Tottenham continue to be own worst enemy on defense in latest Leeds loss

Tottenham do not mark men

It is bad enough Tottenham cannot clear the ball but they compound matters by continually not marking men on defense. I am not saying Spurs need to be man-to-man all over the pitch like Leeds but again at the youngest of ages, defenders are taught to find a man and mark them in the box.

On the second goal, after the DIer turnover, Tottenham managed to get seven defenders into the box, plus Hugo Lloris. Yet of those seven men only 1 got goalside of a player – Dele Alli – and only 1 tried to attack the ball and prevent a cross – Giovani Lo Celso. Five other field players – all four defenders plus Højbjerg stood and watched the play happen.

On the first goal, Højbjerg was in the box, checked three times seeing Sergio Reguilón had two men, and never once took even two steps back to help him defend. That kind of inept play in the box is inexcusable. Højbjerg is supposed to be a leader on this team and he does not even know the basics of getting goalside of an attacker in the box?

Leeds third goal was just embarrassing for Spurs

The third goal was probably the worst of the bunch as it showed a team that simply lacked the will and determination to make a play. While the first two goals both included a slew of poor fundamentals, the third goal was just poor effort.

The play started with Lucas Moura completely out of position in the middle of the box walking to get back. Seeing this as the ball went wide, Serge Aurier pressed, which was a mistake. Before Aurier could even start to apply real pressure the ball was passed by him and his man was running past him and the Spurs were beaten.

No one really got back to help Eric Dier and Lloris on the play. Yes, Dier should have been more alert to get the offside call but that is no reason for no one to help. Tanguy Ndombele was just substituted on and he got beaten down the pitch. Erik Lamela was just substituted on and he only got to midfield. As everyone was jogging back only a terrible mistake by Leeds was going to let Spurs off the hook. Of course, that never happened and that was the match and likely the season for Tottenham.

All season long Spurs have been their own worst enemy and it was again the case against Leeds. Tottenham needs a coach to get back to basics and teach badly missing fundamentals AND a complete overhaul. Unfortunately, we are likely to get neither this summer.