By Gary Beaumont
February 9 2003

A good result yesterday, slightly flattered by the score line. We only played well in fits and starts. The potential is definitely there but often we lost concentration and narrowly avoid causing ourselves more trouble. Plus point to the game...My man of the match was Darren Anderton, he getting better each game I see him. He is intelligent, strong in the tackle and he thinks more about putting others into the game than trying to lift his own. Spurs need this sort of player and recently has been one of the biggest factors in our game. I actually wanted him to go earlier on in the season, but am so glad he didnt and its great to see him back in the side. Quality!

A few player summaries:

Davies: Getting back to the form he showed us last season another quality performance.

Richards: Rock

Ledley: His composure is world class another quality player

Sheringham: Getting back to his best again, another superb performance.

Carr: again has been on of the better players this season. Quality!

And Tarrico, the player I loathe most had a wonderful game, his passing was sublime and he did his duties with ease (only one rash challenge!!)

The negative points (and these were VERY clear)

Doc up front. He is appalling. In one way I was glad to see him score just before half time as that gave us a good opportunity to come out and take the game to them. We could have possibly lost it if he hadn't of scored then and it was crucial timing. BUT! Alternatively it meant Glenn had no choice but to persevere with him up front for the second half. He was truly awful, he doesn’t challenge and always loses the ball. I can’t remember him retaining possession in the whole game. Even when he scored he gave the ball away cos they then kicked off. He is not premiership quality and if he thinks he is then we should perhaps look to offload him.

Bunje: Tough tackling midfielder my ar*se. He was shi*te, he’s like the scared loser at school that plays football cos he has no other mates. He wont go into a 70/30 challenge, let alone a 50/50 challenge. He has a neat touch and can pass the ball, but he does not do the job he is supposed to do. He is lightweight and goes out of position. This leaves holes in our midfield and is prob the reason why we get caught out. Which brings me to poyet

He is a quality player going forward and without him we would have lost a lot more games this season. But he is not a midfielder. He also goes missing and leaves what is a big hole anyway, so much bigger. It invites teams to play through us and down the middle.
So far this season every goal that I can remember being scored against us was through the middle. Arsenal. Southampton, Newcastle, Sunderland etc etc etc.

Please Glenn realise that these players cannot both play. IF poyet is going to play then we need a hard working player in the middle. When Redknapp is back, then Jamie and Anderton could possibly cover and carry out these duties. Id still like to see Ledley play in this role. It would teach him to challenge more often and would be a great experience for a defending. I believe it would improve him as a player. Although he can only play there when Gardner is fit.

We still have some major problems. These were exacerbated by Hoddle who "choose" to use Doc, when he could have chosen anyone else and he/she would have done a better job.

Against any other side it could have been a different result. On the plus side it was our best result of the season!!!!