The 1-0 reverse makes Tottenham's pathway towards UEFA Cup qualification all the more difficult but it was down in no small part to the permanent signings Harry Redknapp has brought to St Mary's at the first opportunity, that made the difference on Saturday. Jamie Redknapp, forced to leave Spurs on a free transfer after Michael Carrick's emergence as holding midfielder at Tottenham under Martin Jol was influential. Olivier Bernard, signed form Newcastle was busy delivering long passes from left back, and then there was midfielder Nigel Quashie, scorer of the game's decisive winner, his first goal since a recent switch from nearby rivals Portsmouth.
|
"Four or five weeks ago, I thought we had no chance, but then the transfer window opened, we brought five players in who have made a big difference to us and we look a different side," said Southampton coach Redknapp.
His counterpart Martin Jol seemed more reluctant to accept the performance of Smith was entirely to blame for the forward's lack of clinical finishing. It was the first time since back-to-back derby defeats in January that Spurs hadn't managed to score.
"We had two one-on-ones with their keeper in the first half and Mido also had an opportunity. In the second half, my players did everything I wanted of them - except score.
"Defoe was through on the keeper and Kanoute had a shot saved. You have to put those chances away. But you have to give credit to their keeper. Maybe he was lucky on occasion, but he did make some terrific stops,"
"We should have had a draw. You would normally get two or three chances away from home but I can't remember us having such a lot of initiative, having the ball and creating chances without getting something out of the game but we should have scored," said Jol.