Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has come down hard on Kieran Trippier, reminding the Englishman of his defensive duties.
The English right-back had a hand in us conceding a pair of penalties in the 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Tottenham were comfortably leading 3-0 before the spot-kicks put us under unneeded pressure. The manager was speaking after the game and wasn’t pointing out the errors in the two penalties given by Juan Foyth.
Pochettino wanted to focus on the earlier moments before we gave away the penalties (h/t ESPN).
“You are going to see or have the answer. We provide [Kieran] with the platform to go forward because we create the system and dynamic to put him in the best position to play. In a different situation, I think he is a full-back, not a winger.
“It’s like no different full-back in the world. When you are in possession and go forward, you need to be strong too when you are in a defensive situation. We always compensate.”
The manager pinpointed Trippier as needing to improve, but also wanted the other players to up their games.
“Kieran needs to improve in the defensive situation because in the last few games you have seen that we conceded a few actions. But like him, all the players need to improve in the defensive situation.”
Tottenham were a bit lucky to come out with the win on Saturday, and we cannot afford slip-ups in our ties against PSV and Crystal Palace in the coming days.
Read more: “Another tough away win” – Tottenham stars react to 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers
Our Champions League progress depends on us getting the three points against the Dutch side, and even that may not be enough to see us through.
