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Exploring Tottenham loss to Watford

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Wembley Stadium on April 30, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Wembley Stadium on April 30, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 30: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur makes a save from Andre Gray of Watford whilst Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Wembley Stadium on April 30, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 30: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur makes a save from Andre Gray of Watford whilst Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Wembley Stadium on April 30, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Okay, I get it, the job of balancing three international center-halves is difficult. But at times the three in the back works and other times it looks like Jan and Toby are doing everything they can to not involve Davison Sanchez in the game. In the first half, when it appeared that Sanchez was playing a more traditional sweeper role things kind of worked.

Sanchez was running with the men coming behind Alderwiereld and Vertongen and was stepping up for those through-ball attempts in the middle. Classic 1990s soccer. This works particularly well in allowing Toby and Jan to move upfield at a wider angle, in theory making the long diagonal balls easier. The problem is, Jan rarely plays the long diagonal ball, and everyone is beginning to press on Toby and Kieran Trippier, making that pass more difficult, particularly if the ball stalls coming across the middle.

In the second half, Toby and Jan were more pinched, making the angles more difficult for Sanchez and putting too much pressure on the wing-backs. Ultimately, none of the defenders really attacked the ball on either goal conceded and Alderwiereld was withdrawn for Harry Winks, with 5 minutes left in the 90.

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