Injuries are not an excuse

David Pleat last night stated that Spurs' current form will improve when players return from injury. There is no doubt that a selection of those on the treatment table may help to freshen up a side that has lost its last four league games, but to say that this is the reason for the demise is nothing short of a cop out.

Darren Anderton has played most of the games this season and has put in some good performances but has been involved in many of the poor team performances. Stephane Dalmat who was unavailable yesterday has been used very sparingly by David Pleat, so cannot be one of the players that he felt he sorely missed. Simon Davies, Jamie Redknapp and Christian Ziege are the obvious absentees that have been conspicuous by their absence but the players that are picked on the day must be prepared to fight for the shirt (against Portsmouth it looked as if they were part of an advert for 'Daz Ultra-White'.

Stating that injuries are the reason for Spurs' predicament is merely shouldering the blame, the players and the coaching staff must realise their responsibility and lift themselves for January, a crucial month.