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Problems mount for Spurs as defensive injury crisis deepens
21.09.09
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is facing a defensive crisis after losing Ledley King and Sebastien Bassong during the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
King was substituted because of a hamstring injury yesterday, and Bassong left the field with concussion after falling awkwardly in a collision with Nicolas Anelka in the Barclays Premier League match.
Spurs are already without injured central defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson.
King, who does not train with the squad during the week because of a long-standing knee problem, may be out for six weeks.
"Ledley has done his hamstring," Redknapp confirmed.
"He's the most fantastic person and player - and he's so important for us - but if you don't train you can't just go out and play without doing hamstrings, groins or calves.
"Bassong doesn't look too good, either. He got a bang on the head, and his eye's all swollen up. It doesn't look too clever at all. The doctor took him to hospital with concussion.
"Woodgate's nowhere near playing again. He went to see a specialist again on Saturday and he just can't train.
"We haven't got to the bottom of the injury at all, what's causing him discomfort. Dawson has a chance - he's the one."
Tottenham were already one down to Ashley Cole's first-half header when Robbie Keane was denied a clear penalty after Ricardo Carvalho brought him down in the second half.
Referee Howard Webb rejected Tottenham's penalty appeals, and Redknapp was distinctly unhappy.
"It was a nailed-on penalty, but he [Keane] tried to stay up," said the manager.
"They don't want people diving, but if he felt he dived why didn't he give him a yellow or a red card?
"It's either a penalty or a red card. We had a diabolical penalty decision at Old Trafford last season when we were 2-0 up, and he gave it. He apologised for that.
"We were much the better team for the first half-hour and gave them all kinds of problems, but Ledley going off was a big turning point.
"Once we lost Ledley, there was no way we could deal with Didier Drogba."
Drogba scored Chelsea's third after Michael Ballack had put the home side two in front early in the second half.
Reader views (11)
Magic! Reeled-in Top Man dresser from Beckton. All we need now is crackpot Charlie from North Yorkshire.
- Ted, London
It was a joy to watch the Spuds get turned over again. Don't try and crash the party when it's clear the current partygoers are a class above.
Why is 'Arry squawking on about the "diabolical" decision, does he really think the Antichrist was involved?
I notice the grubby little conman didn't say anything about Chelseas "nailed on " penalty. Punching the ball away when you're not the keeper is a penalty.
Anyway, great result, and Oh! how we laughed.
- Kerry, Purley
"Top Man dresser"?! Ted, are you actually twelve?!
As for being predictable, it is that very trait that so annoys me about Big Club fans.
"Breaking your way into the top four party" this year are you??
Yaaaaaaawn...
- Stu, Beckton
Dear Robbie Redheart, Woolich, London.
I see that you must be an Asenal supporter so maybe this will help. Morure je!
- Colin Stevens, USA
Ted - you must be easily pleased or simple? The choice is yours. Surely you agree that having a first choice centre-half pairing of King & Woodgate, one with chronic knee injuries & the other presistently injured throughout his career was not a great idea? Secondly, it is a fact that we managed creditable draws against Man U & Chelsea last season & lastly that we are unlikely to finish higher than sixth.
- Robbie Redheart, Woolwich, London
Welcome back [in your new guise] Rob Gooner aka Rob Hotspurs!
I assume Woolwich and Redheart denotes Arsenal? Fine, old son, keep churning it out but when you do, spare a thought for the myopic, hypocritical Arsene Wenger and remember those people who live in glasshouses ought not to throw stones.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
Well fancy that - Gooner (Robbie funny name from Woolich sic?) and Hammer (Top Man dresser Stu, from Beckton) are back on their anti-Spurs bandwagon. Predictable?
- Ted, London
I didn't expect to win either of these games although I did hope for something out of them.
We will come back though and lets see where we all are after 10 games have been played
- Mark, St Albans
Arry "Down to the bare bones"? Again??
Surely not.
- Stu, Beckton
What is it with modern footballers?Mike England never got injured,did he?
- Jimfred, London UK
Normal service resumes at Tottenham. Signing the injury prone Woodgate was bound to be disasterous, especially taking into account King's chronic knee condition. The excuses will arrive soon from 'Harry' as Tottenham have lost the last two matches, despite having managed draws in the corresponding fixtures last season. Despite 'Harry' signing many players since last January, I can only see a 6th place finish, at best.
- Robbie Redheart, Woolich, London
