Friendly Match

BIRMINGHAM CITY     0     (0)     TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR     1     (1)

Spurs scorer:- Iversen, 30
Referee:-  Paul Rejer
Attendance:- Estimated 4,500

Teams:-

Birmingham (4-4-2):- Bennett; Eaden, Holdsworth, M. Johnson, Burrows (sub
Robinson, 630; Luntala, O'Connor, Williams (sub Gill, 46), Lazarides;
Furlong (sub Adebola, 46), Marcelo (sub A Johnson, 46)

No bookings

Spurs (4-4-2):- Walker; Carr, Perry, Campbell, Thatcher; Anderton, Freund,
Sherwood (sub Clemence, 65), Leonhardsen (sub Young, 65); Rebrov, Iversen
(sub Ferdinand, 65)

Subs not used:- Sullivan, Vega, Gardner, Ginola, Armstrong

No Bookings

    It is easy to remember the exciting events of this friendly at an almost
empty St Andrews Football ground. Rebrov neatly set up Iversen, who scored a
very classy goal on the half-hour. In the second half, Rebrov nearly got on
the scoresheet himself after Thatcher teed him up for a 20 yard shot that
Ian Bennett in the home goal had to tip over the bar. Both Thatcher and
Rebrov made their debuts in England for the Spurs of course, and there was
plenty to enthuse about from each. Thatcher made several surging powerful
runs and looks fast. We waited until the second half before he was tested
defensively, and then he was nearly embarrassed by a Gill header that nearly
troubled Walker. On balance I would say that the jury must remain out on
Thatcher, but Rebrov was terrier like, and it was easy to see how he fulfils
the Graham work ethic, by the way he constantly snapped at the heels of his
opponents, and also fell back to his own half on a regular basis.

    As for Neil Sullivan, we had to be satisfied with some fine saves in the
warm-up from Goalkeeper coach Hans Segers, and Chris Armstrong, who were
both doing their best to break the bar with some awesome cracks at goal. A
forlorn looking Ginola too was left on the sidelines, despite the Spurs
support baying for him to get on in the second half. Was it the number of
subs, or was it the fact that Ginola is being left to ponder his future that
left him almost alone on the bench? George Graham is quoted in today's
Express as follows:- "Villa have made an offer which we have accepted and now
it's up to David to make up his mind. As a result, I thought his mind would
have been elsewhere. I've got to think of Tottenham, and that's why I gave
him a rest. It's in his hands now. If he wants to stay, that's fine. He has
an important role to play. But if he decides to go, then I've got to get on
with it."

    Thatcher impressed early on, with a fine interception in his own half, and
a surging run, which culminated in a decent pass to Rebrov, who was brought
down just outside the box. Sherwood, Freund and Anderton conspired at the
free kick, and Anderton's shot forced a fine save. Spurs were playing some
good close football through the middle, with Rebrov combining with the
midfield. Leonhardsen seemed to be brought down for a good penalty appeal,
but it was turned down.

    After 19 minutes, Rebrov working on the right now, pierced the defence
with a good ball, to Iversen who should have made mincemeat of the chance.
He allowed the ball to get behind him though, and only succeeded in passing
to the offside Leonhardsen. Iversen incidentally was sporting a pretty
outrageous bleached blond hair style. He has allowed his hair to grow out,
and now looks very Scandinavian! (Note for some readers - this is irony)

    Spurs were still on top, and Rebrov was offside to a Leonhardsen through
ball, then Anderton angled a header wide from a Thatcher cross. Almost the
only trouble Walker had in the first half was from a Burrows cross, which
Sol cleared in front of the goalkeeper. (Burrows suffered a hamstring injury
in the second half, and will miss Birmingham's first few games) Then came
the goal for Spurs. Once again Rebrov was the creator, and Iversen curled a
glorious shot around the goalie with the outside of his right foot. Guile,
not power was the essential ingredient here.

    Anderton showed some silky kills down the right, and Iversen's effort
from his pass went for a corner. Anderton took, and Sol headed only
marginally wide.

    Trevor Francis must have inspired his men at half time, as he replaced
his strike force, and the home side came out in a determined frame of mind.
Spurs were on the back foot for much of the time, whilst Adebola (himself
subject of transfer speculation), Gill and Andrew Johnson gave Campbell and
Perry more work to do. The header from Gill, though was their only clear-cut
chance, and similarly, Rebrov's shot was the only Spurs shot on target.
Spurs seemed to lose their way in the middle when Sherwood was replaced,
although Clemence did spray some decent long passes around. Ferdinand did
nothing to excite, I regret to report.

    There was no sign of Etherington today. Perhaps he was playing for the
reserves, who, I understand beat Chesham 3-1. Taricco, and Korsten are both
absent through injury.

    Spurs next game is at Craven Cottage next Wednesday 2nd August. I
believe there may be a "Seniors" game before the main event, so it may be
worth arriving early, if you can. See you there!

The source of this item is :-
http://www.spursodyssey.co.uk

The home of all Paul Smith's reports.