Spurs comment: Gutless, spineless, humiliating

Even though it happened, it still appears inconceivable that in the modern game a team could throw away a three-goal lead against opponents who are a man down at the interval.

It would be difficult for an under-11 side to succumb to such a disaster, yet Spurs managed to do it with consummate ease. City played the second half like they had 20-men not 10 and Spurs wilted like never before. At the end of the game I could do nothing more than stare at the pitch in utter disbelief.

Yet you could sense it coming as soon as City levelled the scores. The last time Spurs relinquished a three-goal interval lead was against Manchester United a few seasons ago. But then, Spurs gave their all. Against City, their performance ranked alongside the one they gave against Southampton in the FA Cup last season - dire. There was no guts, leadership, passion, drive, determination or belief. A three-goal interval lead had the fans delighted but the warning signs had already been there. You have to give credit to City but it has to be said they were aided and abetted by a Spurs midfield that, not for the first time this season, went walkabout.

The whole humiliating experience was worsened by the fact former boss Glenn Hoddle was back at the ground as a Sky TV pundit. Hoddle was a great player but a poor manager. He must also take his share of the blame for the problem Spurs never seem to want to tackle.

Why on earth did we spend £ 7million on Jermain Defoe when it is crystal clear that we need a midfield general? Hoddle failed to address the situation and it played a major part in his downfall. Now Pleat has spent money on a striker when a leader is what the team need. Every fan can see it. Such a player would have not allowed the rest of his team-mates to go awol as they did in the second half last night.

Hoddle's smug satisfaction was summed up in a text message I received at 9.57pm last night from former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood. It read: "Hoddle can't keep the smile off his face".

It just rubbed salt into the open wounds. When Manchester City's second goal went in I looked around at the Spurs players and not one of them appeared bothered at all. Perhaps they thought they had the game won.

To a man they showed the same lack of guts after the game. One by one they slunk out of White Hart Lane. None had the bravery to say sorry to the fans publicly. It should have come from the captain but Steve Carr was the first to leave.

It was not something Dave Mackay or Alan Mullery would have done. Then there was Irishman Robbie Keane. He scored a fine goal but he was ushered to his new Mercedes by his agent and so avoided the embarrassment of explaining the manner of his side's defeat.

Someone among the 11 on that pitch should have had the guts to apologise to the the paying public who turned up to support them. After all, they do pay their wages.

And what of David Pleat now? As a fan I am fed-up with the constant fannying around over the identity of the new manager. The delay is doing the club no favours. It should be sorted out immediately. There is as little leadership from the board as there is on the pitch. Pleat is the director of football so he should do the job for which he is paid if the club is committed to a role that many question. Pleat can coach but after this shambles you have to question whether he has the necessary motivational ability for today's game.

Finally, I come to my son Samuel. He is nine. I was the same age when I celebrated Spurs' 2-1 Wembley victory over Chelsea in the 1967 FA Cup Final.

My lad saw his first game at White Hart Lane against Blackburn at the end of last season. The result was a bad one but he was enthralled nevertheless. I was a proud dad. He was then as pleased as punch at Christmas when I bought him a schoolbag with the Tottenham logo on. But when I got home late last night, there was a note for me on the kitchen table.

It read: "Dear Dad, I hope you don't mind, but I don't want to be a Spurs fan any more. Love Sam."

There must be many others feeling exactly the same way today.