Former Premier League manager doubts whether Spurs can challenge for the title

Following Tottenham’s monumental collapse against West Ham on Sunday, as expected, the Lilywhite defence is coming under some serious scrutiny.

The likes of Davinson Sanchez, Harry Winks and Serge Aurier have all been questioned for the parts they played in the Hammers’ comeback this weekend.

While some Spurs fans were insisting before the game that Jose Mourinho could lead the team to a title, the mood may have now changed.

Mourinho, who was not too critical of the way his side defended, insisted instead that these things happen in football.

However former Stoke boss, Tony Pulis has admitted that he still has doubts over whether Tottenham are good enough defensively to sustain a title challenge. Pulis did add that, if there was any coach capable of improving the side defensively, it was Mourinho.

When asked whether Tottenham can keep enough clean sheets to be title contenders, the former Stoke boss told Soccer Saturday (17/10/20 at 1:55 pm): “Well, again that’s the big question.

“You have a look at their forward players that Mourinho has brought in now and they will certainly score goals without a question of doubt. It’s just about finding that balance.

“The top teams in this league, it’s really, really exciting if you look at the Premier League now. The players that are playing for these teams. Outstanding players. Game-changers. Big question is, can they defend? And defend as well as you need to win the title?

“And Tottenham are still yet to convince me and Mourinho is as good as coach defensively as you will get. If you are betting on anyone then you are betting on him to sort it out.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Our defending this season in open play has actually been quite good but it is our inability to defend set-pieces that seems to be letting us down. Having said that, there was an element of luck involved with West Ham’s comeback on Sunday, given the manner in which the goals came about. One positive is that this collapse came so early on in the season, which hopefully means that we will learn from it and ensure we do not throw leads away like we did.

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