Mixed bag for Spurs past and present

It was a day of emotions for members of the current Spurs staff, and some former ones too. First team coach Chris Hughton, striker supremo Robbie Keane, current captain Stephen Carr and utility man Gary Doherty were all left disappointed as the Republic of Ireland succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in Switzerland, a result that knocked them out of the running for Euro 2004. Keane barely had a chance on goal as the Swiss took the game by the scruff of the neck from the start and went in front within six minutes through Hakan Yakin. Ireland failed to get themselves back in the game and the home side doubled their lead in the second half when Alex Frei prodded home from close range.
There were mixed emotions for Simon Davies as his Welsh teammates were defeated 3-2 by Serbia and Montenegro in Cardiff. Davies, who is currently injured will hope to be fit for the play-off games in November. Wales went behind from Zvonimir Bokic but John Hartson soon equalised from the penalty spot. However, with eight minutes to go former Aston Villa striker Savo Milosevic gave the Serbs the lead with Daniel Ljuboja adding another almost immediately before Robert Earnshaw pulled one back in injury time. Goran Bunjecevic played for the visitors.
Away from the European action, two recent departures from White Hart Lane were taking charge of their first league games with new clubs. John Gorman, who left his post as assistant-manager when Glenn Hoddle was sacked, failed to get off to a good start, his Wycombe side going down 3-1 at Luton Town. It was a better day for Colin Calderwood's Northampton Town who earned a point in a 1-1 draw at Rochdale.