Ian Holloway has highlighted Fernando Llorente’s role in Tottenham’s win over Newcastle United on Saturday, suggesting that Spurs finally used his talents in the correct way.
The Spaniard was on hand to chest down an assist for Son Heung-min’s late winner against the Magpies, and Holloway was quick to praise the target man.
Speaking on Goals on Sunday (Sky Sports Premier League, Sunday February 3rd, 11.30am), he said: “This is what a lot of people have got to realise.
“That’s a long ball, a brilliant long a ball, and what I’m saying is, that ball has gone over the midfield, into a big striker who’s got two brilliant players around him.
“Eriksen’s waiting, Son’s first touch is amazing, and that’s how you use Llorente. When he’s not got that around him, it’s awkward for him.”
OPINION
Llorente has come in for a lot of stick since he has been forced to step up and deputise for the injured Harry Kane in recent weeks, but apart from a poor performance against Fulham in his first outing, he has done a pretty admirable job all things considered. Aside from anything else, the Spaniard is being forced to play in a system that doesn’t necessarily cater to his natural strengths, and, as was proven with his late assist against Newcastle, he can still have a lot to offer if deployed in the right way. The issue with that is that he was only really able to put himself about in that manner as Spurs became increasingly desperate against the Magpies, and it’s not a style of play that Mauricio Pochettino will be actively seeking to replicate week after week. When all is said and done, Llorente is a player of real quality, but not one suited to Tottenham.