It seems I wrote that previous Crouch article a little too early :(

Generally, the team put on a solid performance. Gallas saved Spurs' blushes with one defensive header against fellow ex-Gooner Vieira's shot on goal, which would've sealed the deal convincingly for City. Lennon also made his mark by cutting into the box regularly. It's just a shame the crosses were not up to scratch.

Modric confirmed why he isn't a striker by putting a rather easy goal wide. Finding himself in acres of space on the edge of the box, he should've made more of the chance but put it just wide of the right post.

Danny Rose took on double the work by making brilliant tackles and then pushing forward to cross into the box. Sandro again put a great shift in. Cudicini made a fantastic save early on. Would Gomes have saved that? I'd say yes, but feel free to debate amongst yourselves.

Crouch scored again, but in his own net. It was the only goal that Manchester City could speak of, which cemented their place in the top-four. It's looking more and more tempting for me to openly say "sell him."

Even though I should back all players all of the time, it's made difficult by the mistakes they make which cost dearly. Crouch already got himself an early exit from the Champions League by being gung-ho with slide tackles in the opposition's half and tonight he scored in his own net to give City the narrow 1-0 lead which ended Spurs' hopes of another top-four finish.

The heroes of yesteryear (2010) have become villains. Gomes has appeared on Soccer AM's "Taxi" segment twice in the same season whilst Crouch scored Manchester City's only goal to secure the Citizens' place in the Champions League [Playoffs]. Time for a chorus from Alanis Morisette:

"...And isn't it ironic
Don't you think?
It's like rain on your weddin' day
It's a free ride when you've already paid 
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would've thought, it figures...."

If I had that ringtone and Harry's mobile phone number, I'd send that after the full time whistle. It's the good advice ['get a striker'] that he just didn't take. And who would've thought; it figures.

Now that this season is pretty much over for us, the knee-jerking will begin and not stop until after preseason. In fact, I'm doing some now, I'll admit. But if it is a valid point which has to be repeated until accepted, then so be it.

I still remain faithful to Harry and Danny Boy (Levy), BUT the fact remains: Such a simple thing like buying a striker would have turned this season a full 180. Not seeing what was [or wasn't] right in front of them has annoyed me the most. It was obvious we needed another striker to get the goals which would win games, but the two powers-that-be will forever be too full of pride to admit that leaving the striker vacancy unfilled was the biggest mistake in their tenures here.

Of course, I've been told by someone to apply for the job of manager, as I obviously know more than Harry,  but I would seriously call his bluff. At least I'd notice that we're missing a 20-goal a season striker. I'm not calling for heads on plates. I'm calling for a striker signature on a paper contract.

Was one more striker really that much to ask from our management/chairman???

I'm hoping that big important lessons are learned from this, as well as hoping to see how Manchester City fare in the playoffs. If they get through to the quarter-finals/beyond, it'll be a mockery and rub salt in the wounds for Spurs. If they fall at the first hurdle, it'll still be a mockery by being a waste of a space.

The ball's now in your court, Mancini, and there's no need for goalline/Hawkeye technology on that.