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Hoddle backs Defoe to keep spot

Image: Defoe: will he keep Adebayor on the sidelines?

Glenn Hoddle says Emmanuel Adebayor may struggle to get into the Tottenham team after Jermain Defoe's display against Reading.

Sky Sports expert says Adebayor faces battle to get in team

Glenn Hoddle says Emmanuel Adebayor may struggle to get into the Tottenham team after Jermain Defoe's fine display against Reading. The England striker bagged two goals and was named man of the match as Andre Villas-Boas' side earned their first win of the Premier League season in a 3-1 success at the Madejski Stadium. Defoe's form meant that last season's top scorer Adebayor, who was signed permanently by Spurs from Manchester City in August, was confined to the bench for the entire 90 minutes. And former Tottenham midfielder Hoddle says that Defoe is currently better suited to the 4-5-1 team shape that Villas-Boas has brought to North London. "The shape of the team looks great," he told Super Sunday. "He's got the right individuals for that shape with Dempsey to come in as well as Adebayor, Livermore and Huddlestone. He's really got a depth there to play in that shape. "I think he's putting his hat on Defoe now and rightly so. You can have all the possession, but you need a spearhead and a focal point up there to put the ball in back of the net. "If he wants to keep that shape then Adebayor's got to be patient. He's got to come on from the bench or does AVB take the risk of trying to play him out on one of the flanks just to accommodate him? I don't think he will. "Adebayor's going to be a test for him as a manager because how do you keep him happy? He's not going to be happy not playing."

Relief

Sunday's victory will come as a big relief to Villas-Boas following a defeat to Newcastle and disappointing draws against Norwich and West Brom in their previous league games. But Hoddle says their season will only come to life when they produce an impressive performance in front of their home supporters - and he hopes that will come in next Sunday's London derby with QPR at White Hart Lane. "They've come unstuck a little bit at home," he said. "If you're not beating the likes of West Brom the pressure builds up a little bit in front of their own fans. I played there for many years and that can happen. "It's important that against QPR in the next game they go back to the Lane and put in the same sort of performance as today and get a win. Their season then will really and truly ignite. "They then go to Manchester United at Old Trafford which is always going to be a tough one, but they're building up something. "Today they were excellent. I thought they were absolutely first class in their movement. They were keeping the ball and they nullified Reading to a certain degree. "Defensively and attacking-wise AVB will be absolutely delighted today."

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