Team News
Craig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell are both available after suspension. Cameron Jerome looks likely to return but Lee Bowyer and Martin Jiranek are doubtful. Keith Fahey and Curtis Davies are likely to come in for them.
For Tottenham Rafael Van der Vaart is out and Steven Pienaar is a serious doubt. Benoit Assou-Ekotto is set to return at left back.
Last Meeting
Our last meeting was in December when a late Craig Gardner header secured a 1-1 draw. The last meeting at White Hart Lane ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat through a 93rd Aaron Lennon goal.
Recent Form
Blues recent form has been wretched with only one point in the last month. Away from home they have not won in the league since beating West Ham in February.
Tottenham’s form has been mixed with last week’s win at Anfield being their only victory in the last six.
Outlook
Last Sunday was bad, wasn’t it. Well probably bad isn’t strong enough. Horrific, abject, lifeless, pathetic, soul destroying, those are other words that have been used in the last week. I’ve never known such a feeling of despair at St Andrews. Like most people I left feeling that not only were we going down but that we would be going down with a whimper.
So after a few days to reflect how do I feel? Much the same to be honest. While I accept that Blues often turn it on when the odds are most against them I can’t see us winning at Tottenham. The team looks gone, physically, mentally and spiritually. We don’t look like scoring and our once solid defence has now started to look very shaky. Tottenham may not have that much to play for (Do they want the Europa place or not?) but they will still have far to much for us even if they are missing a few stars. So our best hope is that Blackpool and Wigan also lose but with our narrow goal difference advantage that may also not be enough. I personally think Wigan will get a draw at Stoke which will do for them.
But if we are to stay up, what do we have to do? I expect the much derided 4-5-1 to be used if Jerome is fit with Gardner slotting back into midifeld. The tactic should and probably will be to keep things tight early on and frustrate Spurs because to play too open could lead to a heavy defeat. Van de Vaart may miss out but I expect Jermain Defoe to start and I’ll think he’ll be eager to score. He’s been in the papers a bit this week talking of his frustration this season so he’ll be wanting to make a point. As we lack penetration our best hope will be from set pieces and maybe a bit of comedy goalkeeping by Gomes. If Jerome isn’t fit then we’ll have to hope that Matt Derbyshire can finally make an impact on our league season as Kevin Phillips is not mobile enough to play up front on his own and I can’t see us playing 4-4-2. We’ll need to be a lot more competitive in midfield as well and cut out the concentration lapses at the back.
Well maybe it can happen and if we are to stay up I hope it’s because we get the performance and the result that matters. I’d also like Cameron Jerome to score the winning goal but to be honest it could bounce in off Curtis Davies’ backside and I’d still be elated. Maybe Jermaine Pennant can get one for Stoke for old times sake. Whatever happens it’s going to be a very nervous two hours which wil be great for neutrals but horrible for the rest of us.
What will be, will be I suppose.
My prediction Tottenham 2 Blues 0
C’mon you Blue
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