Tony Cascarino has criticised the discipline of Tottenham Hotspur’s players.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli looks dejected after being sent off
Pundit Tony Cascarino has told The Irish Sun that he thinks Tottenham lack of discipline in big games is a sign that they ‘lack what it takes’ at the highest level.
Spurs were back to their best in a stunning 4-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday afternoon, but that victory came just days after a disastrous Europa League exit at the hands of Gent.
After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Belgium, Spurs needed to prove their critics wrong and get a result when it mattered most as the two sides met for the second leg at Wembley Stadium last Thursday.
Christian Eriksen’s goal put Spurs in front, but a Harry Kane own goal levelled the score on the night and gave Gent the away goal they were looking for. Victor Wanyama hauled Spurs back into the game, but they were picked off on the break as Jeremy Perbet scored to sent Tottenham crashing out of the Europa League.
However, the big talking point from the game surrounded Spurs midfielder Dele Alli and his red card, as he was given his marching orders for a terrible challenge on Brecht Dejaegere shortly after Kane’s own goal.
Alli’s sending off arguably cost Spurs the game, as they had to play the second half with only ten men, and only added to the notion that Tottenham crack when the pressure is on.
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Now, pundit Tony Cascarino has suggested that Alli’s red card is a ‘worrying trend’ for Spurs, as they’re imploding in big games – such as the game away at Chelsea last season, where the Tottenham players seemed more interested in fighting and fouling than winning.
Cascarino told The Irish Sun that he believes that it’s not a good sign for Tottenham, as they need mental strength to win trophies – and last week’s debacle against Gent shows that Tottenham still lack what it takes to succeed at the very highest level.
“Dele Alli’s red card against Gent points to a worrying trend for Spurs — they are self-imploding in the big games,” said Cascarino. “Remember last season’s ‘Battle of the Bridge’ when Spurs knew they had to beat Chelsea to keep their title hopes alive? They drew 2-2 and had nine players booked. Then on Thursday night against Gent in the Europa League, a 2-2 draw with five yellow cards and the red for Alli.”
“It is not a good sign that, when they stakes are high, they do not get the result and their discipline goes. No wonder Mauricio Pochettino looked so angry afterwards as the Europa League was a great opportunity for Tottenham to claim some silverware. Winning trophies is about mental strength as much as skill and the signs are pointing towards Tottenham lacking what it takes,” he added.
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