Tottenham Players Performance Against Swansea – Pros and Cons

Tottenham took a hard earned three points from their game against Swansea in a team display which showed total commitment but how did the individual players perform within the team?

Gareth Bale – a goal and an assist against Swansea [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Brad Friedel:

• Pro: Called in due to Hugo Lloris’ injury to play his first League game since November. He coped well and was out quickly to collect through balls and especially at the start of the second half, re-acted quickly to the danger from Swansea’s quickly taken free-kick when the rest of the team fell asleep. Few saves to make but used all his experience to slow the game down at re-starts much to the irritation of the home spectators.
• Con: Allowed too many crosses into the penalty area to go unchallenged, leaving them to the defenders.

Kyle Walker:

• Pro: For the most part defended well and got an important header to a dangerous cross just before Swansea scored. Used his space well to get back and cover.
• Con: Always has the occasional rush of blood to the head and was booked. Had little opportunity to get forward today especially in the second half.

Michael Dawson:

• Pro: Recovered from injury, he was his usual totally committed self, leading by example. Coped well in open play defensively.
• Con: Struggled at set-pieces and corners giving Michu too much freedom. He had been warned on a couple of occasions of the danger Michu posed before he eventually found the back of the net.

Jan Vertonghen:

• Pro: He showed himself in his true light as a class footballing central defender. Played superbly and took the first goal well, linking perfectly with Gareth Bale and then again with his assist for the second. His quick appreciation of the situation, stepping forward to claim the ball and then continuing his run brought about both goals. As Swansea increased the pressure after the interval he stood up to the test well in his battle with Michu.
• Con: Can’t think of anything for the Belgian defender.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas was obviously impressed with Vertonghen’s contribution to the Tottenham win. The club twitter account tweeted his comment:

Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale – 2 goals 2 assists in this picture!!! [Photo: @Jan_Vertonghen: @SpursOfficial]Kyle Naughton:

• Pro: Worked hard throughout and played a lovely cross field pass to Lennon on the right – inch perfect.
• Con: Most of the Swansea threat came down their right with dangerous crosses from Tiendalli. Naughton had little support although Sigurdsson covered back occasionally.

Aaron Lennon:

• Pro: His return from injury introduced another attacking threat to the team and he worked hard doing a lot of defensive covering. When given the ball he posed a threat to the Swansea defence.
• Con: Was rarely given the ball and so had little opportunity to get forward.

Scott Parker:

• Pro: As always Parker covered a lot of ground and worked hard for the team. Did a great deal of covering work and put in a crucial header when Swansea broke out after a Spurs corner, taking a tough challenge from Michu.
• Con: Gave the ball away too often in the first half and his lack of pace is always a problem when he tries to go forward with the ball.

Mousa Dembele:

• Pro: Played a perfect pass to set up Adebayor to make it two nil but chance spurned and made a good break in the last five minutes which brought about Defoe’s only opportunity to shoot when Vorm made a good low save.
• Con: For a player with such power and presence he can be dispossessed too easily and doesn’t go forward on his powerful runs as often as he should.

Gylfi Sigurdsson:

• Pro: His best moment brought a good save from Vorm as he tried to curl a shot under the bar as he cut in from the left.
• Con: He had a quiet afternoon on his return to Swansea. He covered back sometimes to support Naughton in the first half but only got forward a couple of times late on and was dispossessed easily. I don’t know why the home fans booed him – did did little to cause them any anxiety.

Gareth Bale:

• Pro: He had a much better return to Wales than last season. He set up Vertonghen’s goal with a lovely chipped pass and scored a great second goal. He was a constant threat and worked very hard all round the pitch and made a vital block when Swansea threatened to score an equaliser late on. Even in added time he had the strength to go on a run from his own half to get a shot at goal.
• Con: Like Vertonghen, can’t think of any although perhaps his tendency to ignore players up in support when he heads for goal with his only thought being to shoot but with the form he’s been in, it’s being rather pernickety.

Emmanuel Adebayor:

• Pro: Unfortunately, I can’t think of any.
• Con: Still brings little to the team. Another poor performance – he missed a good chance to score when put through by Dembele with Spurs a goal up but is totally lacking in confidence in front of goal. No goals since New Year’s day against reading. His frustration led to another booking for a challenge in midfield.

Jermain Defoe:

• Pro: Replaced Adebayor for the last thirty minutes. His one chance was well saved by the goalkeeper.
• Con: He had little opportunity going forward as Spurs were having to defend so much in the last thirty minutes and without goals he brings little to the team. Hasn’t scored for Spurs in 2013, his last goal was at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Lewis Holtby:

• Pro: He replaced Sigurdsson and brought greater energy to midfield in the final minutes which helped as Spurs battled against a dominant home team desperate for a goal.
• Con: Rash challenge brought a booking.

Over to You!

Who was your top performer for Spurs against Swansea?