Spurs Need to Watch Their Flanks Against Bournemouth

While Spurs’ were able to walk away with a victory last time out against Bournemouth, they began the game immediately on the back foot.

Bournemouth left-back Charlie Daniels surged down Kyle Walker’s flank and sent a lofted ball across the pitch to find Matt Richie on the opposite flank. Danny Rose flubbed his chance to stop the Bournemouth winger, and Richie promptly scored. Less than a minute had passed since the first whistle.

Spurs’ offense – particularly Harry Kane – proved too much for Bournemouth over the full 90 minutes, but it’s hard to ignore the impression that Spurs were particularly frail when it came to defending crosses.

Similar problems had arisen prior to this match, most notably just three days prior in the 2-1 loss to Anderlecht in the Europa League. So much of Spurs’ defensive efforts were focused on preventing the opposition from finding shots in the sweet spot just in front of goal that occasionally it felt as if the flanks were neglected.

It hasn’t exactly been the weakness that it appeared to be over those two matches though. Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer and Jan Vertonghen have formed the core of the best defense in the Premier League, and the occasional vulnerability in wider areas hasn’t done much to upset Spurs’ campaign. Walker and Rose have also improved, diligently tracking back when out of possession.

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Though it’s easy to shrug off such issues, they can’t be outright ignored. The last eight games of the Premier League season are absolutely vital. Mauricio Pochettino himself has admitted that to remain in contention for the title, Spurs will have to do them damnedest to win every single one.

Vulnerabilities cannot be allowed to re-surface during that run. It takes one off game from Kane or any other member of the attack to make just one goal conceded have a huge impact. So how do Spurs protect their flanks, particularly against a team like Bournemouth who so actively attempt to exploit wider areas?

That effort will start far up the pitch. While Walker and Rose are each improved in their defensive duties, it’s vital that they avoid being overloaded. To that end, Érik Lamela and possibly Dele Alli’s aptitude from dropping deep and defending will be very important. Daniels and his counterpart on the right side of Bournemouth’s defense, former Spurs academy student Adam Smith, need to be kept in check. That can be accomplished not only by tracking back, but also by occupying the space they leave in behind them when Spurs inevitably press and regain possession. By reminding both players of their defensive duties, Spurs will keep their offensive influence limited.

Next: Who Will Start for Spurs Against Bournemouth?

Further back on the pitch, both of Spurs’ full-backs can expect to be assisted in defending by the central midfielders – likely Mousa Dembélé and Eric Dier – coming wide and pursuing either Richie or Max Gradel if they try to get in the game. Both Bournemouth players will likely be looking to target striker Benik Afobe with lofted balls. The former Arsenal man has a talent for aerial duels, and Spurs can’t let him express himself too much.

Though it might not be as glamorous as another Kane hat-trick, such sound defending are the rungs of the ladder Spurs climb to the title. They need firm footing in each and ever match from here on out.