It’s plain to see, Tottenham Hotspur are failing tactically

Frustration mounts as Tottenham re-enters the cycle of ‘supporters know best’, with current tactics and formations not having the desired effect.

On Wednesday night against Southampton, Tottenham’s midfield duo, Harry Winks and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, were overrun and pulled out of position, leaving a shaky defence exposed on multiple occasions.

On Sunday afternoon against Wolves, Winks and Rodrigo Bentancur were overrun and pulled out of position, leaving a shaky and now-low in confidence defence exposed.

In fact, in the second half of the cup game against Brighton, Tottenham’s midfield duo became overrun, but luckily to no avail for Brighton.

Getting the message?

There have been games this season where Antonio Conte has used a 3-5-2. Leicester City is a great example. Yes, we conceded, but the football was far more electric and intense than what we’ve witnessed since.

Tottenham have very little talent in depth. I love Harry Winks for the story he embodies, but not for the player he has become.

Against Wolves, he gave the ball away countless times and then, as per usual, was alarmingly quick to point blame at colleagues he barely managed to pass to, as if to say, ‘why couldn’t you retrieve my terrible pass’.

Bentancur looks far more silky and elegant. He is seemingly the player that Winks is meant to be. He gave the ball away on a couple of occasions, but still added a different element of quality to the middle of the park. One that Tottenham fans would be appreciating further if it wasn’t for the failings of our forwards against Wolves.

Since Conte’s arrival, Spurs haven’t conceded a goal in the five matches when Eric Dier, Oliver Skipp and Hojbjerg all start. However, in the other seven games Spurs have conceded 13 goals.

Dier is a true system player who knows how to effectively communicate. Regardless of what you think of his individual capabilities, he was in good form before his injury and very clearly enjoys leading the defensive unit.

Without Dier, there’s an obvious lack of communication. Look at the quality of goals we’re conceding. Players flapping, out of position and often in no-man’s land, which happens distinctly less with Dier on the pitch.

Dier’s presence alone might have prevented Ben Davies’ stupid attempted pass out of the back on Sunday. Instead of hitting an unlucky fan in row Z, to at least momentarily ease the pressure, the Welshman decided to play a soft clearance straight into the heart of Wolves’ pressing midfield. We all know what happened thereafter. Dier, through bellowing instructions, might have dissuaded the Welshman from the nonsensical error.

Dier brings the best out of Davies, even Davinson Sanchez, another player who has now lost any form and confidence.

Sunday’s defeat saw more changes to the starting 11, but not tactically speaking. Ryan Sessegnon and Matt Doherty were given a go, but ended up replicating the poor end product of Emerson Royal a few days prior.

Sessegnon was hooked moments after the second goal, barely 20 minutes into the game. The Englishman has a lot of quality in training, but cannot replicate it on matchday, such is the heightened intensity and physicality of the Premier League.

In Conte’s preferred 3-4-3 system, so many Spurs players wither, many of whom in vital positions. Not like there are non-vital positions! So when will Conte transition to a different formation, one that doesn’t set up an already subpar side for failure before kickoff?

It’s something fans can see, the pundits see and yet management stubbornly ignores. We’ve been here before, as recently as Nuno. It’s a cycle that I hope Conte breaks, rather than perpetuates.

Our next game brings the seemingly impossible challenge of Manchester City away. One that I have such little hope for I almost shouldn’t watch. But I will, as Spurs supporters always do.