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Matchday Live: West Brom v Tottenham

By Ryan Wrenn

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mauricio Pochettino during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on October 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /
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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur challenges Darren Fletcher of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at The Hawthorns on October 15, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur challenges Darren Fletcher of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur at The Hawthorns on October 15, 2016 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Half-time Thoughts

The scoreline might not speak much to it, but this match is unfolding very differently than Tottenham’s two 1-1 draws against West Brom last season.

In those two matches Tottenham managed five shots on goal total, while sacrificing a decent amount of chances from West Brom on the other end.

Today, Tottenham have taken ten attempts on goal, five of which have been on target. As in: as many in one half of football as they did in 180 minutes last season.

Meanwhile, West Brom have been limited to just two shots, with Salomón Rondón managing a chance on target late in the half.

West Brom owe a tremendous debt to Ben Foster already, and there’s no telling if he can keep up his acrobatic performance through the entire match.

As for Tottenham, they might be pleasently surprised by the contributions of Janssen. This was the role he was attempting to play against CSKA Moscow: hold up man. He’s taken just one shot, but has been a crucial component of serving into play the midfield runners coming up behind and around him. Per Who Scored, his passes have created two chances so far.

What can Tottenham do differently in the second half? Really, just keep on keeping on. Make sure they continue to test Foster; he’s bound to fail eventually.

West Brom look a bit scattered in defense in contrast, unable to stop players from getting chances on Foster’s goal. Chadli and Rondón both look relatively isolated at the top of the formation. Allan Nyom looks close to a yellow, if not perhaps being sent off.

One point of danger: James McClean. The Irish international’s looked dangerous today, and the full-backs will have to remain vigilant. He’s going to try to force the issue on both flanks if he can.

Check back at full-time for some final thoughts!