The Writing On The Wall (Part Two)

Paul Ince had enjoyed successful spells managing Macclesfield and Milton Keynes Dons before making the step up to his first job in the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers due to the departure of Mark Hughes to high-spending Manchester City. Results were not going his way and despite his optimistic outlook that his team was playing well and that results would come soon, the pressure was rising to a crescendo. Martin Olsson's sending off had made a difficult task harder, but the left-back had been embarrassed by Aaron Lennon, who had demonstrated what he could achieve when he adds end-product to his pace and ability. Ince had to make changes at half-time and did. South African striker Benni McCarthy was replaced by Danny Simpson and before long the dangerous Lennon was flattened by Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Howard Webb declined to take further action.

Juande Ramos didn't rate midfielder Tom Huddlestone, but Harry Redknapp considered him the best passer of the ball at Spurs and gave him regular football. Huddlestone packs a powerful shot too and his 25-yard efforts was the first significant attempt on either goal in the second half. It did not require a save from Paul Robinson though. With just under ten minutes of the second half played, the much-criticised keeper Heurelho Gomes gathered easily and was greeted with yet another chorus of 'we love you Gomes.' He has quickly acquired cult status at White Hart Lane. Meanwhile, the man he replaced, Paul Robinson enjoys the confidence of Ince and put in a sterling display. At that stage he seemed to have won the trust of England manager Fabio Capello, having featured in the friendly against Germany as well. Ince is a fan of Robinson. “It was difficult last week,” he said. “He played some part in the Germany game and two of those three times he was outstanding. He came here today and I said to him, 'you haven't got to prove a point.' He's one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership. I know that. He was excellent today and as I say, he'll get better and better and better.”

Shortly afterwards Lennon easily beat Simpson, but the plague of his lack of end product was evident again, as his cross was taken easily by Robinson. With just over an hour gone a fine passing move was capped off with a searching pass from Huddlestone that found Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the edge of Blackburn's area. His theatrical fall into the area won a free-kick to the disgust of Ryan Nelson, but the threat soon passed. Huddlestone soon proved his new manager's insight accurate with a delightful cross-field pass of forty metres that gave Lennon the opportunity to cross, but that was easily claimed by Robinson again.

Darren Bent never convinced Ramos of his abilities and despite scoring when given the chance Redknapp seems unconvinced too, having re-signed first Jermain Defoe and then Robbie Keane in the January transfer window. Bent was denied by Robinson bravely clutching the ball at his feet as the striker was poised to shoot. André Ooijer managed to leave Webb no choice but to book him as he kicked the ball away after Webb had given a free-kick for his foul on David Bentley, who dusted himself off to take the free-kick, which Jonathan Woodgate headed just wide. After seventy minutes the goal-scorer Roman Pavluychenko received a good ovation as he was replaced by Frazier Campbell. Both Lennon and Campbell exposed the full backs lack of pace, but Vedrun Ćorluka and Bent squandered the opportunities. Further attempts on goal failed to add to the scoring, although an audacious flick by Roque Santa-Cruz would have been a contender for goal of the season had he found the target as he stretched to lob over the stranded Gomes, but his effort just cleared the bar. A minute earlier Jermaine Jenas and Keith Andrews tangled near the half-way line. Others got involved as Jenas complained of being pushed in the face and kicked by Andrews while on the ground. Ince was phlegmatic: “We had a man sent off and he's trying to get another man sent off,” he said. “That's part and parcel of football. It's a heated game we all want to win, so it's not a problem.”

Spurs won continuing the resurgence under Redknapp, which took them out of the relegation places; it has subsequently stalled. Meanwhile, Ince's troubles increased: time was running out and his chances were not helped by seeming to be in denial. Tottenham deserved their win despite Blackburn contributing to the match, but Ince saw his team as unlucky. “They had fortune on their side,” said Ince. “ Let's get that straight for a start.” He did himself no favours with insight like that.

by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (January 29th 2009)