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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Dele Alli Needs to Play in His Best Position

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli (20) dribbles the ball against the MLS All Stars in the second 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; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli (20) dribbles the ball against the MLS All Stars in the second 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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It’s a Christmas edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links

Today there will be Tottenham-related stories featuring Dele Alli, Ben Davies and Harry Kane. The first story talks about Alli and his natural position of central midfield. Former Republic of Ireland defender, Kenny Cunningham believes that Dele Alli should return to central midfield instead of playing higher up the pitch as an attacking mid.

Next up, Ben Davies and the rest of Tottenham’s backline, along with Hugo Lloris helped preserve their clean sheet against Southampton. On Boxing Day, the Welsh international left-back is hoping Spurs can do the same to Norwich City. And finally, Harry Kane reflects on his loan spell with the Canaries despite a major injury. As it was a good learning experience overall for a then-19-year-old. Now onto the links below.

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At times, being a generalist is better than a specialist. For one, a generalist can play multiple positions, thus giving him and the manager flexibility to find new positions to play in. Or just play there for the time being and get some minutes under their belt. Examples would be Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Son Heung-min to name a few.

Specialists are people who specialize in one thing, but they’re great at it. Other people can be great at one job too, perhaps even the same position on a team. But a coach would feel secure knowing that if one player is injured or needs a rest someone else can come in a pick up the slack. These examples would be Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier and Kevin Wimmer for starters.

However, with that said, former Republic of Ireland defender, Kenny Cunningham, believes that Dele Alli should play in his natural position of central midfielder. Rather than playing up top as an attacking midfielder.

"“Alli is a natural centre-midfield player,” Cunningham told Newstalk’s Off The Ball podcast.“When he first came into the team, he was doing everything: collecting the ball off the centre-halves, getting turned and playing it forward, dribbling and surging into the box.”“In the last few games, he was playing as an orthodox number 10 but I don’t think it is his best position. Considering the level that he has come from, the impact that he has made has been outstanding.”"

The reason why Alli has played higher up the pitch in a more advanced role is because of his abilities to collect the ball and turn up field. As well as making surging runs, which Kenny Cunningham alluded to. Son Heung-min can do this too, in fact he used to start at attacking mid, but perhaps Mauricio Pochettino feels that Dele Alli is best suited to play behind the striker so that Mousa Dembélé can work alongside Eric Dier.

With Danny Rose now back in the squad following his flu, after being sick and not able to play against Southampton, Ben Davies will return to the substitutes’ bench. But he knows what Tottenham must do in order to secure just their first back-to-back league win since early November.

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“For us as defenders, a clean sheet is what we always look for,” Davies said. “That’s what we got last weekend and hopefully we can get another one on Boxing Day.”

“It was a good result for us away from home against Southampton, but now we want to bring that momentum into the game against Norwich.”

“They had a big win at Manchester United last week so we’ve got to be aware that they’re going to be looking for something out of the game this week too, but hopefully we’ll stay solid, the boys up front can score some more goals and we can take the three points.”

A win and three points in general is the most important thing first and foremost. Getting a clean sheet will come next. Overall though, Boxing Day against Norwich City will be a big test for Tottenham now that they’re inside the top four. This is their biggest game of the season so far.

Joining Norwich as a 19-year-old and getting his first taste of Premier League football during the 2012-13 season was good for Harry Kane even if his loan spell didn’t last long due to a foot injury that sidelined him for a few months.

Kane would eventually return to Tottenham earlier than expected but in just a short amount of time, that’s all it took for a now-22-year-old to reflect back on a great learning experience. Despite a major injury suffered, Harry Kane’s first and perhaps only serious injury to date.

“It was a great experience to go to Norwich on loan,” reflected Harry. “I hadn’t had a start in the Premier League, got a little taste of it and really enjoyed it.

“Unfortunately I broke my foot after a few weeks, I came back to Spurs for treatment and when I went back in December I played a couple of games but the club [Spurs] felt it would be better to come back in January.”

“I’m looking forward to playing them, I know a few players there, good lads and now they are coming here off a great result at Manchester United.”

“They will be full of confidence – but so are we after a great win against Southampton.”

Next: If Tottenham Score First and Often, They'll Beat Norwich City

With the Canaries win at Old Trafford over Manchester United last weekend, and Tottenham’s own home loss to Newcastle United. Kane knows that Spurs can’t take these home games for granted. But at the same time, a loss to the Magpies at White Hart Lane was a good wake up call.

“Everyone seems to be beating everyone and you have to be prepared for that every game,” Kane added.

“The defeat against Newcastle was probably the kick up the backside we all needed. Southampton was a great win and now we have to follow up against Norwich and Watford.”