The bad news for Tottenham Hotspur fans is that it was another forgettable day in the Premier League and another defeat – leaving them five games without a win.
The good news is that they finally got a goal, courtesy of Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke. Still, Roberto De Zerbi is probably still thinking about the bad news, isn’t he?
The Lilywhites added to Tottenham’s misery with a poor, late performance against Aston Villa, who went 3-0 up. Gallagher’s goal then finally opened the door for Tottenham before Van Herk threatened to equalize. However, the threat remained and Emery’s side claimed all three points.
De Zerbi said in the post-match interview: “I think we could have scored many, many goals in the first half. We had 10 players concede goals, but we have to be more focused in defending that situation in the first half of overtime.”
“In the second half we conceded a goal directly from the goal kick. We had scored before but it was offside. The third goal, a wonderful goal by Buendia. But I have to say that we played very well in the first half and did not score a goal, but it was too fragile.”
Tottenham pundit slams Van Herk as ‘pathetic’
He may have scored, but it was three goals at the other end that thrust Van Herk into the spotlight, according to Mickey Fritton. The Tottenham Hotspur writer and podcaster has slammed the summer signing, claiming he found him “refuse to resolve“A riot broke out in Vera.
“Van Herk may have scored but that doesn’t excuse his absolutely pathetic defense throughout the 90 minutes, beating every header he had and refusing to tackle anyone.”
The former Brighton man is clearly someone De Zerbi rates as he opts for a reunion in north London in the summer, but the statistics aren’t worth looking at.
Van Herk won just three of the eight duels he attempted, supporting Fratton’s claim that he “refuses tackles”.
De Zerbi was full of praise for the centre-back when he arrived a few months ago and is keen to see a change in his form after the international break.
At that moment, the Italians explain: “Jan Paul is someone I’ve known since my days at Brighton and I’m delighted to be working with him again.”
“He’s a strong, smart centre-back who plays with the ball and plays with character. Those are all important qualities in the way I want our team to be built.”
After the international break, Tottenham will face an out-of-form Manchester United, then promoted and struggling Coventry City. Anything short of a win in at least one of those two games would bring the pressure on De Zerbi to a boiling point.