Even a plan B from outer space would help Spurs now

Tottenham have made their worst start for 53 years.  Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch scored the goals that gave Portsmouth a 2-1 win over Spurs, who have yet to win this season.  Along with Grimsby Town, the only sides in English league football yet to do so. 

Them's the facts, and the harsh reality is that Spurs sit at the bottom of the table.

The team have yet to gel/put in enough effort/show some character/acquire or play the players in the right positions/learnt to speak the same language ... depending on who you listen to.

Having watched the game back on TV, I would rather not listen to Alan Smith and David Platt chunter on about Tottenham's troubles.  While both were professional international footballers, the same cannot be said for Lee Dixon and if he can give insightful tactical analysis on TV's Match of the Day, then so can I.

Watching the game at the time, it seemed that some players were as shell shocked as some of the fans about where the team find themselves.  What they need to do is to give themselves a good shake and get real.  They need to start picking up points quickly and winning games, as draws will not be good enough in the current position.

The team needs to be shaped to give other teams a problem, not play into their hands.  Pompey had let in ten goals in two games, so what do Tottenham do ?  Play one man up front, giving the home defence time to pick off any ball that Pavlyuchenko might actually be able to control.  Any flick-ons went to no-one and as the free-kicks, corners and crosses were mostly poorly directed (although Aaron Lennon could be excused on his substitute appearance), the lone striker had little in terms of chances to score.

If we are going to lose away from home - and we do so more frequently than not - let's take a leaf out of Hull City's book and have a go.  Nobody would begrudge Spurs getting beaten if they at least posed some problems for the side they were visiting.

And the players need to be played in the positions where they will do most damage to the opposition.  And regularly.  I know Ramos has injury problems and players will be cup-tied on Thursday, but a new goalkeeper really needs a settled defence in front of him to develop an understanding.  If not, then anything could happen.  Hopefully, they players have some sort of common language that they can communicate in.  If not, crash courses in basic football English need to be given.

All this is not rocket science.  I am sure many other fans have identified some of the issues that need resolving and let Ramos know in no uncertain terms at Fratton Park. 

But at the moment, there appears no Plan B.  Even if it came from Outer Space it would be something.

The Krakow game will be a tough one in an intimidating atmosphere.  What it will be like when they return to White Hart Lane to play Hull City on Sunday may well hinge on their ability to protect a one goal lead in Poland.

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