‘Went safe’ – Pundit says Postecoglou should take a chance on three U23 players
Jamie O’Hara thinks Ange Postecoglou should have trusted some of the youngsters to play against Wolves rather than starting with Eric Dier and Ben Davies.
With Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie suspended for the trip to Molineux Stadium and with Micky van de Ven out with a hamstring injury, Postecoglou was forced to revamp his backline.
The Australian started with an experienced pairing of Dier and Davies in central defence while Emerson Royal deputised at left-back.
Tottenham’s performance left a lot to be desired, with Wolves deservedly picking up all three points, owing to late strikes by Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina.
Postecoglou acknowledged after the game that his players could have been more aggressive in possession but insisted that he was happy with the commitment and effort they showed on the pitch (Football.London).
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Should Spurs trust the likes of Phillips and Donley?
O’Hara has suggested that a loss on Saturday would have been more digestible for Spurs fans had the Tottenham boss started with some youngsters over the likes of Dier and Davies.
The pundit told talkSPORT (13 November, 11 am): “Ben Davies, I like him. He’s a good lad. He can do a job. Eric Dier… But the fans, they want to move on from that era of players. So, when we pick up injuries, these players you’re trying to get rid of have to play again.
“The manager has to take a stance. (Postecoglou should say) ‘If I lose a couple of players, I need to try something more new’. Try out a couple of lads from the Under-23s. If you go back to the same players, Dier and Davies, you get the same result.
“I would rather lose against Wolves with some U23 player, and saying ‘you know what, he’s half decent’ (Postecoglou) went safe. He played Hojbjerg, Dier and Davies.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Most of the fans calling for Ashley Phillips or Alfie Dorrington to get a game have not seen them play a full 90 minutes of football. Ange and his coaching staff watch these youngsters train on a regular basis and I trust their judgement on whether they are ready to start.
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