Harry Redknapp admits that he has a problem with Heurelho Gomes, his error-prone goalkeeper, but the chances are that it is going to get worse for the Tottenham Hotspur manager. Danny Murphy, the Fulham midfield player, revealed yesterday that the Brazil player’s frailties had been specifically targeted by him and his teammates in prematch training.

Fulham’s detailed preparation appeared to work in the 2-1 defeat of Tottenham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Not only did Gomes fumble the ball into the net for Fulham’s opening goal, from a cross by Simon Davies, the hesitant goalkeeper did not attempt to catch the corner from Paul Konchesky that led to the second, from Andrew Johnson.

Redknapp can do little but wait for the transfer window to open in January. However, with Ledley King, his captain, also conceding that there is a “communication” issue with Gomes – on top of Murphy’s admission – it is likely that other opponents will try to take advantage of Tottenham’s weak spot.

“Yes, we did 20 minutes’ training specific to Gomes on Friday,” Murphy said. “We changed our set-plays completely for the game. We nearly scored off two of them [corners]. We basically aimed to get corners with pace and under the bar.

“We had our two big men near him, [Brede] Hangeland standing near him. Konchesky was coming over from left back to do the inswinger, which we don’t usually do. Jimmy [Bullard] was putting them under the bar, which we don’t usually do. Usually, the nearer the ’keeper you put them, they come and grab them.”

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, confirmed the tactics. “We put a lot of people closer to goal on corners so you could argue that, yes, we targeted the ’keeper,” he said. “We realised that’s not his real strength but we do that with a lot of teams.”

Redknapp attempted to defend Gomes. “He’s a quiet man,” Redknapp said. “His English is OK, I suppose, but he’s not one who’s going to have a long chat with you. But you’ve got to keep believing in him because that’s it, he’s the goalkeeper. It ain’t no good me caning him because I’ve got nothing else. It’s hard. I just said to him, ‘Listen, keep your chin up, you made some great saves.’ I don’t know what else I can do with him really.”

King, asked if there was a communication problem with Gomes and the defenders, said: “Yes. I think he is the type of player who is used to dictating things. Maybe it is communication and playing together on a regular basis. He will realise that.”

Redknapp’s options are limited to nonexistent – César Sánchez, 37, Gomes’s deputy, Ben Alnwick, 21, who is on loan with Carlisle United, Lee Butcher, 20, David Button, 19, and Oscar Jansson, 17. It is why Redknapp will be active in the transfer market, with Robert Green, of West Ham United, or Ben Foster, of Manchester United, possible acquisitions.

In the meantime, Gomes’s state of mind will lie in the hands of Hans Leitert, the Austrian goalkeeping coach at the club. “ ’Keepers and their coaches usually have a special relationship,” Redknapp said. “Hans has to get inside his head.”

If Gomes is first choice, how bad must Sánchez be?

César Sánchez joined Tottenham Hotspur from Real Zaragoza as cover for Heurelho Gomes after the departure of Radek Cerny. Sánchez made his debut as a substitute in the 4-2 victory against Liverpool in the Carling Cup last week after appearances for the reserve team. Ben Alnwick, the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, is on loan at Carlisle United but is expected to return ro Tottenham this week.