Gallas promises improvement

William Gallas vowed there will be no repeat of Spurs' San Siro defensive horror show against Fulham.

Last Updated: 15/03/13 at 17:20 Post Comment   

William Gallas: 'We didn't play well'

William Gallas: 'We didn't play well'

William Gallas has promised Tottenham fans there will be no repeat of their defensive horror show in the San Siro when they face Fulham on Sunday.

Tottenham arrived in Milan with a 3-0 lead over Inter, but they conceded four goals, with their passage to the last eight of the Europa League only secured thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor's away goal in extra-time.

Slack marking allowed Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio to score either side of the break and Gallas mis-judged a free-kick to stab in to his own goal before Ricardo Alvarez took advantage of some statuesque defending for Inter's fourth in extra-time.

Andre Villas-Boas appeared to have banished the defensive jitters that had blighted the opening third of Tottenham's campaign, but their back four has looked weak in the last two games, which have seen the team concede seven goals.

Spurs' top-four hopes will be in severe doubt if they continue to leak goals in their final nine Barclays Premier League games, but Gallas is sure the defence will tighten up quickly - starting with Sunday's home clash against Fulham.

"In the next game it won't happen," the Tottenham defender said. "It won't happen because all the players know what they have to do.

"Against Inter we didn't play well. It was not good and all the boys know we have to react."

It was not just the 11 players on the pitch who were nervous. The 2,000 travelling fans were also forced to bite their nails throughout as Spurs seemed intent on throwing away a tie that seemed almost impossible to lose at kick-off.

The Spurs faithful will no doubt be worried that this is the start of a similar decline to the one that their team suffered last year.

The Londoners, then under Harry Redknapp, led Arsenal by 10 points in February, but they threw away the advantage thanks to a poor run in the final quarter of the season.

Gallas insists the same will be no repeat this term.

"It won't happen," the Frenchman said. "We know we have a great chance to qualify for the Champions League and we know that we can go very far in the Europa League.

"Sometimes you can have bad moments and maybe at home we are in a bad moment, but we know what we want at the end of the season and everyone will be ready for Sunday.

"I think the manager will have a meeting with us on Saturday to say what was wrong and correct what wasn't good. It is very important.

"To concede seven goals in two games is not very good. It can mean some things are not well. It was not the real Tottenham against Inter, but we can move on."

Tottenham dodged a long trip to Rubin Kazan, and potentially difficult ties against Chelsea or Benfica by drawing Swiss champions FC Basel in the quarter-finals.

Last night's performance has meant Spurs are now second favourites behind Villas-Boas' old club Chelsea in the running for the tournament.

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe admits the performance in Italy was not acceptable, but he insists the team are still confident of making the final in Amsterdam and lifting the trophy.

"We're disappointed as professionals," he said. "Even though we're through, we're not happy at losing like that.

"But we still don't have to take any steps to join the top sides because in the first leg we were so much better than them.

"There could have been a lot more goals at White Hart Lane.

"Thursday night was difficult, but we have done so well all season and we don't want to let it slip."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

thought you were describing Bart Simpson there from the episode where he sold his soul to Milhouse. I wonder do automatic doors work for Michael Owen.

sulman
The Evaporation Of Michael Owen

R

afa Benitez has won more trophies (10) over the past 11 years than the rest of the current managers in the EPL combined, except for Alex Ferguson.

angry bird
Chelsea duo salute Benitez

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

Footer 365

Jack Wilshere wants to captain Arsenal and England

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed his long-term ambition is to captain both his club and country.

Lampard: Mourinho is the best

Frank Lampard has hailed former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as "the best" ahead of an expected return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Ferguson wins LMA Manager gong

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the LMA's Premier League Manager of the Year, with Malky Mackay, Gary Johnson and Martin Allen also rewarded.

Mail Box

What Would United Be Like In The Pub?

The Premier League season has only been over for about 20 hours and already we're well into the summer-type Mailbox. Plus, a shout for the 2014 player of the year...

Arsenal Should Be Praised For Finishing Fourth

Arsenal fans are largely positive after their top four finish, whilst one wag suggest buying Bale from their rivals. We also have an interesting final mail. Enjoy...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved