Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest

Tottenham Hotspur improved on a poor first-half performance to blow Nottingham Forest away in the second 45 in North London this evening.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the 3-1 win:

Advantage Tottenham

Spurs may be limping and stumbling their way to results at the moment, but after Aston Villa dropped points against Brentford this weekend, the Lilywhites have the advantage in the race for fourth. Villa and Spurs are both level on 60 points, but Tottenham have a superior goal difference and a game in hand on their rivals for Champions League qualification.

Width Above All Else

We are starting to see a pattern emerging at Tottenham. Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson appear to have cemented themselves as the first-choice attackers right now, and there is a clear reason for that. Postecoglou loves his wingers to stay wide and make the pitch as big as possible, while getting to the byline and whipping low crosses in.

With Dejan Kulusevski preferring to cut inside on his left, it appears he is out of favour at the moment. It also perhaps hints at what kind of attacker Spurs will target in the summer transfer window.

The Engine Room

Spurs are struggling in the middle of the pitch at the moment. It feels like whoever starts is often hooked after 60 minutes, if not before, only for the substitute to significantly improve proceedings.

Swapping Bissouma and Sarr for Hojbjerg and Bentancur at half-time today completely changed the game for Spurs. For whatever reason, the Lilywhites can’t seem to control a football match in the first 45. That is a problem that needs to be sorted out this summer, especially with European football to come.

The James Maddison Problem

Maddison was taken off early again this week, albeit when Tottenham were at least ahead and comfortable this time. It was another frustrating evening for the former Leicester City man, who struggled to reach his usual tempo in the creative pockets.

We also saw that frustration bubble over when he hit out at Yates and was perhaps lucky not to receive any punishment. We all know the talent is there, but he seems like a player trying too hard at the moment. Take it back to basics and the form will arrive eventually.

What can’t Micky Van de Ven do?

Destiny Udogie was a bit all over the place defensively at times today but what a job Micky Van de Ven did mopping up trouble and throwing himself into last-ditch tackles. There was one moment in particular at 3-1 when a Hojbjerg loose pass set Forest away, only for Van de Ven to hurl himself in front of danger not once, but twice!

There really seems to be no weakness to his game, to the point that he’s also smashing in goals now?! I’m really excited to see what kind of ceiling he has, especially as the team improves and grows around him. I suspect we may look back on his signing in three years as an incredible piece of business.

Related Topics