his mind.

“The goal sticks in the throat. Savage has fouled our guy and it’s been the difference.”

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David Jones (Footballer)

Portugal

Referee

Tottenham Hotspur

Same old story for Savage

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