Welcome to King or Kaboul. After matches this will be filled with fresh and raw takes from the latest Tottenham game. This will be followed, as usual by my in-depth full match report later in the week as well as Spurs FPL Prospects Pre deadline. Enjoy.

Kaboul – The Midfield two

We started with Winks and Sissoko in the two. Hoping that Sissoko’s presence and Winks’ ability on the ball could dominate this usually lacklustre United midfield. However, this was not the case. This is very hard for me to write as I do really like one of this pairing. But they were overrun by McTominay and Fred. They did not have any answers, the United duo were first to most balls, winning those 50/50’s and had more energy. By the time Ndombele came on it was too late. The pattern of the game was well and truly established and we could not change it.

Obviously, we have a quick turnaround for the mid-week games, but I do not expect that pairing to be put together again in a hurry. Mou is still figuring out his best team and his best combinations. What this should have demonstrated is that for all of Sissoko’s above average performances last year, he is still not what we need in central midfield. Hopefully Ndombele can cement that spot in the near future as we just look a better team when he is on the pitch

King – Sanchez

Comfortably our best defender on the night and in our last few games. Sure, Toby displayed his passing prowess for the first time in 12 months vs Bournemouth, but Sanchez has shown his defensive ability for most of the season. I still have doubts about some elements of his game but it does look like he is learning. During the UTD game he managed 6 clearances, blocked 2 shots, 1 interception and 2 tackles. Add to that he won 3 out of 3 ground duels and 4 out of 5 aerial duels. Great numbers from our Colombian. He also did not commit any fouls and no player dribbled past him. Davison also had 84% passing accuracy and he managed 91 touches in his 90 minutes.

Kaboul – Wide players

Our wing play was just not up to scratch this game. Both Lucas and Son had poor games. They were up against Young and AWB and on paper you would think it was a plus for us. Young is not getting any younger and Lucas should have tested him more. Especially after being dropped for the Bournemouth game, this did him no favours in getting back into Mou’s good books.

Son on the other hand, is probably in our best 11 so shouldn’t have that fear. But I still expected more, even against the 2018/2019 defensive number machine that is AWB. Who, himself was not having a great season. But Son just could not get past him. Completed just 3 out of his 9 attempted dribbles. They had a combined zero shots on target and Son had one shot that was blocked. Not good enough in reality.

Kaboul – Tactics

Another game where we are relying on that ride-hand side to provide most of our attacking threat. As mentioned in my earlier posts this week, I wondered if he would change this up for this game. This was not the case, Aurier was still used to probe away and probe away he did.

There is no doubting his attacking attributes and he did get forward time and time again. He had 2 shots on target and 100% completed dribbles with 2. The end product when getting the ball in the box was sorely missing. He got the “assist” for Dele’s goal but had 1 successful cross out of his 9 attempted crosses. I thought we might try something else, especially with Rashford dominating that left side but we just kept trying to get down that side. Hopefully Mou is still formulating other solutions for problems with the players he has at his disposal.

King – Dele’s goal

Our equalising goal was one of such quality and from that man again. Our most in-form player since Mourinho was appointed. An Aurier shot was saved by DDG it cannoned out and up into the air above the box. Dele backs into his defender the right side of the 6-yard box he then flicks the ball past his defender. He runs past his defender and slots a bouncing ball past the keeper. Absolutely stunning improvisation, on par with this volley vs Palace for me. Such technique to bring it down, flick, spin and score. He is so confident at the minute, the Dele we fell in love with is back.

Kaboul Wins

Kaboul wins easily for this game, with Dele’s goal a huge highlight and covering up of more real problems. Hopefully this does not continue after the home game vs Burnley on Saturday.

Thanks for reading and hope you stick around for my other articles this week.

COYS

Mr WP

@Writehartlane