Three areas Ange will want to improve at Tottenham
By Gary Pearson
3. Tottenham's expected goals against
Tottenham's fast and furious play comes with inherent risk, particularly when employing the attack-first system without your top two centre-backs for extended periods. Cristian Romero missed five games through injury and suspension, in which Tottenham lost three, tied one, and won one.
Spurs allowed 11 goals in those three matches. Tottenham won four, lost four, and drew one without Micky van de Ven. In those nine matches, Tottenham conceded 16 goals. According to Understat.com, Spurs have 42.44 expected goals against, the Premier League's fifth-highest. They've conceded 35 goals for a +7.44 ratio, reinforcing Guglielmo Vicario's brilliance in his first season at Tottenham.
2. Number of points dropped from winning positions
Letting points slip through their collective hands isn't a novel problem for Spurs, who endured all sorts of difficulties holding onto the lead during Jose Mourinho's reign. This season, however, is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Spurs have conceded eight goals in the 90th minute or later, including Everton's last-gasp equalizer on Saturday, their most in any Premier League campaign to date.
Two of those eight concessions occurred against a nine-man Tottenham in stoppage time against Chelsea when the match had already been decided. Still, Ange must find a way to shore things up at the death.
1. Number of dropped points from a winning position
Only two teams have dropped more points from winning positions. This issue correlates to Ange's risk-forward approach, as the Aussie gaffer rarely tinkers with tactics, formation, or strategy, regardless of the score or stage of a match.
Spurs have dropped 18 points from winning positions. Only Nottingham Forest (19) and Brentford (23) have dropped more. Contrastingly, Spurs have rescued 13 points from losing positions, the joint-third most.
To a large extent, all of the aforementioned defensive issues come with the territory of playing so relentlessly in attack. While there is no chance of Ange altering his mindset or philosophy, having van de Ven and Romero back should help.
While those two players are crucial to shoring things up, Ange must find other ways to become less porous at crucial times. It's the only way Tottenham will ascend to the top of the Premier League table and consistently challenge for titles and silverware.