Conversation Corner: Tottenham Cruise to a 3-0 Win Over Norwich
Tottenham defender, Toby Alderweireld
Losing Jan Vertonghen to injury was a blow to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. But the emergence of Kevin Wimmer following a clean sheet on Tuesday night, reassures everyone’s hopes that Tottenham’s number one ranked defense in the Premier League can only get better as the season wears on.
Having Wimmer start alongside Toby Alderweireld during the Europa League has helped the Austrain defender get a better feel for his center-back partner. With Vertonghen out for at least two months, a Wimmer and Alderweireld partnership should be more than enough to help stifle opponents during three different competitions in the chase for some silverware come May.
Spurs TV: Okay we’re here with Toby. Toby, 3-0 at Carrow Road, a good win against a Norwich team who, you know, they were determined in the second half but we didn’t let them come back into game.
Toby Alderweireld: “Yeah I think we started off very well. I think the way how you have to start a game.”
“And then the second half was much different but I think we showed a lot of character, put a lot of effort in it. And in the end, I think a well deserved victory “
STV: I mean the first half was excellent. Fourteen shots at goal to their three; two goals. I mean we already laid down the foundation didn’t we?
TA: “Yeah. Maybe if you have to say something. Maybe we could have scored a third goal I think and the game was over.”
“But in the second half, we put our shoulders underneath it. And we worked very hard for it, and kept a clean sheet — very important. And to achieve your opponent’s away points, so we’re happy.”
STV: As we said it was a different second half to what we normally play. It was a real sort of containing job wasn’t it? We were clearly confident in what we can do defensively and we just didn’t let them have a sniff really.
TA: “No, we tried. But it was difficult, in the second half to play football.”
“And then it doesn’t have to be pretty always you know. Sometimes you have to fight and you have to do your best to keep a clean sheet.”
“And I think the others are in position, but that’s it. And of course it’s difficult when they put balls in — second balls — but I think we did everything we could and we are very happy with the three — third goal.”
STV: Now there was something different tonight, because of course you lined up alongside Kevin [Wimmer] for the first time, from the start, in a Premier League game. Tell me what you think about how he did.
TA: “I think very well you know. I’ve played in a couple of Europa League games with him of course.”
“And I think he’s very comfortable under the ball. He knows how we have to play, I think there’s a good connection between us so that’s important and the lads are helping him.”
“So I think he had a very good performance today.”
STV: And tell us about Kevin. The guy comes accross as a lovely fellow as well doesn’t he?
TA: “Yeah he’s a quiet guy, quite funny as well. And he just works hard for the team, even if he was not playing, he was good working.”
“When he played, he did very well so I think this is a good opportunity for him to play a lot of games. And I think he will — no, I know for sure — that he will do well.”
STV: And obviously the games come quickly and Watford are next. And we had a real battle at Vicarage Road, so that’ll be a real interesting game back at White Hart Lane.
TA: “Yeah I think our pitch is better than their’s, at that time, so I can better football I think. And it’s going to be difficult you know, every Premier League game.”
“But Watford I think are a very good team. They play a lot long balls to their strikers. Again it’s a different test to us, but you know we’re confident. We like to keep this momentum like we do now so let’s focus on this next game.”
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