Spurs made it through to the final of one cup competition last Wednesday and were then knocked out in the fourth round of another on Saturday. While this sounds like a week of mixed fortunes, in fact it was perhaps the worst few days since Harry Redknapp took over the reins at the club.

The manager has tried to portray the FA Cup defeat at the hands of Man. Utd. in a positive light, stating that the team did well and – rather worryingly – that had Spurs played a more open game, it might have been possible to concede “four, five or six goals”.

Given that the team let in three against Burnley in the Carling Cup, perhaps a defeat by the odd goal at Old Trafford is something to be thankful for. Except that the manner of the defeat once again illustrated a number of the problems that Harry needs to address if Spurs are to stay in the Premier League.

After the Burnley game the manager threw down the gauntlet to the players who have not performed up to expectation, suggesting that anyone who appeared in the “mish mash” of a line-up that he intended to put out against Utd. had a chance to prove themselves worthy of the shirt. Hard to explain, therefore, the lackluster displays from Bentley, Bale, Zokora and Huddlestone.

Tom Huddlestone in particular was abysmal in both games, looking overweight and uninterested, allowing the game to pass him by. In comparing his contribution against the level of effort that was asked for by Redknapp, here is someone who apparently is no longer interested in remaining at White Hart Lane.

Once a couple of players return from injury and are joined by Wilson Palacios in midfield, Huddlestone may be out of the picture in any case. Palacios looks like a good acquisition, although perhaps not at £12 million – especially given that Jimmy Bullard joined Hull a couple of days later for well under half that amount. (At least, though, Palacios is sensitive to the malaise affecting Spurs, pledging that “I am going to give everything for the club” and – with presumably unintentional humour – “I know it won't be easy to get a regular place in the starting 11”)

A similar transfer comparison might be made between Aston Villa’s recent signing, Emile Heskey, and Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, whom Spurs are pursuing at the moment. Both strikers are physically imposing and strong in the air, but neither is known as a prolific goalscorer. The major difference is that while Heskey joined Villa for £3.5 million, the asking price for Jones – who cost Sunderland £6 million when they bought him from Southampton less than eighteen months ago – is reportedly in the region of £15 million. It could be said that the likes of Bullard and Heskey – 30 and 31 respectively – would represent a short term solution.

Spurs have, however, a short term problem that is getting shorter all the time, namely winning enough of their remaining fixtures to avoid relegation – beginning with the vital game against fellow strugglers, Stoke, on Tuesday.