After an hour's play at the Reebok Stadium, the Spurs fans could have been forgiven for thinking that this season was going to be one of disappointment.

Following an abysmal league defeat at Molineux in midweek, Spurs were facing a Bolton side that totally dominated the first half of this fifth round FA Cup tie and in the second half, with Spurs hitting the bar twice in quick succession, looked like they might then ride their luck to a place in the quarter-finals.

Thankfully Defoe’s goal on 61 minutes preserved Harry Redknapp's dream of lifting the cup once again. Spurs could and should have finished the game off, but for Huddlestone’s poorly taken penalty.

The midfielder - who put in yet another weak performance - did not inspire confidence as he faced Jaaskelainen. Instead of using the power he undoubtedly possesses, he opted instead for a stuttering run-up followed by a poorly placed shot. The decision to use Huddlestone as the penalty taker - rather than, say, Modric or Kranjcar - is a questionable one, but nothing compared to some of the manager's decisions for the league game at Wolves.

Two months ago, after defeat in the reverse fixture, this column noted that:

"Following on from Stoke's victory in October, another physical, workmanlike team has left White Hart Lane with all three points by virtue of greater muscle, organization and desire."

Given that scenario, Redknapp's selections were truly bizarre. In a game where Palacios unquestionably would have been a key player for Spurs, he was named as one of the substitutes, with Jenas starting instead. It took the manager until half time to recognize the folly of that decision, by which time Wolves had already scored. That goal resulted from a cross by Matt Jarvis, given too much room by Younes Kaboul. Kaboul is inept enough in his normal position of centre-half, but on this occasion he was playing at full-back, while two recognized full-backs - Corluka and Walker - warmed the bench.

Roman Pavlyuchenko ©Getty Images

Redknapp would no doubt make the argument that he was resting players for the cup-tie but, had Bolton been able to maintain the head of steam they built up in the first half, his plan could have backfired spectacularly. As it is, the prospect of a top-four finish is looking increasingly remote and, if Bolton can be overcome in the replay, a tricky trip to Craven Cottage awaits.

As far as team selection is concerned, it seems apparent that Roman Pavlyuchenko is never going to get a game, no matter what he does. Pavlyuchenko was an unused sub in both matches, despite the manager's concerns earlier in the week about Jermain Defoe's overall contribution, and despite the fact that Spurs have now scored a grand total of three league goals in 2010. Redknapp bemoaned that "suddenly it's dried up a bit … we haven't scored enough goals." Perhaps giving an opportunity to a Russian international striker might represent one solution.

Both Wolves and Bolton started their games against Spurs in the relegation zone. If teams like these cannot be overcome - and overcome comfortably - then Spurs can forget about playing in the Champions League next season.