December 11th, 2009 by Phil Lythell

When Tottenham take on Wolves on Saturday they will hope that the result does not pivot on an injury-time penalty.

Had Jermain Defoe found the back of the net against Everton rather than goalkeeper Tim Howard last Sunday then a remarkable match would have ended in Spurs leapfrogging arch-rivals Arsenal into third spot in the Barclays Premier Leaguef table.

The top goalscorer in England’s top flight has been deadly this season but it was his first penalty of the season and his aberration meant Spurs had thrown away two points for the second time in the same match as they had previously held a 2-0 lead.

A peerless opening hour was all the more comforting for Tottenham fans after their inability to take advantage of a ramshackle Manchester United team earlier that week in the Carling Cup and it must have seemed as if normal service had resumed at Goodison Park until a fifteen minute period that was reminiscent of the Keystone Cops.

Now Harry Redknapp must use his much-heralded man-management skills to rouse the players from those twin disappointments and no doubt they are looking at Wolves as the perfect opponents.

The visitors’s 1-0 win over Bolton last week was their first in the league since they beat Fulham in September and a positive result was absolutely vital in light of a festive fixture list that includes visits to Anfield and Old Trafford as well as White Hart Lane.

Wolves’ lack of Premier League experience seems to be counting against them despite a plethora of spirited performances but they have also run into the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal when their more illustrious opponents have enjoyed particularly good days.

The fact that central defender Jody Craddock is the club’s top scorer has to be a concern and a mid-term injury to Andy Keogh will further hinder their potency in front of goal.

Tottenham should motor to all three points assuming that they use their quick passing and pacy wingers to their full advantage but if there are any niggling doubts in the backs of the players’ minds, the visitors may feel they can escape north London with a point.

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