We must always most likely get it out of the way in which early on. Sunday was not good for Tottenham.
Within the 2-0 defeat to Leicester, they gave away two very avoidable targets. They appeared open every time the guests countered and most of their possession got here when the ball was three storeys up within the air.
With Tanguy Ndombele substituted at half time and Giovani Lo Celso dragged off quickly after via damage, there was no inventive spark. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane could not hyperlink up as continuously as they’ve in latest months, and the broad attackers introduced on as substitutes both ran themselves into lifeless ends or misplaced the ball.
It was unhealthy. Actually unhealthy. Most definitely the worst efficiency for the reason that opening day defeat to Everton, which had us all questioning whether or not the route the membership had chosen was the appropriate one.
However there ought to be some caveats. Typically it is arduous to not be immediately reviled by such a efficiency, however in some methods it ought to be anticipated. With each 2-0 sh**home victory over a Manchester Metropolis or Arsenal, there could be the occasional loss to a aspect who outperformed Spurs and caught them on the proper time.
One constructive is that Jose Mourinho has only one final Premier League recreation on this horrendous run of fixtures to barter – away to Wolves – earlier than kinder wanting fixtures in opposition to Fulham and Leeds, each of that are at residence.
Nonetheless, a change in tact is evidently wanted. There was no guile or subtlety to Tottenham’s assault on Sunday, with each Kane and Son looking of kinds as Leicester pressed and asserted themselves impressively on the house aspect.
Who do Tottenham flip to for attacking dividends when these two aren’t firing? Not many have put their arms up up to now this season.
However what received Tottenham followers again over with Mourinho earlier within the season had been the brutal attacking shows at each Southampton and Manchester United. Video games during which they performed with out shackles and confirmed how rapidly they will transfer in transition.
Nobody can deny the gruelling results from their fixture checklist are beginning to present, however Spurs want to indicate extra urgency proper from the off. They should assault video games extra positively slightly than ready for the second to catch opponents with their pants down.
The best resolution to that drawback could be Ndombele and Lo Celso partnering one another in central midfield, however they have been on completely different schedules for many of the 12 months, the previous enjoying within the Premier League and the latter within the Europa League.
Moussa Sissoko’s common inclusion in league XIs has been one cause for that. The Frenchman is so, so efficient in video games the place Spurs can fortunately give up possession, just like the wins in opposition to Metropolis and Arsenal.
Nevertheless it’s a unique story in opposition to sides like Leicester. The guests had their moments in possession, however Spurs noticed extra of the ball after going 2-0 down. Sissoko is hardly the participant to unlock a decent defence. It isn’t Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Harry Winks’ forte, both.
As a substitute, they needed to flip to the deep-lying Kane, Gareth Bale and Lucas Moura to create alternatives for Son as Leicester headed away lengthy ball after lengthy ball.
The final time Tottenham attacked a recreation ferociously was in opposition to West Ham. A 3-0 lead was established very quickly, however the late collapse scarred Mourinho. The outcomes picked up afterwards as an emphasis was positioned on negating opponents, however that has come on the detriment of attacking aptitude.
Mourinho realized from that West Ham calamity. Now he has to do the identical from a run of three video games during which Tottenham have picked up only one level.
It is a foolish season and Stoke within the Carabao Cup are up subsequent, earlier than the league conflict in opposition to Wolves. It is hardly time to panic, however it will not be a trigger for optimism if Tottenham place their ten outfield gamers behind the ball on the bet365 Stadium.
For extra from Jude Summerfield, observe him on Twitter!