What I learned from Tottenham Win at Huddersfield Town
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham fought hard to earn a 2-0 victory at John Smith Stadium over Huddersfield Town Saturday afternoon. In the process I learned a few things about Spurs.
Tottenham can win in more than 1 way
As I said in my match report, the line-up on Saturday was a bit of a surprise. Not the formation, but the lack of a true central attacking midfielder meant it was going to take a longer pass from the back to link-up with Harry Kane and company in the front.
Instead of dominating possession and looking to unlock a defensive Terriers side, Pochettino had clearly done his homework and knew Huddersfield would take to the possession and attack at home. After about 10 minutes of adjustment, Spurs began playing longer balls over the top and into the attacking three. This meant the counter was on, or at least it had the potential to be.
Maybe this is all in preparation for Barcelona on Wednesday, where we may sit back at Wembley and hit them back on the counter. Given our three most creative midfielders did not play today, in Dele Alli, Erik Lamela or the injured Christian Eriksen; who knows what Pochettino has in mind for Wednesday, we can only hypothesize.
Regardless, the counter attacking worked in the first half leading to two goals and a lead Tottenham wouldn’t relinquish. The game showed Tottenham does have a plan B and are even willing to use it as plan A in some circumstances.
Spurs Midfield Needs Harry Winks
With the added element of speed from Lucas Moura this season Tottenham have been playing more long balls. The over the top ball can work, but it asks a lot of the striker.
With a long ball into the striker, they must hold it and decide quickly to hold or flick and where, all with a 6 foot, 200+ pound man running into their back like an NFL safety. If the ball is over the top, they must run onto the ball and try to bring a bouncing or flighted ball moving away from them under control at top speed.
While Spurs have the skills with Kane, Son, Lucas, and Dele to do this, consider this long-ball against the through-ball.
The through-ball is a pass that comes in on the ground, between the defenders, in front of the attacker for them to run on to. Now the striker can run in behind a more controllable ball and begin the attack of his choosing. Harry Winks is the best Spur with this pass.
Winks has played three or four critical through balls in the last two games that have led to Tottenham counters. Even more importantly, these balls typically come off the dribble and from deep. Winks’ range of pass and skill on the dribble gives Tottenham the best deep lying option to connect defense and attack, when healthy of course.
