Tottenham can't underestimate the value of their own scalp

What at first looked like another tame, easily winnable fixture for Tottenham at Crystal Palace turned into anything but over the last month.

Palace have claimed the scalps of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool since the beginning of April, and look to add Tottenham to the list before the month is out.

Mauricio Pochettino knows that a win is not only needed but expected after Saturday’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup.

Consequently, he can’t saunter into Selhurst Park on Wednesday and assume that this match is already won. That, in part, is what doomed the aforementioned teams. They lined up against the Eagles expecting a win and came out looking decidedly second best.

Palace’s success of late, and their virtually assured safety in the Premier League, isn’t just about being underestimated however. Much credit must go to Sam Allardyce, who took a floundering side and worked his usual magic.

That magic was at the center of all three April victories. It involved what, many would say, is the embodiment of proper English soccer. It was physical. It prioritized the wings. It declined to be all that concerned with things like possession.

Which is to say that, compared to the vogue tactics played by those three sides, Palace’s efforts looked practically pre-modern. They weren’t supposed to work against the more cultured, more monied classes.

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Yet they have. Despite never cracking 28 percent possession in any of those three matches, Palace won all three — out-shooting both Arsenal and Liverpool along the way. These weren’t narrow, lucky victories. This is a team who nullified the strengths of supposedly superior sides while playing their own game to a T.

Allardyce wrung the absolute best out of this current Palace squad though, just as he had before with Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland. He knows how craft teams capable of surprises, even if he might never win the league.

All the same, Palace have only lost one of their last eight matches and sit in 12th place coming into their match against Tottenham. Survival for another season in the English top flight is virtually assured. They will be playing on Wednesday as much for pride as points.

Regardless, Pochettino can’t bring his side to Selhurst Park believing that this win is in the bag. Spurs might be the most in-form team in the Premier League at the moment, but Palace will thrive on that sense of expectation.

They will allow Tottenham as much time on the ball as the visitors desire. They will afford them space up to a point, and content themselves with those rare moments where they regain possession of the ball.

Former Tottenham man Andros Townsend will be key to that latter effort, and Pochettino would do well to construct his team around preventing the England international from getting any joy down the defensive right.

Townsend will be aiming his crosses to Belgian striker Christian Benteke, scorer of both goals in the weekend’s win over Liverpool. Jan Vertonghen — Spurs’ primary aerial defender — will have it work cut out for him.

Spurs can cut off Townsend and Benteke’s momentum at its source if they can gain control of midfield early. Yohan Cabaye is enjoying a bit of renaissance of late, with his distribution key to Palace’s lightning counters.

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It’s not an unfamiliar situation for Spurs. What still is novel, though, is the level of importance matches like these now hold. While Champions League football is all but guaranteed, the chance for a title is still out there. Last season Pochettino’s men faltered at this exact moment. They can’t let that happen again.

Tottenham can’t underestimate the value of their own scalp

By Ryan Wrenn | Apr 25, 2017

What at first looked like another tame, easily winnable fixture for Tottenham at Crystal Palace turned into anything but over the last month.