Tottenham’s Danny Rose Has Mixed Feelings After Draw
Tottenham have started the season off slowly once again.
Although Tottenham secured a one-all draw thanks to Danny Rose’s equalizer, he had mixed feelings about the game in general.
It’s not surprising to come away from the match and feeling a bit down after trailing for the second time in the first three games.
But it is better than losing two games to start off the 2016-17 season.
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The only thing Spurs can do now is move onto the next game.
Trying to snap out of this funk won’t be easy because this is the third consecutive game where they have looked sub-par at best.
For Rose, he said they have not played up to the standards they have set since Mauricio Pochettino arrived.
And it’s hard to argue with the 26-year-old, as Tottenham have played much better before.
“For the first hour I was wondering where the chance might come from,” Danny Rose said (via Tottenham’s official site).
“It’s fair to say we didn’t play as well as we did last weekend against Palace and we were all disappointed at half-time [against Liverpool] because we know the standards we’ve set under the manager.”
“If we don’t win games the aim is not to lose and we’re happy we managed to get a point but at the same time we’re disappointed we didn’t play as well as we can and create more chances.”
One thing that Rose makes clear, if Spurs can’t win a game, then the next best thing is to fight for a draw.
Only getting a point would be bad if Tottenham were the better team in their opening three games, but they haven’t been good.
They’ve looked sub-par at best. At worst, they look like they have never played together before.
Therefore, it’s remarkable that they managed to score two equalizers against Everton and Liverpool respectively.
But draws are not enough. Wins must start happening soon if Spurs wish to make it back into the top four.
And in order to start winning games, a lot of improvement must begin at the training ground.
Mauricio Pochettino could go over passing, defense, finishing and working on that final ball to set up a goal.
Either way, whatever Spurs have done so far has not worked. They have looked worse with each game they have played.
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To begin with, the defense must improve following a disappointing showing against Liverpool.
One clear reason could be because of Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama still not getting on the same page, which is not surprising.
A two defensive midfield system has never be implemented since Pochettino arrived.
It’s always been a holding mid and a central mid pairing: Nabil Bentaleb/Ryan Mason and Eric Dier/Mousa Dembélé.
“I’m sure it was a great game for the neutral but there are a few things we’ll need to tidy up,” Rose continued.
“Michel [Vorm] had to come tearing off his line a few times throughout the game and that’s not good enough from us as a whole.”
“Thankfully, we’ve two outstanding goalkeepers at the club who can rush off their line like that and make world-class decisions.”
“It’s big thanks to Michel today.”
Tottenham ended last season with the joint-best defensive record alongside Manchester United, and although it was always tough to repeat that feat this year.
There have been no changes to their starting backline. The only major addition to the starting lineup however is Wanyama.
He has been brought in to serve as Eric Dier’s backup but is currently playing alongside Dier while Dembélé serves a suspension.
Hugo Lloris is injured, but the play of Michel Vorm has made that point moot.
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Because Mousa Dembélé plays an integral part in Mauricio Pochettino’s offense and defense with his ability to read the game, pick out a good pass and win the ball back.
The Belgian international’s absence has been felt in the opening three games, and dating back to late last season.
Victor Wanyama has looked good individually, but his role in the starting XI is effectively neutralizing Dier’s game.