Jan’cing with Wolves

Fitting that one of our “old heads” scored in the last-minute winner as we found some fight and dug out a win in this new era. In what was a truly awful watch from a Spurs point of view. We led with an early goal from Lucas who was really good on the day. Then we got overrun in midfield and on the flanks by a very good Wolves side. That they could have won if they had been a little more creative and clinical. Loads happening in this match from the tale of two good right winger performances, a variation of our recent formation and a mismatch in central midfield.

Tactics

Starting 4-2-3-1

We set up as we have done in our previous matches under Jose. A back four with a midfield duo comprised of one defensive midfielder and a midfielder that could do multiple roles within this formation. Further up the pitch we have the more attacking trio behind the lone striker. The hope was to get Dele close to Kane where he has been at his best this past month. However, this altered pretty soon after the game got going with some notable tweaks to help us vs this impressive Wolves side.

Without the ball 4-3-2-1

Looking at the formation when we did not have the ball, we seemed to have a more symetrical back 4. Which is not what we have used in our previous matches. But as I mentioned last week, I thought we would need something different to deal with the double ups out wide and the brilliance of their Portuguese midfield 2. Moving on to that area now. We seemed to have a midfield 3 when pressing, Aurier holding his right back position meant Sissoko could concentrate on doing his job in midfield. Dele dropped deep to the left on Dier, who held a more central position. This allowed us to try match the Wolves midfield, which we did to varying degrees of success.

On the right we had Lucas, who had a really good game. He stuck to his right-wing position occasionally drifting inside to force the play and run at the defence. Son on the other side, had less joy vs Traore and Doherty. Traore’s forward thinking intent pushed Son back, further back then he would have liked to. The pace on that side meant it was harder to get in behind as we had looked to do in previous matches. For example, in the Burnley game we played over the midfield onto our wide players as we knew we would have the advantage. Not on Sunday with the pacey wide players and a strong defensive 3 behind them.

Bermuda Trao’ngle

Such a mystery and enigma that people just go missing around him, unless they are chopping him down. Now, I have been watching Adama since his days in La Masia, and excited he has found some sustained form in the Premier League. He has always had the raw physical traits to be an excellent winger. Fast, athletic and strong (even stronger now).

But why Barca let him go and why he has played for such clubs as Middlesbrough and Aston Villa (no offence) was his lack of end product. Cliche I know, but true. He has always been proficient at dribbling and would regularly top the completed take on categories but would rarely do anything to warrant a starting place in a match day squad. Nuno has done really well to coach this and help him develop as he has done. He played a little at right wing back this year, this could have helped him see the whole pitch and given him the tactic nous and confidence he needed. He looks like a different player and enjoying his football at Wolves. Long may it continue.

Stats

Metric Wolves

Tottenham

Possession 61% 39% Passes 287 187 Accurate Passes

230 (80%)

139 (74%)

Shots (On target) 9 (2) 5 (3) Tackles 11 6

Clearances

1

24

Crosses (Successful)

17 (1)

4 (0)



First half stats

Going through the stats backs up what I watched. Wolves dominated possession and controlled the game in several areas of the pitch. Our early lead was good at the time, but we just fell into a pattern of pressing and chasing. When they had the ball, they worked it smartly to the flanks, creating a double up on both wings. Traore against Jan was never going to be an easy watch. He could not stay tight to him, as he would have just burned past him, but then standing off him allowed him to use his main assets to cause mayhem. We sacrificed the wings somewhat and allowed them room to cross. As you can see, they only managed 1 successful cross out of the 17 they attempted. Our defence handled the aerial threat well.

Metric Wolves

Tottenham

Possession 53% 47% Passes 207 188 Accurate Passes

149 (72%)

134 (71%)

Shots (On target) 10 (3) 4 (2) Tackles 7 10

Clearances

8

16

Crosses (Successful)

16 (4)

6 (2)



Second half stats

As you can see looking at the second half stats, the pattern continued. The home team gaining the upper hand in possession and passing. They also upped their shot count and continued to get crosses into the box. They had slightly more success with the crossing accuracy but aside from the great save from Gazza we again dealt with them well. I saw this ending 1-1 or even a win to wolves, but a free kick deflected out for a corner created our last chance. Traore who had been in red hot form during the match and scored a rocket of an equaliser, lost his man from the corner. That man was Jan who scored with a header that probably should have been saved. But a win is a win!

Conclusions

We were dominated but we got a vital 3 points at a very tricky away ground. Many a big club have fallen at Wolves in the past 18 months. We have now won there both times we have played since they returned to the Premier League. Jose is still trying to figure things out, having only been in the job 3 weeks. In those 3 weeks we have had plenty of games and not too much time on the training ground for Jose to stamp his identity on the squad.

The jury is still out on how we are going to line up and how we will be tactically. We seem to have adopted a less possession and using long balls more often approach. Which has served us well in recent games. But is this a return to the old Mou of results-based football with less expansion and creativity. If so, it is something I can deal with in the now as long as we build towards something different and maybe incorporate both things in one tactical set up. As we had not been doing much of either in the Premier League in the past year and a half.

Here are the most important things transfer wise we need to address in January:

Defensive Midfielder – We only have Dier as our fully “fit” Dm, he seems to be integral to Mourinho’s formation as he looks for a solid base to anchor the midfield. Wanyama is also still on the books, but he is made of biscuits. Winks could and has played a role similar if not the traditional Dm role. But I fear, without a partner(s) that does not have a dual role (like Sissoko’s covering) he would not get the support and cover needed. This should be the Main priority.

Right Back – Still an ongoing issue, Aurier seems to have been placed as first choice. With his role not having 100% defensive responsibilities it’s easy to see why his current role is best suited for him. Cutting out the things he is not that great at maximises his role in the team. But this cannot be a long-term solution. KWP is around but has not developed as we all thought he could have. Also, we have Foyth who has been touted as playing in this position. But as Mou said he cannot do the attacking part of Aurier’s game. He could be the Hybrid right back role and tuck in if Rose/Sess has the opportunity to do the same on the left.

These are just two of the issues within the squad I think need to be looked at as soon as possible, then Jose can start moulding the team into what he sees for us going forward.

Festive Fun or Christmas Chaos

We go into this usually busy December period with what looks like a decent run of fixtures. Up next we play Chelsea on Sunday, a Chelsea who are looking average after all the early promise. As we expected with the young core, with all the praise they quickly got, as soon as they slipped off the usual things start to come out. About the lack of experience and so on. As talented as they are, clean sheets have been a problem with just 1 in the last 8 games across all competitions. We have shown we can score, and I think on Sunday we can beat them as they won’t be able to keep us out. We then have Brighton, Norwich and Southampton in the games up to New Years day. All winnable in my opinion. Barring any injuries, we may pick up.

COYS

Thanks for reading my Match Review on my new site. All feedback welcome as well as support. Means a lot that people still want to read my views. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding Spurs, my aim to be THE Spurs source on twitter continues.

Unsure of how to get all my information to you in the busy next 2 weeks but I will try my best. Click subscribe on the site to get an email when new posts go up on the site!!!

What does this mean for our FPL prospects? Well check back on Thursday for my usual Special ones’ article, I hear a lot of interest for Son, Lucas and Dele, are they worth the investment, find out soon.

Mr WP

@Writehartlane