Tottenham Hotspur picked up another win in last Saturday’s clash against newly-promoted Cardiff City to keep our 2018/19 Premier League campaign ticking along, but only taking a 1-0 victory it wasn’t great stuff to watch and nor was it the response many fans would’ve preferred after a largely comprehensive defeat to Barcelona in the midweek’s Champions League tie.
Reactions to the game were probably as most fans would expect, but at least, in this case, the statistics from the match definitely appear to tell a story of their own. Despite dominating chances and possession on the day, and having nine players poll above 7 in WhoScored’s ratings, most continue to look at the scoreline and feel disappointment.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stands out with a score of 7.86 and the top five are completed by Kieran Trippier (7.77), Toby Alderweireld (7.57), Eric Dier (7.54) and Davinson Sanchez (7.35).
Having taken plenty of criticism of late, it’s good to see Dier regain some plaudits for his efforts, but Trippier’s work rate was epitomised by 151 touches across the game as he was only neared on that front by also often maligned Harry Winks with 105.
Whichever way you look at the game though, manager Mauricio Pochettino was right when he said post-game we ‘need to improve a lot’ and that’ll be the aim for over the international break.