Harry Redknapp Sees Priorities Differently Than Spurs Fans

With a hectic week of matches against local rivals Arsenal, West Ham and  a Champions league game against FC Twente Harry Redknapp decided to put out a good but inexperienced side in the Carling Cup at White Hart Lane.

If you asked any Spurs fan which of the three games in seven days was the one they would rather lose I am sure it wouldn't be last nights game against Arsenal.  If the game had been against almost anybody else it would be more excusable to play so many new players but fans want to beat Arsenal even if the club isn't bothered. 

To a Spurs supporter beating Arsenal is more important than winning the cup.  Not giving this cup the respect it deserves is usually Arsenals department.  Arsenal didn't put their first team out either but they did play a more experienced team than Tottenham and their substitutes were dangerous too.

Spurs will be taking the league game with West Ham more seriously on Saturday but it is a shame they didn't spread the blooding of players over the three games. One or two changes per game would have made  all the games  winnable.  Certainly, last night the difference would have been bridged had a couple more regulars started the game.  The game wasn't lost until the young back four started to tire, cramp and lose concentration.

Perhaps Hutton and Huddlestone in from the start would have been enough for Spurs to have kept better possession than they did.  Whether Arsenal smothered the game plan I am not sure but the lone striker chasing lost causes was common and the springboard for more Arsenal possession in the first half.

Spurs couldn't keep possession at all and Arsenal had long passages of play although largely without penetrating.  It looked as though there actually wasn't a game plan other than to turn up with eleven decent players and hope that they play well. A more serious attempt at West Ham is assured because this defeat needs to be put to bed fast.

The Champions League is new ground for Spurs and entertaining FC Twente will be different for the fans. However, in my opinion, these group games are usually dull in comparison to domestic matches. Spurs supporters can't get as excited as when playing local rivals.

The club has reached the Holy Grail, according to most football experts, but often the reality is a dull game against players that you don't know from Adam.  If you look at Chelsea in recent years they have trouble selling tickets to these games and when the novelty wears off I am sure it will be the same for Spurs.

I think the fans would rather lose to FC Twente than Arsenal or West Ham if they have to lose at all and that at some point football has  to wake up to what their customers want and prefer. After all they ultimately provide the money and interest that fuels the game.