Ian Wright has highlighted Tottenham Hotspur’s current back four as a weakness under Ange Postecoglou.
Given the injuries Tottenham have suffered and their self-inflicted suspensions, it has resulted in Ben Davies and Emerson Royal partnering one another at the heart of defence.
If you then include Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, that then means Tottenham are operating four fullbacks – it doesn’t make good reading for someone like Eric Dier who is on the bench.
With his striker’s hat on, Ian Wright expressed how he would love to have played against Ben Davies and Emerson Royal because he would put them under pressure ‘continually’, as he told Premier League Productions (01/01/24 at 2:25 pm).
With Micky van de Ven set to return from the treatment room and Cristian Romero now picking up an injury of his own, it seems as though Spurs can’t catch a break.
Yes, it doesn’t help that Ange Postecoglou doesn’t select Eric Dier, but at the end of the day, if the manager doesn’t think he is good enough, then there is no point in selecting him.
And if you look at the club’s most recent result – 3-1 win over Bournemouth – then the makeshift back four is doing pretty well.
But it’s something, from a striker’s perspective, Ian Wright would love to play against.
Tottenham’s defence
“But having four fullbacks at the back is a definite weakness,” said Wright.
“For them to get anything from those guys at the back. Emerson Royal and Davies, if I play against them, I am putting all my force into those two on the pressure continually.”
Tottenham in the Premier League title race?
Despite Tottenham’s injury issues, they are still six points behind leaders Liverpool, who beat Newcastle United 4-2 on Monday night – John Terry wasn’t impressed.
There is still every chance that Spurs are in this title race, especially given that teams left, right and centre are dropping points, no more so than their neighbours, Arsenal.
One point separates the north London duo, with Arsenal now in fourth after back-to-back defeats to West Ham United and Fulham.
When Harry Kane left in the summer, if you had offered the fans this current situation, then they would have snapped your hands off.
And it could get even better as the season progresses.