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April 2004

I had better write these notes regarding the Spurs Odyssey exclusive form guide for April, 2005, before the first game of May against our fellow UEFA Cup contenders, Aston Villa. If we don't get three points in that game, we can't say the battle will be over, but we will have lost control of our destiny. Hopefully we can go to Middlesbrough level on points and have a realistic chance of beating them in the race for 7th, although Stuart Pearce's Manchester City have raced up on the outside rail so to speak, and now play both Villa and "Boro" in their last two games. The fixtures computer could never have forseen such an end of season 4 team tournament over the last three games!

Spurs have won 1, drawn 3, and lost 1 of their five games in April, scoring and conceding 5 goals in the process. Our win against Newcastle was not at all convincing and relied upon Jermain Defoe's persistence against uncertain defending. Spurs' form this month has been marginally our best since December, but the score ratio continues to disappoint. With Michael Brown and Pedro Mendes now missing the remaining fixtures, the pressure on the remaining midfield to both add to their scoring record (poor) and create more chances increases. The summer arrivals of Huddlestone and Tainio will be a blessing for sure.

I think we were entitled to expect more in the way of points return from the matches we played, and we under-achieved against Birmingham and West Brom in the end. We have had the chance in the second half of the season to forge a path ahead in the qualification race, and my gut feeling remains that we will just miss out. It may be the same old message, but we must be satisfied with the progress Spurs have made this term. Having said that, I did predict a 7th place finish at the start of the season, and if it happens, I look forward to getting my dusty European Atlas out!

Robbie Keane has scored 2 of the 5 goals for Spurs, but featured player this month is Michael Dawson who made an impressive debut at Anfield, and has not let us down yet, with Naybet and Gardner also out injured. At the end of the month came the welcome news that Jermain Defoe had signed an improved contract to keep him at Spurs for potentially another four and a half years. There is every reason to believe that the players, as well as the fans think there are good times around the corner for Spurs!

COME ON YOU SPURS!!

...if you want to remind yourself of the matches played during this month, then See the Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over the last 4 years!

* less errors equals a higher mark

The Spursometer was brought to you by Spurs Odyssey in association with My Eyes Have Seen The Glory.

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