Tottenham 2013-14 Squad Preview – Full Backs

At full back, Kyle Walker is the established first choice for Tottenham but on the other side of the defence there are more questions to be answered. Danny Rose has been given the opportunity in preseason but with talk of a possible new signing, nothing is certain for 2013-14.

Kyle Walker established at right back [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]

Full Backs:

Kyle Walker has made the right back position his own for the past two years but after an exciting debut season for Spurs when he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, he had a disappointing time in 2012-13. Walker relies greatly on his pace going forward but also to recover in defence when caught up-field or after a defensive mistake. He can be rash in challenges conceding unnecessary free-kicks which Spurs are notoriously poor at defending properly. Walker links well with Aaron Lennon on the right and receives good support from the winger who covers back to help out defensively when Spurs are under pressure.

Full back is a difficult position to play at Tottenham as the full-backs are expected to get forward to provide width and options in attack but can then be caught out of position if Spurs’ forward movement breaks down. Walker was Tottenham’s most used player last season with 50 appearances in all competitions. He has no challengers for the the right back position but will want to improve on last year’s displays – showing better positional sense and an awareness of players behind him when defending at the back post.

Danny Rose is currently getting an opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting position at left back. He had a successful loan period with Sunderland being regarded as one of their best out-field players in a difficult season for the north-east club. Rose has pace and has improved his defensive play greatly in his time away from Spurs and is now ahead of Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the thoughts of Andre Villas-Boas. Rose, converted from a wide midfield player, is still learning the full-back role but like Walker is prone to rash challenges. This is a crucial season for Danny Rose who is anxious to further his career with regular first team football and stated in an interview in The Telegraph at the weekend that he isn’t interested in another loan spell away from White Hart Lane.

"If I wasn’t playing then a loan’s not an option for me now. I love the lads, and I love the fans, so Tottenham is where I want to stay, but if I don’t play regularly then I’m not going to be happy, just like anyone else."

If he’s not a regular he will want to leave and if Spurs’ interest in Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid were to result in the Portuguese full back signing, that may well signal the end of Rose with Spurs.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto missed much of the first part of last season through injury but hasn’t established himself in AVB’s plans and would appear to be on his way out of White Hart Lane. There were reports of Fenerbache being interested in him earlier in the summer and Tottenham are reported to have received a bid recently. BAE has always insisted that he wants to remain with Spurs but having had little involvement in preseason it looks more likely that he could be going too, especially if Spurs sign an experienced left back.

His tweet on Saturday, ahead of the game when he was not in the squad against Espanyol is open to interpretation.

"Good luck to spurs all the best and many goal for them."

Kyle Naughton provides cover for both full back positions but when given the opportunity when BAE was injured last season he failed to take advantage on the left where being right-footed, he frequently was caught in possession as he tried to play the ball with his right. On occasions Jan Vertonghen was preferred at left back and after a season with Norwich City he had been expected to challenge for a regular place in the team. Unable to provide a challenge against Walker in his preferred position, Naughton may have another season in the squad providing cover at full back.

Adam Smith

Many had expected Smith to challenge Walker for the right back role but he has again gone out on loan. The England Undet-21 player is now with Derby County but has been an unused substitute in their opening two league games. This is an important season for him as he tries to gain League experience to improve his chances of making an impression with Spurs.

Young Players

The two young players who have been with the squad in preseason can play across the defence.

Zeke Fryers arrived at Tottenham in January from Standard Liege, having joined them in the summer from Manchester United. Spurs had been interested in Fryers a year ago but couldn’t reach agreement with United. Fryers played for the Under-21 team last season at left back or in central defence and came on in Hong Kong when Jan Vertonghen was injured. He has started the last two games in central defence and was thrown in at the deep end against Monaco, facing Radamel Falcao. He then partnered Michael Dawson in the first half at the weekend when he looked composed with the experienced defender beside him.

Kevin Stewart has been with the squad having developed through the Academy system. Last year he played for the Under-19 and Under-21 teams in all defensive positions. At 19 years of age he has much development to do and was out on loan with Crewe Alexandra at the end of last season. He will need similar opportunities in the coming seasons.

With talk of further signings, it’s unsure who will be at left back this season but Walker and Rose look to be the favourites to start in the team at Palace on Sunday.