Player-by-Player Review: West Brom vs Tottenham

Article by Ian Gunn @COYS64

When Kane plays 'up top' on his own, his hold up play is 1st class. When he lays the ball off to a colleague, he busts a gut to find space either in the middle, or just left of centre. This gives him the opportunity to either get on the end of a cross, or use his whipped right footed shot into the far corner.

With Janssen, his hold up play is just as good as Kane's. What Janssen needs to do is find space either in the middle, or just to the right of centre, so he can bring his favoured left foot in to play to whip a shot into the far corner.

Both strikers need the support of those behind them (in either 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1, 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formations) to provide options in the box and to make life difficult for our opponents. Alli did this a number of times yesterday, but it would be good to know often we got more than three people in the opponents box from open play yesterday?

There also seemed to be a number of situations yesterday where our decision making in the final third seemed to be lacking. I seem to recall (in the second half) Eriksen spraying a ball out right, when Janssen was sprinting for goal through the middle (and had caught his defender on the hop).

Lloris (6) - had virtually nothing to do in the first half, but became increasingly busy in the second half. Did well to keep out the shot that proceeded Chadli's goal, and push the ball out wide.

Walker (6) - Pochettino has worked wonders with Kyle. If he does find himself slightly out of position, his blistering pace soon remedies the situation.

Vertonghen (6) - a very quiet and efficient game from Jan. Made one high tackle on Chadli, which made the former 'Spur wince.

Alderweireld (7) - his injury looked bad and he was in a great deal of pain when he went down. Up to that point, he had been in imperious form. His cross field balls from right to left, will become the stuff of legend. He will be missed, but this will enable either Dier or Wimmer to step up to the plate.

Davies (6) - I was impressed with Ben yesterday. His starting position appeared to be more further forward than we have seen from him of late? His left foot drive in the first half brought out the best in Foster.

Wanyama (7) - had another quietly effective and efficient game. It is like he has been in the centre of our midfield for years.

Sissoko (5) - would you understand my view that 'the jury is still out' with this player. This is someone with premier league experience, who I thought would have settled quicker?

Lamela (6) - oh, the social media was aflame after this performance. For me, it was workmanlike, rather than outstanding.

Dele (8) - a really mature and outstanding performance from Alli. Seems to be growing in stature with every passing Premier league minute. Supported Janssen well and his equalising goal was a sublime, intelligent finish.

Eriksen (7) - slowly coming back to his best. On another day, against a less inspired 'keeper, he could have easily scored a brace. Provided an assist for Dele.

Janssen (6) - works tirelessly to bring others into the game, but often needs to be on the end of the good work he has started.

Subs: Dier (6) - seamlessly slotted into the back four and provided adequate cover for Toby. It was his cross at the start of the passage of play that lead to our equalising goal.

Dembele (N/R) - it was great to see him make a welcome return. Was soon back to his best. Opponents know what is immediately going to follow a drop of his shoulder, but they seem powerless to stop it.

Son (N/R) - we seemed to go to a higher, more fluid 4-3-3 formation when Hueng-min came on. He was industrious and busy and his tenacity lead to our goal. On his current form, he has to start on Tuesday.

Tactics - with an eye on Tuesday's trip to the BayArena, I think our starting XI and the formation was strong enough to defeat West Brom. However, we had yet another opposition 'keeper pull out a MotM performance against us. Our first change was enforced, as a result of the Alderweireld injury. The next 2 were with the desire to change our shape to help us overcome a resolute defence.

From my recollection, we did almost everything right in 2/3rds of the pitch. As Ricky (e-Spurs) has said, we just need to be more clinical in the final 1/3rd. When WBA scored, we should have been in a position in the game where it was purely a consolation. As it was, it was another game where we left it late to come back to secure a point. As we've all said, when it does eventually click, we will hopefully see more of the 'Stoke away' types of performances?

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