“Always give absolutely everything because you never know if this game is going to be your last.”
“Always give absolutely everything because you never know if this game is going to be your last.” These were the simple but vital words that John Pratt’s father would tell his footballing son. The Hackney-born youngster was setting out on a career with the club he passionately supported, Tottenham Hotspur. Pratt, a hard-working midfielder, was not always appreciated by all Spurs fans but he always followed his father’s instruction, words he recalled in an interview with the Sunday Times in 2010. Pratt always gave everything. Beyond the excellent, committed Archie Gray, how many Spurs players can currently say that?
Tottenham are in a relegation dogfight. They last went down in 1977, and two fans marched mournfully across the pitch with a banner saying “WE WILL RETURN”. They did partly because of the industrious likes of Pratt, giving everything to rise back the Football League Division Two in 1977/78.
It is not being cruel or premature to look questioningly at the current generation wearing those famous white shirts and ask where are those of similar fortitude and application to Pratt. Do they give everything? It is fair to spread around the blame for this shameful mess Spurs have got themselves into. The owners, board and sporting director have made poor decisions in recruitment. Igor Tudor looks horribly out of his depth as caretaker head coach and looks like he needs putting out of his misery. But Spurs players have to take more responsibility.
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The club spent substantial sums on players, who may well show up well in terms of age and data but some lack the character to survive storms like this. Pedro Porro, a technical talent but far too theatrical, needs a long hard look at himself. Tottenham need warriors not thespians.
Only Gray, only 19, looked up for the fight against Crystal Palace last night. Injuries are a partial excuse: Lucas Bergvall would have fought. But the serial indiscipline of the captain Cristian Romero, sitting out his four-game ban, embodies the lack of leadership scarring this Spurs era from dressing-room to board-room. Romero is no Steve Perryman.
Spurs had leaders in 77/78, rising in third spot from the old Division Two, pipping Brighton & Hove Albion on goal difference. Perryman drove them back up. He was the captain, the standards-setter, as well as an outstanding footballer who could break up attacks and launch Spurs moves. They also had the wonderful emerging talent of Glenn Hoddle, only 19 when that season started.