Tottenham might be great entertainers but Angeball has a design flaw
Tottenham Hotspur’s title as the Premier League’s great entertainers has been snatched away as Newcastle United’s 4-4 draw against Luton Town took them to 85 league goals this season, relegating Spurs to second place. Despite their reputation for providing exciting games, Tottenham’s defensive record remains undistinguished, with 48 goals scored and 37 conceded. While their games had the most goals last season, much of the entertainment came at their expense, as they ended the campaign with a negative goal difference.
Manager Ange Postecoglou was brought in to bring a fresh approach to Tottenham, and the drastic change in personnel is evident in the team’s lineup. Only three of the players who featured in a match against Everton in April started in the recent rematch. Tottenham’s backline has seen significant changes, with several players exceeding expectations. However, their defensive record is still poor, with a projected 58 goals to be conceded this season. This would be their second-highest total in the last 16 seasons, although it represents an improvement compared to the 63 goals conceded last year. Additionally, their expected goals against statistic is the fourth worst in the league.
Despite the defensive struggles, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has performed admirably, with World Cup winner Hugo Lloris not being missed. However, Vicario has shown weaknesses when dealing with crowded situations and has been hesitant to command his box. This has resulted in goals conceded from set pieces, which could continue to trouble Tottenham in the future.
There have been standout performers in Tottenham’s defense, such as Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but the team has still leaked goals. The issue is not just the number of goals conceded, but also the manner and timing of them. Tottenham have already conceded eight goals in the 90th minute or injury time, resulting in an 18-point loss from winning positions. This raises questions about the team’s ability to control games and effectively manage leads. It also highlights the need to improve game management and decision-making, even with a strong bench at Postecoglou’s disposal.
Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy, known as Angeball, has been praised by many, but there are concerns about its effect on defensive solidity. The manager’s previous stints at Yokohama F Marinos and Celtic showed a trend of better finishing positions than defensive rankings. In Europe, Celtic conceded 30 goals in 12 group-stage games, indicating a potential weakness in Postecoglou’s defensive strategies.
While Postecoglou is a good fit for Tottenham’s traditions, a pragmatic look at Premier League history suggests that teams conceding a high number of goals rarely finish in the top four. There are a few exceptions, but even those teams did not let in as many as Tottenham’s projected 58 goals. To achieve long-term success, Postecoglou may need to find a balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity.
In conclusion, while Tottenham may provide thrilling entertainment, Angeball’s design flaw lies in the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite significant changes at the back, Tottenham’s defensive record remains undistinguished, with a high number of goals conceded and points lost from winning positions. Postecoglou’s attacking ethos has endeared him to many, but he may need to temper it to achieve sustained success in the Premier League.
Keywords: Tottenham, Angeball, Premier League, entertainment, defensive record, goals conceded, Postecoglou, goalkeeper, backline, game management, defensive strategies, attacking philosophy, balance.
