FA BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
MONDAY 12TH JANUARY, 2004
SPURS RESERVES 5 (2) COVENTRY RESERVES 0 (0)

Scorers:-
Postiga, 5
Brown, 30, 83
Slabber, 78
Ricketts, 90

Attendance:- Est. 350

Referee:- Mr. D. Deadman

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Hirschfeld; Ifil (sub Foster, 46), Kelly, Bunjevcevic, Ziege (Capt.)(sub Jackson, 25); Marney, Brown, Blondel, Ricketts; Zamora, Postiga (sub Slabber, 74)

Subs not used:- Forecast; McKie

Booked:- Jackson, Foster

Coventry (4-4-2):- Shearer (sub Arphexad, 46); Pipe, Cooney, Shaw (Capt.), Giddings; Pitt, Read, Osbourne, Jephcott; Morrell, Suffo

Subs not used:- Stanford, Noon, Nicell, Yazdani

No bookings

Michael Brown got his Spurs career off to a great start with a goal in each half, as he demonstrated his eye for goal, coupled with a good box to box performance. Spurs ran out easy winners, with a scoreline that looked on the cards after a dazzling first half, although Coventry did prevent an increase the the 2 goal half time advantage until 12 minutes before the end.

It is difficult to gauge just how good a performance it was for Spurs, as Coventry were in some disarray for a lot of the time, but you can only beat the team put in front of you, and in the end Spurs did that with style. It was of course a strong Spurs line-up, although also a young and fit side. Both Zamora and Postiga were vying for Kanoute's vacancy this Saturday and thereafter, and even substitute Jamie Slabber will have cause to hope that he too may get a chance once again at the top level. Despite an early goal for Postiga, it was Zamora who impressed me most of the two strikers, as he was able to play well with his back to goal, and of course has the height to be effective in the air as well.

Brown and Blondel had their own battle to impress in midfield, and I was just as impressed with Blondel's determination in the tackle, pace and passing. Apart from his goals, Brown had the quieter game of the two. Rohan Ricketts had a great game, primarily on the left of midfield, and seems to have picked up some Dalmat-like skills, with his ability to take the ball close to two or three defenders, then disappear out of the melee with the ball at his feet. Dean Marney played down the right side, and behind him was young Philip Ifil, having another great game, being unlucky to get a knock just before half time, having to be replaced by Foster.

Ziege captained the side and had whipped in a couple of typical crosses before he had to leave early, due to a nasty head gash. Still, at least his injury was not a re-occurrence of his previous ailments. Coventry featured 4 of the side that was beaten 3-0 at Highfield Road in the Carling Cup. These were the keeper, skipper Richard Shaw, and strikers Suffo and Morrell. Perennial substitute keeper Pegguy Arphexad also featured in that Cup game.

On a cold night, Blondel nearly warmed Spurs hearts with an early free kick held on his line by Shearer. Then Ricketts gave Zamora chance to shoot, which he took forcing the keeper to hold the ball at the second attempt. Spurs took an early lead in the fifth minute, as Postiga got behind the defence to a ball chipped over from the left, much the same way as Robbie Keane had done on Saturday at Leeds. Helder raced to the right side of the area and placed his kick to the right of the keeper, hitting the net just inside Shearer's right post.

Two minutes later, a great ball from Marney switched the play from right to left. Ricketts controlled the ball in excellent fashion, slipping it inside to Brown who hit a rising left foot shot just over the bar from 20 yards. We were to see later that Brown has a right foot as well!

The Sky Blues had their first chance after 14 minutes, when Jephcott hit a firm header just outside the goal, meeting a good cross from Pipe on the right. 8 minutes later there was a scare for Spurs as Coventry worked the ball across the area after a throw on the left. Morrell tried an over head kick and Hirschfeld had to palm the ball over for a corner. Then came the Ziege injury, as Spurs cleared the corner. Ziege was replaced by John Jackson (who ultimately took on the Captain's armband), now playing against the side he had recently assisted on loan.

Several times during the game, Lars Hirschfeld picked out players with swift and well-placed throws, and he started the move that led to Spurs second goal on the half-hour. Hirschfeld found Ricketts, who sent Brown away with a great ball across to the right of the field. Brown worked his way to a position similar to that where Postiga had scored, and beat the keeper with a similar well-placed right foot shot. Another good throw out led to a useful Spurs attack, led again by the ever-impressive Ricketts. Rohan passed inside to Postiga, who got into the area to win a corner, from which he did hit a good drive which Shearer saved.

Coventry switched keepers at the interval, and they enjoyed a fair amount of possession now. Craig Read (wearing 8) was impressive in the middle. After 51 minutes, Spurs failed to utilise a free kick inside their half, losing out to Read whose long shot was tipped over by Hirschfeld, who seems to be ahead of Rob Burch in the pecking order right now. (Spurs had replaced Ifil with Foster who played in the central defence, whilst Kelly moved to right back)

Spurs now went on the attack again, and a low cross from Marney passed Zamora and it looked like Postiga must score. However, his effort was blocked, rebounded to him, and then to Ricketts, who put the ball in the net, but was offside. On 62 minutes, Ricketts made a lovely play through 3 defenders, passed to Zamora who put Postiga clear on the left side of the area. Once again Helder's effort was blocked when it looked like he must score.

Brown and Blondel combined to win the ball in the middle before Brown sent Postiga away with a good ball down the inside left channel. Postiga's left foot shot was saved by Arphexad on his line, as he fell on his backside and held the ball between his thighs. Postiga had already indicated a need to come off, with a thigh strain, and was replaced by Slabber. Brown had hit a powerful shot over the bar, before Blondel and Slabber exchanged on the left of the box. Jamie Slabber passed inside to Blondel whose shot was blocked. Slabber scored within minutes of replacing Postiga. Zamora had passed to Ricketts on his left. Rohan moved to his right and hit a shot against the bar, that rebounded to Slabber for a low shot to finish.

Coventry responded positively and Giddings made a run down the left, and his cross was met by a Suffo flick at the near post, saved well by the alert Hirschfeld. Michael Brown's second goal on 83 minutes, was the best of the night, as he picked up the ball outside the area following a Marney corner, hitting a rasping right foot drive past the keeper to burst the net. Spurs didn't look like they were finished as Ricketts sent Zamora away. Bobby cut into his right, then sent a right foot shot towards the keeper's right corner. Arphexad made a good sprawling save.

Pitt tried at the other end, making a good run, but sending a low strength shot wide across the goal. Rohan Ricketts got a much deserved goal in injury time, as Slabber took advantage of a poor back pass from the half-way line to race goalward, then slide the ball across the keeper for an easy finish for Rohan.

It will be interesting to see what role (if any) Brown is given on Saturday, when we entertain Liverpool. He is not the only member of tonight's starting line-up who will be anxiously awaiting the team sheet later in the week. The next Reserves' game is next Monday (also at Broadhall Way, Stevenage), when they face Leicester. I look forward to it.

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