Crazy Bruno Fernandes stat shows why Tottenham are struggling to create chances
Tottenham Hotspur have not been creating enough goalscoring opportunities, and one stat shows there is a key attacking element which is missing from their game.
One of the biggest complaints Tottenham Hotspur supporters have made about their team this season is the lack of chances created during their matches.
Spurs have been reasonably clinical in attack, recording an xG vs actual metric of +0.20 in the Premier League. However, they have only scored 30 goals in total, putting them joint 11th in the goals scored table.
This is reflected in Tottenham’s results, as they have suffered eight league defeats and only recorded seven victories.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 9 | FulhamFulham | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 31 |
| 10 | SunderlandSunderland | 21 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 21 | 22 | -1 | 30 |
| 11 | BrightonBrighton | 21 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 31 | 28 | 3 | 29 |
| 12 | EvertonEverton | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 29 |
| 13 | Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 28 |
| 14 | TottenhamTottenham | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 27 |
| 15 | BournemouthBournemouth | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 26 |
| 16 | LeedsLeeds | 21 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 29 | 37 | -8 | 22 |
| 17 | Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 21 |
| 18 | West HamWest Ham | 21 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 43 | -21 | 14 |
Tottenham are not playing many through balls
According to Squawka, playing through balls is something Spurs rarely do, which is surprising considering they are often a key component of a team’s attacking play.
Tottenham have only attempted 11 through passes in 21 matches this season, which is fewer than the number of balls played by nine individual players.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has completed 18 through balls in total, so it is no wonder he has already picked up eight assists during the current campaign.
Although Tottenham did attempt to play through the centre of the pitch more against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, the only attempted through balls came from offside runs. Therefore, once again, Spurs made 0 through balls in 90 minutes across every single player on the pitch.
Spurs need to make more progressive passes
It is a big problem that Tottenham are acting too negatively in midfield. Rodrigo Bentancur in particular has been accused of playing a lot of sideways and backwards passes and this is not helping Spurs to get shots on goal.
Joao Palhinha has always been more of a tackler than a passer, and young Archie Gray is still learning the game. It makes sense why some fans are screaming out for a line-breaking signing like Adam Wharton.
Tottenham should not be afraid of making riskier passes, even if that means possession might be conceded. With a player like Xavi Simons in the middle of the park, through balls should be a common feature when Spurs play.
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