‘Look at him’: Glenn Hoddle says Tottenham star needs to be bench after shocking display
Tottenham Hotspur’s latest defeat has left fans wondering if the dust has truly settled. In some ways, the timing of the international break might do the team some good, providing a chance to regroup and reflect.
However, it’s likely that Ange Postecoglou would have preferred to get his players back out on the field to shake off the disappointment of their recent performance.
Tottenham’s collapse against Brighton was a harsh reminder of the fragility that still plagues the team. While they have made significant strides under Postecoglou, particularly in attack, the defense continues to let them down.
This latest defeat was the worst defensive display since the Australian took charge, with the second half showcasing a litany of errors. Brighton, with their dynamic and fluid attacking style, exposed the cracks in Tottenham’s defense, turning what had been a solid first-half performance into a nightmare for Spurs fans.
Offensively, Tottenham has little to worry about. Players like Brennan Johnson have been in fine form, with Johnson scoring again in this latest match. However, it’s at the back where the real concerns lie.
Tottenham’s defense, featuring Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie, is filled with talent that many top clubs would covet. Yet, despite the quality on paper, there have been several concerning performances from these individuals, most notably from Romero.
Romero’s form has been particularly worrying. The World Cup winner, who should be one of the leaders at the back, has struggled this season.
From the opening day at Leicester City to the north London derby defeat, his performances have raised questions. In the recent loss to Brighton, Romero was caught out again, and Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle did not hold back in his criticism.
Hoddle slammed Romero’s positional play during Danny Welbeck’s winning goal, suggesting that the defender might as well have been watching from the stands.
Hoddle’s analysis of the goal highlighted Romero’s failure to keep track of Welbeck. In what should have been a simple defensive situation with three Tottenham players in the six-yard box against one Brighton attacker, Romero was caught ball-watching.
His lack of awareness and poor positioning allowed Welbeck to score, and it’s moments like these that have Spurs fans worried about their defensive structure.
Hoddle described the situation as poor defending all around. Udogie, for his part, got too tight and was easily turned, while Bentancur should have cleared the danger earlier.
However, it was Romero’s lack of focus that stood out. His failure to check on Welbeck and adjust his positioning left him in no-man’s land, effectively turning him into a spectator.
It’s these kinds of individual errors that are hurting Tottenham, and unless Romero improves quickly, Spurs’ defensive woes will continue.
Romero’s struggles are emblematic of the broader issues facing Tottenham’s defense. Postecoglou’s all-action style, which emphasizes high pressing and attacking play, leaves the backline exposed to counterattacks.
While this approach has made Tottenham a force to reckon with in attack, it places immense pressure on the defenders, who often find themselves facing large open spaces.
This, combined with individual errors, is proving to be a major hurdle for Tottenham as they look to solidify their position in the league.
The pressure is now on Postecoglou to find a solution. While the international break offers some respite, the manager will need to address the defensive issues quickly.
Tottenham’s next fixtures will be crucial, and the team cannot afford to continue leaking goals at the rate they are. Romero, in particular, needs to step up and rediscover the form that made him a World Cup winner.
If Tottenham are to challenge for a top-four spot or even dream of a title push, their defense will need to match the quality of their attack.
The international break might provide a much-needed pause, but it also brings added scrutiny. Tottenham’s defensive problems are no secret, and other teams will look to exploit these weaknesses in future matches.
Postecoglou has shown that he can get the best out of his attacking players, but the real test will be whether he can shore up his defense and bring some much-needed stability to the backline.
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