Five keys to Tottenham topping Wolves in the Premier League
By Aaron Coe
When Tottenham Hotspur faces the Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday if the Spurs can implement their game plan they can take all three points.
The return of Spurs Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo to the Molineux – who spent four seasons at Wolves – may get the headlines coming into the match but the game will be decided if Tottenham can implement their game plan. While we saw midweek the depth at Tottenham may be questionable, the starting XI -12 if you include Harry Kane – are strong enough to beat the Wanderers if they play their game. Here are the keys to Tottenham Hotspur playing their game and beating the Wolves on Sunday.
Dealing with the trap
Wolverhampton is going to pressure the ball yet, stay compaction defense – just as Tottenham wants to do. However, under Bruno Lage, we can expect the Wolves to play with a slightly higher backline and try to pull the offside trap. This will be something we see more of from Wolves, particularly with new keeper Jose Sa from Olympiacos.
Sa was very aggressive last week against Leicester City coming off of his line and attacking the ball as a sweeper keeper. Jamie Vardy did get behind the defense and then rounded Sa in the box for a goal but was caught just offside as the defense stepped up.
The offside trap applied correctly can lead to a frustrating day or it can lead to a lot of chances. Tottenham has the opportunity to take advantage of both a depleted backline for Wolves – who are missing Willy Boly and Jonny among others – and an ultra-aggressive keeper. If Tottenham can just beat the trap once or twice or beat Sa to a 50/50 ball when he comes off his line, the Spurs could put a real hurting on the Wolves’ defense.
Besides beating the trap and sweeper keeper combination, here are two offensive and two defensive keys to success for Tottenham on Sunday.