Why can't Spurs score?

"They are struggling for natural width both on the right and left. Simon Davies does not really get behind players and put crosses in and Thimothee Atouba has looked cumbersome.

"Now he is injured I think Johnnie Jackson should be given more of a chance as he did well early in the season. He has the ability to get early crosses into the box, but needs confidence.

"Another problem is a lack of movement. You need full-backs and midfielders to make forward runs in order to create chances.

"If Santini wants to play such a rigid style, it makes life easy for the other team because their individual opponents are not difficult to mark. Look at Arsenal: it is their movement which creates the space for their chances and they have the people there to finish."

Given the lack of supply, Walsh sympathises with the strikers but believes the Spurs head coach's team selections are not helping. Defoe, Keane and Kanoute have taken turns starting games as substitutes and Walsh said: "I don't think Santini really knows who his best pairing is. The strikers are not happy, they are low on confidence because they are not scoring. All three are very good players but they need to show it where it really matters - in the Premiership."

Santini agrees that his forwards' malaise is a key factor in the team's overall impotency, but also highlights deficiencies elsewhere.

In an admirably honest assessment, the Frenchman explained: "I think there are a number of reasons why we are not creating enough chances. First, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Fredi Kanoute are not having good periods right now.

"Second, it is possible that their team-mates are not providing the right passes or crosses. And third, when we are in defensive positions we don't win the ball in the middle.

"We either start with possession near our own penalty area or with Paul Robinson. That means we have 80metres to cover to get to the opponents' goal. I think we are not very aggressive in the midfield.

"To find the right solution is very difficult. I look at my squad and I don't have a Dennis Bergkamp. So the solution is not one player, it is the team. They must all play together and be more aggressive for the whole 90 minutes.

"We showed we could do it in the games when the team played much better - against Norwich when their goalkeeper was fantastic and also at Bolton in the Carling Cup when the players showed good spirit. Sean Davis was excellent winning the ball in the middle at Bolton, but when we don't do that it is difficult to create chances."

Davis will be unable to resume his combative role against Charlton tomorrow after undergoing knee surgery, which could rule him out for three months.

Santini admits this is "bad news" ahead of a derby which, after three successive league defeats, has taken on added significance.

He said: "It's an important moment in our season. We must win not only for the three points, but also for the team's confidence for the Carling Cup and next Saturday's big match with Arsenal."

Anthony Gardner (foot), Atouba (knee) and Erik Edman (head) are also missing, but Jamie Redknapp is available after suspension.