Tottenham: No Striker; More Problems | OneFootball

There was much to be positive about before the international break, with Spurs winning away from home and ending an unwanted break curse. However, after a promising start against Aston Villa last Sunday the same problems are looking to hamper the team.

A Positive Becomes a Negative

If anything the international fixtures came at the wrong time and stopped the momentum of the Frank engine. Very frustrating for the North London club, because their home form is now becoming a cause for concern. They have four points from four games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while their form on the road reads a healthy 10 points from four matches.

If we delve deeper into the stats they don’t become better reading. For Frank personally that’s just three wins from 18 Premier League matches at home (includes Brentford stats). Also, since the start of last season Tottenham as a club have dropped more points from winning positions at home (19) than any other Premier League side. They’ve also lost five times after leading; also a league-high tally.

Thomas Frank didn’t seem too bothered about this when he was questioned in the post-match interviews, but Spurs fans are certainly starting to raise an eyebrow. They’ve seen it all before, poor defeats at home against opposition they should be getting better results against. It happened frequently under Ange Postecoglou and even with Antonio Conte at the helm. This was clearly something that angered the fiery Italian, leading to his eventual departure.

In the DNA?

The pattern of bad results after a short run of form is one that seems to be woven into the Tottenham DNA over the last 30 years. The argument that this is something deeper rooted than the current squads mentality is a real possibility, given that history seems to repeat itself in recent years.

This theory is supported by more evidence from the fact that the attitude and positivity of the team has been extremely good so far this season. However, you could have the best mindset in the world, but if the quality of your players in certain positions is lacking, you’re always going to come up short.

Misfiring in the Field

To go from Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son to Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel up front feels like a massive downgrade to the Tottenham faithful. That’s not a dig at the two young French stars. They were never expected to be carbon copies of one of the most lethal partnerships in Premier League history, but increasingly there’s a feeling they’re not the answer to Spurs’ striking problems. Odobert struggles to beat anyone 1v1. Tel doesn’t look the finished article in front of goal. While Tel features in league games he has yet to appear in the Champions League squad. This is a red flag. If he isn’t ready for the biggest European competition, then surely that also applies to one of the best leagues in the world?

Mohammed Kudus remains the biggest positive in the current front three, but even he looked lost in the second half against Villa. Many fans are also questioning why Frank is playing a double pivot in midfield with Bentancur and Palhinha, especially in home games. The Dane is probably still getting to grips with his favored methods of formations. At least, let’s hope so.

More Money; Same Injury Woes

The Lewis family have promised a $134 (£100) million cash injection to the squad. That’s all good and well but will it solve another problem Tottenham have endured the past few years? I’m talking about too many players in the treatment room.

Dominic Solanke’s injury remains a mystery. Kolo Muani has only just returned from the longest dead leg injury in history (maybe a training yard bully punched him really hard in the playground?). Neither suffered injury spells as long (or frequent) at their previous clubs, which begs the question whether this is indeed a problem with Tottenham, not the players. I hate mentioning curses, but this could well be one.

Richarlison, who’s also had injury problems over the last few seasons, doesn’t seem to be the answer to Tottenham’s attacking woes. He came on against Villa for half an hour and was largely ineffective. Destiny Udogie returned from international duty with a knock, so he wasn’t involved. Cristian Romero pulled out of Sunday’s warm up in a bizarre turn; replaced by Kevin Danso.

Was there an Arsenal fan somewhere putting pins into a Romero voodoo doll or is this just part of the ongoing hoodoo? Either way, events like this are unsettling to pre-match preparations. Everyone is hoping the Spurs skipper will be fit for the Champions League clash with Monaco on Wednesday.

No Time to Ponder

That’s right, Spurs have a tricky midweek away tie in the sovereign part of the Riviera. In addition to the current roster of injured Spurs defenders you can add an ex-Spurs defender: Eric Dier. The Englishman has picked up a hamstring strain and will be sidelined for a few weeks.

Dier was instrumental in AS Monaco’s last Champions League match. Their 2 – 2 draw away at Manchester City came about from his drawing a penalty, but also converting the resulting spot-kick. Sebastien Pocognoli’s men managed a 1-1 draw at Angers last Saturday, and a 2 – 2 draw against Nice before the break. Regardless of form, however, it will be a difficult night for the Lilywhites under the spotlights of Stade-Louis II.