Naive: 0% Tottenham ace flops v Crystal Palace, O’Hara slams ‘Naive’ Ange Postecoglou mistake
Ange Postecoglou’s choice to start 17-year-old Mikey Moore drew mixed reactions, with former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara calling the decision “naive” during a live broadcast on Sky Sports News (October 27).
O’Hara’s assessment pointed to the challenges of starting a young, developing player in a high-pressure Premier League match, especially a London derby away from home.
Moore’s performance demonstrated potential but also highlighted areas for growth. As a promising talent in Tottenham’s ranks, Moore has shown considerable skill, yet his performance in this match suggested that Postecoglou might have introduced him a bit early.
According to Sofascore data, Moore struggled with aspects of his game that indicate the difficulty of adapting to the intensity and physicality of Premier League football. For instance, he completed none of his dribble attempts, and both crosses he attempted fell short of their targets.
The stats from the match illustrate the struggles Moore faced. Out of seven ground duels, he won just two and succeeded in only half of his aerial duels.
While he did maintain an 83% pass completion rate, he also lost possession 10 times, which is not ideal for a Premier League debut.
While it is understandable to expect some growing pains from a player making his first start at this level, Moore’s overall performance suggests that easing him into the league might better serve his development.
Despite these challenges, it’s essential to consider Moore’s age and potential. For a teenager in his first Premier League start, a challenging outing is not unexpected, and harsh criticism would be unfair given his limited experience at this level.
However, this match might prompt Postecoglou to be more strategic with Moore’s future appearances, allowing him time to adapt and develop before taking on more demanding roles.
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