Mido: Fighting spirit maintaining Spurs' high hopes
Tottenham goal hero Mido has revealed the extent of his side’s fighting spirit which is keeping them in the hunt for a Champions League place.
The Egyptian striker admitted having a dressing room bust-up with his goalkeeper Paul Robinson at half-time during Sunday’s Riverside Stadium clash with Middlesbrough.
Mido went on to grab Spurs’ second equaliser in the 3-3 draw and what manager Martin Jol called “maybe the most important point of the season” – while man-of-the-match Robinson kept Boro at bay with a series of stunning saves.
Mido said: “I had a bit of an argument with Robbo in the dressing room at half-time and you only have to look at the reaction to see what kind of spirit we have.
“He went out in the second half and was the best on the pitch, and I came back in the second half and scored the goal. This is the kind of spirit which will let you win games and go places.”
Mido’s fourth goal in his last five Premiership matches, which completed an entertaining 3-3 draw, made up for the news Spurs could lose Jermain Defoe to an ankle injury for the festive programme.
Defoe, who limped off just half an hour after appearing as a second-half substitute, will have tests this week, with his possible absence and Mido’s imminent African Nations Cup schedule threatening to deplete Jol’s striking resources.
However, the Dutchman believes the fine first half of the season is down to a new level of self-belief at White Hart Lane which has now seen his side hit back from behind six times to grab at least a point.
And Mido insists such qualities will ensure the best is yet to come from his side, adding: “We have a great spirit and we fight for each other and it is not easy to beat us.
“I think not so many teams have the same team spirit that we have in the dressing room. I am very proud of that.”
Boro boss Steve McClaren is the latest convert to the Spurs cause after witnessing their come-from-behind heroics at the Riverside.
McClaren insisted his side would have won the match were it not for Robinson’s heroics in goal but added: “Spurs are another year older and more experienced and their away performances have improved.
“They have got character in their team as well as ability. They are strong in midfield and I knew before the game we would have to compete.”
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