Tackling: What's the fuss all about?

I remember watching the World Cup in 2006, shouting at the television, slating all these players for diving at every opportunity possible whenever they were touched. Watching it, I was always under the impression that football was a very manly sport, but this just looked ridiculous.

Then, while watching this years World Cup, I suddenly had a horrifying realisation. I had adapted to watching diving and it had taken me about three or four games to realise. The game has turned for the worst and this was highlighted in 2006, but not even spoken of in 2010. So it isn't just me that has adapted to this way of football, the whole of England appears to be under this spell.

So, when I heard that a moral panic has now started in regards to leg-breaking tackles, I was shocked. Yes, there have been a couple of broken legs recently, but hasn't there always been? Defenders will make mistakes, it is the same as a striker missing a simple opportunity in front of goal, except the consequences for these mis-timed challenge is much bigger. The worst thing for me is, some of these challenges which are breaking legs aren't even that bad, it just happens to have created a bad injury.

Before Nigel De Jong made that challenge recently I thought he was a superb defensive midfielder. I still think he is one of the best, because his job is to protect the back four and his tackling does it really well.

As far as managers go, the managers job is to motivate a team. They don't tell their players to injure other players. If I had a pound for everytime before a game I heard the words: "Get stuck in!!" A professional footballer can't play at his best without competitiveness, and with competitiveness comes this will to win and players will be pumped up before games, the managers job is to make sure they are ready for these matches.

So, before we make this beautiful game any worse, let us keep these tackles. Because we can highlight the awful challenges, but we never highlight sensational tackles and players like Nigel De Jong give us those challenges week in, week out.

I don't know about you, but I don't want a next generation of English footballers to be diving, non-competitive players. Let us not turn football into a non-contact sport.

Tottenham Hotspur - Are they a Champions League side?

Being a Spurs fan myself this is something I'm questioning every time I watch them. But is it actually possible that Tottenham Hotspur are good enough to be a consistent Champions League side?

The first issue to address is that there is a big chance that this will be the one year that Spurs have an opportunity in the competition simply because Manchester City have the millions to create a top four side and in the early stages have already shown their quality, by defeating the mighty Chelsea. So, with this being the case, should they be putting everything into this competition, or does Harry Redknapp believe his players have the ability to challenge in the league and push to the later stages of the Champions League?

Well, he clearly showed his belief in the side when he said at the beginning of the season that Spurs are capable of challenging for the title. At that point I doubt he was aware that he would lose Michael Dawson, Jermaine Defoe and Gomes to injury. Because that is what happens when Spurs look like they are going to be successful, something happens. I mean you only have to look back to that dreaded game against West Ham, where we just had to win to clinch fourth, but it was as if someone span a wheel of misfortune and stopped it on food poisoning. Although quite regularly after a spin it lands on injuries.

With this in mind, I was shocked last year when we actually managed to hold on to the much-wanted Champions League spot. What was an even bigger shock was a certain dutchman wondering into White Hart Lane at the end of the transfer window. Rafael Van der Vaart has been incredible, but again I'm sit here thinking, when is it all going to go wrong?

It turns out, there is a consistent problem. I believe the problem with the club is the lack of depth in defence. Ledley King is one of the best centre-backs in the country, but a chronic knee problem and a hamstring injury here and there makes him someone Spurs can't rely on. Michael Dawson, Sebastian Bassong and Younes Kaboul are effectively our consistent available centre-backs. I can see potential in the first two, but Kaboul at the back has been a worry for me. I am forgetting Vedran Corluka, but his lack of pace rules him out. With Dawson injured, anyone running at our back two at the minute is a worry. The full-back positions don't fill me with confidence either, unless Gareth Bale is at left-back who is looking extremely promising. But for the minute, it's Benoit Assou-Ekotto who I actually think I a good player, but not Champions League I wouldn't think. I am pleased that Alan Hutton is being given a run in the first team because Corluka again isn't a bad player, but a right-back with that pace is scary.

Verdict: Not a Champions League defence.

The defence may not be quite up to scratch, but the midfield we have at the club is extremely encouraging. Tom Huddlestone is one of the best passers of a football in the league and he can't half strike a ball. The fact that he is now being given a chance with England excites me, I honestly believe he should be starting ahead of Gareth Barry. Off-form Aaron Lennon can be a quality winger, but since the World Cup his performances have been ordinary. Still, he is worthy of Champions League status, because his pace can rip apart any full-back. Gareth Bale, what an unbelievable turnaround in his Tottenham career. From a long run of bench-warming, to the first name on the team sheet. There is no question this man is Champions League status. We haven't seen much of Luka Modric this season, partly due to injury, but we know what the little Croatian can do. Vision, technique, composure, just a few attributes which make Modric Champions League status. With the likes of Giovani, Jenas, Palacios and Sandro waiting in the wings, we have healthy competition in midfield. I didn't mention David Bentley in that list simply because, unfortunately, his better years I fear are behind him and his continuous lack of first team football will continue for a while.

Verdict: A Champions League midfield.

I know what you're thinking, why haven't I mentioned Rafael Van der Vaart? Well we have all seen what he can do. Sitting in the hole next to Peter Crouch, £8million for this player looks an absolute bargain. He has the exact Champions League experience which the side need. Basically, Harry Redknapp has signed exactly the right player, shame it wasn't a centre-back, but it'll do.

Verdict: Rafael Van der Vaart was a sensational signing.

Now for the strikers. Bean-pole Peter Crouch is becoming the main target man at Spurs but sometimes encourages pump-it football. But, it works. The fans love him and he is always a problem for defenders in the air, so is certainly worthy of Champions League status. Jermaine Defoe, another one side-lined at the moment, has certainly shown his best in the last year. Since his move back to Spurs from Portsmouth, he has been scoring goals galore. It will be interesting to see what Redknapp does when he and Van der Vaart are fit, exciting times for fans I should think. Roman Pavlyuchenko, my famous look-a-like, has that ability to come on and score. The Russian is the ultimate super-sub, doesn't tend to perform when he starts, but that goal against Young Boys was incredible. He is borderline Champions League status, but I've warmed to him, not just because he looks like me, but that does help. Robbie Keane will always give you 100 per cent, but I think his best days are behind him now. But the thing with Keane is, he will never give up.

Verdict: If you add Van der Vaart in as well, this is Champions League quality. Without, it is borderline, but if Defoe is fit and on form, possibly Champions League status.

Goalkeeper Gomes has good experience and is reasonably solid. Yes, he does enjoy coming out for maybe more balls than needed, but overall I would say he is Champions League status. Carlo Cudicini is a superb back-up, with all the experience and good handling, he is certainly worthy. The only slight worry is who is next in line, but for the moment, it isn't a massive issue.

Verdict: Champions League goalkeepers.

So, what did we learn? This team has Champions League players, but I fear that the defence we have at the moment is where we will lose games. In terms of being a consistent Champions League side, I think buying an experienced centre-back who has Champions League games under his belt should be the next target. This all depends on how consistent Manchester City can be with their new, improved squad and of course Liverpool, but that's a new topic to open at another time.