Spurs get lucky with Young Boys

Young Boys 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur

As a Spurs fan, that was horrendous. Never mind the first thirty minutes that found Tottenham three goals down, the entire game was a defensive shambles. And whatever happens, do not blame the pitch.

The AstroTurf pitch simply exacerbated fundamental flaws in the setup of the London team which were not helped by some very poor individual decisions. Young Boys started at a very high tempo, but were very compact and did not use the flanks. Spurs on the other hand went with a traditional 4-4-2 formation with wingers hugging the touch line. This was the first mistake, and is a lesson that needs to be learnt.

- 4-4-2 does not work away from home in Europe

Villareal and an under-cooked Fiorentina gave Spurs a few lessons at the Lane. Tottenham's away record at the top teams has been terrible for many, many years. And yet Harry Redknapp went with an offensive 4-4-2 against the team from Bern. He, and the players, showed a lack of respect and awareness. For that first thirty minutes Spurs could not get on the ball. Young Boys' 5 man midfield were far more fluid, and Tottenham did not press as a team.

- Pavlyuchenko and Defoe should not play together against strong teams.

Neither player was impressive. Neither player showed a good enough touch in build up play nor in front of goal. Neither player worked hard. Nor did they get back and close down the holding midfielder, stopping Young Boys from progressing their play up the pitch.

The Russian, apart from the movement and finish for his goal, was woeful. Defoe still looked a little off pace. The half chances that did come their way did not manage a meaningful effort on goal. If they are not scoring, they offer nothing. However....

- Keane is the key

I'm not saying he should start every week. But when the opposition has men behind the ball, and more men in midfield, the Irishman's ability to drop deep and get play going motivates the rest of the team to increase their off the ball movement. Keane did not hesitate to come to the half way line and take the ball of the centre backs and get involved with the central midfielders. His markers did not know whether to stick or twist, and his lay-off for the second goal was excellent, and was the first link up between any of our strikers.

- Huddlestone is a giant

Palacios and Modric were out numbered, but the Honduran did not help his game by being wasteful in possession and poor in defence. The holding role does not suit him as he wants to step up and press the ball and ends up caught in a no-man's land that contributed to the second and third goals we conceded. Only when Huddlestone came on after thirty minutes did Spurs look assured on the ball, slowing the tempo when needed and providing good positional awareness when needed.

He is not yet vocal enough to be a midfield general, but his game has improved to the extent that others now take their lead from him.

- You cannot play high and not press.

The second and third goals also exploited a lack of pace at the back. Even if Spurs had Usain Bolt at the back, it's easy to out pace someone when they have to turn 180 degrees. However, when there is pressure on the ball it is harder for the opposition to play the perfect ball for the runners to run on to.

As said above, Spurs were out numbered in midfield and the strikers were not helping out. The back line should have dropped, therefore, keeping the play in front of them. Instead they tried to push up and were exposed. Once again a lack of respect and awareness saw Spurs concede two unnecessary goals.

- The Internationals did not help.

Some players are still suffering from a World Cup hangover. With an early start to the Premiership season, plus mid week internationals before the season had begun, some players are lacking the sharpness needed. This was Spurs' second competitive game - Young Boys are on 7 already.

- Hurry Up Sandro

Tottenham's only summer signing, Sandro is due to arrive after the second leg of the Copa Libertadores. The defensive midfielder would be the perfect addition to a three man midfield and would have cut off the two through balls for the Swiss team's second and third goals. When Spurs make the switch to 4-3-3/4-5-1, he could be key



All is not lost. Pavlyuchenko's late goal makes Spurs favourites at a packed White Hart Lane. With a more traditional surface and the crowd behind them, you would expect Spurs to win, maybe by a couple of goals. However, if they cannot address those defensive issues and the naivety of manager and players, this season will be anything but Glory Glory.