COMMENTARY
It is often claimed that the weight of the captain’s armband can either cause a player to sink or see him soar – and it appears as though it was the former which happened to Tottenham’s Dele Alli against Tranmere Rovers. Perhaps the senior star thought he could stroll through the game against the League Two side, or perhaps it was Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to utilise him in a deeper midfield role than usual, but there was definitely something off about his game which left the fans fuming on Twitter. They were well within their rights to demand much more from the maestro, who should have been carving the home side to pieces with his skill on and off the ball, and Pochettino needs to ask himself, as well as the player, just why he was not on top of his game. If it was a fitness thing, then the manager needs to question why he was given a start after such an intense run of fixtures. If it was mental though, then Alli needs to look at himself in the mirror and realise that motivation should come regardless of the opposition.
This is Futbol has gathered a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Dele ain’t a deep midfielder and I hate when we force it on him, just play him near the strikers where he actually thrives
— Kaj (@THFC_Kaj) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/mrdarrenperry/status/1081287016237752320
https://twitter.com/Modern_spurs/status/1081285268303429633
https://twitter.com/Christian_Wain/status/1081285170534248448
Can't decide if we are in complete control or lacking spark. Everything going through Alli but he's currently being very risk adverse. Unlike Fourth who is flying into tackles like a fat kid in a cake shop. pic.twitter.com/7YWXnImtY1
— The Spurs Review. (@TheSpursReview) January 4, 2019
Dele looks so ineffective playing deeper. Eriksen can play that role but Dele needs to be in that pocket behind the front man to be at his best. Needs must though I guess…
— Zoe Pearson (@Z_PearsonTHFC) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/HenryRowe00/status/1081285171658309632
Useless playing Dele Alli in a deep midfield role
— Jerusalem Spurs (@JerusalemSpurs) January 4, 2019
Skipps been poor. Dele looks like he’s having an afternoon stroll. Moura has been awful and if Llorente can’t get passed that fat defender he’s got no chance
— JaiP (@JaiP72) January 4, 2019