Published: 11 October, 2012
by DAN CARRIER

HAVING decided to bring an end to goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s eight year, 310 consecutive game run at the weekend, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas now faces another agonising selection issue.

AVB, who picked Hugo Lloris over Freidel in goal against Aston Villa on Sunday, has to decide whether fit-again Emmanuel Adebayor or Jermain Defoe will lead the attack.

Defoe has had the forward berth all to himself this term as Adebayor has been injured, and the striker has repaid his place in the starting line-up with four goals so far.

Adebayor, however, is seen to be better suited to playing AVB’s preferred lone frontman. The big Togolese striker came on in the second-half of the 2-0 home victory against Villa and it was immediately clear to see that he is raring to go.

Fellow forward Clint Dempsey welcomed his team-mate back. “It was a big boost for us to have Adebayor coming back to fitness against Villa,” he said.

“You could see his quality when he came on. There is more competition for spots now and that will push everyone‘s game up to another level.

“He does a good job keeping possession and he always works really hard for the team.”

Against Villa on Sunday chances went begging before Defoe’s shot cannoned off Steven Caulker to break the deadlock. The result was sealed with 20 minutes to go when Aaron Lennon added a second.