Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s awful defeat to Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur hit a massive speed bump in their race for the top four this afternoon, losing 1-0 to Brighton at home and dropping three huge points. Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match: Top four race – I think some fans and pundits were acting like the race […]
The post Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s awful defeat to Brighton appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.
Tottenham Hotspur hit a massive speed bump in their race for the top four this afternoon, losing 1-0 to Brighton at home and dropping three huge points.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:
Top four race – I think some fans and pundits were acting like the race is done. However, we have seen Spurs’ inconsistencies enough to know things can change so much from week to week. If Arsenal or Man United win a game of two, they are right back level with Spurs. Tottenham are not going to breeze this race for Champions League football. If they want to get fourth, they need to perform.
Tottenham showed nothing – Much like the first half of the Aston Villa match, Tottenham showed absolutely nothing. There was no overlapping from the wing-backs. Son struggled to turn and drive. The ball just bounced off Kane. The midfield was completely overrun. But most of all, there was no energy. It seemed as though Spurs were waiting in second gear, but never actually pounced. Honestly, I have no idea how to even unpick it.
Missing Doherty – It feels strange to say this considering he wasn’t even a starter a few months ago, but Spurs missed any type of progression on either flank this afternoon. I only remember Reguilon getting forward twice in the match, while Emerson really struggled to get involved down the right. As we know with Conte’s system, if the wing-backs thrive, the system thrives – but the opposite can be said when the wing-backs struggle.
Kulusevski a very lucky boy – We haven’t seen a violent or frustrated side to Kulusevski so far this season, perhaps because everything has been going swimmingly. But with Cucurella pressing him high and nibbling at his ankles, the Swedish winger appeared to swing an elbow in retaliation. The only thing that saved him was perhaps the fact he did not make much contact – although I personally would not have been able to complain if the referee went for his red card on intent alone. This is the time of the season for cool heads, something Spurs were lacking today.
More emphasis on the summer – This has been clear for a long time, but the defeat serves as a reminder of how much Tottenham need to improve the squad in the summer. Yes, Conte has found 11 players who are playing well together but that is a long way short of what you need. If one or two of those players has a bad game, the entire thing falls apart, as it did today. Spurs need quality from top to bottom, and Levy needs to give Conte the funds to make that happen this summer.
Have something to tell us about this article?
The post Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s awful defeat to Brighton appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.