Tottenham Seeing The Best of Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

Congratulations for Hugo Lloris [Photo: Alan Hill]Tottenham are now seeing the best of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. His performances in the past two matches have given Spurs the confidence to go on and win the games against Everton and Newcastle United.

Hugo Lloris signed for Tottenham from Lyon in August, 2012. He came to the Premier League with a huge reputation as a top class goalkeeper who was captain of the France international team. Reputations counted for nothing where Andre Villas-Boas was concerned and he decided that the new goalkeeper required time to adjust to football in England so Lloris first weeks were spent on the bench as cover for Brad Friedel. He made his debut in the Europa League against Lazio in September and kept a clean sheet. At the beginning of October, he displaced Friedel for his first League appearance against Aston Villa and kept another clean sheet.

Lloris was given the goalkeeper’s position in mid-November for the match at the Emirates as Spurs lost 2 – 5. He has been the Tottenham first choice goalkeeper since then and has impressed with his quick reactions, with  his speed off the line to act as a sweeper behind the back four and with his bravery.

It is in recent weeks that Lloris has been seen at his best since coming to White Hart Lane. He has produced match winning saves like all top goalkeepers. As the late Brian Clough asserted, “a top goalkeeper could save you up to 18 points a season”.

Vital saves at crucial moments have been a regular feature of Lloris’ play in recent weeks. His early saves against Everton kept Spurs in the game when the visitors were threatening to run away with the game. He denied Leon Osman with a fantastic save and went on to keep a clean sheet.

Lloris save against Everton [Photo: Alan Hill]At Newcastle, while Spurs made a brighter start than in previous games, it took a reaction save to keep the match scoreless as Lloris denied Cisse. Later in the game, with Spurs two ahead, it was Lloris who stopped a United comeback with a string of outstanding saves.

Hugo Lloris to the rescue [Photo: Alan Hill]

Hugo Lloris to the rescue [Photo: Alan Hill]

Hugo Lloris save [Photo: Logan Holmes]Lloris made an impressive start to the season with 11 clean sheets in the first 14 League and Cup games in which he had played. To that point of the season, in early November at Goodison Park against Everton, Spurs had conceded only 5 League goals. The only blip on Lloris’ record was three goals scored by West Ham, not that the goalkeeper had been at fault. Against Everton, Lloris showed his courage when carrying on after being concussed in a challenge late in the game.

He then missed two games but on his return went 8 games without adding to his record of clean sheets. He had a very uncomfortable game against Manchester City when his early misplaced kick set City on the road to their 6 – 0 win. Another poor kick added to his misery in that game and while Spurs recovered, it was short lived and another 5 went past him against Liverpool. this time, Lloris wasn’t at fault and was selected as Man of the Match by HotspurHQ readers.

Since the appointment of Tim Sherwood, Tottenham’s results have improved and Lloris had added another 4 clean sheets to his record. He was disappointed at conceding another 5 against City but with Spurs reduced to 10 men and conceding a penalty, everything conspired against them that night. He had made a world class save when Spurs were only a goal down in the first half, keeping their hopes alive. He was quoted in the Guardian afterwards saying,

"We can’t accept that, in front of our crowd again. It’s difficult to find the words for a game like that……I hope in the next big test against a team from the top four we will be better and we will have a good response."

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With the recent performances Lloris is displaying his best form since joining Spurs and he has ensured Tottenham have taken full points from the last two games.

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