His thought is always to go backwards – Glenn Hoddle blast one Spurs star not convincing enough
Glenn Hoddle has expressed concerns about Guglielmo Vicario’s approach to defending set-pieces, particularly when it comes to playing on the front foot.
Tottenham Hotspur’s recurring struggles with set-pieces have been highlighted throughout Ange Postecoglou’s tenure as manager.
The recent North London derby loss to Arsenal serves as another reminder of this persistent issue, as Gabriel’s headed goal from a corner secured all three points for the Gunners.
Since the start of the 2023/24 season, Tottenham has conceded 18 goals from set-pieces, underlining a significant vulnerability in their defense.
Hoddle believes teams are deliberately targeting Vicario during set-pieces, exploiting his tendency to move backward rather than stepping up to claim or punch the ball away.
This pattern of behavior was evident during the Arsenal game, where Vicario seemed more preoccupied with managing the positioning of opposing players than actively dealing with the cross or the resulting header.
Hoddle’s analysis, shared during Premier League Productions, points to the Italian goalkeeper’s instinct to retreat instead of confronting aerial balls head-on.
According to Hoddle, Vicario should focus on detaching himself from the physical confrontations in the box and concentrate on clearing dangerous deliveries.
He explained that Vicario’s body language often shows him leaning backward, an indication that he’s not assertive enough in coming out to punch the ball away.
In Hoddle’s view, Vicario must become more physical and commanding when dealing with crosses, even if that means simply punching the ball clear rather than trying to catch it.
Arsenal’s corner-kick strategy appeared to be tailored to exploit this very weakness, and Vicario’s unconvincing attempt to deal with one such delivery in the first half only reinforced these concerns.
Hoddle added that while Vicario is a solid shot-stopper, his ability to dominate his area during set-pieces needs significant improvement if Tottenham is to avoid conceding more goals from similar situations in the future.
It is clear that while Vicario’s approach to set-pieces requires attention, the issue is also a broader team problem.
Tottenham lacks a commanding presence in defense—someone who can be relied upon to clear the ball with authority in high-pressure situations.
Players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven need to step up and take greater responsibility when defending set-pieces, as their lack of physical dominance is contributing to Tottenham’s vulnerabilities.
Set-pieces have long been Tottenham’s Achilles heel, and the Arsenal defeat exemplified how costly this issue can be.
Despite dominating possession for much of the game, Spurs were undone by their inability to defend a single corner effectively.
Gabriel was allowed to rise unmarked and head the ball into the back of the net, taking advantage of Tottenham’s disorganization in the box.
Tottenham’s struggles with set-pieces aren’t just limited to individual errors from the goalkeeper. The entire defensive unit needs to be more cohesive and assertive in these situations.
This includes better communication between the goalkeeper and the defenders, as well as a more proactive approach to dealing with incoming crosses.
Romero and Van de Ven, in particular, must show greater strength and decisiveness when defending aerial balls. Without a player like Virgil van Dijk or William Saliba—a commanding presence capable of winning aerial duels consistently—Tottenham’s defense remains susceptible to well-executed set-pieces from opponents.
While Vicario’s shot-stopping abilities are not in question, his hesitation during set-piece situations is something that opposing teams have likely noticed and are looking to exploit.
The goalkeeper’s role in organizing the defense during these moments is crucial, and Vicario must take more control of his penalty area.
By becoming more aggressive in clearing the ball and making his presence felt, he can help reduce the number of goals Tottenham concedes from set-pieces.
In conclusion, while Vicario has room for improvement, particularly in set-piece situations, Tottenham’s defensive struggles in these areas require a collective effort.
The lack of a dominant figure in the backline is evident, and both the goalkeeper and the defenders must address these weaknesses to prevent further costly mistakes.
As long as Tottenham continues to be vulnerable in these situations, they risk conceding unnecessary goals that could jeopardize their ambitions for the season.
Solving this issue will require tactical adjustments, better communication, and a more aggressive approach from the entire team when defending set-pieces.
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