What Tottenham must do defensively to stop Crystal Palace
By Aaron Coe
On Saturday Tottenham Hotspur visits Crystal Palace in an early must-win match for Patrick Vieira and the Eagles, here is how the Spurs can stop that from happening.
To say the fourth match of the season is a must-win is a bit of hyperbole but with a trip to Liverpool coming up and only two points through three games under a new coach, to say Palace needs a win is definitely an understatement. Playing at home mostly fit following the break, Palace is going to test Tottenham’s resolve.
If Tottenham can hit the keynotes offensively, and follow this defensive game plan, the Spurs should move to the rarified air of 4-0.
Defensive Point 1: Tottenham must stay compact defensively
Whereas last season Tottenham was often stretched defensively, thus far in 2021/22 the Spurs have been able to maintain a compact and connected defense. Crystal Palace is going to test togetherness by attacking Tottenham on the edges.
Expect Palace to look for longer-balls and counter attacks that particularly target their wide front men, Wilfried Zaha on the right and likely Jordan Ayew on the left. Ayew is a bit older than he used to be but he still can strike a ball and will consistently run hard at Tottenham for a good hour before coming off the pitch.
Zaha on the other hand is likely to be looking to get behind Sergio Reguilon and use his right foot, playing as the wide right-man in Vieira’s scheme. Both players will be looking to attack Tottenham on the edges and put balls into the box to Christian Benteke who is still a beast in the air.
Tottenham needs to maintain their discipline when defending on the edges, which means good tracking back from Dele Alli and Pierre Hojbjerg to assist the fullbacks. If the two center-halves and the deepest midfielder can all stay in the middle of the pitch it will limit the good looks Palace gets.
Besides maintaining their defensive discipline and shape here are a few more focal points for the Spurs defensively against Palace.