View: Ange creates recipe for disaster with Tottenham duo, even Jamie Carragher is worried

Jamie Carragher expects Tottenham defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to struggle with Ange Postecoglu’s tactics this season.

Van de Ven played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win against Qarabag at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Thursday [26 September] wherein Radu Dragusin was sent off seven minutes into the match.

Spurs were caught out with their defensive high line as Dragusin had no choice but to bring down Juninho and the Qarabaq attack caused issues for the hosts throughout the contest.

Carragher reviewed the Europa League Clash for The Telegraph [27 September] ahead of their trip to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday [29 September] and highlighted one tactical decision that will hold Spurs back this season.

He said: “As a centre-back pairing, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven – a World Cup winner alongside one of the quickest defenders in the world – have the potential to be one of the best in the Premier League.

“It is a valid tactical discussion as to whether they are being left too exposed and might benefit from a more balanced set-up.”

Ange Postecoglu must re-think Tottenham tactics

Tottenham may have fought for a win against Qarabag despite playing 83 minutes with ten men however the scoreline is far more flattering than what happened on the pitch.

The Azerbaijani visitors just lacked the clinical edge in front of goal otherwise it could have easily been one of the shocks of the season for Postecoglu.

Qarabaq recorded four more shots, forcing Guglielmo Vicario into five saves, completed six more passes than the hosts, and made 18 more tackles [Sofascore]. Regardless of the man disadvantage, Spurs were played off the park by inferior opposition on home soil.

Tottenham have only managed one clean sheet in the Premier League this season in the 4-0 win against Everton, Carragher may have a point with the high defensive line being more harmful than beneficial in North London.

Romero frequents the space just behind the halfway line and even beyond the line into the opposition half for Spurs in the Premier League this season. He, alongside partner van de Ven, averages a win ratio of 54.5 per cent of their duels.

The Dutchman has won 50 per cent of his aerial duels, 38 per cent of his ground duels for a combined 46 per cent win ratio and has lost possession 7.5 times in five matches.

His centre-back partner has won 59 per cent of his aerial duels, 67 per cent of his ground duels for a combined 63 per cent, and has lost possession a similar amount at 7.4 times.

Given how little the duo wins their duels, paired with how high they are positioned up the pitch, is a recipe for disaster for Tottenham, Postecoglu must consider dropping his centre-backs further back toward their goalkeeper.

In comparison with Premier League defenders, Romero has recorded the highest amount of touches in the middle of the pitch with 245 above Virgil van Dijk with 217, and then van de Ven in third with 165 touches [FBref].

Spurs have the fifth-best defensive record in the league this season [Premier League]. However, the goals will start flying in if Postecoglu fails to address the defensive positioning.

Qarabag exploited the weakness and it is only a matter of time before the rest of the Premier League follow suit.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs are ready to welcome investors worth ‘serious money’ as Daniel Levy continues talks.

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