Despite dominating spells of the game, Tottenham failed to make a breakthrough against a resilient Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. So how did Spurs perform individually?
Hugo Lloris, 7
Kept up his impressive form by tipping a close-range shot onto the bar with his feet to prevent a certain Bournemouth goal. Had very little to do in terms of saves after that.
Kyle Walker, 7
Got forward well and created a couple of chances that came to nothing. Showed so much intent with his first touch, always pushing the ball forward at the first opportunity to get Spurs on the front foot. Still room for improvement in the accuracy of his deliveries.
Eric Dier, 6
Deputised for Toby Alderweireld again and did his job quietly and effectively for the most part. Gave the ball away clumsily in the second half, which almost led to a chance.
Jan Vertonghen, 8
Made a crucial challenge late on that, if mistimed, would have resulted in a penalty for the hosts. Has expelled any doubts he is a better player with Alderweireld next to him: Vertonghen has improved his own game since his countryman arrived at Spurs, and looks just as sturdy with or without Alderweireld as as partner.
Danny Rose, 6
Like Walker, Rose got forward at every opportunity and played a part in keeping Bournemouth pinned back for long spells of the match. Perhaps would have crossed the ball with more urgency if Tottenham had more of a presence in the box.
Victor Wanyama, 8
Started the game a bit off the pace, misplacing one or two passes, but grew into the contest and played superbly. The Kenyan is proving to be a snip at £12 million, exemplified by some vital tackles and challenges in Spurs’ defensive third.
Mousa Dembele, 8
At his most effective when he starts, Dembele took his opportunity and showed why he deserves a place in the first eleven. Silky smooth on the ball, the Belgian also displayed his fitness and endeavour when he tracked back to remove the danger caused by Dier’s misplaced pass towards the end.
Christian Eriksen, 5
Created a couple of chances for himself and produced some nice interplay with Erik Lamela, particularly in the first half. But was anonymous for too long, and looked lightweight when the contest became fierce.
Dele Alli, 6
Wowed with a stunning double nutmeg in the first half but little came off for the midfielder after that. Was beginning to gain a bit more control after the break and was perhaps wrongly substituted. Remains Spurs’ only goalscorer (bar own goals) in the last four games.
Erik Lamela, 6
Was booked early on and continued to play like he hadn’t seen yellow, jumping into a particularly silly tackle that could have seen him sent off. Appeared wasteful early on but began to control Tottenham’s attacking play with some quick, keen passing. Must make more of an impact, however, if he wants to stay in the team.
Son Heung-Min, 5
Spurs’ top scorer had his quietest game of the season so far, especially in the first half when the midfield failed to provide any meaningful service. Was perhaps harshly hauled off when he was just beginning to see more of the ball.
Substitutes
Vincent Janssen, 5
Attempted his usually productive hold-up play but the match seemed to be too quick for him. Still in pursuit of that first goal from open play.
Moussa Sissoko, 4
Did very little in his 20 minutes on the pitch, which could have been shortened if the officials had spotted his reckless elbow on Harry Arter. Expect a retrospective ban.
How many more transfer windows are we going to go before we sign another top striker, we can’t keep relying on Harry Kane to stay injury free. We should have spent the Sissoko money on a top striker, that would have made perfect sense.
Eriksen the same as always, no impact. Chicken and pretending to actually press. Christian should consider long distance running. He always chalks up the miles but never gets close to anyone. Jogging is a much more suited sport for him, contact is not required. One nice touch for Lamela and one decent ball to Son was it, yet he is supposed to be World Class?? Please wake up Poch!!! At least lets try a few games without him and see what happens. I think we will be pleasantly surprised.
I totally agree with you and have been saying this since last season. At least then he managed to chip in with the odd goal or assist so the attention was taken away from him, especially if we won.
I can’t understand why he always remains on the pitch, yesterday being a perfect example. Bringing on Jansen was what we needed some hold up play in the final third but should have been at the cost of the Dane dropping sonny back into the attacking three with dele and lamela.
I’m not too convinced with sissoko either, hasn’t done enough to convince me of his 30 million pound price tag. I would much rather prefer to see nkoudou given a run out.
Anyway still unbeaten so we can’t be too downbeat but these are the games we have to win if we are to mount a serious title challenge and to stay in the top four.
Lamela has to go.
I would drop Eriksen and Lamela for the next game and give nkoudou and either Winks or Onamah a start, I have been saying since last season Eriksen goes missing for large parts of the game and Lamela is a liability sometimes brilliant and sometimes crap, Sissoko was a complete waste of money and was a last minute panic buy, I don’t understand how the decision was not to pay £32m for Batshuyi a young excellent striker but pay £30m for a below average player like Sissoko, I rate Poch but not buying a prolific proven goal scorer over Sissoko is a big big big mistake and could be the difference is success or failure
It is the same old Spurs. Too slow and impassionate players. Crosses go by with no players at either end to slide or tap in. Statistics cheats. What counts is GOALS!!! Accurate at short passes with 2 or 3 players facing each other. Cannot cope with teams who have players that out run ours. Cannot pass medium to long. MP moans but he is the one who is at the traing ground. For Petes sake teach them decent inswinging corner kicks. some powers shots with someone up there to pounce in the rebounds etc. The list can go on…
If we cannot get max from the likes of WBA and Bournemouth – with one off showing against City.. for sure forget finishing in top 5 – Infact nothing will be won – Liverpool will dump us tomorrow and and we will not go past the league stage in CL. Sorry, I feel as bad as you but I don’t see any positives including MP not rotataing the players!
In part I agree MP-DX but I haven’t reached your level of despair given where we are in the table right now.
That said I think you are correct to point the finger at Poch.
We cannot repeat our goal conversion rate of last season.
Why, cos, if the the games so far presage the future, then other teams are happy to give us the space to play ‘ticcy taccy’ in the final third.
My solution would be to play two up front and only three in attacking MF, the latter positions being where I think we have a problem.
This then pressures those 3 attacking MFs to perform given that Poch has numerous players at his disposal for those 3 positions.