Sky Blues fail to capitalise

Steve Curry|Daily Mail13 April 2012
Tottenham 3 Coventry 0

The trouble with city men who meddle in football is that they deal in shekels rather than souls.

David Buchler, the executive who showed George Graham the door at Tottenham, should remember the old saying about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Out on the White Hart Lane pitch, push-and-run football wiped the floor with a Coventry side supposed to be fighting for their lives. Had vice-chairman Buchler consulted the players before sacking his manager for the cardinal sin of telling the truth, he might have learned something about what constitutes the heartbeat of a successful club. Graham did a terrific job of make-do and mend, as he tried to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool, ambitious clubs who do not flinch at spending big money.

They have a fine bunch of young players at Spurs, many of whom were educated under Graham's paternal eye and in some instances pressed into senior service sooner than he would have chosen.

Even Gordon Strachan, who must feel there is a noose tightening around his own neck after this surrender, was feeling as much for the abruptly deposed Graham as he was for himself.

What makes Buchler and his ENIC gang think that Glenn Hoddle, Marcello Lippi or even Superman can get more out of the resources at Spurs than Graham, especially if the budget for the summer is barely enough to buy Luis Figo's left boot? It was Graham's team playing to Graham's instructions who obliterated Coventry, just as it was his team who carried the club to another FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Stewart Houston, Graham's trusted lieutenant who may be the next man to have his collar felt, was not afraid to refute Buchler's accusation that his old master was not a team player. 'George's record is the second best of any manager in the country and if you were to talk to any Spurs supporter they would say they are going to take the FA Cup,' said Houston.

'We have had a bit of spirit. Take the cup-tie last week. That highlighted what we are managing to achieve. We are not tennis players, we are team players and George is very much a team man.

'The players are feeling the shock more than me, especially the younger ones. Ten out of the 17 in the group have been bought or blooded by George. That is a high percentage and when they look back, they will remember him. 'We felt we were going in the right direction and that is what disappoints George, who feels the timing is a bit bizarre.' That collective spirit and organisation were only too apparent as Coventry were killed off by first-half goals from Steffen Iversen and Les Ferdinand - both from set-pieces - and a smart finish from Sergei Rebrov. Defender Luke Young said: 'It was a weird morning but the lads were superb and just got on with it. It is sad to see George go because he was starting to get a great team spirit going. Everyone is playing for each other out there.' Ledley King, who is turning into one of the most exciting young players to emerge this season, was even more forthright. 'He has been good for me,' said King. 'He had a lot of faith in me and it is very disappointing to see him go. He has helped me convert from defence to midfield and has made me mentally strong. The young players knew that if they performed they would get the opportunity.' Meanwhile, Coventry are preparing for another nail-biting finale. Sky Blues midfielder Lee Carsley said: 'We were punished for basic defensive mistakes, which is very disappointing.

'We are in a position where we can't afford to let in goals from setpieces. It is just our luck that the players at Spurs had something to prove - and they played particularly well.'

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