Tottenham Player Ratings – Son, Ndombele Lead Spurs v LASK

Tottenham Hotspur seemed stuck in the defensive mindset used against City and Chelsea, and never really getting going despite scoring 3 goals in the draw at LASK.

After four straight shutouts in all competitions coming into tonight, maybe Tottenham were due for an off evening. Or maybe it was playing Thursday in sub-zero weather just days before the North London Derby. Whatever, the issue was for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, the team had a tough time getting out of their own way in a lackluster 3-3 draw with LASK.

Given the poor performance as a team most of the individuals were poor as well, here are our ratings from the night.

Tottenham Starter Ratings

Joe Hart – 5

Jose Hart will get a lot of the heat for the end results on the night, as he probably should have saved at least one if not both of the first two goals conceded. The first knuckled right under his palm and may have just been unlucky. The second goal bounced in off Hart’s bicep. Anything that close must be blocked, not just deflected. There was nothing Hart could have done on the third goal. Unfortunately for Hart a couple nice saves earlier in the first half and some solid claims will be overshadowed by the three goals conceded and the nature of the first two.

Ben Davies – 6.5

Ben Davies night summed up the evening for many of the Spurs, which was simply a poor footballing display. While his performance nor Matt Doherty’s were somewhat attributable to the lack of support, they normally receive wide defensively, Davies passing was not good. Davies only completed 59% of his passes with these losses of possession leading to more pressure on the defense. It was a vicious cycle that Davies was one of the major contributors toward.

Japhet Tanganga – 7

Japhet Tanganga was not great on the evening, however he was the best of the lot defensively for Tottenham against LASK. While his passing was not any better than Davies or Doherty, his aggression in winning the ball was good to see. Tanganga won several headers to clear the ball – including one off the opening kickoff. Tanganga had six clearances, a couple interceptions and did play one nice diagonal ball too. Another performance for the young defender to build upon.

Davinson Sanchez – 7

Davinson Sanchez had an up and down night. On the one hand Sanchez completed the second most passes (39) at the highest rate (75%) of any starter for the team on the night. Sanchez also had eight clearances and a big block in the penalty area in the first half. However, Sanchez probably could have done better on the last two goals. On the second goal Sanchez gambled and stepped toward the ball as if to cut it off. The problem was the pass beat Sanchez and Eggestein was in one-on-one with Joe Hart. On the last goal Dier and Doherty both ran with attackers, but Sanchez did not step up to close the space and Karamoko had room to bend one around Joe Hart. Something has happened to Sanchez’ confidence, particularly late in games and he needs to get it fixed.

Matt Doherty – 6

Like Davies, Matt Doherty was overwhelmed by numbers most of the night. Even when he was not overwhelmed, he was making mistakes. It was Doherty making a poor touch, then slipping and falling that led to the first goal for LASK. Not getting the help from Sissoko he normally enjoys left Doherty often under pressure with the ball and without a lot of options. Doherty has played better and certainly did last time Spurs faced LASK.

Giovani Lo Celso – 6

Giovani Lo Celso was kind of active on the evening, sticking his nose in on a couple of tackles and making a partially mazy run only to be stuffed out. However, most of the evening Lo Celso looked like a man without a plan. Was he supposed to help Tanguy Ndombele link up with Son and the attack? Was he supposed to sit a bit deeper and help protect the backline? We probably will never know, but the first paring Lo Celso, Ndombele, Højbjerg in the midfield was effective and Ndombele and Højbjerg were not that bad.

Pierre Højbjerg – 6.5

Pierre Højbjerg was okay against LASK putting in a shift from box-to-attacking third. Højbjerg spent a lot more of his evening defending and trying to get into possession than he did playing with the ball in possession. Tied with Sanchez at 75% completion, this was the Højbjerg of Southampton alone protecting the back rather than the Højbjerg we have seen to date with Tottenham enjoying being the stud in a double pivot.

Tanguy Ndombele – 7.5

Tanguy Ndombele may have been the most active player on the pitch for Tottenham as worked desperately to try and provide some support to Heung-Min Son in the attack. With the midfield unbalanced throughout Ndombele was a complete box-to-box midfielder on the night and worked hard to win the ball and try to create possession. While his passing was not as good as we have seen, his continued directness eventually paid off when he stole the ball at midfield and played the perfect through ball to Son for Spurs second goal. Taken off a bit past the hour, Ndombele looks good and ready for the North London Derby.

Heung-Min Son – 7.5

Heung-Min Son did his best to replace Harry Kane on the evening, as he served as the main target main and striker for most of the night. Son showed he can lead the line and did a decent job overall as a target. Son won a couple headers even if no one ran off him. Son held the ball and played it back or got fouled. Son played the first touch ball back to hit the third man running, even if Spurs could not capitalize.

Lucas Moura – 6

Lucas Moura had an ineffective game overall. Barely on the ball Moura had one of those games where he seemed to just run around aimlessly. We have not seen this kind of performance from the Brazilian much since Mourinho arrived, but Moura just looked off most of the evening. Maybe it was the early yellow card that kept him from playing his game, but Lucas just was not Moura on the evening.

Gareth Bale – 7

Gareth Bale did nothing particularly great with the ball on the evening, although his overall effort was fantastic. Bale ran hard in both directions to try and defend as well as get up and move in the attack. His spacing and timing with Son never seemed to work, but it was not from a lack of trying. While his 4 shots sounds good, three were from three kicks – including the penalty he scored on the half-time whistle. His fourth shot was off the rebound from his second free kick, which hit the wall but not hands like the first. Still waiting for that moment, the effort will get him there.