Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back after Tottenham’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday, labeling Ange Postecoglou’s side as having a defense that resembles an “academy” team.
The criticism came after a frustrating 2-1 loss that left Tottenham in 16th place in the Premier League, though they are safe from relegation for now.
Early Setbacks and Frustration
Tottenham found themselves in a difficult situation early in the match, conceding two goals in the first 16 minutes.
Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood were the scorers for Forest, leaving Spurs with a mountain to climb.
While Richarlison managed to pull one back late on, it wasn’t enough to avoid another disappointing result for Tottenham, who have now suffered 18 Premier League defeats this season.
Carragher’s Take on Tottenham’s Defending
Carragher wasted no time in pointing out the defensive vulnerabilities of Tottenham.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he explained that the team’s defensive play often feels “naive” and compared their performances to an academy side.
He made it clear that Tottenham’s defensive lapses were a major issue in their ongoing struggles.
Criticism of Micky Van de Ven and the Goalkeeping
During the analysis, Carragher was joined by Lens boss Will Still, who also had his say on Tottenham’s defending.
Still specifically criticized Micky Van de Ven for his role in the lead-up to Chris Wood’s goal.
According to Still, Van de Ven allowed Wood too much space in the box, which led to a straightforward goal.
“When you give Chris Wood that time and space, with that quality of delivery, he’s going to score,” Still remarked.
Carragher also raised concerns about Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, pointing out that he appears vulnerable when the ball comes into the box.
He stressed that this weakness has been clear throughout the season, especially when Vicario failed to make crucial saves in both recent games.
“It’s definitely something they’ve identified as a weakness for Tottenham Hotspur,” said Carragher.
Postecoglou’s Focus on Possession, Not Enough on Defense
Despite Postecoglou frequently stating that Tottenham’s performances have been solid but marred by mistakes, Carragher expressed concern about the manager’s approach.
The former Liverpool defender believes that Postecoglou is overly focused on the team’s possession and attacking play, rather than addressing the significant issues without the ball.
Carragher noted, “We shouldn’t forget they are in poor form. Last week they lost 4-2 to Wolves, but Postecoglou was still talking about how they played well. That would worry me as a Spurs supporter.”
He went on to emphasize that football is not just about how well a team plays with the ball, but also how they defend.
For Carragher, Tottenham’s defensive fragility is a major concern that Postecoglou hasn’t yet fixed.
Looking Ahead: Europa League Hopes
While the Premier League campaign has been tough for Tottenham, there is still a glimmer of hope in the Europa League.
They are set to face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals, providing the team with a potential avenue for redemption despite their struggles domestically.
So, what comes next for Tottenham?
The pressure is on Postecoglou to address these defensive concerns and turn the season around, both in the league and Europe.