Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 09, 2007 Cheshvan 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 04:19 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Soccer / UEFA Cup / Hap. TA faces leaky Tottenham By Amir Inbar New Tottenham Hotspurs coach Juande Ramos doesn't need much time to understand what every English soccer fan understands: His team has one of the best attacks in the English Premier League but also one of its worse defenses, starting with goalie Paul Robinson. The team plays stirring soccer, which could bring victory match after match, but its soft side pulls it down time after time. Blackburn coach Mark Hughes said that Tottenham "will always be an offensive threat," a few minutes after his team rallied from behind to defeat Spurs in extra time last Sunday. Advertisement Only Arsenal, Portsmouth and Manchester United have scored more goals in the Premiership this season than Tottenham's 19, yet only Reading and Derby County have conceded more than Tottenham's 24. The result is a lone victory over lowly Derby and 17th place in the standings, just one spot above the relegation zone. One would think Ramos would get started shoring up the weak midfield, which fails to cover enough ground on defense and lacks creativity on offense. The club insists that's what he's doing, yet his dominant strikers continue to grab the headlines. The Spanish coach opened his inaugural game on Saturday against Middlesbrough with Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe in place of captain Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, the club's top goal scorer this season. The move seemed to pay off as Bent scored the match's first goal, but that lead failed to hold up. So typical for Tottenham. But more than anything, what has hung over Tottenham is Berbatov's slump. He had been an enormous success in his first season after transfering from Bayern Munich, scoring 23 goals in league and European play and earning a spot on the national squad. After two seasons of finishing fifth, just three months ago the team played its fateful match at Sunderland. After 90 minutes of uninspiring play, the hosts won in extra time. Tottenham has not been itself ever since, and neither has Berbatov. He shows sparks of brilliance from time to time, but he's only scored two goals in a mediocre season. He looks frustrated. Forced to sit on the bench a few weeks ago against Newcastle, he refused to warm up when ordered to. His body language said it all. Another problem is defender Ledley King, the captain whose repeated injuries have turned him into a virtual character. After undergoing knee surgery last season, his return in August was delayed by another two months. Reports now say he's close to returning to practice. Players like Robinson do appreciate his leadership, though. "He wants to bring in his many ideas, and we're trying to use them immediately on the pitch," said the 'keeper at the beginning of this week. "No one expected we'd be at the bottom, but the reality is we are. I hope we'll do well in the UEFA Cup, and then we'll start rising in the league." Bookmark to del.icio.us Preface to peace? The U.S. has rejected Abbas' demand for a schedule for the final-status agreement. Crowd control The IFA has banned Beitar Jerusalem fans from two home games for booing Rabin.

Today Online IDF reservists: Hamas militants fight like soldiers, not terrorists Responses: 272 Iran rejects Interpol warrant for suspects in Argentine bombing Responses: 85 UNRWA chief: Blockade on Gaza fuel support for extremists Responses: 132 Report: Washington worried Israel gearing up to attack Iran Responses: 125 Haaretz.com TV: Judaism seeking rebirth in Poland Responses: 59 David Grossman snubs Olmert upon receiving prize Responses: 47 More Headlines 03:57 Israel, PA agree future deals hinge on implementing road map 02:56 Knesset Constitution Committee seeks reform of electoral system 02:10 Israeli envoy to U.K. Zvi Heifetz likely to advise Blair on Mideast 23:06 UN Chief orders full probe of rocket launching from school in Gaza 20:33 Prague neo-Nazis plan march in Jewish quarter despite city ban 23:44 Barak and Olmert meet face-to-face to level working tensions 23:02 Hezbollah: Drill held at Israel border meant to ready us for war 15:53 Iran rejects Interpol warrant for suspects in Argentine bombing 04:13 Tottenham defeats Hapoel Tel Aviv in UEFA Cup match 20:34 El Al plane from N.Y. hits flower crates at B-G Airport; no injuries Previous Editions Select Day 08 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 26 oct

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