I watched every goals Spurs have conceded this season to discover the problem

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been marked by strong performances yet inconsistent results, raising questions about what’s really going on. While some might attribute these ups and downs to the classic “Spursiness,” the issue may lie with one key player rather than the whole team.

Tottenham have shown their ability to dismantle top-tier teams like Manchester United, only to falter after securing comfortable leads, such as in the recent game against Brighton, or to drop points in unexpected losses like their defeat to Crystal Palace right after a strong win against West Ham.

Such inconsistency might be brushed off as typical for Spurs, with recurring issues under pressure and a seeming inability to turn quality play into wins.

However, digging deeper into the statistics reveals a different story. Tottenham rank second in the league for metrics like possession, completed passes, shots, and expected goals, trailing only Manchester City.

Defensively, they rank among the top teams in goals conceded and expected goals against. Additionally, they lead in tackles made and have an impressive dribbling record, positioning them statistically as a top-four team, if not a title contender.

Many fans and analysts might still label these disappointments as mental failures, citing instances like the close 2-1 loss to Newcastle or the 3-2 slip against Brighton.

But a closer look at Spurs’ defensive struggles this season suggests that the source of these missed opportunities could be Cristian Romero. While Romero has been a strong addition to the team since 2021, he’s been involved in several critical errors this season.

For instance, he failed to track Danny Welbeck for Brighton’s winner and made a poor defensive play that allowed Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta to score. His lapses continued with Gabriel’s goal from a corner against Arsenal.

Analyzing each goal Spurs conceded, it becomes clear that Romero has played a role in at least four to six of these, depending on how strictly one interprets the breakdown of each play.

While Romero’s overall performance statistics look solid, with him making more tackles and forcing more turnovers than in previous seasons, his key mistakes have often led directly to opposing goals. This raises the question of whether these mistakes are simply bad luck or part of a worrying trend in his focus and decision-making.

Romero’s errors have been costly in games decided by narrow margins, and while he remains a high-caliber player, his mistakes have cast doubt on his current form.

Spurs also face challenges in offense, where they convert shots into goals at a lower rate than several other teams, including some in lower leagues, despite their respectable expected goals (xG) metrics.

Manager Ange Postecoglou may now face a critical decision: assess whether Romero’s struggles are a temporary blip or a sign of something more persistent.

Fortunately, Romero is a player with proven talent and potential for improvement. If he can regain his focus, Spurs stand poised to contend for the top four, controlling possession and creating opportunities with all the potential of a Champions League-caliber team.

However, any more defensive lapses, especially with an important matchup against Aston Villa approaching, could further hinder their aspirations. If Romero plays, he’ll need to show heightened concentration and awareness, as Tottenham’s season may depend on it.

I watched every goals Spurs have conceded this season to discover the problem – and I’ve finally found it

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