Three Tottenham Hotspur Takeaways from Win Over Stoke

Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela Super Subs

Seeing Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela coming into the game for Tottenham had to be a bit dispiriting for Stoke on Wednesday. With Sissoko you get a try hard, with the physical ability to influence the game on both ends of the pitch. With Lamela you get a pain in the butt, who is likely to make something happen near the goal.

Moussa Sissoko’s steal and assist to Kane were a perfect example of how he can deliver in the right time and place. Fresh legs against a tired team is probably the perfect time and place for Sissoko to come into a match and exert his influence on the game. Add in that the man can play anywhere from fullback, to outside midfield, to holding midfield and you have yourself a do-it-all. Maybe Winks can get some more time moving forward, knowing Sissoko can come into a match and make a difference.

Erik Lamela on the other hand uses his physicality to make sure everyone knows he is on the field. Not the fastest or strongest on the pitch, Lamela is almost always the most aggressive. His willingness to annoy right up to the edge of being carded is a wonderful trait that endears Lamela to most Spurs fans.

Given Erik’s history of injuries and inability to stay on the field, maybe limiting his minutes as an impact substitute can help to make him available for longer periods in the season. Like Sissoko, Erik Lamela can play several positions offensively, out wide on either side, in the #10 hole or even as a striker if need be. Seeing Lamela running around again was a sight for sore eyes and like Dele and Winks, brings something different that only he has at the club.

That Goal Against was TOO Easy

It was not so much that Stoke scored, goals happen, rather it was how easily Stoke scored that should concern Tottenham. We know Dele lost the ball in midfield on what should have been a counterattack, but Spurs had enough time to get back into position and stop the Stoke counter. Instead, it took only 3-4 passes to break Tottenham down and level the score.

Stoke is a solid counter attacking team and looks to score on the break, so Spurs should not have been surprised by what happened. The fact that it took just a longball and a couple flicks to get behind the defense was a bit disturbing.

While Dier and Sanchez did well to win a lot of the long balls on the evening, they did not win them all. The fact that Spurs were beat to the first and second ball and then were beaten with just two passes is concerning. The lack of any pace in Spurs back line leaves little margin for error defensively. Add in the penchant for losing balls in midfield and suddenly the defense can look downright shaky.

Ultimately, Tottenham limited Stokes chances on goal and once they regained the lead never looked to lose it. However, Stoke’s goal shows it only takes a few momentarily lapse in concentration for Spurs to be pegged back and that the margin for error is razor thin. Adding some pace to the back line should be  priority in January, because Spurs sure need it.