Kyle Naughton was a surprise name on the Tottenham team sheet yesterday afternoon but after making his first Premiership start in a Spurs shirt, the defender is set for a decent run in the first XI.
Naughton was called up after an injury to our regular left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and it’s been confirmed that BAE is likely to be ruled out of contention for around four weeks.
“Benoit has a small fragment in his knee that makes it swell a lot,” Andre Villas-Boas said after the game.
“He has played through pain in the last couple of games. His knee may have to be washed up and if that happens we are looking at a four-week absence.”
Naughton is normally a right back so are you concerned at all by Benny’s absence or can Kyle cope?
Play Bale left back that free’s up a place further forward for
Dempsey
Why? Naughton was good and Harry made that mistake of trying to fit everyone in.
Doubt Bale wants to be play at LB anymore unless there is absolutely no choice. Understand Vertonghen can play at LB. Then again, unfortunately, Dawson has been frozen out of AVB squad. Else, Dawson & Gallas at centre while Vert goes LB.
Can Dempsey play at right wing? Hear he plays anywhere well except he hasnt played at right wing. Spurs need a good alternative to Lennon who hasnt got a competitor for his position.
Townsend looked comfortable there — even had a good play to Defoe that should have gone in. Hard to be sure, though, since he was only on 5 minutes or so.
As for Bale at LB — he probably doesn’t want to play there, but I’d imagine he’d add more to the team there than at LM. It’s not too hard to find quality wide players but really effective fullbacks seem more rare; and Bale is at his best starting his runs from further back.
Not that I expect it to happen, but I think it could be a pretty good switch. As it is, Naughton looked fine filling in. Need to get the younger players experience some time.
no concern.
looked solid yesterday, couple of errors, but nothing more than a right back playing at left back.
he has great delivery of crosses into the box.
will give BAE a run for his money when fit again
Agree with Jimmy, Naughton is very good
Remember when we signed the pair of them Naughton was the hot prospect and Walker was the unknown.
Walkers physically better but I feel Naughton is technically better, defensively they are both solid
Did you notice Naughton’s crosses? You’d be forgiven to mistake him as a playmaker with crosses he made against Reading. Well done. If Spurs don’t play him enough… I am sure many other clubs would want to.
Was really impressed with him against Reading. Fantastic positioning and composed on the ball.
I’m a Norwich fan who enjoyed watching Naughton last season. He played left back for us a lot last season and was superb. That’s why we were so keen to sign him in the summer as was Paul Lambert at Villa.
Fear not, he’s good enough and I’d expect him to challenge Walker at right back as well!