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Tactical indecision results in deadlock between Burnley and Spurs Tactical indecision results in deadlock between Burnley and Tottenham
(about 5 hours later)
Uneventful goalless draws are often euphemistically described as a “tense tactical battle” but even that description would be charitable. Sean Dyche’s solid, compact 4-4-2 denied Tottenham space, but they were alarmingly short of creativity or speed to provide a genuine threat. Uneventful goalless draws are often euphemistically described as “tense, tactical battles” but even that description would be charitable for this match. Sean Dyche’s solid, compact 4-4-2 denied Tottenham space but Spurs were alarmingly short of creativity or speed to provide a genuine threat.
Mauricio Pochettino has switched between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 this season, and his approach here suggested he could not entirely decide between the two. On paper it was the former, but Christian Eriksen, notionally the right-winger, spent so long in central positions in an attempt to bridge the gap between midfield and Harry Kane that for long periods Spurs were playing with a midfield diamond, Nacer Chadli on the left, and no one occupying the right flank. Mauricio Pochettino has switched between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 this season and his approach here suggested he could not decide between the two. On paper it was the former but Christian Eriksen, notionally the right-winger, spent so long in central positions in an attempt to bridge the gap between midfield and Harry Kane that for long periods Spurs were playing with a midfield diamond, Nacer Chadli on the left and no one occupying the right flank.
This caused Tottenham problems. Eriksen was unable to receive possession between the lines, and when Spurs’ passing moves broke down, Kyle Walker often found himself overloaded against Burnley’s left-winger Ashley Barnes and the left-back Ben Mee. Burnley repeatedly crossed the ball from both flanks – by full-time, the tally was 31, compared with seven from the away side. This caused Tottenham problems. Eriksen was unable to receive possession between the lines and, when Spurs’ passing moves broke down, Kyle Walker often found himself overloaded against Burnley’s left-winger Ashley Barnes and the left-back Ben Mee. Burnley repeatedly crossed the ball from both flanks – by full-time the tally was 31, compared with seven from the away side.
The other notable aspect of Burnley’s performance was their energetic pressing in the opening stages, especially impressive considering this concept is the main part of Spurs’ style under Pochettino. One of Burnley’s forwards, usually Danny Ings, dropped into midfield and marked the defensive midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, with others backing up, closing down as a unit when Tottenham’s defenders played the ball into midfield.The other notable aspect of Burnley’s performance was their energetic pressing in the opening stages, especially impressive considering this concept is the main part of Spurs’ style under Pochettino. One of Burnley’s forwards, usually Danny Ings, dropped into midfield and marked the defensive midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, with others backing up, closing down as a unit when Tottenham’s defenders played the ball into midfield.
The game’s clearest goalscoring chance came as a direct consequence of the aggressive pressing – George Boyd won the ball quickly from Ryan Mason, releasing Ings, who shot straight at Michel Vorm.The game’s clearest goalscoring chance came as a direct consequence of the aggressive pressing – George Boyd won the ball quickly from Ryan Mason, releasing Ings, who shot straight at Michel Vorm.
That rattled Tottenham, and for the remainder of the first half, Spurs’ centre-back duo Eric Dier and Vlad Chiriches were reluctant to thread passes into the midfield trio, instead knocking square balls between one another. Burnley deserve credit for their organisation, certainly, but more movement or rotation from the Spurs midfield might have been useful – or even a more direct approach, bypassing midfield and getting Kane running in behind the elderly Burnley duo of Mike Duff and Jason Shackell. That rattled Tottenham and for the remainder of the first half Spurs’ centre-back duo, Eric Dier and Vlad Chiriches, were reluctant to thread passes into the midfield trio, instead knocking square balls between one another. Burnley deserve credit for their organisation, certainly, but more movement or rotation from the Spurs midfield might have been useful – or even a more direct approach, bypassing midfield and getting Kane running in behind the elderly Burnley pair of Michael Duff and Jason Shackell.
In this kind of situation, not dissimilar to Spurs’ problem in a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month, it’s difficult to deduce precisely how Kane wants to be serviced – with long balls to his head, short balls to feet, passes in behind the opposition or searching balls into the channels? Unquestionably a fine finisher, Kane’s all-round game is understandably incomplete at this early stage of his career. In this kind of situation, not dissimilar to Spurs’ problem in a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month, it is difficult to deduce precisely how Kane wants to be serviced – with long balls to his head, short balls to feet, passes in behind the opposition or searching balls into the channels? Unquestionably a fine finisher, Kane’s all-round game is understandably incomplete at this early stage of his career.
Most frustrating was Pochettino’s reluctance to change his starting XI or the system. This was illustrated in bizarre circumstances at the start of the second half when Walker, injured shortly before the interval, reappeared despite barely being able to walk. It’s not uncommon for players to attempt to run off knocks but Walker was clearly in no fit state to continue, and had to force the issue by going to ground before being replaced by Ben Davies, who played at centre-back with Chiriches moving wide. Most frustrating was Pochettino’s reluctance to change his starting XI or the system. This was illustrated in bizarre circumstances at the start of the second half when Walker, injured shortly before the interval, reappeared despite barely being able to walk. It’s not uncommon for players to attempt to run off knocks but Walker was clearly in no fit state to continue and had to force the issue by going to ground before being replaced by Ben Davies, who played at centre-back with Chiriches moving wide.
Erik Lamela’s 64th-minute introduction in place of Chadli provided some much-needed speed and directness in possession, though surprisingly it took until the 83rd minute before Pochettino brought on Andros Townsend in place of one of his central midfielders. Even more amazingly, it was not the hapless Paulinho who was hooked. His atrocious 20-yard toe-poked shot, which trickled miles wide of the Burnley goal, is probably the lasting memory from this game – which is somewhat fitting.Erik Lamela’s 64th-minute introduction in place of Chadli provided some much-needed speed and directness in possession, though surprisingly it took until the 83rd minute before Pochettino brought on Andros Townsend in place of one of his central midfielders. Even more amazingly, it was not the hapless Paulinho who was hooked. His atrocious 20-yard toe-poked shot, which trickled miles wide of the Burnley goal, is probably the lasting memory from this game – which is somewhat fitting.