It has been a mixed reaction from fans and the media to Roy Hodgson's England squad selection for Euro 2012 but it would appear that the vast majority are giving the 23 man squad the "thumbs down" with suggestions that it will not be good enough to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Roy Hodgson's tenure as England national team manager is off to a controversial start.

Hodgson named his squad for Euro 2012 and has included the likes of John Terry, Stewart Downing and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain while leaving out Rio Ferdinand, Daniel Sturridge, Aaron Lennon, Darren Bent and Michael Carrick, among others.

Tottenham Hotspur's spring tour of the lower regions of the Premier League finished in the Midlands on a frustrating note as we hammered away at Villa's massed ranks for 90 minutes without scoring from open play. Going down to ten men early in the second made only a momentary difference to the pattern of a game where we had all the ball, plenty of shots, countless corners but were unable to find that single moment of finesse to create a golden chance.

The season is nearly over and as we go into our penultimate game of the season the Champions League qualification spot is still up for grabs as is 3rd place! THFC1882 is pleased have Mike Hooley back to preview the game.

Following a very encouraging 4-1 victory on Wednesday night away at Bolton, which itself came hot on the heels of a home win against Wanderers' fellow Lancashire relegation candidates Blackburn, Spurs face a third team threatened with relegation on Sunday afternoon.

A trademark performance from 2 months ago leaves Tottenham Hotspur right in the hunt for Champions League football still. 2 wins down, 2 to go. Adam Nathan reflects on the match from last night.

Let's take a vote. At 1-1 last night, was there anyone who thought that Spurs, our Spurs, with two wins in ten miserable outings, would pick themselves up, transform into the players we all know they can be and dismantle a spirited Bolton on a ground that we had never recorded a league win?

Aaron Lennon was clearly struggling after taking a blow to the calf late on in our win over Blackburn and the winger is thought to be a serious doubt for tonight's match.

If Aaron does make it, it seems logical that Harry should name an unchanged side but if the winger is ruled out, who will step in?

Bolton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur, Wednesday 2nd May, Reebok Stadium, 8pm kick off, SSHD1 & SS1

Another game, another win a must. No letting up now. Adam Nathan is back for the preview and some other thoughts.

Another quiet week at the Lane.

One win down, 3 to go. Do we have our Tottenham Hotspur back? Kenny Palmer reviews Sunday's game.

A restorative performance and win against an abject Blackburn lifted Tottenham back to the coveted 4th place in the league.

Tottenham welcomed back Younes Kaboul and Emmanuel Adebayor from injury while Sandro came in for the injured Scott Parker as Harry Redknapp setup the team in the favoured 4-4-1-1 formation which has produced Spurs best displays this season.

After another disappointing performance and outcome for Tottenham Hotspur Ciaran Griggs steps up to give THFC1882 his report and thoughts.

Sigh. We can't go on like this.

Spurs continued their alarming run of form with a dismal 1-0 defeat to QPR. Coming into the match, Spurs were expected to arrest their slide against one of the Premier League's new boys.

Plenty of Spurs places on the web where you can find anger as we slip down the table. I'm fond of describing the significance not of individual matches but sequences that crop up as the season plays out. A combination of computer predetermination and evolving circumstances throws up intriguing little sets of fixtures.

Taking Tottenham to the next level: Part I The problems is a post from: Just Football

by Jake Meador

For astute observers of this year's edition of Tottenham Hotspur, the recent swoon wasn't a surprise. Tottenham had been flying high all season and, being Tottenham, were due for a slump.

I've known worse times as a Spurs fan. Forgive me if for the moment I can't quite name them. An afternoon so utterly dispiriting, the fans, the decisions, the outcome, that heart and soul are thoroughly drained. Not anger, though there's just cause the referee, the way we just slipped away without enough of a fight.

Spurs haven't been to an FA Cup final since 1991, when they won the trophy via a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. It would be most agreeable and most enjoyable if we were able to extend that barren run a year longer by making our fourth final appearance in six years.

Motivation

Chelsea, you know, rather enjoy these 21st century days out at New Wembley.

The lucky blighters of mid-80s Los Angeles had the A-Team, the ungrateful denizens of Gotham City had a giant man-bat with a handy penchant for pugilism, but when we have a problem with which no-one else can help the slightly alarming solution being wheeled out onto the Wembley turf is the creaking-limbed combo of Nelsen and Gallas.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea, Sunday 15th April, Wembley Stadium, 6pm kick off, ITV1

THFC1882 asks Kenny Palmer for his preview and thoughts on the match that could dictate the rest of Tottenham's season.

To misquote the lyrics of Ossie's dream Spurs are on their way to Wembley their knees have gone all trembley, could be referring to the teams recent performances in a dreadful run of 1 win in 8 as they come into Sunday's pivotal game.

Much of the Spurs transfer talk has centred around Steven Pienaar at the moment as the season draws to an end. Steven is currently out on loan at Everton and it seems clear that both the Merseyside club and the player would favour a permanent return to Goodison before the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign.

The Easter programme didn't bring much joy to most Tottenham Hotspur supporters as we only managed to get 1 point from the 6 that were on offer. We have now let the surprise package of the season Newcastle Utd catch us with Chelsea laying in wait for any further mistakes in the race for Champions League qualification.

The big team news ahead of this afternoon's clash at White Hart Lane is the injury doubt over Gareth Bale. The Welshman suffered an ankle injury following a heavy tackle by Craig Gardner and could be rested with Harry promising to make changes elsewhere.
Aaron Lennon is one of those who could feature after coming off the bench on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City, Monday 9th April, White Hart Lane, 3pm kick off

THFC1882 is pleased to welcome back Ciaran Griggs for his preview of the game against Norwich.

I'm going to start this preview by reminiscing. For those who recall, the reverse leg of this fixture against Norwich in December was held in a happier, more enjoyable time in Spurs' season.

Sunderland 0-0 Tottenham www.sporsun.com by sporsun

Lets characterize this match as one that you would not choose to introduce anyone to the sport of soccer. It was a match thick with overall incompetence and incoherence. Still in those misconstrued passes there was something oddly compelling in the same train-wreckish way Sarah Palin flunks the most basic of foreign policy questions.

Sunderland 0-0 Tottenham www.sporsun.com by sporsun

Lets characterize this match as one that you would not choose to introduce anyone to the sport of soccer. It was a match thick with overall incompetence and incoherence. Still in those misconstrued passes there was something oddly compelling in the same train-wreckish way Sarah Palin flunks the most basic of foreign policy questions.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp reported no new injury concerns ahead of tomorrow's early kick off with Sunderland and that could mean a return to the starting line up for Aaron Lennon.

Ledley King is also back in contention and faces a late test on his knee but will Harry look to make any changes to the team that beat Swansea last week?

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur, Saturday 7th April, Stadium of Light, 12.45pm kick off, SS2 &HD2

Tottenham travel up to Wearside for a Saturday lunch time game off the back of 2 very impressive performances against Bolton and Swansea. We looked back to the form we were displaying earlier in the season before we had our mini blip.

Kenny Palmer gives THFC1882 his match report on Tottenham Hotspur's great display yesterday.

A headed brace by Emmanuel Adebayor and an excellent side footed opener by Rafael Van Der Vaart helped Spurs back to winning ways with a victory against Brendan Rodgers impressive Swansea.

Tottenham Hotspur ended a five-match winless streak in the Premier League by beating Swansea City 3-1 at White Hart Lane, and as a result moved level on points with third-placed Arsenal.

Spurs took the lead on 19 minutes as Rafael van der Vaart converted a stylish, sidefooted effort from just outside the area after a sliding Ashley Williams had cut out Gareth Bale's near-post cross.

Tottenham Hotspur ended a five-match winless streak in the Premier League by beating Swansea City 3-1 at White Hart Lane, and as a result moved level on points with third-placed Arsenal.

Spurs took the lead on 19 minutes as Rafael van der Vaart converted a stylish, sidefooted effort from just outside the area after a sliding Ashley Williams had cut out Gareth Bale's near-post cross.

T3-1S www.fasthighlights.com by fasthighlights-2012

A fantastic Brad Friedel save, a quick throw to jump start a blistering counterattack as Luka Modric finds a galloping Gareth Bale down the left and the wingback cuts back to Rafael Van Der Vaart following up. The Dutchman sends the ball flying past Michael Vorm.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City, Sunday 1st April 2012, White Hart Lane, 4pm kick off, SS1 &HD1

THFC1882 has Kenny Palmer give us his preview for the upcoming league visit of Swansea to the Lane

Boosted by Tuesdays win against Bolton in the FA Cup, booking a Semi Final date against Chelsea, Spurs go into Sundays game against newly promoted Swansea with renewed confidence.

The major news ahead of tomorrow's game is that Aaron Lennon is back in contention and could start on the right in a familiar line up. Aside from long term absentees Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone therefore, Harry is at full strength for a match which gives Tottenham the perfect opportunity for their first win in six.

When times are hard in the Premier League, it is always nice to keep an eye on a promising future. Tottenham Hotspur's poor recent run of league form has sent some fans into a rather depressing slump. From an optimistic point of view, things could and should soon pick up.

The rejuvenated pairing of Arsenal and Chelsea – Spurs' fiercest London rivals – have recently enjoyed superb form respectively.

During Tottenham's run of poor form, one of the problem positions has been on the right wing where, in the absence of Aaron Lennon, the manager has almost too many options. Kranjcar, VDV, Sandro and Jake Livermore can all fill in but some of Tottenham's best runs in the Premier League have coincided with Lennon at his best.

Chelsea host Tottenham on Saturday afternoon in a London Derby with far more reaching implications. A defeat here may well prove fatal in our push for Champions League qualification. Yes, following our disappointing loss to Manchester City in midweek, our backs are against the proverbial wall.

A win here and we're only two points off Spurs in fourth place.

"He's not available," declared our glorious leader of One Aaron Lennon and his jazz-hands. "Other than that we're not too bad". Which is laudably upbeat I suppose, but a bit like Sigourney Weaver concluding that although she has looked on as the alien wiped out two entire crews, tormented her waking and sleeping thoughts, indirectly forced her to shave her head and then ruddy well gestated inside her – other than that she's not too bad.

Tomorrow's team news is pretty much the same as that which was declared in the week with Aaron Lennon still ruled out and Emmanuel Adebayor a major doubt.

Added to long term absentees Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King is the only fresh concern and he faces a late fitness test.

So the football resumes tonight, and it may be, for the players in particular, that having another game so swiftly will be the best way of dealing with Saturday's events. It would certainly be understandable if the atmosphere at the Lane tonight were a little subdued, but the news of Muamba's ongoing recovery is positive.

As Harry confirmed yesterday, both Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor are struggling to be fit for tonight's match with hamstring problems. Here's what the manager had to say about the situation.

"Ade's struggling," said Harry. "He's not quite right and has to be doubtful.

"Aaron Lennon isn't ready to play yet with his hamstring problem either, but it's improving.

Harry Redknapp will have a near full strength squad to choose from ahead of tomorrow night's game with Stoke but Emmanuel Adebayor and Aaron Lennon are still major doubts for the match. At his pre-match press conference, Harry gave us his latest update.

"Ade's struggling," Harry said.

The big team news from yesterday's press conference was that Aaron Lennon is definitely ruled out of this evening's sixth round cup tie while Emmanuel Adebayor is an additional doubt with a hamstring strain. There is a juggling of priorities to be done here and if there is any concern over Ade then maybe he should be sitting this one out.

Some of Spurs' best football this season has come from the flanks and many supporters feel that it's no coincidence that our better results have come about when both Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon have been in the team.

That situation isn't like to happen for the foreseeable future though and Lennon's persistent hamstring problem will cause him to miss tomorrow's game against Bolton and the midweek league match at home to Stoke.

I do hope that ‘Arry's comments to his players behind closed doors differ quite significantly to those offered to the gentlemen of the press. After the draw with Stevenage he piped up that he knew they would play that way – rather begging the question why he, as manager, did not therefore do something to pre-empt it – and now after games against Man Utd and Everton he has professed himself clueless as to how we failed to do any better.