Robbie Keane has told Optus Sport that Tottenham Hotspur’s tactics and Emerson Royal failing to keep possession against Liverpool on Sunday left Spurs fans “torn” – with Royal “guilty” of being aimless with his balls forward.
Royal, 23, has had his critics this season – as has Antonio Conte’s tactics. In the first half against Liverpool, they were poor. A growing trend from Spurs in recent matches, leaving them to chase the game in the second half. They did.
Harry Kane cancelled out one of Mo Salah’s two goals. They hit the woodwork twice, they had a penalty shout for a push on Ryan Sessegnon, they had chances. But they failed to get a second – struggling to overcome their poor start.
Tottenham legend Keane was critical of Conte’s tactics and £26million signing Royal. He says the Brazil international, who was overlooked for the Brazil World Cup squad on Monday, was “guilty” of constantly losing the ball.
“You could see the fans were on their case, especially in the first half, when the balls were going back constantly. Royal was guilty of doing that a lot. You could see the fans really torn. They need to change that first-half performance.”
Keane: Tottenham tactics and Royal left Spurs fans torn
Keane is right, something needs to change at Spurs. Five games in a row now, that Spurs have played awfully in the first 45 – and then improving but having it all to do in the second half. Newcastle was the first, losing 2-1.
Then, against Sporting, they came back to draw 1-1 and were unlucky not to win – thanks to VAR. They came back to beat Bournemouth and Marseille, before losing to Liverpool. So, things need to change. They need to start faster.
They have, arguably, two slightly easier games before the World Cup break. A Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest and then a league game against Leeds at home. Conte will be expecting two wins, and so will the Spurs fans.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
