Tottenham came from 1 - nil down to defeat Luton in a game that was harder than was billed. Luton are a team battling relegation but they have something about them that could hurt any team. With Ross Barkley having the season of his life running the midfield , Tottenham found them hard to break down. This is not the first time Tottenham found a relegation team hard to break down but this time it was more about poor performance rather than the system that was in place.
Midfield not playing Well
Bissouma who was the best player in the League during Tottenhams first 8 games is having an identity crisis since his sending off (funny enough against Luton away). Since then he has been injured. Bearly featured in the African Nations Cup and not selected in the Mali squad for the last round of international. It is safe to say that Bissouma is not a happy camper. He has gone into his shell a little bit after his sending off. Not tackling much and mislaying passes. He was woeful against Townsend for the first goal at the weekend and got turned easily. The number 6 role at the start of the season was his but after a couple of woeful displays I fear that Bissouma may be dropped. Conte did not trust him especially on defensive tactics but he is not the first manager to not trust him. Take us back to Brighton before the days of Graham Potter and Chris Hughton did not trust him either. When this guy turns on the style he is great but it is just not happening for him lately. Maybe a break on the bench might do him good but there is no player good enough in the number 6 role to replace him. Bentancur is not a number 6 so the role falls to PEH or Skipp. Not ideal either so we have a problem here and this is why Spurs are after Gallagher in the summer.
Maddison Not At His Best
James Maddison was a 10/10 before his injury at Chelsea and he was out until February but is struggling to regain form. He was at best OK in the last couple of games but never rising to the performances of pre Christmas. The internationals may have done him with a longer break out and not playing much for Southgate. The player will come good and he normally plays himself into form but with Los Celso waiting in the wings for a chance and having a good cameo against Luton, he has to look behind him as well.
Kulusevski Not On Form
After his great interview last week Dejan has fallen off a cliff. Against Luton he kept trying to pull inside whereas Werner had more success skipping the wings. The cut in was frustrating the manager and it was stifling Pedro Porro. When Ange hooked the Swede for not doing what he was told and took on Johnson , there was a big improvement and we ended up winning easily. Kulusevski has not made it a secret he wants to play a Central role and he was only put on the wing at Parma and Juventus because of the teams needed. But there is no room for him here with Maddison on this role so do we need to train the player up as a Central Midfielder, I am not sure but he is not fitting in Ange's system well at the moment.
Dragusin Started Again
Ange is keen to keep Micky Van Der Vien wrapped up in cotton wool until West Ham tonight so he gave the new signing another run out against Luton. Dragusin had a nightmare against Fulham so he was played again to get him over this nightmare. Ange is playing him on the left which is not his best position but he did OK. I would be concerned about his passing , heading , speed, movement and a whole list of other things but he is only young and has potential so we will see. At the moment Ben Davies is a much better option on the left in my opinion.
Udogee Getting Sloppy
Udogee is giving away the ball too much. I know he is a sensation but he is making alot of mistakes and he is very like Trent in not defending that well. He doesn't come back after an attack and has been the fault of a number of goals. O know this is a tactic but he could have done better in both Fulham and Luton. This will soon become a tactic for other teams to get the back in behind the Italian wing back. It is OK wHhen VDV is there to sweep up but if he isn't then the wing back is in a world of trouble.
West Ham Angry After Weekend.
I have a West Ham friend who hates Spurs with a passion. It is West Ham's cup final on Tuesday night and they will be chomping at the bite to make up for their display last Saturday. They were cruising at 3 - 1 up against Newcastle last Saturday and they threw it away. They brought on Kalvin Philips in the 69th minute to see the game out and he made a complete balls of it by giving away a penalty and being generally shocking. Newcastle came back and won 4-3 and Moyes admitted the substitution was a mistake to bring on the Man City loanee. Spurs dodged a bullet here with this guy as he has been a disaster for West Ham. This result will do Spurs no favours as West Ham will be wanting to made up for their mistake by beating their most hated rivals. I wouldn't mind. Spurs don't really mind West Ham but they hate us which I find funny. Now many of our fans are weary about tonight but I am not. Touch wood. We owe them one for the robbery at the home fixture of the League where West Ham parked a bus in their own half and got two of the most dodgiest , fluckiest goals I have ever seen. The possesion stats were something like 85% in Spurs's favour so it was a loss that was hard to take. This time though we will not make the same mistakes but this is noramlly famous last words before I have to eat my hat.
In Other News Gunners Park The Bus
Arsenal parked the bus in their must win League Tie against City last weekend. It was a strange tactic worthy of the bottle jobs that they are. Why would you park the bus when trying to win the League. Liverpool now have a 2 point cushion in the League. Strange tactic indeed from Arteta who has spent more than any other manager in his years at the club. This is the start of their demise this season. It is great to see.