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Redemption and Footballing Lessons at White Hart Lane

3 min read
by The Fighting Cock
As the Park Lane turned to wave off the West Ham fans that had allegedly attempted some form of racism, a general satisfaction swept over White Hart Lane. Tottenham had crushed West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League, but more than that they had taken a footballing philosophy and with pace, skill and passion rendered […]

As the Park Lane turned to wave off the West Ham fans that had allegedly attempted some form of racism, a general satisfaction swept over White Hart Lane. Tottenham had crushed West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League, but more than that they had taken a footballing philosophy and with pace, skill and passion rendered it obsolete.

After a week which for some Spurs fans had proven to be not only mentally but physically painful, this result offers some welcome relief. Tottenham have stuttered at home this season, with White Hart Lane magnifying the absence of certain ex-players, but on Sunday it felt like a page had been turned.

From the very start, Spurs had the intensity and desire to match their potential; the ball was moved quickly and accurately, it looked like early 2011 Spurs but in classy Portuguese packaging.

[linequote]Tottenham have stuttered at home this season, with White Hart Lane magnifying the absence of certain ex-players, but on Sunday it felt like a page had been turned.[/linequote]

Tottenham pressed, kept their shape, worked for their openings and comfortably shifted the ball back then across when West Ham closed down the gaps. For the East London club had it not been for some vile chanting and a collector’s item of an Andy Carroll goal, their journey across London would have been utterly worthless.

Some Spurs fans claimed it was the Hammers Cup Final, for me it was their first proper lesson in how football has evolved since Big Sam was last in the Premier League.

Redemption: A religious concept referring to forgiveness or absolution for past sins or errors and protection from disgrace, eternal or temporary, generally through sacrifice (or sorting yourself out.)

This game as well as bestowing three crucial points on Tottenham allowed Tom Huddlestone, a much maligned figure to exorcise his Emirates demons. I have long been a fan of the Hudd, but like many I have passed comment that his time as a leading central midfielder is over, but on Sunday he demonstrated that perhaps we have been too quick to cast the first stone.

Huddlestone’s return to form may coincide with Sandro’s man of the match display alongside him, but there is no doubt that this performance was the best we have seen from Huddlestone for years. His technical ability and vision eclipsed his opponents and underlined the Hammers midfield trios’ inability to hold the ball. Hudd as well as supporting and starting many Spurs attacks, also though his sheer size, assisted Steven Caulker and the returning Michael Dawson aerially.

jermain defoe

If Huddlestone manages to back anywhere near to his 2009/2010 consistency then we will have a major asset in our top four push. However that is one major, IF.

How do you solve a problem like Defoe?

Jermain Defoe another much maligned figure from the Emirates fallout reminded the Spurs fans, that hadn’t dashed off for a half time drink, that he works best in seconds not 90 minutes.
For the opening 43 minutes as Spurs pressed for the opener he was anonymous, then from the right touch line he spun, sprinted, switched foot and smashed the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

In that moment he defined his entire career, brilliance clouded all too often by anonymity. Emmanuel Adebayor offers more but gives us less, whilst Defoe gives nothing but delivers more. The fact that despite being one of our highest ever goal scorers he still divides opinion explains everything about him.

Should new QPR manager Harry Redknapp place a bid of £10 million plus this January then Defoe will probably be off.

[linequote]The fact that despite being one of our highest ever goal scorers Defoe still divides opinion explains everything about him.[/linequote]

Dawson never Creeks

The moment it was announced that William Gallas was to be dropped for Dawson, relief, gratitude and hope swept through the stadium. The Englishman may lack the on-the-ball technique that Andres Villas-Boas craves, but he has the skill set that the manager and the team needs.

Big strong, likeable and aerially gifted his performance on Sunday made me wonder how many extra points we would have had this season if he had started every game.

Although Caulker and Dawson as two very similar centre backs may not be the ideal partnership, for now it’s the best one available. With Jan Vertonghen a stand in left-back and Younes Kaboul in the treatment room, that partnership must remain in place for the visit of Liverpool to White Hart Lane on Wednesday night.

All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

2 Comments

  1. koko61
    27/11/2012 @ 7:35 pm

    Proud of the whole team’s effort. Just wish we played like this all the time.
    Also am I right that we defended without the highline, as it seemed we were defending like our old selve’s.
    Good to see the spammers faces after the game.. proper upset pikey nuckle scrapers.
    COY MIGHTY SPURS

  2. wise
    28/11/2012 @ 7:30 am

    All your comments about Defoe are totally c r a zy and just shows how myopic your reasoning about a world Class England Star is, Defoe doesnt need to score that goal to prove any point , every true spurs fan knows like every member of the spurs team , they all put in 100% team work 100% team performance, against arse thats what they all did and I hope nobody reads ur crap.

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