Spurs get narrow win in nervous encounter at the Lane

Spurs edged closer to sealing 4th spot earlier today by beating Bolton in our final home game of the season.

Bolton dominated throughout in what was a very nervy first half performance from the lads. Nakata hit the inside of the post early on and Ivan Campo fired over the bar from close range; but they couldn't find a breakthrough. Sam Allardyce's men closed us down very well high up the pitch, forcing us to knock it long, only resulting in it coming back down the field.

However a different Spurs team came out in the second half and those first half nerves seemed to have eased. Lee Barnard's introduction, due to Robbie Keane's ankle injury, surprisingly livened the team's performance as the tempo of the game rose. Danny Murphy and Michael Carrick both rose their games as we took over in the early part of the second half; involving Aaron Lennon more definitely helping our cause. And unlike Bolton, we took our chance when it came on 60 minutes when great play from Michael Carrick on the edge of the box set-up young Lennon, who got past the defender and slotted it home for 1-0.

That set-up a nervy finale to the match as Bolton piled bodies forward. Danny Murphy went off injured late on, something that helped the team as Calum Davenport came on, steadying the aerial battle between the two sides. Bolton - apart from a volley from Okocha spectacularly saved by Paul Robinson - hardly threatened our goal. Stelios Giannakopoulos was denied a penalty after he was seemingly brought down from behind by Michael Dawson, sending Sam Allardyce into a touchline frenzy.

We held on tight though, and wrapped up the three points, putting the pressure on Arsenal to win both their games in hand against Sunderland and Man City later on this week.

After the game, Aaron Lennon was named the Supporters Young Player of the Year after a string of dazzling performances. He was met by a thunderous reception by the Spurs faithful which remained at the Lane to enjoy the end of season party.

The Supporters Player of the Year award went to stand-in captain Robbie Keane, who limped over to the centre circle to receive his award. The players were treated to an incredibly deserved standing ovation as they completed their 'Lap of Honour'.

The day overall was an exceptional one as we moved 7 points clear of Arsenal, secured a top five finish, won our final home game but most of all, showed what we are all about; character, team-spirit and bouncebackability...

Team News vs Bolton

We have mixed feelings looking at the team news for Sunday's all important clash with Bolton.

Thankfully, Teemu Tainio's toe isn't broken and he will be available for Martin Jol. However news broke last night that Jermaine Jenas has not recovered from a shin injury that ruled him out of the Arsenal game last week. And with Edgar Davids suspended for the rest of the season, Danny Murphy looks set for a rare first team start.

Also seemingly injured is Mido. The Egyptian has injured his knee and is unlikely to play again for Spurs, this season at least. So Jermain Defoe and stand-in captain Robbie Keane will partner each other yet again up front.

At the back, there are no new injuries to any players. This means we'll hopefully have an unchanged back four from the one that drew against Arsenal last Saturday.

Probable line-up: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Y.P. Lee, Lennon, Carrick, Tainio, Murphy, Keane, Defoe
Subs: Cerny, Kelly, Naybet, Ghaly, Barnard

Carrick admits Champions League fear but says Arsenal will have diserved it

Michael Carrick has expressed his fear of Spurs finishing 4th, but still not playing in the Champions League next year.

Speaking to The Mirror, Carrick admitted that Arsenal will diserve to be in the Champions League next year if they beat Barcelona in the Champions League Final in May. However, he did exclaim the team's potential dissapointment of finishing 4th but still not getting Champions League football.

He said: "If they go and win the Champions League then we'll have to say fair play, they've won the biggest club competition there and they'll have deserved it.

"If we finish fourth and they win it, then it will be hard to take but they were the rules at the start of the season and you have accept it. After we drew at Arsenal last Saturday someone said, 'We're in Europe'. But there wasn't even a reaction in the dressing room.

"We're really focused on getting fourth because if we don't get there now after being there for so long it will be a big disappointment."

Speaking about Spurs' chances if they do end up in the Champions League next year, Carrick said that Spurs wouldn't do an Everton and get knocked out at the Qualifying Stages.

"People looked at Everton's draw and saw Villarreal and thought they'd get through no problem," Carrick added. "They took some stick for getting beaten - but look at where Villarreal ended up. The qualifying games can be hard. They're not easy and the knock-on effect was huge on Everton

"But you look at the players we've got, our style of play and I believe we'll be well suited to playing in Europe."

Carrick then goes on to praise Martin Jol's excellent faith in young English players. He also highlights Martin Jol's willingness to rid Spurs' "soft touch" reputation and believes all this has been key to Spurs' best season in the Premiership. And Spurs' physical progress will be put to test in their last two games of the season - two games Spurs must win, assuming Arsenal win all of their remaing three games.

"We've given ourselves a chance but they're not two easy games. Bolton are always a hard team to face.

"They're looking to push up the table and go for Europe themselves and after that we've got to go to West Ham.

"In the past, Tottenham were seen as a soft touch and Martin was keen to stamp that out.

"The English backbone is a big part of that and there's some lads like Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson who are pushing for a place as well.

"And to get five players on the pitch at the same time as we did for England against Uruguay shows how far Tottenham have come as a club and as a team."

Scolari set to be named England manager?

Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to become Sven Goran Eriksson's succesor.

After holding talks with The FA in Portugal, reports strongly suggest that Scolari was not just interviewed, but offered the chance of taking over the England post after the up-coming World Cup.

Many believed that The FA would choose an English coach this time round. These reports come just a week after Scolari was 20-1 to land the job. Steve McClaren was favourite to get the offer.

So is "Big Phil" getting the job the righ decision on the FA's part? Given the fact that he barely speaks the Queen's English you'd have to say no. Jimmy Hill, who doesn't say many things i agree with, pointed out that if the team needs a moment of inspiration from him, it's going to have to go through a translator, that's not the most inspiring of thoughts.

Those who watched the PFA Awards earlier this week will have seen Alan Ball speaking about his experiences in the 1966 World Cup Final. Afer listening to him, even Oliver Holt would have been inspired to go and take on Brazil, Argentina, Italy and co.

Not only that is against "Big Phil". What will happen to all the up and coming superstars like Aaron Lennon, Darren Bent, Michael Dawson, Nigel Reo-Coker and the list goes on. Will the FA get someone to be his number 2 and point out the style England like to play in, the newcomers mentioned above, the way to approach English players? Well why don't they just give the England job to that someone assisting him to start with? It'll save a lot of trouble.

Don't get me wrong here, i'm not saying that Steve McClaren is the best choice. He's not the only one who knows the English game. My personal choice would have been Martin O'Neil. He's not English, but you can't say he's foreign. He has that edge that people like Sven and McClaren lack. That spur of the moment decision that can change a game and i'm pretty sure he has that inspirational team talk that would get his troops ready for war.

So asuming that Scolari does get the job, i think it's a bad choice. Of course we'll see in 12 months time whether i'm right or not. I think he's the sort of appointment that will need time to settle, time that the English press and fans never allow.

Tainio boost for Spurs

Teemu Tainio's toe injury is not as bad as first feared much to the relief of himself.

The midfielder got stamped on his toe during last Saturday's crucial North London Derby and it was suspected after the game that it could of been broken. However those fears turned into sighs of relief as it was proven on Tuesday that his toe is not broken.

The midfielder said: "My toe is not broken like we feared at first.

"I didn't train on Tuesday but I trained today and hopefully I'll be okay for Sunday.

"I've had a couple of injuries and it's been really disappointing to miss games so I'm relieved it's not broken.

"We're already without a couple of players and I'm really happy I'll be okay for the last two games."

The Finnish International will now be available for selection on Sunday.

Jenas set to return

Jermaine Jenas is set to make a return from injury this weekend against Bolton.

The midfielder was left out of the squad that travelled to Highbury last Saturday after manager Martin Jol admitted it was a big risk to play him against Arsenal. Jenas had a shin problem after Friday's training session and Jol believes that the rest against Arsenal did the trick.

"After training on Friday he had a lot of pressure on his shin,'' said the Spurs boss.

''Maybe it's the start of a little hairline fracture - so he couldn't play. But hopefully he'll be okay for next week.

"I think we pulled him out at the right moment because he could have played maybe 45 minutes and then he would have been out for the season."

Comolli to seal wonderkid deal?

Reports this morning claim that our Sporting Director, Damien Comolli, is in France to seal a deal with 19 year old starlet Ben Arfa.

Sources are claiming that Comolli has been in France for the past three days to conclude the deal which is believed to be around the £3 million mark. Ben Arfa was a key figure in France's Under-17 Euro2004 campaign, netting an impressive 15 goals in 22 matches in the lead up to the tournament.

The 19 year old has not been a regular in Gerrard Houllier's first XI this season, which has trigered the speculation of this move.

World Class Robbo will beat us

German legend Lothar Matthaus has hailed Paul Robinson as the potential difference between this year's World Cup and the previous two major tournaments.

He told PA Sport: "I believe a big factor is that after five or six years England has a good goalkeeper in Paul Robinson. He can make the difference between this World Cup and the last two big tournaments.

"You can have a good team but you will struggle to get to the final if you do not have a good 'keeper.

"Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have all bought foreign 'keepers because there is a problem with English goalkeepers but now you have Robinson, and he can make the difference.

"England are my favourites from Europe. They have great players - Wayne Rooney could be the outstanding young player of the World Cup, then there is Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham, and a good goalkeeper can win you the title.

"Sven-Goran Eriksson is a great coach with great experience and he will want to bring the World Cup back to England before he leaves."

This is a great confidence booster for Paul Robinson, who must have been a little dissapointed not to be named in the PFA's Premiership XI. He hasn't received the amount of praise that he trully diserves in my eyes. He has been solid throughout this season's campaign and that has been one of the main reasons Spurs have done so well this year.

Welcome to The Spurs Blog!

Welcome to the Spurs Blog.

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