Fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must drop 4/10 Spurs ace who lost the ball 12x

Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of unpredictable, a trend that continued during their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Just a week prior, they dismantled an out-of-form West Ham team 4-1, a match in which they initially went a goal down but bounced back with a dominant display.

That victory seemed to set a positive tone for Spurs, who went on to defeat AZ Alkmaar in midweek, adding confidence as they approached the game at Selhurst Park. Unfortunately for Tottenham, optimism doesn’t always translate to wins, and this match proved just that.

Against Palace, Tottenham fell short, delivering an uninspired performance that culminated in a narrow 1-0 defeat, thanks to a goal by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Even the debut of 17-year-old Mikey Moore, a promising young talent, couldn’t spark the team to victory. Moore, who had generated considerable excitement, was substituted shortly after the hour mark.

Despite his potential, he couldn’t make a notable impact, failing to complete any of his three dribble attempts or register a key pass.

Tottenham’s struggles didn’t end with Moore. Dejan Kulusevski, usually one of their most consistent creators, seemed off his game as well.

Known for his ability to produce chances, he had only one shot and one key pass in the match. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Swede, but he was not the primary issue.

That honor arguably went to Micky van de Ven, whose error directly led to Palace’s winning goal. Despite his standout moments earlier in the season, including a crucial assist at Old Trafford, van de Ven’s costly giveaway placed Tottenham in a vulnerable position they couldn’t recover from.

James Maddison, another key player, had an equally difficult outing. In a season marked by highs and lows, this week alone highlighted his inconsistency.

During the West Ham match, he was substituted at halftime with the score level, only for Tottenham to score three goals in his absence. Postecoglou showed faith in Maddison by making him captain for the Europa League clash midweek, where Maddison displayed leadership by allowing Richarlison to take a penalty.

However, at Selhurst Park, he failed to replicate that influence. Subbed off at the 62-minute mark, Maddison’s performance left much to be desired.

Analysts were quick to point out Maddison’s struggles. Dan Kilpatrick of The Standard rated him 4/10, noting that he was “outshone by his England rival Eberechi Eze.”

Maddison’s statistics reflect an unremarkable outing: 48 touches, a pass accuracy of 76%, and 12 times lost possession. His limited impact was further underscored by a lack of interceptions and an inability to influence the game’s tempo. Eze, on the other hand, made a tangible difference, delivering the assist for Mateta’s decisive goal.

The numbers provide a stark comparison. While Maddison managed a single key pass, Eze was consistently involved in creating opportunities, outperforming Maddison across multiple aspects of the game.

At 27, Maddison’s inconsistency continues to raise questions, especially considering his recent exclusion from England’s last two squads. His performance against Palace lacked creativity, and his frequent turnovers hindered Tottenham’s flow.

With Tottenham having shown their capability to score without him last week, there’s a compelling argument for exploring alternative setups moving forward.

This defeat underscores Tottenham’s ongoing struggle to establish a stable form this season. With upcoming matches against formidable opponents, including Manchester City in the League Cup and a critical league game against Aston Villa, Spurs find themselves in a challenging position.

The team’s inconsistencies, both offensively and defensively, pose significant hurdles. The lack of impact from recent signing Dominic Solanke and defensive lapses, especially on set pieces, are concerns that Postecoglou must address if Tottenham is to fulfill his promise of delivering a trophy this season.

How Tottenham reacts to this latest setback will be crucial in determining their direction for the rest of the season. Their upcoming performance on Wednesday will reveal a great deal about their resilience and ability to contend under pressure.

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