Tottenham vs. Sunderland: 6 Things We Learned from Spurs' 0-0 Draw

Are you kidding me, Tottenham? A stalemate with Sunderland?

Everyone expected Sunderland to be the one who walked away scoreless after Saturday afternoon's match at Stadium of Light. After all, the Black Cats have only scored 42 goals in 32 matches—a pathetic 1.31 goals-per-game average.

Tottenham, however, who had their dry spell this second half of the season, should have gotten at least one score, right? I mean, sure, Emmanuel Adebayor was the lone striker for most of the match, but Rafael Van Der Vaart was by his side. So was Gareth Bale. Aaron Lennon came on late to give Spurs a spark. So did Jermain Defoe and Louis Saha and nothing materializes?

It's a dark day in north London pubs as Tottenham supporters await their lads' homecoming.

There's a lot to take away from Spurs' scoreless draw with Sunderland, but I give you the six biggest takeaways concerning the club's chances at finishing the season with a place in next season's Champions League.

Sandro Should Never Be Put in the Starting Lineup Again

There's no denying it—Sandro was the flop of the match at Sunderland this afternoon.

Never mind the fact that the 23-year-old midfielder wasn't disciplined enough to stay in his zone or that he didn't have the self-control to not get suckered into a foolish booking. The young Brazilian just isn't that good.

He was out-muscled and out-maneuvered all match and if Spurs are going to have any legitimate Champions League hopes, they need to dump Sandro as soon as possible.

But his inclusion in Tottenham's starting lineup begs the obvious question...

Why Wasn't Aaron Lennon Given the Start?

After his brilliant performance last weekend against Swansea City, I thought for sure Lennon would get the full 90 minutes.

In fact, I thought that given enough playing time, he'd score a goal against hosts Sunderland.

Instead, Lennon was brought on for the last third of the match and had to play against a Black Cats squad who was more than happy to hunker down for half an hour, let the scoreless draw ride and nab a point few thought they'd get.

It's time to put the young winger in and see what he can do, not only to reach the Champions League, but to see if he can fill Gareth Bale's role if (or when) the Welshman leaves White Hart Lane.

Attack Still Looks Apathetic

First things first—putting Emmanuel Adebayor at the top of the key by himself is never, and has never, been a good idea. He's just not that kind of player. He needs a quick striker to pass it off to or a partner to feed him the ball in the air.

Louis Saha finally came in at the 78th minute, but it was for Adebayor! Then Jermain Defoe comes in minutes later!

What are you doing, Redknapp?

Give Adebayor a partner from the opening whistle and the offense won't leave Sunderland, or Tottenham's remaining opponents, scoreless.

P.S. One shot on goal? Are you kidding me, Spurs?!

Despite Obstacles, Midfield Still Improving

Tottenham's had more injuries to their midfield than I can count on both hands, and Rafael Van Der Vaart and Gareth Bale's inconsistency is about as explainable as Stonehenge.

But still, Spurs' midfield keeps on ticking, holding the ball for an incredible 71 percent of the match!

You can blame Saturday's scoreless draw on a lot of things—I'll stay with the lackluster offense—but you can't blame it on the midfield.

Scott Parker and Luka Modric kept the ball out of Sunderland's possession for all but 29 percent of the match. That's why Tottenham was able to salvage a point and, if the pair can keep it up, what will carry them to next year's Champions League.

Again, Brad Friedel Still Has It

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Brad Friedel is an ageless wonder who still has what it takes to play in one of the world's top leagues.

A 40-year-old shouldn't be able to collect his 12th clean sheet of the season, but the Ohio native is proving all the doubters wrong and making us believe he can play another handful of seasons.

North London Needs to Start Praying...

...because many of Tottenham's Champions League hopes rest in the hands of Arsenal and Chelsea.

It seems that Spurs' best chance at playing in next year's European tournament will be a fourth-place finish and playing an early playoff. But if Chelsea continues to excel as they have under Roberto Di Matteo, the boys of White Hart Lane may be looking fifth place squarely in the face.

Start praying, north London. Your players are going to need all the help they can get from here on out.