Wanderers supporter Chris Parr gives his opinion on the disappointing defeat at White Hart Lane.

When I went to bed on Saturday evening, it was difficult to imagine there could be a better time to play Tottenham. When I woke up on Sunday, I couldn’t think of a worse one.

Spurs were bottom of the league, winless, with two suspensions, and recently defeated at Udinese. This was a team in dire need of a boost. But with Harry Redknapp in place, the doubts began to creep in that this would not be the foregone conclusion that many felt it should..

Having said that, I did remember our history of raining on other teams’ parades. I was at the Stadium of Light when Mick McCarthy was unveiled, and I remember Kevin Keagan’s homecoming party at St James’ Park. We took four points from those two ties. What unfolded at White Hart Lane, however, was a world away from what was witnessed at those two games.

The Wanderers were playing a team that could not buy a win, and that had developed something of a losing mentality of this season. So did Megson set out to catch them off guard? Give them something to deal with? No. He clearly gathered his faithful troops around and said: “So, this team’s bottom of the league and we’ve got a chance to make some real strides up the table.

“I think I’ll go with Nolan, McCann, Muamba, Taylor and Davies across the park. They’ll never expect me to play without any pace whatsoever!”

Add Elmander to the mix, and Bolton looked about as toothless as Shane McGowan after a punch up. There was no creativity, pace, or imagination.

Of the players that were on show, there were a few positives. Taylor looked okay, and Samuel continued his improved run of form. But it was all far too little. Nolan in particular appears untouchable in the starting 11. In my opinion, he should not be. He seems as scared of the ball as the ball does of him. At least he was leading by example. He was terrible, and so was everyone else.

That said, the fans did not do the team any favours either.

Negative chanting is never going to solve any problems, and although it is understandable for supporters to want to vent frustrations, getting behind the team would perhaps have been more productive.

All in all, it was a performance to forget.

The chance to rub some salt into the wounds of a struggling team. Instead, we gave them the tonic they were after, and now they’re only three points behind us.