Communication Breakdown

Isn’t it funny when a player speaks exclusively to the club website ? I mean, we all know that ghost writers pen their auto-biographies, but do they do their entries on the website too ? That looked to be the case when Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane had a stand up row in the middle of Ewood Park in what sparked up what looked like a game dying a slow and lingering death.

The website interview with Berba extolled the ‘telepathic’ relationship he had on the pitch with his captain Keane and how he enjoyed the fruitful partnership they have on the field. Well, it looked as thought here were some wavelengths being crossed as the two of them argued and wagged fingers about who should have passed to who and who should have run where. What do they do in training I wonder ?
If there was a lack of harmony among the forwards, the animosity might also be pointed towards the left back area, where Pascal Chimbonda allowed David Bentley – the known danger man – time to control the ball and then take it past him to cross low for Morten Gamst Pedersen to sweep it home from 12 yards out. It was a cheap goal for a side who looked poor in the extreme until they scored. This gave them the lift they needed and it put Tottenham on the back foot, whereas the boot should have been on the other (back)foot. An early goal created by Malbranque and Jenas for Berbatov to knock across the line, after taking a touch to control it … and all inside the six yard box, should have signalled an onslaught on the Blackburn goal. Well, it did … of sorts, but the failing that has haunted the Tottenham team all season in not being able to kill off teams returned like a ghost of points lost past.

Ramos really needs to address four things.

1. The goalkeeping position.
Cerny was back today, for a supposedly injured Paul Robinson. Either the club are being kind to him in covering up the reason why he is not playing or he is having a nightmare medically off the field, as well as having a mare on the field. Cerny looks a solid enough keeper, but he fails to make the big saves. Witness what Friedel did for Rovers. He made enough saves to justifiably say he kept them in the game and earned them a point. Cerny made the routine saves, but failed to totally convince. Will the Spanish coach keep Robinson ? From what he has seen of him, I would have thought not.

2. Why Spurs are unable to score more goals once they have the opposition on the rack.
With over 60 goals scored, getting them into the net is not a problem, but why is it so difficult when they are seeking to put the other side under the cosh ? I fail to see why it becomes harder to put the ball between the posts and under the bar.

3. The defence.
I would keep Michael Dawson, despite his current crisis of confidence. Jonathan Woodgate had impressed me, even though in his Middlesbrough performances against us, he didn’t really shine. Alan Hutton is immense – in talent and size, although he hits the ground quicker than the hooves of a horse in the Grand National. With Gareth Bale to return from his foot injury to replace the hapless Chimbonda, the first choice back four would only perhaps need another central defender to challenge Dawson for his place. Gilberto can cover left back, Gunter right back and if they let Gardner go, they might consider promoting Archibald-Henville or Dervite to compete with Kaboul for the other back-up central defender role.

4. Where the supply line from wide positions is going to come from.
We hear rumours about Lennon being sold off and N’Zogbia coming in, with the most likely signing (if Ramos can get him) being Diego Capel of the coach’s former club Sevilla. Malbranque is not getting any younger and although he has been one of the most consistent performers this season, he may be sidelined next term if Ramos can find a suitable new-comer.

So, Damien Comolli will need to be racking up the air miles to find the men that Ramos wants and needs to take Tottenham to the next step. I thought this game would end in a draw and with nothing to play for, Spurs, for once, seemed to be determined to prove some sort of point.

Maybe it was the one that took them to 40 at long last.

I know the season is fading like the light from a fag end, but perhaps if someone tells them that if they can try to get to 50 it might make it interesting. Message received ?

Wyart Lane
My Eyes Have Seen The Glory
www.mehstg.com