Journalist explains what Spurs must do to get back into the ‘upper echelon’

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has claimed that Tottenham need to focus on improving their midfield if they are to make a return into the ‘upper echelon’ of football.

Tottenham’s latest showing flattered to deceive after they were brushed aside in a 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday, after Michail Antonio’s second-half strike was enough to separate the two sides.

It was far from the bounce-back performance Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo would have hoped for following the club’s disappointing encounter against Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League in midweek.

Nuno reverted to his preferred holding midfield of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp against the Hammers after the pair were fully rested for Thursday’s fixture in the Netherlands.

Although Spurs had the lion’s share of possession at the London Stadium, they did not look that threatening with the ball while West Ham were content to sit patiently and wait for an opportunity.

Bridge believes the club’s football director Fabio Paratici needs to help Nuno by bolstering his options in midfield if they are to be competitive among the best again.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: “I personally think for Tottenham to get into the upper echelon again, they really need to improve the quality of the midfield.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Spurs have quite a few options in midfield currently, including a couple of options that cost a fair bit, but something seems quite off with how they are being deployed.

Nuno seems to have ditched his choice of three in midfield for two holding players, but we have to give it a few more games to see its true productivity.

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