Admittedly, there are some that will be reading this thinking “how can there be positives from a game we conceded six in”, and that’s fair. Totally. In fact plenty will have read the caption, shook their head, and clicked elsewhere. Completely get that. This is just to try and add some balance to the understandable frustration within the fanbase.
Glass half full perspective from the defeat to Liverpool
We saw Dominic Solanke make it three goals in two games. Three goals in fewer than 72 hours. You may read this and think “well, good for him – but doesn’t do anything for Spurs”. Having your striker, who has been criticised for not scoring too many this season, get three in two is very encouraging, and can help Ange’s side down the line.
Given everything else that he brings, in terms of pressing and link up – if he can start scoring consistently, he will be absolutely huge for Spurs. Six goals in 14 Premier League games is not anything crazy – but had he scored in the 5-0 demolishing of Southampton, a game where he was still able to make an impact – he would be on one in two.
Furthermore, he has three assists, and has created five big chances. His goals have Spurs in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. His assist vs Rangers has top eight qualification in their hands (Rangers play Manchester United in their next game). All of this in a new team, new system, new manager, etc.
Again, perhaps simplistic – but the consistent productivity of James Maddison this season further continued. We know he can be a confidence player, so scoring again should help his performances in the coming games. This also for Brennan Johnson, to get a hard worked for assist for Solanke. His numbers have dropped, so that will have done him good ahead of the coming games.
Finally, Rodrigo Bentancur is now back from suspension. Although he had a good game against United, Yves Bissouma was again poor today. His defensive awareness is genuinely abysmal. Having Bentancur back will be huge for Spurs. It is another game closer to having the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven back in action.
Pretty hard to come by, but those are a few things to cling onto ahead of the game against Nottingham Forest and former manager Nuno Espirito Santo on Boxing Day.