Gary Neville praises Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven for adding set-piece threat to his game this season
Tottenham Hotspur were not deemed favourites heading into Sunday’s game against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton were unbeaten on their new home and have been doing well under David Moyes. So, Spurs were about to face a stiff challenge from the Merseysiders.
Thomas Frank expected a response from his boys after the defeat to Aston Villa and the goalless stalemate at AS Monaco, and he got one from his boys. Tottenham smashed Everton 3-0, with Micky van de Ven bagging a brace with two close-range headers in the first half. Pape Matar Sarr came off the bench and sealed the deal in the 89th minute, helping the north Londoners to continue their strong form away from home this season.
All the headlines were grabbed by Micky van de Ven, who skippered Spurs in the injury absence of Cristian Romero for the third game running. The Dutchman has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers this season and, after being named in Thomas Frank’s leadership group, has been trusted with the captain’s armband when Romero has not been on the pitch. He led the team from both back and front on Sunday- scoring a double and helping his team keep a much-needed clean sheet against David Moyes’ Everton.
Micky van de Ven’s goalscoring record hailed
After Tottenham’s 3-0 win at Everton, ex-Manchester United skipper Gary Neville spoke about Micky van de Ven and the improvements which he has made to his game this term. The Sky Sports pundit suggests the Netherlands international has taken his game to another level by adding a threat from set-pieces to his artillery.
“He’s always looked great, Van de Ven. You just look at him with that left foot and the way he strides forward and his presence,” Gary Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“But you know, five goals from set pieces, you start to add that to your game as well, and Danso did well alongside him.”
Van de Ven becoming a big threat from set-plays
With his brace on Sunday, Van de Ven took his tally to five goals in 13 games this season. Surprisingly, he is the team’s leading goalscorer so far, which shows the work Frank has to put to improve his attack. But for Van de Ven, it is a great achievement, especially after failing to find the back even once last season.
Frank has put great emphasis on set-pieces at Tottenham as he did during his time with Brentford. His tactical pragmatism and discipline, combined with potency from set-pieces, has made Spurs a difficult team to handle for the opponents. And Van de Ven is thriving off the Dane’s set-piece routines, providing Tottenham a different kind of threat to unlock the opposition.
The Dutchman’s importance to Tottenham is crystal clear and has further enhanced with him adding goals under his banner this term.
