‘Really poor’ – Sherwood spots what Ryan Mason had to do against Fulham

Tim Sherwood has criticised the Tottenham midfielders for allowing their Fulham counterparts to make runs into the box unchallenged, pointing out that assistant coach Ryan Mason was shouting at them to put more pressure on the opposition.

Barring a couple of Tottenham players, almost all of them had an afternoon to forget as they failed to impose themselves on the game at Craven Cottage.

The home side showed a lot more intensity and desire than Ange Postecoglou’s men and in the end, deserved their 3-0 win, especially given their dominant second-half display.

Nowhere was the difference in energy levels and intent so stark as in the middle of the park, with Yves Bissouma, in particular, looking extremely flat-footed.

Ryan Mason had to point out glaring Spurs mistakes

Sherwood was extremely critical of the way Bissouma and co allowed Sasa Lukic to make a run into the box completely unchallenged in the lead-up to the home side’s second goal, pointing out that Mason was not happy with what he was seeing.

The pundit told Premier League Productions (16/03 at 7:45 pm): “You can’t leave the middle of the park like that. Maddison is too advanced forward. Bissouma is nowhere to be seen and is over this side. Sarr is over this side.

“He has got the whole park to himself. He (Ryan Mason) is pointing it out because it’s obvious to everyone. The boys have to recognise that on the pitch. The manager can’t do everything.

“It’s a good finish, in the end. But because you leave the middle of the park open. We talk about Tottenham trying to put pressure on – it was really poor defending from Tottenham, but you have to give credit to Lukic. He ran into the box. Even after that, Bissouma had to follow him in. He almost watches him go.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Bissouma has looked a little lacklustre since returning from the African Cup of Nations. Perhaps he is carrying an injury or may be he is just tired. The former Brighton man could do with a couple of weeks on the bench, particularly with a player like Bentancur waiting in the wings.

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