Source: Daily_Mail
LEO'S LONDON: Wilson Palacios giving Spurs a problem
Wilson Palacios came to Tottenham's rescue when they were in trouble two seasons ago and the club have been grateful ever since. [LNB]But the Honduran now has a lot to do if his demotion to the bench on Tuesday is not to be the beginning of the end for him at White Hart Lane. [LNB]Harry Redknapp's preamble to the club's big Champions League night at Werder Bremen was all about 'snatching a point' and not committing 'suicide'. [LNB] Out of favour: Palacios (left) was left on the bench against Werder Bremen[LNB]He even went for an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation, the type that is traditionally anchored by a defensive, holding midfielder. [LNB]Yet Spurs' established player in that position, the man they paid Wigan £12million for to fulfill that role, was among the substitutes. [LNB]Even when the breathtaking supremacy which had given them a two-goal lead waned and they conceded, Palacios was not called upon. [LNB]It seemed like the classic time to try to shore things up but Redknapp kept him on the bench. [LNB] More from Leo Spall... Leo's London: Don't blame Avram for West Ham's woes... it's Thomas's fault08/09/10 LEO'S LONDON: The summer's transfer window winners and losers... 01/09/10 LEO'S LONDON: Why Gallas is not worthy of true villain status25/08/10 Leo's London: Plastic is not fantastic - Spurs should have avoided pitch woe19/08/10 LEO'S LONDON: When Saturday comes... the Premier League will be reduced to dress rehearsals thanks to transfer window chaos11/08/10 Leo's London: More fool Fabio if Capello takes England gamble on kid Wilshere05/08/10 LEO'S LONDON: All-American hero Keane has to leave Tottenham28/07/10 Leo's London: Sol is hardly Arsenal's answer when Gallas could have stayed22/07/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Palacios eventually came on with 14 minutes left and even then he was shunted out to the right wing, where he could do little damage. [LNB]If the alarm bells are not ringing for him yet, he really should get his hearing checked. They have been sounding at the club for some time (they already have a replacement in the making in Sandro) because Palacios no longer looks up to the job he was bought for. [LNB]In a struggling team trying to fight their way clear of relegation, he was a revelation. Just what they needed. [LNB]But as Spurs have moved up the Premier League and raised their standards he has struggled to keep up. [LNB]Palacios is not the disciplined player who keeps the ball moving, who gets the team rolling from the back in the way Claude Makelele used to at Chelsea. [LNB]He is not the robust and dominating player in possession in the middle of the park like the Frenchman's successor, John Mikel Obi, is becoming. Yet neither is he a lung-busting, omnipresent midfielder such as Michael Essien. [LNB]The comparisons with Chelsea players are relevant because they, more than anyone in the Premier League, have made the holding role work. [LNB]At its best it is both destructive and constructive simultaneously, but Palacios' positional play, his touch, timing and pace are no longer good enough to demand a pivotal role in the higher echelons of English, never mind European, football. [LNB]Redknapp knew that Marko Marin would be Werder Bremen's danger player on Tuesday night and that he would operate in the territory of a defensive midfielder. [LNB]But he went instead for the more offensive and energetic midfield skills of Jermaine Jenas. The way Palacios has been playing, he had little other choice. [LNB]----------------------------------------------------------------------------Arsene Wenger cannot understand why there are those who doubt his motives for trying to protect the beautiful game. [LNB]Perhaps he should ask someone who can remember Patrick Vieira's red mist and Arsenal's early disciplinary record in his charge, not to mention his inability to see his players' indiscretions in the past. [LNB]Six red cards were not uncommon in Wenger's first few seasons at the club and in 1998-99 there were 10. Protecting the beautiful game then did not always appear to be his top priority. [LNB] Crunch: Wenger wasn't happy with Bolton defender Paul Robinson's tackle on Abou Diaby during Arsenal's 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium last weekend[LNB]Yet after his young guns gained a reputation for being susceptible to bullying, it has certainly moved up the agenda. [LNB]Anyone remember Sir Alex Ferguson joining Wenger on his crusade? It stopped when Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United and if the old stagers share anything, it is a canny manager's blinkers. [LNB]That is not to say that Wenger's argument is not sincerely held or without merit. Nor that those who go out to do harm on the pitch should escape punishment, or that the vandals' approach should not be drummed out of the game. [LNB]Neither is it to argue that Arsenal (or Ronaldo) have not suffered from the sinners over the years. [LNB]But it helps to explain why people think that Wenger's outspoken approach is built on self-interest. [LNB]----------------------------------------------------------------------------James Vaughan's prospects may have faded under injury and the weight of expectation at Everton but at Crystal Palace he will taste responsibility yet again. [LNB]Seldom have a club had so much need for a star striker such as the one everyone thought Vaughan would become when he burst on to the scene as a teenager five years ago. [LNB]At 22-years-old, Vaughan still has plenty of time to make his name and is on loan at a club where a little magic will go a long way. [LNB]A hat-trick on Tuesday - albeit against Portsmouth - was hopefully a sign of things to come. [LNB] Enlarge Hat-trick hero: Vaughan scores his third goal against Pompey on Tuesday night[LNB] Harry Redknapp happy to make his point at Werder Bremen as Spurs boss predicts tight groupPlease protect us! Wenger calls for fair play (again) as injuries mount upC Palace 4 Portsmouth 1: Vaughan hat-trick leaves sorry Pompey bottom[LNB]
