A case for the defence: Tottenham’s back four options

As we enter the home stretch of the current season, now is a good time to take a look at the current squad, both its strengths and its weaknesses. Here’s the first instalment, this time featuring the back line, as the entire squad in one hit could drag out into a mini ‘War and Peace’.

Where better to start than with our ‘cat’ Hugo Lloris? The French number one enjoyed a successful start at the Lane, but has since divided opinion with some dodgy decisions. Still, for me, he is the best we’ve had since Erik ‘the Viking’ Thorstvedt back in the late 80s, early 90s. Though to save me having at least one heart murmur per game, any chance you could catch the ball instead of punching it out?

Left-back still rates one of the biggest concerns. Danny Rose has shown some useful touches, but isn’t up to the class required to help the club challenge for titles, Cups etc. This position, along with up front, is where Mr Levy (and possibly/hopefully Guus Hiddink) will need to concentrate their efforts in the next transfer window.

For the first time in many years, I’m actually quite bullish about our centre backs. The biggest fear for Spurs fans is Jan Vertonghen says ‘sod this for a game of soldiers’ at the end the current campaign, and seek out a team more worthy of his talents, which rank up there with the likes of Ledley King, the one we don’t mention and my personal favourite, Richard Gough.

Moving on, there are doubts surrounding Younes Kaboul’s long-term fitness.  Michael Dawson, for all that he always gives it his all (wish the entire team always showed such commitment), has his flaws and frustratingly tends to put his teammates under too much pressure with some panicky clearances. One of the surprise packages from the summer spending has been ultra-composed Vlad Chiriches, and it would be great to see him and Vertonghen building up a good long-term understanding, with the latter a potentially excellent captain in the making.

Right-back also concerns me, and I’m surprised Kyle Walker doesn’t come in for more criticism. Yes, he is young (23), but has been a regular for quite some time now, but only due to lack of competition. Take away his pace and I wonder if he would even make the team, having made too many naïve decisions, often putting the team under unnecessary pressure. Keep it simple please, Mr Walker, as you have plenty of ability and can make this position yours for the next seven or eight years.

Next time, our over burgeoning midfield.

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