“Problematic, always uncomfortable, Spurs would have grab an easy win”: Joe Cole blasts £17m rated Tottenham star who’s always letting his team down
Joe Cole suggested that one Tottenham Hotspur player did not look comfortable on a number of occasions during their clash with West Ham on Tuesday night.
Once again, Ange Postecoglou’s side did not make it easy for themselves. Spurs took the lead through Brennan Johnson, with Timo Werner doing well to slide the ball across for the Welshman.
But the two sides went into the break level, with Kurt Zouma turning in a Jarrod Bowen corner for the home side at the London Stadium.
Zouma was in plenty of space considering that he was inside the six-yard box. And with that, Joe Cole suggested that one Tottenham player did not cover himself in glory for the goal.
Yves Bissouma was initially marking Michail Antonio in front of Guglielmo Vicario. However, Bissouma moved away at the crucial moment. And that saw Vicario half commit to trying to claim the ball.
Joe Cole says Tottenham player just doesn’t look comfortable at times
Speaking to TNT Sports (broadcast on 2/4; 21:11), Cole suggested that the Tottenham defence do not appear to have confidence in Vicario when it comes to dealing with dead ball situations.
“They’ve looked a threat from set-pieces, particularly Bowen on this side. And they’re literally crowding Vicario here. It’s a lovely ball from Bowen, and Zouma just steps off. If you watch it, Bissouma’s there protecting Vicario. And then he just neglects his duties right at the end of it, steps off. Vicario goes, he’s in no mans land and it just comes off Zouma’s back,” he said.
“This is where West Ham can get into the game. They look so nervy and so edgy as a unit from set-pieces. When you’ve got a goalkeeper who’s not comfortable from crosses, it makes you so wary. Every set-piece is a problem and you’re second-guessing what you’re doing. And West Ham have really exploited that.”
Guglielmo Vicario makes up for his set-piece shortcomings
Vicario has been an absolutely outstanding signing for Tottenham. James Maddison was one of those who admitted to not knowing a lot about Vicario before his £17 million move.
But he has proved to be an inspired addition. In open play, he suits Ange Postecoglou’s style perfectly. He is confident in possession, and he reads the game extremely well.
And heading into Tuesday’s game, no goalkeeper was performing better against their expected goals conceded than the Italy international, according to FBRef. He went on to make a big save from Michail Antonio in the second-half at 1-1.
But Tottenham do look vulnerable at times from set-pieces. And Vicario will not be happy with his role in the Hammers’ equaliser.
