Topsy-turvy Tottenham put case for the defence

14 April 2012

What have Tottenham got in store for us tonight? They are playing Middlesbrough - who are generally considered one of the best defensive teams in the Premiership - and in the last four games, the Londoners have conceded 13 goals.

They have scored 15, but only four of them were away from home - all at Charlton - and last year they lost this fixture 5-1.

Psychologically they now appear scarred by the extraordinary FA Cup comeback by Manchester City to such an extent that whenever they take the lead, the players and the fans expect them to lose it.

Despite having international defenders in Anthony Gardner, Ledley King and Stephen Carr as well as £8million man Dean Richards, Spurs have allowed struggling Portsmouth to claw their way back to 3-3, although they went on to win, and let fellow strugglers Leicester turn round a 3-1 deficit to lead 4-3 before eventually drawing 4-4.

With the help of Sky TV, Standard Sport has analysed all the goals conceded by Spurs during this rocky spell. While acting manager David Pleat's team have never been noted for defensive strength, most of the blame seems to lie more with individual errors rather than any failings of tactics or strategy.

Against Leicester these ranged from Gary Doherty's own goal, a mistake later compounded by his dreadful back pass for the visitors' fourth, to Johnnie Jackson's failure to clear his lines allowing Les Ferdinand to score. Against City, Stephane Dalmat, not a man noted for his defensive ability, was designated to pick up the aerial threat of Sylvain Distin, a mismatch that led to the visitors' opener.

The list goes on. It is a situation that Pleat accepts and he appears to have compiled his own video nasty of recent matches to study.

"It has been strange to have a two-and-a-half-week break, because that is like a semi pre-season. We have been very cleanly and clinically through the goals which have been conceded over the past three months, and some individuals have made horrific mistakes which mustn't continue," Pleat said.

"Fortunately they were mostly in matches where results were retrievable - and we did retrieve them and scored some late goals to get points. There are 101 stories behind those results but there are not many teams who have won more games than us in the Premiership this season."

Rather surprisingly, Spurs have won 10 games - only Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Birmingham and Charlton have won more. But by the same token Spurs have lost 12 matches and only Blackburn, Portsmouth, Wolves and Leeds have lost more.

The players are convinced that a recent warm weather training break in Dubai will help to solve this apparent mental fragility. Whatever defensive work was done was under the auspices of Pleat's assistant Chris Hughton.

Robbie Keane is convinced the break has helped to rebuild confidence after such a torrid time at the back. He said: "It was a nice little break. It is good to get away, get some good bonding going and team spirit with the lads. I think it has done us a lot of favours. The lads were together all the time. It was a good trip and everyone enjoyed it."

Gardner and Helder Postiga are back in the squad for tonight's clash but Simon Davies and Freddie Kanoute are doubtful. Postiga has missed three matches with a hamstring problem while Gardner returns after a knee injury.

Kanoute has a hamstring strain picked up in the reserves while Davies needs a scan on a sore shin.

Pleat said: "Anthony Gardner is back in the squad, Darren Anderton has been under the weather for the last few days but is also in and Helder has looked bright again in training."

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Topsy-turvy Tottenham put case for the defence

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