Spurs shown a Long way from Hull to Champions League

This was not quite the therapeutic trashing we needed to get the defeat by Manchester City out of our system but in the circumstances; it was a relief to travel back with a point. With Liverpool and Manchester United both dropping points, it was undoubtedly an opportunity missed to tilt that battle in our favour. Then again, no one said this was going to be a straight forward march to the promised land of the Champions league. More an attritional trudge that could end with the door slammed in our faces right at the end.

Having displayed some tactical variety in the last two games with mixed results, Tim Sherwood reverted to his trusted 4-4-2 formation and restored Roberto Soldado to the starting a line up. A clear statement of attacking intent. It was also uplifting to see Jan Vertonghen and Paulinho back in the starting eleven. Their return was quite timely given injuries to Mousa Dembele and Vlad Chirices who had both played well recently.

While this line up shows the strength of the current Spurs squad, a strong is no good if it is unbalanced. From kick off Hull found their rhythm far quicker than Spurs. This was perhaps unsurprising given that their midfield play was being orchestrated by former Spurs favourite Tom Huddlestone. It’s fair to say that Tom Huddlestone underachieved at Tottenham. The sale of one of the best passers we have had at the Lane since the maestro himself, Glen Hoddle caused much debate which was only supressed in the excitement generated by the avalanche of new and exotic talent that pitched up at Spurs Lodge.

Throughout the first half, Spurs struggled to establish any sort of rhythm, offering only sporadic threats. Hull, energised by their new January signings pressed and disrupted Spurs play, scoring when Shane Long took advantage of hesitation between Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose to finish smartly. Spurs continued to press without establishing any control. Adebayor and Soldado constantly dropped deep while Christian Eriksson struggled to impose himself on the game from wide on the left. The second half saw an improvement and although Spurs deserved the equaliser, scored by Paulinho, it was not a convincing performance overall.

While Tim Sherwood has done well since taking over, it is crucial that he establishes quickly, a midfield general. Spurs have some very talented midfielders. One of them needs to be responsible for orchestrating the midfield play and bossing games. He clearly likes 4-4-2 with fast wingers so the midfield general must be encouraged to release the wingers quickly. Christian Eriksson, I feel would be more effective off a main striker or behind two strikers even though he has played well in recent games. I feel for Roberto Soldado. He looks a shadow of the lethal finisher who terrorised La liga defences for the last three seasons. He still strikes me as an instinctively good finisher because of his movement, perhaps when the Europa league restarts, he may get a few goals to help his confidence. This could be crucial in the run in.  

Tim Sherwood also needs to orchestrate a win over a top four team as soon as possible, as much for confidence as for credibility. Unfortunately for him, beating Manchester United is not the prize it once given they have already lost 10 times in all competitions this season. Spurs have done well to stay in contention given the way the season has unfolded on and off the pitch. However the season defining moment is approaching. After Everton at the Lane next Sunday, all but three of Spurs remaining fixtures are against teams below us in the league. The three fixtures in question, Liverpool and Chelsea away and Arsenal at home are among a set of fixtures in March that could define both Spurs and Sherwood’s prospects.

The bean counters have now crunched the numbers that tell the story of this season’s transfer window that closed on Friday. Apart from the record spending for the season by clubs despite a less than frenetic January, a few deals will have raised an eyebrow or two; 

Southampton, in league one three years ago, loaning a striker (Dani Osvaldo) to Italian league leaders and Champions league contenders Juventus. Fulham, bottom of the premiership and perhaps heading to the championship loaning a striker (Dimitar Berbatov) to French moneybags and league challengers Monaco who will be in the Champions league next season. Two Italian internationals, Marco Boriello and Antonio Nocerino sign for relegation threatened West Ham from Roma and AC Milan respectively. It’s a funny old world. Word of advice for Signor Boriello and his mate Nocerino, no matter what Big Sam Allardici tells you, I’d give the West Ham lasagne a miss. Very dodgy. 2006 and all that. Very traumatic experience.