Tottenham vs West Ham: A Pre-Season Friendly Report
The Ange Postecoglou Era Begins
In the pre-season friendly between Tottenham and West Ham, the Ange Postecoglou era at Tottenham began with an entertaining but ultimately losing performance. West Ham emerged victorious with a 3-2 win in Perth. Tottenham dominated the first half but went into the break trailing by two goals, as headers from Danny Ings and Divin Mubama exposed their poor set-piece defending. Despite making 11 changes at halftime, the pattern remained the same, with Spurs continuing to create chances. Giovani Lo Celso and Destiny Udogie scored to pull Tottenham level, but it was West Ham who secured the winner through Gianluca Scamacca.
Postecoglou Takes Responsibility for Defensive Shortcomings
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou accepted responsibility for his team’s defensive woes against West Ham. He admitted that they had not done enough work on defensive areas and structures around set-pieces. However, he praised the defensive pressure and acknowledged that his team did not allow too many chances. Postecoglou highlighted the need to improve defensive organization and movement off the ball. He recognized that there are still areas in their structure that require adjustment and emphasized the importance of moving the ball quickly and positioning players correctly.
West Ham’s Forwards Shine
West Ham’s forwards had a perfect night in Perth, with all three of their strikers scoring goals. Jarrod Bowen, Divin Mubama, and Gianluca Scamacca all found the back of the net, showcasing their quality in front of goal. Bowen, in particular, caused trouble for Tottenham’s defense with his sharpness and ability to create problems for the left-back. This performance highlights West Ham’s attacking depth and suggests that they could be a potent force in the upcoming season.
Editorial: Tactical Adjustments and Defensive Work Needed for Tottenham
Despite the loss, there were positive signs for Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou. The team showed fluid attacking play and created numerous chances throughout the match. However, their defensive shortcomings and vulnerability during set-pieces were exposed. Postecoglou acknowledged this issue and accepted responsibility for not adequately addressing it in training. Moving forward, Tottenham will need to focus on improving their defensive organization, set-piece defending, and the overall structure of their team. The attacking flair is promising, but a strong defense is crucial for success in the Premier League.
Advice for Tottenham: Focus on Defensive Organization
As Tottenham prepares for the upcoming season, it is essential for them to prioritize defensive organization and set-piece defending. Ange Postecoglou highlighted the need for improvement in these areas and admitted that they had not dedicated enough training time to them. Tottenham should invest time and effort into developing a solid defensive structure that can withstand the challenges posed by opponents. Additionally, the players must be well-drilled in their positioning and movement off the ball to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. By addressing these defensive issues, Tottenham can build a strong foundation to support their attacking prowess and improve their overall performance in the Premier League.
<< photo by RDNE Stock project >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
