So it's not rocket science after all. With Spurs holding a narrow 1-0 lead over Wigan and unable to press home their advantage on a quagmire of a pitch, Harry Redknapp brought on Luka Modric and Roman Pavlyuchenko for the closing stages. The result? Two goals for Pavlyuchenko, the first of them set up beautifully by Modric, who himself hit the post.

Redknapp has come under some heavy criticism in recent weeks - not least here - for some strange team selections and his unwillingness to use his substitutes. On this occasion, he got it spot on.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is congratulated ©Getty Images

Right from his introduction, Modric mastered the appalling surface and ran the show. No doubt the Croatian is still working his way back to full capacity following his long spell out through injury. Yet, as his cameo against Wigan showed once again, the physical rigours of the Premier League seemingly hold no fears for a player of such slight build and sublime touch. Spurs are fortunate indeed to have someone with his guile, technique and temperament in their ranks.

The temperament of the other substitute who got on has been called into question, yet Pavlyuchenko answered his critics in the best possible fashion. Even then, his manager seemed unable to praise the Russian unequivocally:

"I've always said he has got great ability. When he wants to work and give everything, he's a top quality player."

It's obviously hard to know what is going on behind the scenes at Tottenham. Even Jermain Defoe, while describing Pavlyuchenko as a "fantastic lad", prefaced his remark by saying that "it's important to stay professional". Pavlyuchenko has not helped his cause with some of own pronouncements, most recently that "sometimes I have a feeling that Redknapp jeers at me." In the end, though, it's hard not to feel sympathy for the striker. Despite having played only a matter of minutes in the league this season, he is hugely popular with the fans. Undoubtedly this popularity is due in large measure to their perceived injustice of the situation.

The fans at the DW Stadium may have been surprised that it was Defoe rather than Crouch who made way for Pavlyuchenko, but again this was a good piece of management. Defoe had scored the opener but he was on a yellow card and potentially heading for a red one. Perhaps it was simply the fact that his goal was blatantly offside that led to his low-key celebration, but he seemed out of sorts all afternoon. That being said, if Pavlyuchenko is to get a run in the side - as he now surely must - it will more likely be at the expense of Peter Crouch, who has failed to find the net in his last seven appearances.

Spurs have been accused of lumping the ball high in the air to Crouch when they find themselves facing sides that prove difficult to break down. That accusation was made most recently by their FA Cup opponents, Bolton, themselves hardly exponents of the beautiful game.

Now that fourth place has been attained once again, keeping it will demand that Spurs play to their full potential, especially since the next two league fixtures are against Everton and Man City. The cup replay and those two Premier League games will go a long way towards shaping the course of Tottenham Hotspur's season.