Journalist reveals squad was ‘hurt’ by what was written about Spurs star in the press

Julien Laurens has revealed that the France players were hurt by suggestions in the English media ahead of the quarter-final that Hugo Lloris was a weak link.

In the build-up to the game, several pundits questioned Lloris’ ability, with Andy Gray even insisting that the Tottenham number one ‘frightens him’ (beIN Sports 06/12/22).

Some pundits also did not hesitate in picking Jordan Pickford over the 35-year-old in their combined elevens (talkSPORT) and several articles were doing the rounds suggesting that the Everton number one was a much superior shot-stopper (Telegraph).

However, the France captain showcased his quality once again on Saturday, pulling off a string of impressive saves as Les Blues marched to their second successive World Cup semi-final.

Lloris now has a chance to win back-to-back World Cups as a captain, with Didier Deschamps’ men having to negotiate just two roadblocks in the form of Morocco and Argentina. 

Laurens has now revealed the French players were wound up by the criticism that Lloris was getting before the game.

The journalist told talkSPORT: “You (English media) kind of wound us up a little bit with the stuff in the media. The players were a little bit hurt about what the papers were writing about Hugo Lloris, for example.

“About how bad he was. They used that a little bit as extra motivation maybe for the game. Maybe that they didn’t need it – they (the players) didn’t agree with the Lloris criticism, it so heavy.”

Spurs Web Opinion

The goalkeeping role, more than any in world sport, is about fine margins, with not a lot separating the best in the world from the 100th best. 

So, in order to be able to judge a goalkeeper accurately, one has to watch them week-in, and week-out, to get an idea of how many goals he saves compared to the mistakes the player makes.

That is why the opinion of pundits, who perhaps only watch Lloris a few times a year, and mainly see the mistakes that he makes on highlight packages, was never going to be accurate.

Ask any Spurs fan of Frenchman about Hugo and they would have told you that he is one of the best shot-stoppers in world football despite his tendency to make the occasional howler.

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