The rollercoaster ride that is the Premier League continued with a heartbreaking last minute 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, and was closely followed by an uneventful deadline day for Birmingham City.

The game at Tottenham was always going to be a tough one, and McLeish's 4-5-1 formation offered a clear insight into the aims of the Blues manager. The team were sent out with a clear game plan where any individual mistake could prove disasterous. McFadden was told to hold his position on the left wing, tracking back with Aaron Lennon whenever Spurs had the ball, while Lee Carsley was instructed to sit in front of the back four, breaking up play wherever possible.

Spurs started on top, as you would expect. It was clear that this was a team full of confidence, while Jermaine Defoe looked the deadly marksman that he threatened to become during his career to date. Spurs initially pushed Blues back into their own half, and their constant attacking instincts meant that the majority of the play took place within the Blues half. Left back Assou-Ekotto bombed forward wherever possible, helping to pin the Blues midfield back.

However, when Blues had possession, they did look dangerous. They had two real chances in the first half, with both falling to winger Sebastian Larsson. The first chance led to a shot which was too close to the keeper, allowing the Spurs defence to regroup and clear the ball. The second chance involved a strong burst from Larsson and a shot that went agonisingly wide of Cudicini's goal.

Into the second half, and the departure of Luka Modric brought Peter Crouch onto the field, and this was the turning point of the match. While Spurs always looked dangerous, you got the feeling that the Blues defence could hold out against the onslaught, but the arrival of Crouch gave the centre-back pairing of Roger Johnson and Franck Queudrue a completely new challenge to overcome. Johnson fought hard, but Crouch was ultimately superior in the air, and this led to a good header putting Spurs 1-0 up late on. It is possible that Joe Hart should have done better, having come to collect the cross before retreating back to his goal line, but you can take nothing away from what was a class header from Crouch.

Within seconds, Chucho had entered the pitch, and the travelling Blues contingent rediscovered their belief that their side could get back into the game. A spell of pressure came to an exciting end with a long ball forward for Chucho who tussled with the defender before an error from Cudicini allowed Lee Bowyer to steal in and tap the ball home to bring the scoreline even once again.

From that moment on, it looked as if only one side was going to win the game. But if that was true, then this wouldn't be football. In true heartbreaking style, a slip from Stephen Carr allowed Aaron Lennon to steal in and put Spurs 2-1 up. There was a tinge of irony in the air due to the fact that Seb Larsson had done a brilliant job in the second half marking Lennon, but Larsson's departure and the arrival of Gary McSheffrey proved crucial. A combination of poor tracking back and the failure to make a challenge let Lennon in, and the England star did the rest.

Yes, it was a defeat, and the history books will only tell us that Spurs were given 3 points and Blues 0, but this game provided Bluenoses with a lot of hope. The team performed efficiently and the defence stood up to the challenges posed by a rampant Defoe and Robbie Keane with his bag of tricks. Christian 'Chucho' Benitez was magic once again, and if it was not for Garry O'Connor, Chucho could have been the match winner for the Blues.

Following a tough game against Spurs, attention reverted to the transfer window, and whether Alex McLeish would finally sign Michel, the Spanish midfielder. However, the official line is that Gijon moved the goalposts. Personally, on this one, I do blame the board. They should've just paid the extra money up front, to give McLeish a player that this team is crying out for. When that deal died, McLeish panicked and reverted to his original plan from July, which was to sign a left back/winger. Traore and Bale were considered, but then McLeish changed his sights once again; central midfield.

Teemu Tainio, the Sunderland midfield player, was put under the microscope by McLeish two seasons ago, and Big 'Eck returned on deadline day to sign Tainio on loan for the remainder of the season. Is Tainio the right man? McLeish thinks so, but i'm not so sure. Michel offered a bit of raw talent that could be moulded, but at 29, Tainio is the best he can be.

A lack of match fitness may hinder him for a short while (he has played one game so far this season - in the League cup), but you have to trust McLeish's judgement when he says that Tainio can dovetail with the other players perfectly.

But my question is, if he is going to dovetail to perfection, why wasn't he first choice?