07Feb

Adebayor needs to improve if he wants to stay at Spurs

by Alan Frost

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Emmanuel Adebayor arrived at White Hart Lane with the club at its lowest ebb since Harry Redknapp took charge. Two big defeats at the hands of the Manchester clubs, the Luka Modric saga rumbling on, and no activity in the transfer market. Then the Togolese striker joined and Tottenham’s prayers had been answered.

The side had cried out for an athletic target man, someone who could hold the ball up, run with it and off it, score and create opportunities for others. Peter Crouch, while a valiant player, lacked the agility and pace to fulfil this role, and his goal scoring runs were punctuated by enduring droughts.

Adebayor appeared to be the perfect fit, and after scoring on his debut away to Wolves the former Arsenal and Monaco striker followed up with two goals against Liverpool. He provided problems for opposition defenders with his pace, strength, movement, and composure in the penalty box.

Then came a run of five games without a goal, but Adebayor remained effective in Tottenham’s attacking play. The goals soon returned, a run of six in six quickly silencing any doubters. But since that run ended just before Christmas, Adebayor has failed to score. That is six games, and the loan man’s form has plummeted.

It may not be his fault. Harry Redknapp has experienced injuries problems that have meant Adebayor has not enjoyed a settled partnership in 2012. Indeed he has found himself playing upfront alone, isolated and outnumbered. Spurs in general have lacked an attacking threat – Rafa van der Vaart has only one goal since the end of October, while Jermain Defoe has struggled with a hamstring problem.

Gareth Bale has become the main source of Tottenham’s attacking threat but his free role rarely sees him link up with Adebayor as the Welshman roams the field. With Aaron Lennon injured on the right flank and Bale vacating his usual left wing berth, Adebayor is starved of service from the wings. His lack of goals is therefore no surprise.

But his all round game has been poor. He no longer shows the pace and power that made him a threat in the first half of the season. His lay-offs and passing have been sloppy and his link up play has evaporated.

While it is a myth that Adebayor fails to back up stellar first seasons with equal second seasons, Spurs will be wondering whether the reported £10million transfer fee and wages of £100,000 a week that would see him the highest paid player at the club, along with Bale and Modric when they sign new deals, are worth the cost.

With Spurs facing a tough five weeks Adebayor could do with scoring a couple of match winners to prove to everyone what he is worth.

Posted by Tottenham fan Alan Frost

Follow Alan on Twitter at @AlanFrost_HT