Ange Postecoglou previews Spurs’ clash with Wolves
Tottenham were stunned by Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as the home side launched a late comeback to claim a 2-1 victory. Brennan Johnson’s early goal was cancelled out by Pablo Sarabia’s strike in stoppage time at the end of the match, before Mario Lemina won the game right at the death. The result means Spurs stay behind top of the table Manchester City ahead of the Citizens’ clash with Chelsea on Sunday. And Lilywhites manager Ange Postecoglou was furious at times during the encounter as Spurs failed to hit their stride.
Tottenham took the lead under three minutes into the encounter as Johnson turned in Pedro Porro’s cross. But the away team struggled to assert their dominance on the game as the hosts went on the front foot and pinned them back.
Wolves had chance after chance to get on the scoreboard but were wasteful in front of goal as a string of efforts were off target. And the away team were also indebted to their keeper Guglielmo Vicario, who made a number of fine saves. But Spurs were unable to cling on to the victory as Pablo Sarabia lashed the ball into the back of the net in the 91st minute before Lemina found the back of the net at the death.
Postecoglou was seen shouting “get up” at his players during the first half as they struggled to find the energy the Australian’s high-pressing style of play requires. And Express Sport takes a look at four problems the Lilywhites have…
James Maddison’s absence
James Maddison has been so influential for this Tottenham side during the early stages of his Spurs career and bagged three goals and five assists before succumbing to injury at the start of the week. He is expected to be unavailable until next year and his absence will sting the side over the coming weeks. Spurs will still carve out chances under Postecoglou but the team won’t have their talisman to orchestrate attacks and impact the players around him.
Too open at the back
It will come as no surprise to learn that Tottenham were exposed at the back during their trip to Molineux. Postecoglou’s attacking style of football means his team are often vulnerable at the other end of the pitch. Wolves had a hatful of chances and should have found the back of the net on more occasions than they ultimately did. Spurs will come unstuck against a myriad of teams this season and it is only a matter of time before they are given a hiding if they play this openly.
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Lack of discipline
Tottenham are not a disciplined side. They were reduced to nine men against Chelsea on Monday night as Cristian Romero and Destiny Odogie were given their marching orders, and also picked up bookings against Wolves. Postecoglou’s team gave away a whole host of free-kicks in the Black Country and will concede plenty of goals from set-pieces this season if they continue to allow rival teams the opportunity to ping the ball into the box. Yves Bissouma faces a one-match ban now after his fifth yellow of the campaign here.
Lack of squad depth
Eric Dier hadn’t even made it onto the pitch this season under Postecoglou before coming on in the first half to firm up the defence against Chelsea. But he started against Wolves, with Ben Davies beside him. At the other end of the pitch Johnson got his goal but barely threatened afterwards. And if Tottenham have realistic intentions of competing for the Premier League title, they will need to bring in some more top-class players during the January transfer window you feel.
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