Michael Dawson was left baffled by Emerson Royal’s defending during Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Southampton on Wednesday night, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (09/02/22 at 9:20 pm).
The former Spurs defender questioned ‘what are you doing?’ when Emerson allowed Che Adams to score the winning header eight minutes from time.
Only minutes before, in similar circumstances, Mohamed Elyounoussi, headed in the equalising goal.
Spurs clearly didn’t read that memo, as they allowed Adams to drift unmarked inside the box, before he did the rest by powering home the deserved three points for his side.
Emerson’s positioning and inability to read danger was a factor behind both headed goals being scored and Dawson didn’t understand what he was seeing from the 23-year-old.
“It’s terrible defending from Spurs,” said Dawson. “It’s exactly the same as the goal before from Elyounoussi.
“The only difference is that there is a different header in the box – it’s a free header. No-one’s near him.
“Emerson Royal. What are you doing? Get inside the post. Challenge him. He doesn’t and it’s a free header.”
During the January transfer window, there were well-documented rumours that Antonio Conte wanted to bring a right-sided wing-back to the club.
This is despite the Italian having two bonafide right-sided fullbacks to pick from in summer signing Emerson and Matt Doherty.
Both were brought in by different managers – Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho – and they have both had a difficult time in north London during that period.
It will be interesting if Doherty, who was an unused substitute yesterday, comes into the XI on Sunday, with his former side, Wolves, travelling to London.
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