Tottenham Player Ratings from Victory over Fulham
By Aaron Coe
Spurs Midfield Rankings
With a 3-4-3 line-up it was clear that the Spurs plan was to push up the flanks, using the wings to create width and cross the ball into the box. The approach was somewhat successful, with both goals coming from headers off crosses, although neither wing played on the ball that led to the goal. Given the team managed to play some 30+ crosses during the match, the approach seemed to be successful.
Danny Rose – 7
Danny Rose had a difficult first half. He struggled to get to the end line and produce a cross as Christie and Odoi looked to close the space available. The second half was a bit of a different story for Rose, as he was able to maraud up and down the left touchline with more freedom. While the wing was booked for a dive. It appeared one of the many poor calls by Craig Paulson in the game and should have earned Tottenham a free kick just outside the box. While it wasn’t classic Danny Rose, the Rose of the second half was more of what the team needed.
Harry Winks – 8
Harry Winks was the full-time hero, as his late header gave all three points to Spurs. However, I can’t help but feel like we should still be getting more from Winks. If not for the late goal, his rating would be a bit lower. Yes, Winks attempted the most passes for Spurs, with 102 attempts, completing 91 for second on the team. However, 70 of those 91 completions were either sideways or backwards. Winks did make a few runs forward with the ball, however, his play is often too passive and lacks a cutting edge.
All this said, after Eric Dier entered the fray, it was obvious that Winks felt more comfortable in the attack, playing more of a box-to-box midfielder than as a holding midfielder. It was this switch that allowed Winks to press forward and ultimately head home the winner. Yes, Harry Winks is an effective holding midfielder, but he adds so much more to the team when he can push forward and attack. Let’s hope with a healthy Eric Dier we will see more of this moving forward from Winks.
Christian Eriksen – 7
The Dane played okay against Fulham, with his biggest contribution being the cross that Dele Alli headed home for the tying goal. Eriksen did manage to get three shots off during the contest, but none of the three were on goal. Given the injuries and lack of other options on the field, Spurs really need Eriksen to step up moving forward. Let’s hope we get more from him than we did today.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Kieran Trippier has had games where he has made more of an impact for Spurs than he did versus Fulham. Trippier stayed glued to the touchline and was constantly available as an outlet for Spurs opposite Danny Rose. However, like Rose, Trippier didn’t have a big impact on the game on either end. Tripps did manage to send in 8 crosses, but half of those were corner kicks. On a day where the side was set up to play wide and cross the ball in for opportunities at goal, we’ve all seen Kieran Trippier do it better.