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Ten changes but another win – Tottenham swat aside Cheltenham to prove they have the squad strength to push for the Premier League title
Giovani dos Santos' impressive performance in the routine 3-0 win over the Robins proved that Harry Redknapp should no longer hesitate when he considers rotating his squad
Jan 8, 2012 10:00:00 AM
Getty Images
COMMENT
By Jay Jaffa at White Hart Lane
'Rotation' has been a buzzword among Tottenham fans in the last month or so but Harry Redknapp's insistence on sticking with his strongest XI had been a source of frustration for followers of the club. On Saturday, however, the squad was finally, and successfully, utilised for a meaningful, albeit straightforward, win over Cheltenham Town which will have left many wondering why it had taken the Spurs boss so long in the first place.
Tottenham took to the field against Cheltenham in their FA Cup third-round clash having made 10 changes to the side that started the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. There were plenty of positives too – Michael Dawson returned from an Achilles injury that had kept him out since August, whilst Aaron Lennon darted back into first-team action.
Fringe players such as Danny Rose and Giovani Dos Santos also had the opportunity to shine; a chance they grabbed, though for different reasons. While Rose may see his future at Spurs, his Mexican team-mate will certainly have used the opportunity to flaunt his talent to potential January suitors.
One main point can be gleaned from the game – Spurs have a squad depth worthy of their league position. Each position on the pitch is adequately backed up by competent cover. Rose showed that he could fill in for Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left-back whilst Niko Kranjcar displayed the kind of languid panache in central midfield required should Luka Modric spend time on the sidelines. This is not to say these players are direct replacements in style but that they can step in and provide sterling cover.
There is a disclaimer that will no doubt offend readers from Gloucester, but it must be noted that the performance was against a side 67 places beneath Tottenham in the Football League. Cheltenham put up a valiant effort and kept a tight unit for a large portion of the 90 minutes; however, the class of Kranjcar and Dos Santos in particular eventually told.
For Spurs fans, it was not the fluid football to which they have become accustomed – at least not for a prolonged period of time - though there were flourishes seen in the first two goals.
That said, this was unquestionably a potential banana skin, with the Robins flying in League Two with a mightily impressive away record of nine wins from 10 games. This fixture was always going to be a special day out, particularly for the fans, who were in magnificent voice throughout.
However, the sprinkling of FA Cup magic, so often reserved for the minnows, failed to touch Mark Yates' team, who, aside from the odd half-chance never justified the pre-match concern for the Premier League outfit.
But perhaps the football community's desire for cup upsets shrouds the reality. Any in-form top-flight side should expect their second string to cruise past a side three divisions below them and ultimately that was the case at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham controlled the game and, importantly, showed very few signs of rust, usually an inevitable facet of using backup players. Redknapp withdrew the club's reserve team in the early stages of his tenure, yet a Spurs XI still play regularly, offering a platform for recuperating players such as Kranjcar, whilst promising youngsters such as Steven Caulker and Andros Townsend are farmed out on loan for more regular competitive football.
Redknapp has shown a tendency with his Premier League selections of fitting square pegs into round holes – see Van der Vaart operating as a right midfielder – and it was evident in Saturday's game as a number of players played in unfamiliar positions.
Jake Livermore, more through necessity than experiment, was asked to play at right-back but, to his credit, was Spurs' best performer in the first half. In midfield there was the unusual central combination of Kranjcar and Steven Pienaar – not a happy union if you are looking for players to steal possession from the opposition.
Nonetheless, it worked. The square pegs highlighted their value and have shown Redknapp that he can rely on their quality and versatility should an injury crisis threaten to derail a very promising season.
In his programme notes Redknapp stated his belief that Tottenham have an excellent chance of ending this season with a trophy. Few will disagree that the style of football played under Redknapp alludes to the enduring Danny Blanchflower quote: "The game is about glory". However, plenty of fans will be keen to remind the manager that unless the team can convert such aesthetics into winning something worthy of the trophy cabinet, their work will be in vain.
Turning the trophy dream into a reality will only be possible if Redknapp employs a better rotation of a fatiguing squad. Recent injuries to Sandro, Scott Parker and William Gallas have highlighted the necessity of utilising the 25-man squad and you cannot help but feel that the last home game was a prime opportunity to unleash a couple of enthusiastic youngsters against West Brom. Eight internationals lined up against Cheltenham on Saturday – an impressive feat given that there were 10 changes. Waiting in the wings and providing assurances of their talent are the younger generation – Rose, Livermore, Yago Falque, John Bostock and Tom Carroll.
There is a group of Tottenham deputies that are waiting for the opportunity to help and be a part of the surge for the title and it remains to be seen if Redknapp changes tack in his league line-ups. But as we lean into the second half of the season, it looks likely that they will be required one way or the other.
By Jay Jaffa at White Hart Lane
'Rotation' has been a buzzword among Tottenham fans in the last month or so but Harry Redknapp's insistence on sticking with his strongest XI had been a source of frustration for followers of the club. On Saturday, however, the squad was finally, and successfully, utilised for a meaningful, albeit straightforward, win over Cheltenham Town which will have left many wondering why it had taken the Spurs boss so long in the first place.
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Tottenham took to the field against Cheltenham in their FA Cup third-round clash having made 10 changes to the side that started the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. There were plenty of positives too – Michael Dawson returned from an Achilles injury that had kept him out since August, whilst Aaron Lennon darted back into first-team action.
Fringe players such as Danny Rose and Giovani Dos Santos also had the opportunity to shine; a chance they grabbed, though for different reasons. While Rose may see his future at Spurs, his Mexican team-mate will certainly have used the opportunity to flaunt his talent to potential January suitors.
One main point can be gleaned from the game – Spurs have a squad depth worthy of their league position. Each position on the pitch is adequately backed up by competent cover. Rose showed that he could fill in for Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left-back whilst Niko Kranjcar displayed the kind of languid panache in central midfield required should Luka Modric spend time on the sidelines. This is not to say these players are direct replacements in style but that they can step in and provide sterling cover.
Taking his chance | Roman Pavlyuchenko doubled Tottenham's lead against Cheltenham
There is a disclaimer that will no doubt offend readers from Gloucester, but it must be noted that the performance was against a side 67 places beneath Tottenham in the Football League. Cheltenham put up a valiant effort and kept a tight unit for a large portion of the 90 minutes; however, the class of Kranjcar and Dos Santos in particular eventually told.
For Spurs fans, it was not the fluid football to which they have become accustomed – at least not for a prolonged period of time - though there were flourishes seen in the first two goals.
That said, this was unquestionably a potential banana skin, with the Robins flying in League Two with a mightily impressive away record of nine wins from 10 games. This fixture was always going to be a special day out, particularly for the fans, who were in magnificent voice throughout.
However, the sprinkling of FA Cup magic, so often reserved for the minnows, failed to touch Mark Yates' team, who, aside from the odd half-chance never justified the pre-match concern for the Premier League outfit.
| STAKING THEIR CLAIM |
|
| PLAYER RATING | GIOVANI DOS SANTOS | |
 8.0 |
Huge part in the first goal having been sent through and chipping the onrushing keeper. Played a delight of a pass in the build-up for the second goal and finished impressively for the third. His best game for Spurs. |
| PLAYER RATING | JAKE LIVERMORE |
|
 7.5 |
Looked comfortable in an unfamiliar position, often bringing the ball down and marching out of defence. Linked well with Lennon throughout and was surprisingly accomplished at right-back. |
| PLAYER RATING | NIKO KRANJCAR |
|
 7.0 |
Played the game at his own pace and, although his partnership with Pienaar often looked disjointed, showed his class with the through ball to Dos Santos for the opening goal. |
But perhaps the football community's desire for cup upsets shrouds the reality. Any in-form top-flight side should expect their second string to cruise past a side three divisions below them and ultimately that was the case at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham controlled the game and, importantly, showed very few signs of rust, usually an inevitable facet of using backup players. Redknapp withdrew the club's reserve team in the early stages of his tenure, yet a Spurs XI still play regularly, offering a platform for recuperating players such as Kranjcar, whilst promising youngsters such as Steven Caulker and Andros Townsend are farmed out on loan for more regular competitive football.
Redknapp has shown a tendency with his Premier League selections of fitting square pegs into round holes – see Van der Vaart operating as a right midfielder – and it was evident in Saturday's game as a number of players played in unfamiliar positions.
Jake Livermore, more through necessity than experiment, was asked to play at right-back but, to his credit, was Spurs' best performer in the first half. In midfield there was the unusual central combination of Kranjcar and Steven Pienaar – not a happy union if you are looking for players to steal possession from the opposition.
Nonetheless, it worked. The square pegs highlighted their value and have shown Redknapp that he can rely on their quality and versatility should an injury crisis threaten to derail a very promising season.
In his programme notes Redknapp stated his belief that Tottenham have an excellent chance of ending this season with a trophy. Few will disagree that the style of football played under Redknapp alludes to the enduring Danny Blanchflower quote: "The game is about glory". However, plenty of fans will be keen to remind the manager that unless the team can convert such aesthetics into winning something worthy of the trophy cabinet, their work will be in vain.
Turning the trophy dream into a reality will only be possible if Redknapp employs a better rotation of a fatiguing squad. Recent injuries to Sandro, Scott Parker and William Gallas have highlighted the necessity of utilising the 25-man squad and you cannot help but feel that the last home game was a prime opportunity to unleash a couple of enthusiastic youngsters against West Brom. Eight internationals lined up against Cheltenham on Saturday – an impressive feat given that there were 10 changes. Waiting in the wings and providing assurances of their talent are the younger generation – Rose, Livermore, Yago Falque, John Bostock and Tom Carroll.
There is a group of Tottenham deputies that are waiting for the opportunity to help and be a part of the surge for the title and it remains to be seen if Redknapp changes tack in his league line-ups. But as we lean into the second half of the season, it looks likely that they will be required one way or the other.
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