While Tottenham Hotspur controlled possession in the first 45 minutes, they failed to test Jussi Jaaskelainen, and with Bolton going up in the 31st minute through Kevin Davies, Harry Redknapp needed an adjustment. Whether this was the right adjustment is debatable.
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Roman Pavlyuchenko On For Wilson Palacios, Not Sandro
Nobody is going to shake their head at Roman Pavlyuchenko coming on. The lanky Russian will be able to further open up Bolton's defense in the same way Luke Modric did on a first half run behind Gretar Steinsson. That run created an opportunity for Sandro that the Brazilian put well over the ball, which begs the question: Why is Wilson Palacios coming off instead of the deep-sitting Brazilian?
Palacios played an interesting role in the first half, with Sandro’s presence allowing the normally defensive midfielder to play a more marauding presence in the middle. The Honduran was jumping into attack more than he’s used to doing, and while that didn’t lead to an opportunity, it certainly asked more questions than Sandro’s play had. Perhaps Redknapp is not ready to commit as much to attack as a Pavlyuchenko-for-Sandro substitution would imply, but unless the Tottenham manager is saving Palacios for midweek, the Brazilian should have come off with Palacios moved back to his typical midfield role.
Notice I made the case for Palacios staying on without mentioning Sandro was responsible for Bolton’s goal. At both ends of the pitch, Sandro’s struggled.
What did Wilson Palacios do this summer to get on ‘Arry’s bad side?
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