Around a year ago, Spurs were fielding their only two fit centre halves and I wrote on here suggesting that the club might have pre-empted this by bringing in some defensive reinforcements in the January 2011 transfer window. Tottenham had signed a centre half back then – Bongani Khumalo who has been seen on the subs bench a few times but 12 months ago the situation at the back was grim.

This January we signed another centre back in Ryan Nelsen but we also let Corluka and Bassong out on loan. The result? – After last night’s Cup replay we are now looking at Nelsen, Kaboul, King and Gallas to somehow get us to the end of the season. Khumalo is presumably still here somewhere?

The extent of Michael Dawson’s injury is still to be confirmed but Harry Redknapp felt after the game that it would be a ‘miracle’ if the player featured again this season.

“We’re not sure yet but it didn’t look good,” the manager said after the game.

Aaron Lennon also limped off with a hamstring injury and while it remains to be seen if the game will have any impact on our league run in, it must surely be hoped that the club take a longer term view of defensive personnel this summer.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. I get really pissed with the number of hamstring injuries we get, when oh when will we make sure the players do the correct exercises that will prevent these problems, What the Fcuk are our physios doing !!!!!!

  2. How many times have Man U resorted to Carrick in defence? Or Valencia at right back? It is not just us. When you have King, Gallas having recurring injuries – or having a limited number of games per week, yet vital due to the leadership/organisation/experience they bring – then it is going to happen. Man U had it with Vidic, Ferdinand, Neville in past years. You can pre-empt that, but you cannot pre-empt ALL issues with squad limits and budgets…

  3. What you should be talking about is the Stevenage attacker who has put Dawson out for the season. In rugby you are not allowed to tackle someone in the air it is to dangerous. The Stevenage forward didn’t look at the ball but looked at Dawson and deliberately went into him which meant he would be unable to land properly on his feet. Dawson’s weight therefore comes down at the wrong angle and he suffers serious injury.

    The Stevenage forward who made no attempt to go for the ball should be banned for the same amount of time Dawson is out. It was a disgusting way to behave with no regard for a professionals safety.

  4. who cares ..the big teddy bear is all heart and clumsy action, a ticking time-bomb. Rednap thought getting in Nelson ‘ the hit-man-della’ would represent good transfer activity.

    so cover not really a priority there then.. as much as it kills to say, ledley looks knackered, never thought id see the day and as im no medic, hope he can return to something like the king we all know-depend on and love.

    Karbs- where form and consistency is concerned, is in and out like a young street corner nickel bag hustler.. seems to lack the brain power if u ask me, but in general like the guy and what he occasionally brings..

  5. It’s now that the much vaunted strength of ‘Arry’s squad is being exposed as a sham.

    It may be possible to carry one centre-back with dodgy knees but not if you have to rely on a has-been like Gallas.

    Spurs fans are now beginning to understand a little of what The Gunners have gone through this season, at one time we had four full-backs out with long term injuries, Sagna, Santos, Gibbs and Jenkinson as well as three centre backs Djourou, Squillaci and Vermaelen.

    It is only now that some of those players are returning to full fitness that Arsenal are able to field their first choice back four with the resultant improvement in results and league position.

    A word to DR, be careful what you wish for, you might just need “long ball Dawson” in the run in.

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