Christian Eriksen and Jermain Defoe settled this game for Tottenham Hotspur, but only after Palace missed a penalty in the first half
A London derby that looked an easy win on paper was anything but for Tim Sherwood and Tottenham.
Spurs were so poor in the opening period that they could have easily been two or three goals down by the half-time whistle, with the entire team struggling to make an impression and just two shots coming from youngster Nabil Bentaleb.
They couldn’t get much worse after the break, and actually came out showing a semblance of desire, scoring twice to net a 2-0 win.
Despite the victory, which was generous in it’s scoreline, the overriding lessons learnt from the game are harsh ones:
The opening half proved that Tottenham are nowhere near a top for team
I can’t recall seeing an “apparent” top-four challenger struggle at home to such an extent against a relegation candidate as Spurs did against Palace in the first half of the game. It was as poor as they’ve been all year, as bad as the second half against Liverpool, City or West Ham. The only difference was they somehow avoided conceding.
If Palace would have scored their penalty there’s no telling how bad this scoreline could have been. The team lacked energy, desire, any kind of passing and movement, and were open at the back. The one silver lining was that it made the second half performance look majestic by comparison, while of course, it was just a case of ‘things can only get better’.
Why does Sherwood still play such a high line in defence?
One of the clear issues with Tottenham under Andre Villas-Boas was that they continued to persevere with a high line regardless of how much they struggled against the pace of the forwards they were playing against. This meant that the entire back four would have to step up at the right time, multiple times, otherwise at best, the defence would be woefully stretched, and at worst, a striker will have a one-on-one chance and therefore an outstanding goalscoring opportunity.
It also means that a defender’s ability to defend the ball can be bypassed by anyone with some acceleration. Sherwood continues to adopt this defensive strategy, and again Dawson and Chiriches were undone by a quick and direct forward, this time Cameron Jerome. Surely it’s time to try something a little safer?
The spine of the team is lacking familiarity
All through the centre of the team: Dawson and Chiriches, Dembele and Bentaleb, and Soldado and Adebayor, players looked totally at odds with each other.
There was no communication in defence, as they were continuously exposed in their high line, not enough impression on the game in midfield, where Dembele proved again he wasn’t a defensive midfielder, and poor link-up play in attack, with the two forwards failing to work hard, failing to link up with the midfield and each other, and failing to provide an attacking threat.
Spurs look like a team that could do with another pre-season just to get everyone on the same page. Unfortunately, we’re halfway though the season.
If Levy and Sherwood needed proof for a new striker, this was it
Both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado were toothless for Spurs against Palace, with the partnership that looked to have some promise falling flat against opposition they should be looking to impose themselves on.
It wasn’t until Defoe came on that the forward line looked to finally have some threat, but now, Defoe has just a handful of games left at the club.
Soldado had a difficult game today, and you couldn’t blame Levy if he looked to offload a player looking woefully out of sorts at White Hart Lane.
One thing is clear, Tottenham need to bring in a forward that can impact games, with a proven track record of doing so.
And following on from that, just why are Spurs selling Defoe?
The England striker showed more tenacity, drive and threat in 30 seconds after he took to the field than Soldado, and Adebayor, had for the entire game.
Of course it’s easy to say that he was playing with freedom now his move to Canada has been announced, or that he only scores against lesser teams, but at least he attempts to shoot, and with relative accuracy.
There is no point playing an outstanding penalty box striker if your style of play never gives him the ball in the box, which is why Defoe is a more suitable player for Tottenham, and why it is baffling that Spurs are so willing to let him go.
image: © StartAgain
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