A game meandering to a one nil loss, at best. A season petering out into disappointment. Changed in seven minutes by one manager introducing three players and awakening another.

After an initial bright few minutes by the host, they looked up for it, Citeh broke forward, Tevez getting the better of Vertonghen who should have done better. The Argentinian then played a ball through to Milner, completely lost by Parker who finally caught up with his England colleague and fouled him in the box well after Milner had passed to Nasri for the opening goal.

From that moment it looked like game over as those in white meandered through the motions.

A pedestrian performance not helped by starting two players down. Yes the usual suspects. Scapegoats you scream. No, just two players who make the side worse. Parker and Adebayor.

Parker slows up everything and butchers any forward momentum. Prime example in acres of space in the Citeh half with plenty of simple forward outlets, running and passing, he does one of those inane pirouettes and proceeds to pass back half way into the Spurs half. Of course those simple forward outlets are simple for others but I lost count of the number of times Spurs players had to stretch out to take a five yard pass from Parker.

The other just loped around uninterested for most of the afternoon. Slow of thought and deed. Hiding in plain sight and with the amazing inability to trap a bag of sand. Footballers need a focal point. Even teams like Barcelona with their false nine have Messi, when playing, who is their focus. Look at the recent Champions League games against PSG, without the goal machine they lost focus. There’s no way you can focus on a big dolt dragging himself into places he can be of no danger.

With absolutely no pace – and no intention of putting a spurt in – it didn’t matter about the lack of width fans were screaming about. For width to work you need someone there in the middle to take advantage. When that player is yards from the box, hiding behind a couple of defenders what has wide player on the ball to do?

Spurs had the ball but did nothing with it. The odd half chance here and there but nothing to give you the confidence they were going to turn things about. While at the other end Lloris again was showing what an asset he is with some sharp saves and incisive smothering of danger.

Things were just going on smoothly for Citeh with help from the home side and the ref. The latter should have sent Nasri off for an over the ball challenge on Walker – but then he could have done BAE for a two footed that luckily for him Zabaleta didn’t overplay it.

Then with an hour gone AVB made the difference. Removing Sigurdsson who hadn’t featured really and well at first it looked like Dempsey – which brought a sigh here – but was in reality Parker – which brought a cheer – for Holtby and Huddlestone.

With the new personnel came a shift in formation. From 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 which has worked better lately. Bale was now on the right and there was more emphasis on looking forward. There was only one more thing required. The removal of Adebayor. That did take 10 minutes to come. It was the final piece of the puzzle.

With Holtby providing the snap in midfield, chasing down, harassing, harrying and causing Citeh more problems than Parker had in the previous hour, Huddlestone was providing the forward momentum that other player doesn’t give you.

Now yes I criticised Huddlestone early in the season. He did seem to come on late in games and Spurs immediately conceded a goal with him being close to the scorer. Parkeresque. But the last few games he’s come on and changed things for the better, providing some impetus. It also helps that his introduction results in Dembele moving forward and being far more influential in better areas. Don’t know why they seem to play with Parker more advanced than Dembele.

All three substitutes played a major part in what followed.

The Kraken awakes. But it all started with the awakening of the monster.

A ping out to BAE from Dawson – one thing not covered by the Adebayor apologists was the lack of aimless humps up the park once he was removed – His cross was cleared to Walker, initially looking like he would centre the ball he knock it out to Bale. A beautiful outside of the left boot cross right across the danger area was met by Dempsey at the back post.

All the Dempsey haters too busy celebrating that yet again he turned up in the right place at the right time. Three goals against the top two sides. Three important goals. One winner and two equalisers.

Four minutes later after more midfield harrying Hotly played a great ball to Defoe – a focal point and one with pace who could run the defence. Bizarrely shown inside by Kompany the striker struck. A glorious shot. The type that makes you think he should be undroppable until you remember all those offsides, hit ‘keepers and woodwork.

Citeh were gone. Spurs were flying and the coup de grâce was delivered three minutes on. Huddlestones sublime ball bisecting two Citeh defenders to Bale – speaking of flying – and the Welshman dinks the ball over Hart to finish things off in style.

It’s no embarrassment to lose to the current league champions who assembled at great cost were at the time were 10 points clear in second place but this was meek capitulation. A performance that would have signalled the end of the season’s hope. Seven minutes changed all that.

Yes AVB may have got his starting XI wrong but he changed that and changed it dramatically. Can, will he learn from it? I do hope so. The less defensive formation, with players who look forward first, players with pace, it’s when Spurs are at their best. It may have only lasted 7 minutes but it was enough to blow Citeh away. It would have done it to most teams.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Manchester City

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While most managers in the league were whinging and crying about their players going away to play in World Cup qualifiers, Andres Villas-Boas probably couldn’t be more grateful.

After a run off three defeats, two in the league, he just needed that little break to get things back on track. While hoping those that went away didn’t come back crocked it was a couple of weeks to get those on the treatment table back in action.

Though it got a bit dodgy there at times it eventually worked out well.

Not many teams have come away from Swansea with all three points and even though they’ve dropped off a bit after their League Cup victory this was still a good victory after those three loses. And a good game between two teams that play a proper game, though it got a touch niggly in there at times.

After an opening when Swansea dominated possession without looking like doing anything, Jan Vertonghen charged through the middle of the pitch with some sort of intent. Laid off to Bale he carries on the charge into the box where Bale finds him with a glorious chip, beautiful first touch by Vertonghen to bring the ball under control then slides it past Vorm.

It was glorious all round.

What followed 15 minutes later was also glorious. Starting with Lennon pressuring Vorm – this came very shortly after Lennon had done some good tracking back to help out the defence – into a hasty kick to his defender who headed the ball into space, via another Swansea player’s head. Space in the middle of the park that Vertonghen was very quick to pounce into, while others stood and looked. Vertonghen played the ball to Bale who controlled it and banged it in, in one move.

Glorious.

The two goals and what happened in between though highlighted Spurs’ problems for the rest of the match.

While Vertonghen and Bale’s first touches at shots during the goals were excellent we have a striker whose first touch and shooting ability are worse than a central defender. Adebayor when he wasn’t losing the ball, or doing nothing, ran through the Swansea defence only to present Vorm with a back pass “shot”.

Short of confidence they all cry. Do me a favour and stop making excuses for a player who has had a dog of a season. All of his own making. The argument seems to be though that because Defoe hasn’t exactly been great somehow that makes Adebayor indispensable. No.

Adebayor was useless for an hour and Defoe for half an hour. So the latter touched the ball only 11 times -and did hus usual trick of hitting the ‘keeper with a shot – the former wasn’t much better really. And during that half hour Defoe was on he didn’t exactly get much service as Spurs were doing their usual hanging on for dear life to a one goal lead. Some blaming Defoe for Spurs struggling in the final period when Swansea were on top, yet they did the same at the end of the first half when Adebayor was on the pitch. Saw some argument about the number of times Adebayor is dispossessed of the ball, I wonder what the figure is for the amount of times he dispossesses himself.

That under the cosh final period also brought into focus another problem area on the park. Left back. Naughton was there again and again he was found wanting in what isn’t his position. But as I mentioned for the second goal Lennon had been doing his working in defence on the right, whereas Naughton had no help at all for most of the game. Sigurdsson just wasn’t there for him.

It was a weak spot for Spurs and the Swansea manager had obviously set it as a target area, Tiendalli having the freedom of the park on that flank most the game. It was where they created most of their chances from.

Though at one point when a cross from the right was headed onto the bar from six yards by Dyer, the rebound hitting the same player to bounce out of play you just thought Spurs might be getting the rub of the green. When Swansea took a very quick free kick and Friedel was the only Spurs player alive to it and made a great save you just thought it might be their day.

When Michu scored and you figured he was lucky to be on the park at that time, after a couple of leading with the elbows and general falling overs, you start to wonder.

Much talk earlier about Spurs losing late goals but I feel this season they’ve held on during periods of being put under pressure at the end of games with a goal lead than previously. And AVB is better prepared for the run in and stopping the rot quicker than say the previous manager couldn’t last season.

Still would prefer for that third to go in before they pull one back.

It wasn’t a great display over the 90 minutes. During the first half around the time the two goals went in Spurs played some good stuff. But Dembele and Sigurdsson were quiet, latter could have got the third with a curler – Adebayor just standing there watching as it was saved and then Bale crossed from the right. Lennon had little service and was in and out as an attacking force. Parker gives you nothing going forward. Dawson was a bit Bambi on ice and culpable for the goal as well as a couple of other chances.

Still 3 points and back up to 3rd.

Swansea City 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

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Spurs’ home defeat to Fulham was limp, lifeless, lacklustre. And probably even worse – predictable.

Can the extra time against Inter Milan on Thursday be used as an excuse for this nothing display at home to Fulham? Well people are trying but Bale didn’t play midweek, had a whole week off and he was more anonymous for most of the game as anyone.

Adebayor might have been on the pitch for 120 minutes against Inter but it’s not as if he did anything then, or indeed on Sunday that could induce any sort of fatigue. Inept not tired. When the commentator stated Adebayor was on his heels after one decent cross from the left, it could pretty much describe his whole season.

Is there a less instinctive player? He hasn’t a clue. Goals like Thursday’s are more luck than judgement.

As I Tweeted during the game…

Adebayor’s first touch. Berbatov’s first touch. Contrast and compare.

— Toxic Web (@Toxic_Web) March 17, 2013

…one is class the other is a waste. Instant control compared to a second touch being someone else’s problem because the first touch has bounced yards away. After a nice bit of play Adebayor’s flick into touch just summed him up. Even if he could do it he can’t be arsed doing it.

Things don’t get much better with the only other striker available. Defoe does though bring some life to proceedings though compared to Adebayor that’s not saying much a dead dog would bring more life. Yes he runs around more and gets in better places to score than Adebayor but he hits the ‘keeper with those attempts. Two good ones here and both went straight at Mark Schwarzer.

What was that about predictable?

Another piece of predictability was Scott Parker. Running around doing nothing. Then going through Ruiz leading with his arm, much in the way Gerrard went through Bale the previous week. Of course this was predictably met with nothing from his fanboys and chuckles from the media.

The middle of the park was lifeless until the arrival of Tom Carroll, late on. It was one of the few things AVB got right, after yet another odd selection of players.

At home to Fulham, notoriously bad travellers, he picks five defenders. Even with BAE positioned as a winger it seems strange. When the team was announced I wondered at a back three formation, 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, but no it was the usual 4-4-1-1 and it didn’t work. Might have worked a bit better away to Inter.

The substitution of Dawson for Dempsey at half-time didn’t make sense either at the time. Until finding Dawson was unfit I couldn’t see the point of withdrawing him. Withdrawing Parker for someone with energy, Holtby or Carroll, moving BAE to fullback and using Vertonghen as the holder looked a far better option. But then Jan had started feeling his hamstring after one surge forward early on and looked to be looking after it for much of the game after.

Other predictable moment was Berbatov scoring the winner. Predictable it came from a Spurs attack, that finally led to Schwarzer having to make his first save then coming straight down the park for Berbatov to scuff it in.

Vertonghen steps up and completely misses Dejagah, rest of the back four is all over the place and Walker’s pace is missing to maybe cover up the cracks. Just too easy.

And that’s the way it was for Fulham most of the afternoon. Too easy. They defended reasonably well but with little effort, didn’t have to do much attacking because Spurs just didn’t create enough to threaten them taking a point from a nil nil or or all three points as it turned out.

Three defeats on the bounce, luckily the international break is upon us. Couldn’t have come at a better time, couple of weeks break, players like Dawson and Lennon – who again like previous seasons is so badly missed when out – missing the international games – too much to ask for a Parker injury with England? Time for the manager to sort things out and get things back on track like he did last time three defeats came on the bounce. A run in like that would help.

Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 1 Fulham

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Someone needed to get a cab round to Inter’s hotel last night, because they didn’t turn up. There was just some useless mob trying to be Arsenal in red that were thumped at The Lane.

On the 35th minute of the Champions League group game at the San Siro, Samuel Eto’o scored to make it 4-0 against the 10 man visitors. Since then Spurs have beaten last night’s Europa League opponents 9-1. For the third straight game they put 3 past the team that just 3 years ago were champions of Europe.

But this wasn’t the champions of Europe. This wasn’t the Inter anyone expected and not just because I Nerazzurri were wearing some horrible red kit.

This also wasn’t the same Spurs we’ve seen so far in the Europa league. Previously there’s been a seemingly going through the motions, lacklustre approach to this competition. Whether it was visit of the famous name from Italy or a realisation that winning this trophy would be a good place to start I don’t know but this looked like the Spurs who lit up the major European competition just a couple of years back.

From the off Spurs looked interested in this one.

And this wasn’t a one man team. Even if he did open the scoring. Scoring early, it’s never too early these days is it, helps a lot, it might have set the campaign on fire if they’d done so against Lazio in the first group game.

Six minutes in it started here. Gylfi Sigurdsson playing a nice little pass to himself then swinging in an excellent cross onto Bale’s head for the “winger” to glance the ball into the bottom side netting. Un-savable.

Little over 10 minutes later the Icelander turned from provider to scorer. Dembele in majestic form played a nice little dink through two defenders to Lennon, a little scamper then he cut it back to the onrushing Sigurdsson. But the ball was cut out by Defoe who proceeded to do what he does so often, no, not what the media tells you he does so often but what he really does. Makes great room for himself and then hits the ball straight at the ‘keeper. He’d already done it once before on the night.

Luckily Sigurdsson had kept on onrushing, jumped out of the way of Defoe’s attempt – not block it Adebayor style – and put the ball into the net. Twenty minutes in and 2-0 was beginning to flatter the visitors.

But it wasn’t looking like being enough as shortly before the second goal Bale was shown yet another yellow for simulation and so will miss the second leg of the tie. This time unlike the other’s he’s picked up this season it was probably deserved – media keep telling you the numbers not how many were actual dives. Yes there’s contact but caused by Bale dragging his leg not the type to justify going down.

So without Bale for the return leg two nil just wasn’t enough. Though the most important thing was to keep that clean sheet.

Back to the scorer though, all of a sudden those decrying his signing are now singing his praise. Yes he now looks like the player we thought we were getting. Well that’s the we that thought we were getting a decent player, not the muppets that think he isn’t good enough for us. Not a big enough name for some even though it’s 10 letters. Yes he wasn’t at his best at the start of the season but is now showing his value. Excellent work for both goals and great all round performance including a number of tackles.

There was a little slack period by Spurs just before the break but even though they got one player clean through he didn’t actually trouble Friedel enough for him to have to make a save. After the break there, fortunately, wasn’t a continuation of that slackness but rather something new from Spurs. Potency from set pieces.

Following on from Bale actually scoring from free-kicks there was Caulker’s attempts from corners against the Spam. From a free-kick Bale won he found Vertonghen at the back post, who just missed. This seemed to be the plan, Jan at the back stick. From a corner moments later Vertonghen moved unmarked from the back post to the middle of the goal to meet Bale’s cross with perfection.

He was pretty much untouched. This isn’t an Italian side defending surely. Where was the grabbing, the pulling, the smothering, the hugging, the sly nudge? They weren’t even watching the man but the ball. Does that happen these days? Well it just did.

Unfortunately that’s where the scoring stopped, though it could also be said fortunately as Inter had a great chance later on. Taking a quick free-kick, Spurs were found napping but Friedel saved excellently with his foot, especially considering what little had to do previously.

Three nil was flattering the visitors. It could have, should have been more. Bale, Defoe, Lennon all missed good chances. Lovely little nutmeg by Lennon on the edge of the box, he should have hit it straight away but went n a little run. Charge out by all the Spurs’ speed merchants, Lennon, Bale, Walker and Defoe was butchered by Defoe being greedy.

Typical Defoe. Yes he hit the ‘keeper, yes he was greedy. But he looked bothered, far more bothered than Adebayor has looked of late. All that was missing was a goal, because we know he’s streaky and needs to get that streak started.

Sigurdsson was my man of the match, followed quite quickly by Dembele, Lennon, Vertonghen and Bale. Others gave it to Parker because he ran around a bit. He was given plenty of space and time to move forward with the ball because Inter were far more interested in the host’s dangerous players, tactics shown to be right by his butchering nearly every forward move he was involved with. Usual ponderous pirouettes were there, while we saw on Tuesday Modric turning away from his opponent and creating plenty of space for himself, Dembele was doing it last night as well, Parker just creates trouble for himself and others.

But he ran around they screamed, almost as if ‘Arry told to. Back to his England form. But you watch how many times he does that running without actually doing anything. The appearance of doing something. Running behind someone running with the ball, never quite interfering with their run, then slowly fading off to mince about in an area of no influence.

After the substitutions things became more fractured and not so fluid. Downer on the night, far worse probably than Bale’s suspension considering the 3-0 lead was Lennon going off with a hamstring injury. AVB apparently had asked the winger, and Bale if they wanted to stay on. Hindsight.

Three goal lead to take to Italy is a strong position, especially as Spurs are the only ones who can get away goals now – score once and they need five – and the away form has been good this season. Spurs playing Inter at their ground and everything is optimistic. Something wrong here.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 0 Inter Milan

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There weren’t half some gnashing of teeth about the lack of strikers brought in during this transfer window, and all the other ones, when Jermain Defoe hobbled off just before half-time against West Brom.

You’d think he was banging them in left, right and centre. When in fact he and Adebayor have managed 1 goal and 1 assit between them in the last 10 league games. Yes it would be nice to have a recognised first team striker but it isn’t a guarantee just having them on the park.

The irony of it all being Spurs looked better and had more attempts on goal and target after Defoe’s departure.

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Though that was also down to the fact that Goran Popov gobbed off a bit too literally at Kyle Walker, after the pair indulged in a little argy bargy, both more intent in playing player rather than ball. As spitting goes it was no Rijkaard full grolly into Völler’s perm circa Italia 90. Hung for a lamb rather than a sheep.

Up until then West Brom had looked dangerous on their attacks with Lukaku causing some concern amongst the defence with his hustle and bustle. After it was a flat back eight job and the usual Spurs’ difficulty in breaking it down.

Left to a bit of Bale magic again. I had said before his playing where he wants cost Spurs last season. Maybe it was because of the instructions he was given at the time, or not as the case maybe. Just fucking run about a bit was probably what it amounted to before, I’m thinking AVB gave the player a clearer idea of what he wanted from the player. One of those little notes that the media get obsessed and upset about.

But in that first half Bale was more involved than we’ve seen him in some games recently. With some of his dropping deep to pick up the ball it was almost as if he was van der Vaarting the game. Very reminiscent of the type of thing the Dutch player used to do during his stint at the club. Kind of thing that used to get him dogs abuse and screams for him to be replaced by Defoe.

It was all out attack in that second half, with West Brom’s only source of possession being when Scott Parker ventured forward and butchered the latest attack, gifting the ball with ease. It was struggle for that breakthrough, though Holtby a major part in making it easier and they have to be happy that the West Brom manager withdrew Lukaku after the sending off. Long not so much of a handful.

Another away win, 7 so far this season, a win to break the run of draws and a point off third. Will Adebayor now come and bugger it up or be a revelation?

West Bromwich Albion 0 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

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A struggle at Norwich, during which Gareth Bale charged through the hosts, scored and he stopped being a left winger.

Difference being he did it twice that night, got the three points but it was followed up by Norwich winning the return fixture, while that’s already been played out as a draw this season. And it started Bale on his adventures off the wing which along with other factors contributed to the downfall of Redknapp’s season which ended with Scott Parker passing back to Friedel in the dying seconds of that return fixture.

Spurs still feel a debt of thanks to Norwich manager Chris Hughton for all his years service at the club – what is it 24 out of his 54 years spent there – or why else would they turn in such awful performances as we’ve seen this season. The first half in the first game was well beaten here for ineptness by those in lilywhite.

The pitch not being in the best condition was no excuse for the hopeless hoofs up the park in extremely windy conditions. It was just repeated giving the ball away as the midfield was overrun, with Dembele having no chance to get into the game again as he finds life is a little more difficult without Sandro. It’s even worse with Parker.

Parker who finally is coming in for some well deserved criticism. Except as I’ve said before those that are criticising are the same ones who were naming him player of the season last season for playing exactly the same way.

All the faults were there. The ponderous pirouettes. The not really doing anything in the build up to the goal. Stupid fouls. Headless chicken running about. Belly flops. If Bale went down as easily as Parker has done on a number of occasions over the last three games the mob would be out with pitchforks and torches to run him out of town. Parker gets a free pass for knowing he’s losing, being slightly touched and just splashing down onto the ground for no reason at all.

The one fault that was predominately picked out – highlighted here time and again – all the misplaced passes were forward.

To go with all that there was some flappy shaky defending from back four and ‘keeper. Culminating in the opening goal. Cross from the right, caught up in the wind, leaves Lloris all over the joint and the defence at sixes and sevens for it finally to arrive at Hoolahan to score.

Even though the official Spurs’ Twitter account stated that the second half was much better, it wasn’t. Well not to begin with. It was better. Marginally, not much.

Things really didn’t get much better until AVB made his first substitution just after the 70th minute mark when Holtby replaced Dempsey. The new kid immediately took to the game and tried to take it by the scruff of it’s neck. With about his second touch he played Lennon in with a ball I Tweeted at the time was better than everything that had gone before.

Well that one ball by Holtby to Lennon is better than anything that’s gone before. #THFC #COYS

— Toxic Web (@Toxic_Web) January 30, 2013

His introduction seemed to give the team a lift and some actual enthusiasm. Maybe it was the little notes from AVB he handed out as he came on. The players responded to them, well most did Parker seemed somewhat confused – I assume the notes were written in English, so no surprise he struggled.

It all brought Bale to the middle, from his position of anonymity, from where he picked up a flick from Defoe – who previously had played the part of Defoe, that is hitting everything but the net with shots – who had himself received it from Holtby. From the halfway line Bale started the charge, the Norwich player Tettey tried a crude hack but Bale stayed on his feet – maybe those bookings, though wrong, have had a certain desired effect – charge straight to the Norwich box before cracking it into the net with his left. A great goal to lift a dull performance.

It along with Holtby’s first appearance were the only real bright spot – though Sigurdsson could have won at the end but the Norwich ‘keeper pulled off a great save – except of course if the woeful Parker performance would lead to his offloading in a last minute deal with say ‘Arry at QPR.

Norwich City 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

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As for that transfer deadline day. Could this be the day we finally see the back of Jenas and Bentley?

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As if Andre Villas-Boas being named manager of the month for December wasn’t bad enough the first game after the award announcement was a 12:45 Saturday kick-off against ‘Arry’s side who weren’t interested in playing football, just hanging on.

The only surprise on the day was old twitchy one’s side didn’t nick a winner.

This was a pretty bloody awful game of football, with the home side deploying a flat back 9, while Spurs laboured with their usual lacklustre lethargy that accompanies the first kick-off of the weekend. Of all involved in half and half monochrome shirts very few looked better than crap as everything was cramped into a central area that benefited those determined to just defend.

At the back Lloris did what he had to do well. The fullbacks were found out on the few QPR raids forward. Vertonghen had a quiet game, comfortable in defence didn’t get forward maybe as much as he could have. While Dawson made a good block, after pinging in a beauty of a cross field ball things wet to his head a bit and he kept on doing it far too much. With inevitable diminishing returns. Back to the old Dawson aimless humps up the park.

Lennon was trying to bring some width but as per usual he wasn’t served well by his team-mates, time and and again he received the ball facing his own goal. Can’t remember once him being played a ball that he could run onto. On the other side Bale barely rated a mention. There was one run wasn’t there? About it, wasn’t it?

In the middle of course the central pair were out-manned by QPR’s three which was increased to four with their “striker” Taarabt dropping deep. Things weren’t helped by Dembele having possibly his worst game so far. It was a pretty poor display, where he couldn’t handle being pressed, giving the ball away with ease far too often. At least with Dembele you know it should be a one off.

Sandro beside him again having to do the work of far too many players. Things got worse 25 minutes in when the only player that could do any damage to the big Brazilian did so. Sandro. Taking a swinger he tweaked his knee. Looking ominous from the moment he landed on the ground thankfully it sounds like it isn’t as bad as we all first feared. Especially when you figure in the next off the rank is Parker. Rank being such an apt word. One could only hope here he would put in a performance that would entice ‘Arry, QPR being about his level. He put in his usual game that others love so much.

Up front with little from the midfield the “striking partnership” again failed to deliver. Defoe actually did some team work and could have opened the scoring early on when Rangers’ ‘keeper Julio Cesar tipped his shot onto the post. Adebayor should have scored from the rebound but as per usual he was on his heels not expecting the ball, leading to a slow and laborious attempt that was easily blocked.

It was a relief when Adebayor was replaced, it should though have happened quite a bit earlier than the 70th minute. How many hoping that ticket to the African Cup of Nations is one way? A lamentable performance, from a season that’s got worse as it’s gone on from him. Time for a told you so? Anyone really believe when, or indeed if, he returns from the tournament he’ll be a changed figure?

What Spurs needed here desperately was guile from the midfield and a clinical eye from a striker. Two areas that the chairman should be putting right during this transfer window. Doubtlessly it won’t happen. But picking up three points in this game would probably make more difference at the end of the season than just the one.

Queens Park Rangers 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

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And we were right. Spurs fans didn’t like it when he was doing it, diving that is, or going down theatrically, it was something that other lot do to win penalties and get their opponents down to 10 men. Only way they can win.

It wouldn’t take long for those free kicks won to turn into a reputation and yellow cards. Even as again Bale was fouled in the process of a charge. Of the five bookings he’s received for simulation those last 3 over recent weeks have been clear fouls.

Dolts like Stan Collymore, he would be though of as thick even without that Brummie accent, claim it was just contact and football is a contact game and you aren’t entitled to go down if someone touches you. Well Stan has no concept of the speed Bale travels at, wouldn’t manage it going downhill in a bus – though his foot might have got close when making contact with Ulrika. Someone knees you in the knee at a 90˚ angle to the way you’re running, while making a grab for good measure, it’s more than just contact. More than a mere brush of legs.

Do wonder what part Defoe’s pathetic dive earlier in the game played on the mindset of the ref. Though he didn’t give a foul he was undoubtedly told Defoe had tried it on so was on his guard for the next one.

The problem is he’s reaping what he sewed. Refs being alongside Stanley in the gormless ranks have him marked and even when they’re proved wrong week after week they won’t stop soon you don’t think. So if Atkinson hadn’t been prat of the week we might be talking about yet another win for Spurs, another away win, more away goals and indeed one from a corner. Even if the latter was an own goal by Sunderland.

The home side being a kind of poor man’s Stoke. Red and white stripes, boring play, long balls…

Mignolet to Fletcher was Sunderland’s most used pass combination (8) in the first half. I hate teams that always play the long ball.

— Spurs Stat Man (@SpursStatMan) December 29, 2012

…goalkeeper to striker their main pass. They just don’t have either the defence or the resilience of Stoke.

Again in control of the game it only looked like an error by Spurs would be the host’s only chance. So it proved just before the break. The boss has done a decent job of rotating the defence, picking horses for courses – Dawson being in the starting XI for this game a spot on example – the one man who hasn’t been rotated or rested is the one man who needs it most. Walker. He needs a break, a rest, we all do.

Naughton is getting better but he’s still hampered, as are the team by being played on the left. He doesn’t get forward past a certain point and always comes inside. Give him a go on the right, his natural position, with Vertonghen on the left until BAE is back. Or go back three as I’ve been crying out for.

So Walker lazily gives the ball away and then stupidly follows it up in a desperation clamber all over the back of the Sunderland player. He’s been giving away far too many cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas. From the set piece a good save by Lloris unfortunately drops to O’Shea to open the scoring.

It was looking like one of those games, especially one of those early kick-off games. All the ball, all the good play but very little clear cut created and when it was completely fluffed by misfiring strikers. Adebayor somehow managing to hit the bar from a couple of yards out. Some make excuses, lack of confidence, just needs a goal, or is it what we should have expected after actually signing him and not having him fighting for that deal?

Second half could have gone much like the first had it not been for Carlos Cuellar – the natural antidote to talk of the greatness of Spanish football and footballers. Clattering the flying Lennon with a crude challenge – did he go down easy Stan? – the Spaniard follows it up by heading the resulting free-kick out for a corner and then guiding that set piece into his own net. Thanks Carlos.

Just needed the winner and it came shortly after. Thanks to a little beauty from a little beauty. From a Sandro pass Lennon tries a dink off, luckily it doesn’t come off and the little winger picks up the rebound, a lovely dink around the advancing defender, then a beautiful curl round the ‘keeper. And we don’t lose when Azza scores.

They came more to life after that but in truth it didn’t look that dangerous. Lloris doing his job with some monster punches, no fannying about there and playing the ball into dangerous areas. Just time for Defoe to butcher a great chance, created by another storming run by Bale, perfect cross from the left and an open goal, as Defoe lets the ‘keeper get across the face of goal and save by dithering over the ball with a useless first touch. Clinical. Bale looked bamboozled that it didn’t result in a goal.

This lot beat the reigning champions only a couple days earlier but were eventually dealt with ease. Two wins and a draw, 7 points from 9, so far over the festive period, had been a little disappointed after the Stoke game but it’s not bad. And we can all revel in the joy of AVB and Steffen Freund with every Spurs goal.

Sunderland 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

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In the first half of Spurs’ away game at Aston Villa they were too busy amassing corners and throw ins in the second they recklessly abandoned the goal for the record number of corners for actual goals.

Complete disregard for the important things.

This felt like the Norwich away game almost exactly a year ago – the last game of 2011, this is the second last of ’12 – as Spurs huffed and puffed completely dominating the first half without providing the goals the domination deserved. Villa just were in it at all. Still somewhat shell-shocked after conceding eight in their previous outing. So they go in at the break nil, nil.

The only thing of note being that 15 corners racked up at one every three minutes. Plus twenty odd throws.

Only difference between the two games was the start of the second half. This time round it was the usual Spurs post break malaise as Villa actually looked bothered now. With a change of formation it was all Villa, Lloris had matched his opposite number with an excellent save to keep things as they were. Then Sandro broke things up, as per usual, bit of tippy tappy going nowhere stuff from Defoe and Bale before Naughton played an excellent ball through the defence and Defoe put it through the Villa ‘keeper’s legs. Neither of the Spurs players had done anything of any real note in the first half and were amongst the poorest on show.

After that it matched the Norwich game as Bale – who had some good shots earlier – did what he did back 12 months ago. A good Villa opening was stopped by an inept Villa pass and Sandro’s leg, as the ball quickly made it’s way up the park Villa had a couple of opportunities to stop things but then Bale flicked it round a defender, Guzan hesitated, the winger was round him and it was two.

Then Lennon ran across the front of the box laid it off to the advancing Bale in the middle and it was three. A Bale brace in the middle of the park, just like at Norwich. Of course it was that game that made Bale think he was a striker and not a left winger.

It could have been a brace of braces but Defoe was back to his usual self with a ballooned shot that he couldn’t have done worse with if he was Emile Heskey. In the end it was a hat-trick for Bale, Walker playing a ball into the box for the onrushing Sigurdsson who played a lovely pass for Bale, again right in the centre of the box to crown his night. Matching his best league return only half way through the season and bagging his first league hat-trick.

Villa were pretty damn woeful. Spurs while being dominant weren’t that great in the first half. Lack of killer ball and a front pair that just don’t work together, desperately in need of a left footer at left-back. But when things open up they are deadly on the counter with Bale the biggest threat in situations like this.

Only downside being Dembele hobbling off again. It seems like he’s never going to get 100% fit, never given the time to do so because he’s so important and creativity wise he’s all there is, unless that changes in January. Parker as shown here certainly isn’t a like for like change. He has an amazing ability to pass the ball straight back to a player who has a man on. Well it’s one more in the pass completion stats.

Aston Villa 0 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur

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And in the end they didn’t get that corners record with only one coming in the second half. Disgraceful.

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Don’t know what’s worse what Stoke call football or the joy they take in killing the game. Points for points sake, no enjoyment, glory in destruction, you wonder what Danny Blanchflower would have made of it all.

The rest of the league seems to wonder why anyone would want to watch them never mind follow them around the country. It’s not something to bring festive joy.

Danny may have seen something like the opening few minutes in his time. Did remark at the time it was like watching the reruns of The Big Match from the late 70′s early 80s they’re showing on ITV4. Stoke hump it up the park as soon as possible while Spurs hammer it away as soon as possible. At least back in the far gone days they had the excuse of the pitch being a ploughed field unlike today’s bowling greens.

This passage of “play” brought Stokes first of a few chances that were gifted to them – didn’t look like scoring without Spurs’ help – as Walker played a suicide ball across his defence that Jones, obviously forgetting where he was on the pitch, smashed high over the bar. On me ‘ead son.

After this Spurs gained control while Stoke dropped back into the familiar flat back 8 to 10 giants.

Things were helped by inept officiating. Obviously scared after last week’s incident involving Stoke’s Shawcross and Fellaini of Everton, Lee Mason – who does a very good impersonation of Bobby Hill from King Of The Hill – was obviously scare of upsetting Tony Pulis. So N’Zonzi got away with an elbow on Dembele. While Vertonghen was booked for an innocuous late challenge on a player who say no card for a revenge tackle on the Belgian that was a bit of a leg breaker.

It brings me to that incident in the Everton game with Fellaini and The Big match repeats. While the football in those old shows maybe hump and bluster at times it is so damn refreshing for the games to be free of pulling and holding. They say the game now is becoming a non-contact sport, well it is but only from the waist down. From above it’s no holds barred.

Is this football or a tea dance?

Which is why I would have let Fellaini off. They, also, say refs can’t penalise holding like that or there’d be 20 penalties a game. Others respond saying it would stop it soon enough. Well I think that if a player was allowed to get out of a hold any way he wanted, including putting the head in like the Everton midfielder did, well that would stop the holding a lot quicker.

Because as you see with the likes of Stoke or Sam Allardyce’s teams they’re OK when handing it out but turn into the biggest wet, girl’s blouses when on the receiving end.

So anyway back to the game and not much happened. Sandro saved a tap in from Etherington who for once didn’t actually score against his old team. At the other end the Brazilian put in a pretty good cross which the substitute Sigurdsson met with a great header that was going to win it but for a magnificent save from Begovic.

In between not much occurred. AVB’s hands slightly tied by the lack of creativity on the bench, Gylfi came on and maybe so should have Townsend but when Parker was introduced it seemed to signal the acceptance of the draw.

Not the first team to draw a blank against this type of football and won’t be the last. Doesn’t mean we have to be happy about it.

The strike pair again showed that the crowd may scream for two up front but it’s brought one whole goal while Adebayor and Defoe have been on the pitch together. And while everyone talks about what a great season Defoe is having he has 2 goals more and 1 assist less than Torres who everyone has been slating. And somehow I’m not surprised we haven’t seen the same performance out of Adebayor now he’s actually signed, not withstanding his being in and out of the team.

Striker, a complete striker, a clinical striker and someone to fill the Modric/van der Vaart hole come the start of the window and I mean the start not the very last minute of the last day of January.

Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 0 Stoke City

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At this time of year we all like to look back, I’m going a little further than the past year, little further back than the football of my youth. December 25th, 98 years ago. I bet the football the Tommies and the Germans played on no-man’s land on the Western front was of a more enjoyable standard than the fair put out by Stoke City.

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