Five things we learned from awful Tottenham 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur dropped yet more precious Premier League points this evening at the Vitality Stadium, handing Bournemouth a 1-0 victory on a platter.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:
Up there with Palace and Ipswich
Of course, losing at home to Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town was bad – handing both teams their first wins of the season – but this was up there in terms of how toothless it was. The most frustrating thing was how much of the ball Tottenham had – over 65% of possession. Apart from a big Dominic Solanke chance, a Heung-min Son offside goal and a shot Maddison curled wide of the post, Spurs barely created anything.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, were able to create chances just by looking at the Tottenham goal. 21 shots to Tottenham’s 12, eight on target to Tottenham’s four, and three much-deserved points for the Cherries. I would love to say that Spurs just looked fatigued and injuries are to blame, which is probably a factor, but in all honesty, they just didn’t look up for it tonight.
Creativity is the biggest worry
Spurs have been a little open at the back for much of Postecoglou’s tenure, but you have always been able to rest easy on the fact that Tottenham can also blow teams away at the other end. At times this season, that has been missing completely.
Maddison really struggled to find space today, the two full-backs didn’t find many dangerous pockets, and the wingers were barely in the game. The only player who looked consistently creative was Dejan Kulusevski once again, but he can’t drag the team kicking and screaming every week.
Leaking goals at the back without key players is one thing, but Tottenham need to rediscover that spark that makes them so consistently dangerous going the other way… and soon.
READ MORE – Tottenham player ratings from the 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth.
What has Djed Spence done wrong?
Pedro Porro needed a rest – anyone could see that. But why is Djed Spence not even being given a kick in this team? He was handed a contract extension and kept at the club this season, yet was left out of the Europa League group stage squad and can barely even get on the pitch in the Premier League. Yes, Archie Gray is a fantastic talent, but he is also not a natural right-back. Would it really have been the worst thing in the world to give Spence 45 minutes of football?
Ben Davies – another Tottenham injury
Another day, another Tottenham injury, and it could not be in a worse position. Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven are hopefully nearing their respective returns because Tottenham ended the match this evening with a centre-back duo of Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray. Add the likes of Vicario, Odobert, Richarlison, and Moore to the list, as well as the absence of Rodrigo Bentancur. Spurs are running on fumes at the moment.
Ange Postecoglou is not to blame
I am not saying the manager should not be questioned, but I just know I am going to see calls for his head this week, especially if Spurs lose to Chelsea. We have been a manager merry-go-round for so many years now. We finally have a coach who is able to absolutely blow teams away when Tottenham are at their best. Why would you not give that project a real chance?
I’m talking two or three seasons and a fair few transfer windows. Arsenal stuck with Mikel Arteta, Liverpool stuck with Jurgen Klopp. I’m not saying Postecoglou guarantees success, but the likelihood of Spurs winning and progressing with him is higher than it will be if they sack him and bring in the next in a long line of managers. Be patient, please!
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