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Is this man now the weak-link in Tottenham’s defence?

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Whilst some fans may label me fickle, I want to make it clear that this is not a knee-jerk response to what happened last Sunday at the Emirates. The less said on that matter, the better, but it’s not the first time I’ve noticed a certain defender disappoint on the big stage. The man I refer to is Benoit Assou-Ekotto, whose lapses in concentration and insistence on risky play has put Tottenham under undue pressure this season.

BAE is usually at his best when Spurs are in full-flow. He’s great bolting down the flanks and lending support to Tottenham’s attack. So long as Spurs spend most of the game in the opponent’s half, BAE looks like a star. It’s when an opponent puts Tottenham under the cosh that Assou-Ekotto looks woefully exposed.

If Tottenham aren’t playing well, you can bet your life that BAE isn’t playing well and I wonder how long it is until teams start targeting him. Part of the problem is that BAE doesn’t seem particularly well organised. He often gets caught out of position, goes for unnecessary strolls and confounds the rest of Tottenham’s backline.

There have been numerous occasions this season when BAE was responsible for Tottenham conceding goals. Consider his shoddy performance against Man City. It was well known that City were strong down the wings and that Tottenham’s full-backs would need to perform if they were to get anything from the game. Unfortunately BAE didn’t really turn up and City found plenty of purchase down his side of the pitch.

What about his clearance in the game against Wigan which ended up dropping to Mohamed Diame who hit it home? Or his failure to close down the Tom Cleverley cross that Danny Welbeck ended up scoring from in the game against Manchester United?

Then, of course is the game against Arsenal last weekend where he was torn apart by the Gunner’s front line.

The disappointing truth is that BAE doesn’t seem capable of fulfilling his defensive duties. However you look at it, it seems clear that Tottenham can do much better in this department. With summer fast approaching, perhaps it’s time for Harry Redknapp to start looking for reinforcements in this area.

Whether or not Tottenham can get their hands on the genuine article, the increased competition may spark BAE back into life. After all, if Spurs are to compete for the Premier League title next season they will need a solid back four.

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0 comments

  • daz says:

    the weak link in our defence now is not BAE but Ledley King, far too slow.

  • Hugh says:

    Utter rubbish. The real defensive mistakes come on Walker’s side. Benny is having to play two positions and that’s why he gets exposed. It’s Bale’s wandering. Why do you think Benny is one of the top rated fantasy defenders? Because he’s terrible????

  • ZenHoddle says:

    It’s up to Parker to support BAE as Bale leaves him exposed, but he’s already working his socks off. BAE was recovering from a groin op and seeemed unwilling or unable to keep pace for the fifth goal. There were problems in defense caused by our Ledley feeling the knee and hamstring and it was bale at fault for the first goal. He is calm, collected, skill-full, accurate and his intercept percentage is one of the best in the premiership. Calling for Benny’s head is ridiculous. Putting Bale in his place is the way forward.

  • Paulio says:

    The defence is fine now,but would feel a lot better if they stayed in their own half and defended rather than getting carried away far too often and bombing forward only to get caught out and exposed,against utd it looks as though Lennon and Bale could both play,let them do the running Walker!!dont get me wrong,against weaker teams the sight of BAE and walker getting in the mix gets me hard! but its these games they need to tone it down and stay strong at the back,like to see Defoe get the start with Ade,utd wont handle the pace if we go all out and attack from start

  • Rayzor says:

    You make me sick. BAE has been our best player all season. One bad game and all of a sudden it’s his fault for everything. Call yourself supporters. Fickle c*nts!

  • Arnold says:

    I feel every time BAE plays he his just taking the mick out of us.He is by far the very worst player Spurs have yet he knows his place is guaranteed as no back up exists. Redknapp could have solved the problem but could not be bothered. Please let us have a good manager who can sought this out. If Redknapp is the best available England are doomed.

  • aqaljuta says:

    The writer of this article is the mother of all idiots!!

  • GOONER BOY says:

    HA HA HA TOTTENHAM RUBBISH STILL GOING ON LIKE THE LOAD OF OLD WOMEN THEY ARE BEATEN BY SKILL FACE FACTS YOUR RUBBISH SOON NO MODRIC WHEN HE LEAVES NO BALE WHEN HE GOES TO BARCELONA NO REDKNAPP WHEN HE LEAVES FOR ENGLAND NO ADEBAYOR YOU CANT AFFORD HIM GALLAS KING EKOTTO RUBBISH AND 3RD PLACE WILL BE OURS AND 4TH TO CHELSEA AND FIVE TO LIVERPOOL 6TH TO NEWCASTLE AND SPUDS 7TH AT BEST WERE YOU BELONG AND NEXT YEAR RENAGATED PURE OVER HYPE CRAP

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