‘Insane Man’: Daniel Sturridge clearly believe what £43M Tottenham star player just did against Newcastle
Traveling to St James’ Park is never an easy task, and Tottenham Hotspur found this to be true once again in their recent clash with Newcastle United. Despite dominating much of the game, particularly in the second half, Spurs walked away with a disappointing defeat.
Manager Ange Postecoglou made significant tactical adjustments that nearly turned the tide, but ultimately, missed opportunities and defensive lapses cost the team dearly.
One of the most notable changes Postecoglou made during the game was bringing on Brennan Johnson on the right wing, a move that significantly improved Tottenham’s attacking dynamics.
The decision to substitute Pape Matar Sarr in favor of Johnson was bold and immediately paid dividends in terms of creating more offensive pressure.
Johnson’s pace and direct approach stretched Newcastle’s defense, allowing Spurs to dominate possession and create more chances. However, despite this tactical shift, Tottenham struggled to convert their dominance into goals—a recurring issue that also plagued them in their season opener against Leicester City, where they had to settle for a frustrating draw.
As the old saying goes, football is a game of fine margins, and this match was no exception. Spurs conceded a sloppy goal in the first half, a moment that ultimately defined the match. Although Harvey Barnes’ finish was exceptional, it was Tottenham’s defensive lapse that made the goal possible.
During Sky Sports’ halftime analysis, pundit Daniel Sturridge highlighted the critical error made by Cristian Romero. The £43 million defender made the questionable decision to aggressively press Tino Livramento out of his box and all the way to the sidelines, leaving his defensive position completely exposed. This allowed Newcastle to launch a quick counter-attack, with Barnes capitalizing on the space left by Romero to score what turned out to be the decisive goal.
Sturridge remarked, “He’s pressing like a madman, which I actually respect because the intention is good, trying to put pressure on the ball. But from there, as it develops, you see Harvey Barnes in the center of the pitch, almost playing like a number 10. Fantastic cross into the box and the finish—got to give him respect for that fantastic first-time finish.”
Another key factor in Tottenham’s defeat was the absence of Micky van de Ven. The Dutch defender has been a cornerstone of Postecoglou’s backline, known for his tireless running and composure under pressure. Alan Shearer recently praised Van de Ven, calling him “tireless,” and it’s clear that Spurs missed his presence on Sunday.
In Van de Ven’s absence, Radu Dragusin stepped in as his deputy and had some strong moments, but the lack of natural cover for the Dutchman was evident. Postecoglou was forced to play Cristian Romero as the left-sided center-back, a position that didn’t suit him as well and contributed to the team’s defensive vulnerabilities.
As the season progresses, Tottenham may come to regret not securing specialized cover for Van de Ven during the transfer window—a move that was reportedly on Postecoglou’s wishlist. The need for a reliable backup in the heart of the defense could become increasingly apparent as the campaign wears on.
Tottenham’s defeat at St James’ Park serves as a harsh reminder that dominating possession and creating chances are not enough if defensive errors and missed opportunities continue to plague the team. Ange Postecoglou will need to address these issues quickly if Spurs are to challenge for a top-four finish and potentially secure silverware this season.
The return of key players like Micky van de Ven will be crucial, but so too will be the need for tactical discipline and clinical finishing. As Tottenham looks ahead to their next fixtures, the lessons learned from this tough loss could prove invaluable in their quest for success.
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