It’s fair to say that Tottenham weren’t at their dynamic best as they took on Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, but they endeavoured to secure a 1-0 victory. When your side is struggling to find their grove you need somebody to step up and make something happen and on this occasion it was Russian International Roman Pavlyuchenko who proved to be the game winner. But will this be enough to save his Spurs career?
He tucked the ball away neatly, showed good touches and looked livelier than he has done on numerous occasions throughout his Tottenham career. He’s often accused of being all too lethargic and not committed enough, but he looked above that on Sunday.
With a run of games you can’t help but feel that he’d find some form and start showing Harry et al what he can offer Spurs. It’s disappointing then that his lack of application suggests he’ll never get a run of games at Tottenham. He’s been of benefit to Spurs mostly as an impact substitute; a role that he doesn’t seem too happy to accept.
What’s more, Spurs already have Niko Kranjcar to come on late in a game and provide a goal threat and Niko seems more willing to fight for his place in the team than Pav.
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It’s worth considering that even if Harry wanted to keep him at the club, it’s not clear that Pavlyuchenko would be interested in staying. He’s made it clear in the Press that he’s desperate for regular football in order to get himself into contention for Euro 2012. Like it or not, Pav will simply never be a regular starter at Tottenham and if he wants that kind of treatment, it’s only fair that Harry lets him go seek it out at another club.
It’s not like his move would de-rail the Spurs juggernaught. Tottenham would simply buy somebody else who is capable of playing alongside Emmanuel Adebayor or Jermaine Defoe.
When you consider it, if Harry does let Pav go this January, it’s likely that’ll be because he already has a replacement lined up. So his exit from the club would usher in some new blood and a long term solution to Tottenham’s striking problem.
For both club and player, it seems the best thing Pav can do is move on to a different team.
In all likelihood his goal against Sunderland will act as a leaving present for Tottenham fans. Three points secured and his exit from the Lane all but determined.
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