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The sight of Luka Modric wearing a protective boot on his right foot was far more worrying for Tottenham supporters than this chastening 3-1 defeat by Manchester United.
Harry Redknapp has one of the strongest squads in the Premier League, with depth in most positions. Yet for creativity, intuition and attacking vision, Modric is irreplaceable to his team.
When United were reduced to 10 men after Paul Scholes's sending off in the 59th minute, Modric - who fractured a fibula in the win over Birmingham two weeks ago - would have thrived on the opportunity to try to unlock the door and find an equaliser for Spurs.
But as the Croatian looked on, United had few problems containing the speed of Aaron Lennon, the guile of Robbie Keane and the finishing skills of Jermain Defoe in the second half.
With Modric expected to be absent for at least another month, his compatriot Niko Kranjcar - who made his debut as a second-half substitute - suddenly becomes a hugely important player for Redknapp's men.
The manager's decision to play Keane in Modric's position on the left of midfield did not pay off and the White Hart Lane boss admitted he was unlikely to adopt the same strategy in the derby match against leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"I'm not saying we would have won the game if Modric had played but he is fantastic for us," admitted Redknapp. We do miss him.
"We finished the Birmingham game with Robbie on the left, but I wouldn't see myself going to Chelsea and playing that way again."
Assuming there are no injuries this week, Redknapp has two options for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
He can either retain the attacking strategy that has served his team so well this season by using Kranjcar on the left, or choose a more cautious approach and play Tom Huddlestone, Wilson Palacios and Jermaine Jenas - impressive when he replaced the exhausted Palacios - as a narrow midfield trio.
It would be a shame, though understandable, if Spurs went into their shell against Chelsea, and Peter Crouch appeared to agree with this view.
The Spurs forward said: "It's difficult without Luka. He's such a clever player and can keep the ball so well, so of course we're going to miss him, but we've still got great quality.
"Losing to United was disappointing, but we have to remember we've had a fantastic start to the season, and in spells on Saturday we were the better side out there.
"It is not as though we were completely outclassed all game but if you sit off teams like United and Chelsea, they will punish you.
"We have to keep pressing them at every opportunity, force them into errors and not let them play.
"Working hard is what we've been fantastic at this season. With the quality we've got, we can always play but we've got to make sure we work hard and match them in that area."
Jermain Defoe (below) continued his good form when his overhead kick after 52 seconds gave Spurs the perfect start, but goals from Ryan Giggs, Anderson and the superb Wayne Rooney showed Redknapp's team the standard they must reach to finish in the top four.
Redknapp added: "United or Chelsea will win the title and the others will find it hard to overtake Liverpool or Arsenal, but we will all have a go and not being in the Europa League will help."
Reader views (14)
On Saturday we were better in the first half with Palacios in the middle than we were when Jenas replaced him.
So I think we should stick with the side that won the first four games against Chelsea this weekend.
It will be difficult there without Modric but if we play to our best then maybe the points will come our way.
- Ted, London
One defeat in 5 and the usual negative (Gooners) lot are back posting,
Strange that.
COYS
- Jamie, essex
I agree with Paul entirely although I thought Jenas did well in the second half.
Keano is no good on the wing and it's not really fair to put him there. Even Bale was half decent on the wing a couple of times he played there.
There's no need to panic and even if we lose again this weekend, there is still no need to worry. Beat everyone else and we'll be there or there abouts and that's big progress for us.
- Mark, St Albans
It was not a great performance but that's not go over the top Utd had their luck as well all 3 goals they scored was down to are mistakes
- Matt, Deal
All the players being criticised were not in the previous 3 games! Another knee jerk reaction!
Lets be realistic, this time last year we had 2 points and were relegation favourites, now people expect us to beat the 2nd best team in Europe!
We wont be the finished article this season, we need to progress which we have done massively.
Wilson was knackered after his flight back and if he was around in the 2nd half it might of been a different story. For me Modric is a big loss but without Wilson there is no natural replacement with the steel in the middle which allows others to go and play. Having said that we were maybe too open by playing Keane on the left, espcially against a team like United.
Come on though times are good, we would of all taken 12 points from the 1st 5 games!!!!
COYS!
- Paul, Enfield
Harry talks a good game especially when there has been a defeat.
One defeat to a top 4 side proves not a lot. The win against Liverpool is not even considered now but it should be.
The Chelsea game is more of an acid test as it is away from home and Chelsea's form is better than United's.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
Why does Harry love Crouch so much - the Russian is faster, technically better, more all rounded full stop + Harry wont give him a run in the side - just odd management - Defoe + Ruski upfront could be a lethal combination .....
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
Harry mate. very naive. Why fix if it ain't broke, Niko in for Modric!
Sorry Crouch is not match fit, misseda whole preseason and lacks match fitness, hardly scores when he starts, would of gone with Roman (what does this guy have to do to get into this team? Scored for his country (twice).. THe guy is much better technically than Crouch. Criouch is better coming off the bench.. I can see where Pav is upset..
Ah well, to be the best, you have to beat the best..
Harry, at least you acknowledge your mistake..
- Adrian, london
Bad day at the office and at home which was a pity. We should not blame internationals, it is the same for Man Utd so should just put our hands up and say they were better and perhaps wanted it more. Think Harry just picked the wrong team and it shows he has no idea how to beat Utd after all this time. Clearly we need Woodgate and Dawson back just to give us some options, but saying we missed Modric is like admitting he is the only creative player we have. Perhaps Pav needs a go upfront he deserves his chance and Keane seems like he has lost his way.
- Sd, WICKFORD
What a shame after our excellent start to the season. We must restore Gomes back in goal as soon as possible. Our full-backs were awful against United & Ledley King courageously performs despite his injury problems, but is'nt the awesome player he was before. Bassong was all over the place, Palacios, Lennon & Keane clearly exhausted after the internationals. We have a difficult match away to Chelsea next & need Modric back,to provide the creativity.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
Harry was caught out trying to be clever, the formation employed was naive, Keene wide and the carthorse up front. The Man U Central defenders must have laughed their socks of. Why wasn't Gomez playing ??
- David, London
Emmanuel Adebayor sees no reason why he should be punished by the FA for stamping on his former team-mate Robin van Persie and antagonising the Gunners fans I know, I know I just like Dirty Van and the Gooners get some of their own obnoxious ways..................
- Colin Stevens, Farmington MI ,USA
Being disappointed is an integral part of being realistic. We got done, but, at times, we looked the part. The Chelsea game isn't the be all and end all - it's a London derby and, as such, I expect Harry's lads to give a real go.
Come on you Spurs!
- Ted, London
Spurs were outclassed all over the pitch, against the ten men of United.
Their passing in the last 20 minutes disentrigated into, almost farce. They badly need one of their CB's back in there with Bassong moving into midfield along with Pallicious and Huddlestone for the Chelsea game.
That way they might get a draw.
- Kevin, London
