5-a-side: Thoughts vs Bournemouth | OneFootball

After a really bad performance in Europa in midweek, Spurs needed something at home to Bournemouth. For a long time during the game, it didn’t look like that was coming.

1. Another Slow start

A slow start has often been a feature of Angeball this season. It was very much the case in midweek in Europa and vs Bournemouth was more of the same. Heavy touches and misplaced passes dominated the first 5 minutes and, just like the Ipswich and AZ Alkmaar games recently, we could (should) have been 2-0 down in the first few minutes. Much of this continued throughout the game, too. A big issue is our predictable build up of a winger dropping short and playing a one touch pass to an underlapping full back. It is great to watch when it works but teams really know how to play against us this season. It has resulted so often in the ball being given away in a dangerous area. With Solanke back, there was more focus and presence in attack, and I hope we are looking to vary our approach when being faced with a press like today. And Bournemouth did press very well, they were just helped immensely by Spurs poor passing and first touches.

2. Romero and VDV contrasting returns

It was good to see Romero and van de Ven finally back, however their returns will give Ange a lot to think about. Mickey looked more assured back on the pitch, and showed one of those excellent surging runs near the end of the game. Even with the ball, he seems to be quicker than everyone else around him. It is great to see and having him bring the ball out from the back is one way to vary our build up. Romero looked far less comfortable, particularly in the opening few minutes. The two are our first-choice pairing, though, and both should start on Thursday in our critical game.

3. Maddison and Son impact

Maddison and Son got a lot of criticism after the performance in Europa, summed up by the woeful free kick attempt in the first half vs AZ Alkmaar, and both have had their critics at varying times throughout the season as well. Whether they started on the bench with the upcoming game in mind, or as result of last week, their impact was clear when they came on. They bring an element of creativity that was lacking in the first half. Son going remarkably close to scoring with a curling shot, Maddison at least trying some through balls, and then setting up Son for the penalty. Even if they have not always performed at a top level this season, both must start on Thursday for the cutting edge they at least have the potential to provide.

4. The Bergvall Glide

Lucas Bergvall was another who had a difficult game in midweek where nothing seemed to go right, even aside from the own goal. When he came on today, he looked back to the player he has been for most of this season: positive, creative, and with the ability to carry the ball forward, keeping attacks moving. It is easy to forget how young Bergvall is. While I would not want to make comparisons to the great Luka Modric this early (which is what people say just before they go and make said comparison), I see a similarity in their play. The way Bergvall can glide past players, moving the ball forward, the quickness of thought. One drop of the shoulder to let the ball run across him and evade Tyler Adams particularly reminded me of what Modric brought to our side. Modric was exceptional for Spurs and is still proving to be exceptional at the top level. We have never really replaced him over the years, so let us hope Bergvall continues in the same way and this season, although difficult at times, provides a valuable experience for development.

5. Looking Ahead

AZ Alkmaar next up with the season on the line. We had a lot of luck in getting a draw today against a superior team in Bournemouth. Only Sarr will know if he meant his goal as a cross or a shot (to me, it looked like a cross that surprised everyone, including Sarr himself), and Son’s penalty, while I think correct, could have easily been overturned as well with the suggestion that he initiated contact (those seem to go either way, but it was great to see the confidence to roll it into the net like that). We need a much better performance on Thursday rather than relying on the luck we had today. Hoping this result at least (against a well organized and talented team) gives us some confidence back.