Thomas Frank might be tasked with benching Xavi Simons for a rather consistent Lucas Bergvall.
Tottenham Hotspur finally found a way to stop bleeding, and it was at St James’ Park, where a far from convincing Lilywhites side came through with a point amidst controversy. And while it was Cristian Romero who grabbed the headlines given his brace, with the score of two coming in the form of an overhead kick in injury time. But it also was a quiet performance from Lucas Bergvall that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Lucas Bergvall played in an advanced role vs. Newcastle
The Swedish midfielder was used in a more advanced role by Thomas Frank. He deployed him in more of a false 9 role in a few sequences at St James’ Park. This was made possible by Kolo Muani drifting off into the left channel. And this is where it was the 19-year-old Tottenham midfielder that looked more comfortable than most of the roster. He was not only calm (and composed) when he had the ball at his feet but also quite brave without it.
Given that Thomas Frank has this pressure rising on his shoulders and with Brentford set to be in the away dressing room for the second time in as many games in North London, this will exactly be the wrong time to abandon something that is working already.
Bergvall boasted strong 7/10 performance against Newcastle. He also showed that he can threaten the opponents’ goal with a few sequences where he bisected the hosts’ centre backs. And then he is also more of a runner, which should come quite handy given how Brentford have been playing under Frank’s successor, Keith Andrews.
His huge lungs will help Tottenham to ensure that the defensive structure can be rebuilt rapidly and markers are not lost every time they lose possession in the final third. The bees like to lure press before passing into spaces, and that is where you need someone who can run the ground down between phases rapidly.
Staking his claim over Xavi Simons?
Starting Bergvall does not mean giving up on Xavi Simons. It is about what Frank needs to do right now. And the fact that the Dutchman has failed to impose himself wearing that Lilywhites badge, complemented by how Bergvall is moving these days, means Simons could be given that time and space to settle into life in North London after his €60 million move to Hotspur Way last summer.
Would you start Bergvall over Simons at Hotspur Way this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
