Scouting Tottenham - the good and the bad
Just as it would be folly to think that Tottenham were a bad side after their 2-0 defeat to Bolton, it would be equally inept to think after the 2-0 home win against Sheffield United that Tottenham were a complete side.
It would be unwise to judge Tottenham on anything other than their strength of personnel and performances on the pitch. And in two highly contrasting matches in the last week, there is much to think about.
The Good
Robbie Keane, Berbatov and Aaron Lennon are Tottenham’s version of Rooney, Saha and Ronaldo (or Henry, van Persie and Walcott - whatever comparison you wish to make here) although not in the same class and form the core of Tottenham’s attacking threat. Lennon has quickly become the most-talked about right-winger along with Ronaldo (although Lennon is usually mentioned for the ‘right’ reasons) and if he can learn to impose himself on the game he will be Tottenham’s most valuable player this season.
Berbatov reminds me of a ballet dancer - that’s not meant as an insult, but only as my perception of his skillful footwork and slick passing. He’s a stylish player who has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. On a football pitch, that’s a golden trait to have. However, as I said earlier, the man needs to be physically stronger and more involved in the game, otherwise he could struggle against the top sides.
Robbie Keane was simply amazing in the first 30 minutes of the Sheffield United game and continued to cause them a lot of problems even after David Unsworth was instructed to man-mark the Tottenham captain. As good as Berbatov and Lennon are, Keane remains the key to Tottenham’s success this season provided that he maintains his form (IMO).
Edgar Davids and Benoit Assou-Ekoto turned out excellent performances. Assou-Ekoto in particular looks like an excellent signing and along with Berbatov looks to be settling quickly into the Premiership (I’ll get to Zokora in a bit).
I’ve said this earlier, but it’s worth repeating - Tottenham will miss Davids when he leaves. His value to the Spurs midfield cannot be overestimated. Zokora is expected to eventually take his place (alongside Jenas in central midfield), but Davids is in a class of his own (even at his age) and it will take Zokora some doing to match the Dutchman.
The Bad
In the Tottenham v Bolton match report I talked about the Spurs lacking a physical approach to their game, and that showed against Sheffield United as well once the visitors got their early nerves they went for the game and their tough approach kept Tottenham at bay. Granted, the game had already been won but in the second half Tottenham were not as dominating as they were in the first half.
The lesson - Tottenham don’t have the physical presence in their squad to match the tough teams. In crunch encounters in Europe and in the Premiership this will matter, and unless Zokora steps up and and starts to dominate the midfield, they are going to be in trouble.
The left-wing is a big, big problem for Tottenham. Almost all their attacks on the left side went from infield, with Davids, Tainio and Keane linking up. Martin Jol is still looking for a left-winger and if Tottenham go into September without having bought reinforcements in that area I would seriously question their chances of success in Europe and the Premiership. Opposition sides will look to exploit this weakness (can you imagine Ronaldo and Neville running rampant doing that wing on September 9th?). Davids naturally drifts infield while Tainio isn’t much good in that position either.
I’m not totally convinced about Tottenham’s defence either. Davenport was made to look good by Seffield United, and while the kid has talent he’s still not first-team material. King’s return will give the side much-needed solidity, but the right-back position needs to be improved on as well.
Tottenham have a good core of players, but if they don’t improve in these areas they will remain a contender for a UEFA place rather than ‘favourites’ to break into the top four.
Note: For those idiots who only comment to tell me that I should have watched the game, I’ll have you know that I managed to stay awake through the whole 90 minutes…I did watch the game. If you don’t have anything intelligent to say, please don’t. For the rest of you fans (the decent, normal ones), let me know what you think in the comments below.
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No real insights here, just a few statements of the obvious which are then blown out of all proportion. A glittering career in tabloid sports journalism beckons…
What a decent and true report, its about time some realise the truth, we will not contend for the top four with no left midfield, i appreciate your response to Davids performance, but i am a little concerned that we rely on him out there on the left, and yet his best is behind the front two/three?
My concern is that we should be looking for a world class centre back, (Gallas)for the price that he’s being banded around at, i hears this morning 4Million was quoted?
Ledley King is a fantastic player, and i’m very impressed with the performance of Michael Dawson, i’m not keen on Gardner as he only ever performs well with King
I don’t get why everyone is knocking Davenport?? He hasn’t done anything wrong in the last two games. He isn’t first team material?? Correct!! He is third choice! We have four quality centre backs, I don’t see the issue here.
Totally agree about left wing, we need balance there desperately, but if we can make that one signing I would be very happy with the make-up of the squad.
I am a spurs fan and would agree that a 2-0 home win against a Sheff. Utd. side that were missing 3 key players and who will be prime candidates for relegation, come the end of the season, is nothing to get over excited about.The way I see it, it was a case of a professional performance and job done.There are a lot of positives to be taken from it apart from the performances of Keane, Lennon and Berbatov, there was the fact that Davids didn’t give the ball away as much as he normally does.
Admittedly I only saw highlights of the first half from last nights game but I watched the Bolton game and would have to disagree with you on the point about Davids.I think he is a liability on the pitch (probably inspirational off it) because he gives away far too much possession and free kicks.Unfortunately he is past it.I can’t understand Jol’s unwavering loyalty to him - it has to be the dutch connection or someth.How Jol thought Davids deserved to stay on the pitch ahead of Zokora against Bolton I have no idea.Fair enough he might’ve been getting on the ball more but everytime he did he gave a sloppy pass or git caught in possession.The only reason he gets on the bal so much, as well, is because that used to be his style of play.Now he is just preventing other more capable players getting on it.Davids is the type of player who should be played against the smaller sides (like the Sheff. Utds) after we have played a europan game midweek, so as to rest the other midfielders.But I suppose in convincing him to stay Jol had to make certain promises.
Ok thats my rant about Davids over.
I pretty much agree with most of the other points:
1)a left winger is a necessity to give balance to the team and also to provide Berby with the supply he needs,and so we don’t become predictable.
2)strengthening the defence is also important but not a priority.the cover is needed for King but Davenport could fulfill that role if he is given some playing time against weaker teams or even as a sub.
i also think we could do with a fourth striker but not someone to complete a secon string little and large combo.I don’t understand the point of having a duplicate strike force that aren’t as good as the first choice strikers.what we need is someone to give us a different option.
OK thats my rant over!
Have to say that Davenport impressed against Sheffield. Not so much his defending, which still needs work, but his forward movement. Great to see Dawson giving Davenport the ball and allowing him to move forward with it rather than just hoofing it aimlessly upfield. Even Robinson followed suit on occasion. He may not be our best centre back, but he has shown the way forward for Spurs - keeping it on the ground and moving the ball skillfully forward not just thumping it to the other team.
Jamie T
No real insights here, just a few statements of the obvious which are then blown out of all proportion. A glittering career in tabloid sports journalism beckons…
———————
I didn’t watch either of the games, and therefore found the articles satisfactory from an informative perspective.
After all, this was for people who DON’T know about Tottenham’s new players, or wish to discuss the points Ahmed has made.
totally agree with the way that you pointed out spurs strengths and weaknesses.speaking as an irishman, there is no doubt that robbie keane is a skillful player who (at certain times) can turn a game on its head, but this man cannot be expected to put in performances like rooney week in and week out. Why? because i believe he is a player that lacks consistency. I agree that Davids is an inspirational figure, and Zakoura will really have to mature in order to eventually fill the Dutch man’s boots. Overall i believe that spurs and arsenal will tightly contest fourth position, hopefully spurs will finish above the gunners.