Tim Sherwood has said that Radu Dragusin’s performance in his first Premier League start left a lot to desired, opining that the Romanian was at fault for Fulham’s first goal.
Dragusin had to wait patiently for his first Tottenham start since his move for Genoa, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven being in sublime form for the Lilywhites.
The Romanian finally got the opportunity at Craven Cottage courtesy of Van de Ven’s injury but it proved to be a day to forget for the newcomer, who got a taste of just how difficult the Premier League is.
While Ange Postecoglou dismissed the idea that Van de Ven’s absence had anything to do with Spurs’ loss (BBC Sport), Sherwood has insisted that the Dutchman would have made a big difference on the night.
Radu Dragusin has room to improve for Tottenham
The former Tottenham interim boss pointed out that Fulham’s first goal would have been prevented if the former Wolfsburg man had been played, given the recovery pace he possesses.
Speaking about Rodrigo Muniz’s opener, the pundit told Premier League Productions (16/03 at 7:45 pm): “It’s a great pass from Robinson. Dragusin decides to step up at the wrong moment.
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“Just that extra yard that he (Muniz) needs. I know Micky van de Ven isn’t there. He would have got back to him there and put him under more pressure. He just stops there and plays offside.
“Dragusin here, I am not digging him out, but you have to highlight the fact that teams miss players. Van de Ven is such a big miss for them today. The first goal wouldn’t have happened. He would have got back to that and for these two goals, he would been quicker.
“But listen, the boy has only just come to the Premier League. You have to give him time. I am not saying he played badly, he didn’t, by any means. I am just looking at who he came in for and how good he has been – I am not ruling this guy out because I think he will bed in to be a very good player for Tottenham.”
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It sounds like Sherwood has learned from his mistake of criticising Pedro Porro too early into his Tottenham career. It is good to see that the pundit did not go too hard on Dragusin and acknowledged that he will improve as he gets more Premier League football under his belt.
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