What is Wrong with and How to Fix the Tottenham Defense

How Tottenham Can Fix the Defense

The long-term solution to fixing the Tottenham defense is going to require multiple windows to change out players as most of the room is contracted for at least 2 more seasons – a whole different story. With no new windows opening and Ledley King not able to strap it up anymore, Spurs are going to have to fix things with what they have and it is possible and it starts with the fullbacks.

Tottenham need to play their fullbacks at fullbacks

It is not very in-vogue at the moment for fullbacks to play fullback, but it is what Tottenham needs. The reason three – not five – but three defenders has worked for Tottenham is it has meant more coverage in the flanks and less need for Sissoko and Hujbjerg to get out of position.

Well if Tottenham were to deploy the fullbacks as actual fullbacks who play with a defensive first approach covering the space on the outside of the two center-halves, then suddenly the need to have players scrambling to recover becomes less and the protection the center-halves need is in place. This gets us to the second point and the person who was supposed to protect the defense to begin with Pierre Højbjerg.

Pierre Højbjerg needs to protect the defense first and foremost

Pierre Højbjerg was brought to Tottenham to protect the defense and add steal to the midfield. The Dane certainly did that early in the season and then showed he could do more and as such has taken on more responsibility with the ball. While this seems like a good idea, it ultimately is taking Pierre Højbjerg away from what he does best, which is read the game and react defensively.

When running out to the wing to cover, Højbjerg loses sight of the full field and is being drug away from the most dangerous areas of the pitch the middle. Additionally, while we have seen Højbjerg do well on the ball, when he is too far up in the attack, if he is dispossessed the team is left exposed.

Ultimately, if you break things down his individual statistics from whoscored.com and look at Tottenham wins, Højbjerg is averaging more key passes (.5) on fewer attempts (67) in those victories. Versus the Tottenham losses where Højbjerg has (.17) key passes and 75 passes per match. The differences may seem trivial, but the more Højbjerg is working with the ball up the pitch, the less he is able to do his job, which is protect the defense and the less return Spurs see.

Pierre Højbjerg is best when he is play one or two touch football and pushing up the field from the back or into the final third from the midfield in support of everyone else. In those instances where Pierre can see the field and attack the football, he is at his best. If we have Højbjerg serving as the hub of the passing attack, things are going to go nowhere, as that is not his game ask Southampton.

Pick the Best Partner for Joe Rodon and Move Forward

Honestly, I am not sure if this is Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, or maybe Japhet Tanganga, but we know it is not Eric Dier who should partner with Joe Rodon. At this point, if Rodon makes mistakes, at least he has the excuse of being inexperienced. With the rest of the players, it is becoming quite apparent they simply are not good enough.

Alderweireld is getting no younger and his best days are behind him. Both Sanchez and Dier have World Cup experience and are full fledged internationals yet continue to make some of the same mistakes they have made since first arriving at the club. At least with Rodon and even Tanganga, one can think they can learn from errors and improve as it is becoming obvious the rest of the players are not as they continue to make the same, bad mental errors.

If Spurs are going to make mental mistakes in the back, I would rather they be made by a young player who maybe will not make them again, than continue to go through the insanity of thinking someone is going to change who obviously cannot. Further the need to move people and position people specifically to cover for other players physical limitations only enhances the problems for Tottenham. If a player is simply not good enough, the club needs to see it and move on.

If Spurs can start actually playing with some fullbacks, can get Højbjerg back to his protective self, and start building around Joe Rodon, maybe, just maybe the defense can start improving, instead of continuing to get worse.