Football: Edinburgh full of confidence

JUSTIN EDINBURGH yesterday thanked George Graham for saving his Tottenham career only a year after he thought he had played his last game for the club.

The left-back started last season as first choice under Gerry Francis but lost his place when Christian Gross took over at the end of November 1997.

The 28-year-old was substituted in Gross' first game in charge and never regained his position in the starting line-up, making just three more substitute appearances in the Premiership as Spurs battled against relegation.

Although he was not officially transfer-listed, Spurs were willing to sell him to any club prepared to offer a fee of only pounds 200,000.

But the Brentwood-born defender has seen his career revived, firstly under caretaker- manager David Pleat and now Graham, and has been an ever- present since the former Arsenal and Leeds manager took over at White Hart Lane.

"I think it's all about someone having confidence in you," Edinburgh, a veteran of Tottenham's 1991 FA Cup-winning side, said.

"I don't feel [Christian Gross] really gave me a chance, and had no faith in me. It took the stuffing out of me.

"But you have to brush those things aside and prove people wrong, and George has come in and given everyone a chance. He's been pleased with me, and that's shown with what I've done on the pitch."

Edinburgh has certainly begun to repay Graham's faith and pleased his manager again in Monday night's 2-2 draw with Charlton.

It was his superb cross from the byline that set up Chris Armstrong for the home side's second goal, as Spurs turned on the style in a devastating 20-minute spell at the start of the second half - a sign of the new, confident Edinburgh emerging.

"I think the first 20 minutes of the second half was the best we've played under George. There was good movement, and we passed the ball well.

"The back four have always been blamed, but now we are working on defending as a team from the front and we've done a lot of work with George in training - and it's paying off."

Graham was also full of praise for his side's performance. "I thought we were outstanding for 20 minutes in the second half and overall I was very pleased," he said.

"We played a different formation because of a few injuries, and it took a bit of getting used to. But we played some excellent football and scored two great goals.

"I want us to express ourselves when we have the ball and nullify the opposition when we don't."