Worrying Signs in Tottenham’s Defense
By Ryan Wrenn
Tottenham’s defense has conceded a mere eight goals in the opening ten matches of the Premier League season, few enough to be tied for lowest in the entire league along with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. It’s a record made particularly impressive when compared to decidedly less stingy efforts made by Tottenham’s back line in the past few seasons.
The sudden improvement in that area of this Tottenham team is down to a few factors, not least of which is the considerable centre-back upgrade in Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier’s surprising turn as midfield defensive shield. There have been some indications recently that some cracks are forming however, and Mauricio Pochettino would do well to patch them before they get any worse.
It’s an admittedly small sample size, but Tottenham’s last two games have begun to expose a vulnerability in the club’s defense, particularly out wide.
The loss to Anderlecht was undoubtedly Tottenham’s biggest defensive failing of the season so far, exceeding even the breakdown against Stoke that saw the club squander a two goal lead. As we discussed after Thursday’s Europa Leage game, Tottenham were shown to be vulnerable to a lot of the same high-pressing techniques Pochettino prefers. The midfield and, in particular, the full-backs were caught out on several occasions by the Belgian side’s determined attempts to reclaim possession.
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Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier clearly were not prepared for this type of game. The mere fact that Davies was named in the starting XI suggests even Pochettino thought that Tottenham wouldn’t come under a tremendous amount of pressure on the wings. In the end, the most joy Anderlecht got was harassing Trippier and Davies and ultimately rounding the former to send in the cross for the winning goal.
The story hadn’t changed much by the time the whistle blew to begin Sunday’s match against Bournemouth. In the opening minute full-back Charlie Daniels sent a cross over Tottenham’s defense for a completely unmarked Matt Richie to convert into the match’s opening goal. Blame for the goal itself rightfully fell to the woeful positioning and marking of Danny Rose, but the cross itself should arguably not been allowed to happen as it did either.
Were that the only example it might be easier to dismiss. Instead, Bournemouth continued to threaten with seven more crosses or passes from the wings resulting in shots within or near Tottenham’s box. Only two of those were shots on target – in part a testament to how much Tottenham’s centre-backs have improved – but it nevertheless remains a worrying breakdown in what was previously such a rigid defense.
RELATED: How Spurs Won: Away at Bournemouth
Perhaps no stat stands out for the difference evident on Sunday than this: in the six previous Premier League games, Tottenham had conceded an average of 3.49 successful crosses per match. Bournemouth managed well over twice that amount with nine successful crosses in nineteen attempts.
Now, of course, Tottenham went on to win 5-1 against Bournemouth. Richie’s goal in the opening minute was the only example of this tactic succeeding. Even if they weren’t able to do much more than that, it’s something Tottenham should expect future opponents to emulate.
How does Pochettino counter this probable increase in crosses? Ask for more discipline on the wings, not just from the full-backs but also the more advanced attacking players. There aren’t quite as many natural wingers left in the Premier League, but attacking full-backs continue to be a threat. Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi, for instance, should not be neglected, nor should the prolific crossing ability of upcoming opponents like West Ham.
On more specific terms, Pochettino should know when to play Ben Davies over Rose. There’s no question that Rose has improved defensively over the last year, but his inexplicable distance from Richie ahead of the goal Sunday is a testament to how he can occasionally lapse on his marking.