Second-half fightback is not enough as Spurs must address issues for top-four push
Tottenham Hotspur incurred their second consecutive defeat at the weekend when North London turned red at White Hart Lane, and while Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the recent slump, Lilywhites goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been subject to criticism owing to his bad day at the office on Sunday.
The North London Derby was a game of two halves, as Mikel Arteta’s side came out all guns blazing in the first half, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (OG), Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz on the scoresheets, ensuring the Gunners went into halftime with a three-goal lead. In the second half, Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min (pen) came back fighting; however, the fightback was too little, too late after the first-half damage.
A defeat at the weekend comes as a big blow to Ange Postecoglou & Co., as this sees them trailing by as many as seven points to their top-four rivals, Aston Villa. Tottenham do have two games in hand over the Villans, and they would want to ensure they take this battle deep into the season.
Micah Richards criticizes Guglielmo Vicario and his lack of aggression
One of the big problems coming to the surface following the Arsenal game is Guglielmo Vicario’s performance, as former Manchester City ace Micah Richards highlights that the 27-year-old might have a massive weakness, which could become a problem at the N17.
Micah Richards spoke about the Italian goalkeeper’s performance on The Rest Is Football podcast, as he acknowledges Vicario’s impressive outings this season for Tottenham; however, the 35-year-old also insists that the former Udinese player needs to be more aggressive if he wants to solidify his position as Tottenham’s number one goalkeeper.
Richards, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, said:
“Vicario has been outstanding this season, but he needs to be aggressive. If someone is standing in front of you, push him out of the way. I don’t understand why he is so nice.”
“Like the old-school goalkeepers back in the day, Peter Schmeichel comes to mind; even David James, with his frame and his size, if someone is in your space, move him out of the way. If he can’t see the ball, he can’t get a head on it.”
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This will prove to be a learning outing for Guglielmo Vicario, and he should go back to his drawing board and figure out a way to improve his decision-making in the box when faced with attackers bearing down on him.
