Ben Davies highlights positives of Tottenham Hotspur playing a high defensive line
Tottenham Hotspur star Ben Davies has shed light on the positives of playing a high defensive line. It is a tactic that divides opinions.
Many teams have practiced it over the years, some in the Premier League itself, with Liverpool notably utilising it for an extensive period. It is usually a tactic that you see from brave, attacking teams.
And it definitely is at the opposite end of the spectrum as compared to parking the bus. Spurs have made use of it this season, but it was on full display, and the centre of attention, when we lost 4-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League.
Even after seeing two guys sent off, Ange Postecoglou’s side played a very, very high line. It was surprising at times, but to many, it made sense to take the game to Chelsea rather than absorbing pressure and eventually concede anyway.
Davies understands Ange’s approach
Shedding light on the tactic, Davies, who started in defence in the late 2-1 league loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break, said (h/t the Guardian):
“With the high defensive line, you’ve just got to be more concentrated because you know you don’t have that extra layer of cover, the deeper you are. But I think it can give you a false sense of security when you plant on the edge of your own box.
“You invite more pressure, you end up having to do a lot more defending and consequences can be worse if you mess up on the edge of your box. Whereas you’ve always got a chance the higher up you are.”
The Welshman seems to be trying to make sense of Ange’s tactics, and that is a good thing. Throughout his stay at Tottenham, which is close to nine and a half years now, Davies has been an excellent servant to the club.
Most notably, in the Antonio Conte era, Davies deputised as a left-sided centre-back, and did a pretty good job in all fairness. That seems to have prepared him for playing as a centre-back in a four-man backline if and when needed under Ange.
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We take on a potent Aston Villa side later today. Let’s see if the tactic is deployed again. It will divide opinions because it does sacrifice defensive safety for attack in some manner, but like Davies said, it puts the onus on the other team to time their runs and play out of a high press.
