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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Toby Alderweireld Frustrated After Spurs Concede a Late Goal

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Stars forward Clint Dempsey (2) of the Seattle Sounders FC and Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld (4) battle for the ball during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Stars forward Clint Dempsey (2) of the Seattle Sounders FC and Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld (4) battle for the ball during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s today’s latest edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links.

Today on Tottenham Hotspur Links, Hotspur HQ will be bringing you (the readers) three stories. The first is about Toby Alderweireld and how him and Spurs’ other defenders wanted to keep a clean sheet but couldn’t. That, to their eyes, was the only negative following their 4-1 over West Ham United. The next story sees Phil Thompson talk about Spurs’ problem this season: a lack of goal scoring threats and overly relying on Harry Kane. And finally, some transfer news regarding Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato and how close Tottenhm are to signing him in January’s winter transfer window.

Lost in the shuffle of Tottenham’s 4-1 win over West Ham was the late goal they scored which put a blemish on Spurs’ chances of having a clean sheet. At the end of the day, a big 4-1 win should be celebrated and rightfully so. But Toby Alderweireld knows that Tottenham could do a better job defensively to close games out.

RELATED: Tottenham Links: Lineker and Anderton Praise Spurs’ 4-1 win

“We looked before the game and West Ham had been very strong in all their away games. I felt we started strongly, with a lot of energy, and all through the game we put pressure on them, created chances and scored goals – so the only thing that’s maybe bothering our team is that we conceded a goal. For the rest, it was one of the best games of the season.

Of course we’re very happy with the result, but at the end – especially because we’re defenders – we want to have a clean sheet and unfortunately we didn’t. But otherwise, defensively we were very solid, in midfield we were very strong and up front we made a difference with the quality we have.”

“That’s part of the problem with Spurs. Kane scores, Eriksen might get you a goal here and there, but there isn’t enough threat for me.”

This is a redundant story because Tottenham are getting wins regardless of how many goals that they can score overall. If Spurs’ defense can limit teams to one goal or less (15 games in all competitions this season) then that’s already half of the game won. Tottenham would need to score at least one goal to get a win. There’s only three games where Spurs have conceded two goals, but never three.

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So despite Harry Kane scoring nine goals this season and leading the team as the main scoring threat, Tottenham have other players who can score. The problem is, it’s not very often that someone else besides Kane scores.

Here are the numbers of Tottenham’s other goal scorers: Érik Lamela (4), Christian Eriksen (3), Mousa Dembélé (3), Son Heung-min (3), Toby Alderweireld (2), Dele Alli (2), Eric Dier (2), Nacer Chadli (1), Ryan Mason (1) and Kyle Walker (1).

The ongoing transfer rumor between Tottenham and Brazilian striker, Alexandre Pato, could potentially be reaching the end. It’s unsure how true any of these details are, but according to Football Fan Cast who have gotten their source from the The Sun, it’s almost a done deal. Here’s a quote from Football Fan Cast below:

“But The Sun claim Spurs have won the race for the 26-year-old, and will complete a £10 million deal ahead of the January transfer window. It is being reported Pato’s agent, Giulano Bertolucci, recently traveled to London to meet with middleman Kia Joorabchian to finalise the deal.”

Next: Dembélé's Selflessness a Vital Asset at Tottenham

If Spurs are able to sign Alexandre Pato this provides Harry Kane with cover during the FA Cup and Europa League. This means that Mauricio Pochettino can rest Kane for Premier League games. If Tottenham can’t sign Pato, there are other strikers available, but the question will be: “How much will they cost?”.