'His very exceptional': Postecoglou claims €25M Tottenham youngster really impressed him despite embarrassing defeat

Tottenham Hotspur’s early-season journey under Ange Postecoglou has been a mixed bag, showcasing dominant home performances but disappointing results on the road. Despite their commendable control of play at St James’ Park, Spurs left Newcastle empty-handed, a frustrating outcome for Postecoglou and his squad.

While Tottenham excelled at home, particularly against a fatigued Everton side where Wilson Odobert and Son Heung-min were instrumental, their away form has been less impressive. Even though the season is only three games in, Spurs have already shown a stark contrast in their home and away performances.

Against Newcastle, Tottenham controlled much of the game but failed to convert their dominance into clear-cut opportunities, a shortcoming that Newcastle capitalized on with two clinical finishes.

One of the significant challenges Tottenham faced at St James’ Park was the absence of key players like Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven. Their return after the international break could be pivotal as Spurs prepare to face Arsenal. Solanke’s physical presence and goal-scoring ability were sorely missed, as was Van de Ven’s defensive composure and balance at the back.

In the absence of Van de Ven, Radu Dragusin was handed a rare opportunity to start, and according to Postecoglou, he did not disappoint. The £25m defender stepped into the fray, allowing Cristian Romero to shift to the left center-back position.

Postecoglou, speaking after the 2-1 defeat, praised Dragusin’s performance, particularly noting his concentration and composure against Newcastle’s attacking threat, led by Alexander Isak.

“I thought he was good, Radu,” Postecoglou said during the post-match press conference. “It was a great opportunity to expose him. I mean, he’s only 22. He’s still a young man, especially for a defender, and I thought exposing him to this atmosphere and the threat that Newcastle posed with Isak up front, he had to be really concentrated and I thought he was. I think he’s going to play a big part in our season. Him coming through that whole experience will set him up well.”

Dragusin’s promising display hints at a bright future, but his performance alone couldn’t compensate for the absence of Van de Ven’s stabilizing influence in Tottenham’s backline.

While Dragusin’s performance earned praise, Cristian Romero’s defensive decisions were less commendable. Former footballer and pundit Daniel Sturridge labeled Romero a “mad man” for his aggressive pursuit of the ball, which led to the first goal Tottenham conceded. Although Sturridge acknowledged Romero’s tenacity, the decision to leave his defensive post exposed Spurs at a critical moment.

This wasn’t the only criticism leveled at Tottenham’s defense. Roy Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach to football analysis, also pointed out the shortcomings in Tottenham’s backline. He specifically highlighted the lack of protection offered to the center-backs, which contributed to their vulnerability against Newcastle.

With the North London derby against Arsenal fast approaching, Tottenham’s mixed performances have set the stage for a crucial showdown. The return of key players like Solanke and Van de Ven could tilt the balance in Spurs’ favor, but the team must address its defensive lapses and capitalize on its attacking potential if they are to secure a positive result.

The derby will serve as a litmus test for Postecoglou’s tactics and the team’s resilience. As Spurs fans hope for a turnaround in their away form, all eyes will be on how the team responds to the challenge posed by their arch-rivals. A victory could not only boost their position in the league but also reignite confidence in Postecoglou’s project at Tottenham Hotspur.

‘His very exceptional’: Postecoglou claims €25M Tottenham youngster really impressed him despite embarrassing defeat

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