Burnley outfought and outplayed Redknapp’s Spurs but are betrayed by tired legs and robbed by a pair of classy strikes from Pavlyuchenko and Defoe.
Fantasy managers now have to consider more Premier League postponements, whilst wondering whether there will ever be any value amongst the Tottenham ranks…
Harry Redknapp will rightly criticise his team for a shockingly complacent display but it was his decision to make six changes and weaken the lineup. Alnwick made a debut between the posts for the injured Gomes and was at fault for two of Burnley’s goals. Elsewhere, Gunter and Assou-Ekotto came in at full-back, while Huddlestone and Bentley also earned starts, with Lennon out of the squad and Pavlyuchenko rested to the bench. Those changes, coupled with the three goal lead from the first leg, surely set the tone for the careless approach that handed the initiative to Burnley from the off.
Jamie O’Hara – one of the rare successes for Spurs this season – picked up an injury, which looked like a groin strain and was replaced on the hour-mark. He’ll be a doubt for the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford at the weekend and possibly the home game with Stoke in midweek. Bentley picked up his fourth booking of the season and is therefore walking on the suspension tightrope – would fantasy managers or Redknapp really care if he fell off?
Tottenham’s strikers – Pavlyuchenko and Defoe – did at least show their class at the end with a pair of Premier League finishes. They remain the only likely areas of investment for fantasy managers – although we’ surely need far more evidence of form and fluidity from Spurs before even this pairing are given further consideration.
As it is, short-term investment in Redknapp’s looks even more unlikely given that their progression to the final will mean that their trip to Sunderland on March 1st is now postponed and will be rescheduled. That now leaves four sides without matches in gameweek 27 – Spurs, Sunderland, United and Portsmouth.
Spurs now go into an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford having slogged through a desperate extra-time session. It’s the perfect platform to prove themselves after tonight’s performance but you’ve got to fear for them after this display. There’s even the suggestion that Redknapp will put out another weakened side.
Harry will be mindful of the crucial relegation battle against Stoke in midweek. Pulis’ side will surely be looking at tonight’s game and using Burnley of perfect example of how they can boss Tottenham through sheer effort. Personally, with no Ledley King to steady the ship and Gomes flapping at Delap’s long-throws, I fancy Stoke’s chances.
Spurs need to get Palacios in their lineup quickly, although despite reporting earlier that he could return at Bolton on Saturday week, the fact that he will be cup-tied for the FA Cup this weekend, it looks as though Redknapp’s new signing will miss both the Stoke and Bolton games after picking up 10 yellows so far this season.