Tottenham played one of the worst first half I've ever seen. Only player of the match Ivan Perisic could do anything forward. Only attempt on goal Spurs made was near the end of first half when super player from part of Croatia called Dalmatia sent superb cross inside the box between couple of Wolves players to Harry Kane whose effort was tipped over crossbar. There was one situation when ball fell in 5m of goal but no one was able to tap it in inside net. Wolves on other hand had 10 or 11 attempts, but they mainly went wide of goal. Some other club with serious striker would lead at least 0:2 at half time.
Thing that went hardest on my nerves was Son Heung-min taking corners and set pieces while live and kicking doctor for that Ivan Perisic is on the field! The way how this Korean player took one set piece wide of the box show the best his mindset. He sent pathetic direct attempt on goal which went poorly wide of front post and hit wide of net. That made me remember his pathetic Sunday league set piece against Chelsea when he sent ball 10m over goal in also direct goal attempt from more than 30 m. I was upset to the point that I tweeted "Ivan, my Ivan who are taking corners in front of you ?" following by crying face. I was angry and mad to the point that I tweeted this at the end "Do you remember that stupid talk about 'the best front three in the league' ? They can't shoot on Wolves goal! " following by laughing face.
Antonio did some tactical change during half time and Tottenham we all know went out in second half. It was completely different game player flying all around, attacking, making chances, hitting posts, crossbars and Ivan Perisic taking some corners. However this Korean player took couple too and made poor short pass following by some cross which ended in storm lightening counter attack on our goal. Hugo Lloris was upset after that had a word with this player who thinks wrongly he's a superstar...
Goal happen after old vintage action, Son took corner sent ball lower than it should, but player of the match Ivan Perisic flicked it by top of his head and sent it to back post where Harry Kane tricked defender and went alone in front of net to easily tap in that into goal. It was come to the daddy situation for him. Living legend from N17 scored 185th goal and break record of the most goals scored for one team leaving Kun Aguero on 184. He is also alone now on place number 4 of all time EPL goal scorer list with 2 goals behind Andy Cole. Was it action playing on training under Gianni Vio or just yet another poor cross by Son saved by Ivan Perisic ? It is big question and I don't have an answer on that. I am inclined and would love to think it was trained.
Big world class player from Split soon after received Son's ball on left, tricked man in front of him, had chance to shoot on goal, but decided to pass to team mate and his pass was intercepted. That was only situation where Perisic could maybe do better. He was substituted for Sess soon and was tracked out from field with well deserved standing ovations. Where would be the end if we have a player like him on right side too ? He looked like he received a knock which worries me. I hope he'll be ready for next game.
One other thing upset me in second half. Emerson Royal who was good doing overlapping on right side, helping Kulusevski a lot entered inside the box saw two Tottenham players inside and sent ball toward them, but both of them made same run on back post behind Wolves players and it looked like Royal sent ball nowhere, but if one stayed there he could have very big chance to score goal. Why are two players running to same spot on back post ? It's not the first time! Isn't better that one remain on other position in heart of box ? That way they would give crosser two options to pass. Some fans jumped on Royal for this, Conte was nervous, but I think Royal did good thing in that situation, while those two did bad thing. What's the probability Royal's ball will pass near goalkeeper, two Wolves defenders and come to them ? Very little. What was probability Royal's ball will find them if one of them stayed there unmarked ? Very big.
Dejan Kulusevski was poor in first half and transformed into beast in second, Sanchez was very good backward and saved us in couple of occasions. Yes he made one mistake near the end of first half, lost aerial duel, but Wolves didn't score after. He saved us in first half after Son lost ball in dangerous area and force me to question who is he playing for us or them ?
Defenders did their job very good and earned clean sheet. Did you know Tottenham didn't concede goal for 6-7 hours while Sanchez is in squad ? :) He's not bad like some people think he's actually good, few millimetres divided him from scoring goal after Ivan's cross in second half. He can do the job for couple of weeks against not the strongest opposition. He has pace and block shoot skill. He added aerial threat on set pieces to that, but he's still weak with ball, and prone to lose duels but he's not making big mistakes in passing any more. I hope Romero will be ready for West Ham and Manchester City games.
We won, fans are satisfied with 3 points and second half display, but that performance from first half was unacceptable. Outnumbered in midfield are what some people are saying ? Correct me if I am wrong but Son and Kulusevski should return to midfield when we are defending and Sess/Ivan and Royal should go forward in midfield when we are attacking. That's 4 players. They can be outnumbered only if they don't do their jobs or if opponent is playing with 5 in the middle. I am afraid it was outnumbering in football skill or number of players doing their job...
Hojbjerg was also very good in second half, he made forward passes, tried to shoot on goal, do offensive things. He's a player with both legs on the ground, who is not flying thinking he's a superstar. He openly told "I am not most talented player, but I am a player my team mates can count on 100% in every game". I can't agree more with that and value him more after that statement. Guy is dying on pitch, covering everyone, doing tackling, interceptions, recovering balls. He showed he's able to send forward pass, build up play and it's not wonder Real Madrid see him like replacement from Casemiro. I hope he'll stay and help us winning things this year.
Big question for Conte is should he start this falling star Son against Nottingham or give Richarlison a chance from beginning ? I don't know answer on that question. Other question is much easier to answer. While Ivan is on the pitch Son should be moved away from set pieces and corners! He is losing his superstar status with rapid pace and I am sad about that. Someone need to land his head from clouds.
Positive thing is fact that we scored after corners in last two games. We have set piece specialist coach Gianni Vio. It's very important. Imagine now we have player Ruslan Malinovskyi from Atalanta who by the way wants to join Spurs and is offered to us for only 20 million, but club is "thinking" will they bid or not for him ? Bomber, creative player, direct free kick taker, solution for low block and weaker teams, low price and "we are thinking ?" Atalanta is interested in Reggulion, so swap deal is possible, if his wage is problem loan him with obligation to buy and cover part of his wage... Go get Ruslan Fabio, you missed Bremer you should not and must not miss this one! COYS!
Oh one more thing Chelsea did identify person who was racially insulted Son by gesture showing eyes and that person got lifetime ban from stadium. Good by Chelsea, but I think it happen only after to big pressure from all sides. I don't know if life time ban is appropriate punishment. That's debatable, but some punishment should be enforced. Few years or something like that, person could learn it's wrong and become normal supporter after that... Few year ban plus some fine would be appropriate. Then repeating offenders who are doing that 3 times life time ban.
Comments