Speaking on a recent episode of the Last Word On Spurs podcast, Lee McQueen slammed Tottenham Hotspur’s defence following the club’s late collapse against West Ham United on Sunday.
Following an impressive start to their 2020/21 campaign, in which Jose Mourinho’s side had won six of their eight fixtures in all competitions, it appeared as if Spurs were well on course to secure another victory in Sunday’s clash with West Ham, as two goals from Harry Kane and one from Son Heung-min saw Tottenham race into a three-goal lead after just 16 minutes.
However, a goal by Fabian Balbuena in the 82nd minute, followed shortly afterwards by a Davinson Sanchez own goal in the 85th minute, brought the game back to 3-2, set up a nervy finish for Spurs.
And, West Ham went on to complete their comeback in the 94th minute, as Manuel Lanzini’s brilliant long-range strike secured a point for the Hammers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham’s late collapse was one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Last Word On Spurs podcast, in which McQueen singled out the Spurs defence as the reason for the club’s capitulation against their London rivals.
He said: “[It was a game of] fine margins, [if Gareth] Bale scores, [if] Kane scores, it’s four [or] five-nil – game over. [However, the] silly mistakes [from] set-pieces, I mean, are you lot literally having a laugh? How are we giving away goals at set-pieces? Time and time again, it’s a set-piece or it’s a dodgy bit of defending. I’m, quite frankly, sick of it. Something needs to change, quickly.
“Going forward we’re fantastic, but the defence is the issue. You need to sort it out Spurs. It’s not just individuals, it’s a collective. What is wrong somebody just putting their boot through it the 93rd minute?”
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TIF Thoughts on Lee McQueen’s slating of the Tottenham defence…
From McQueen’s comments, it is clear that the podcaster is of the belief that change is needed in the Tottenham defence if they are to progress as a team.
And, considering the club tried, and subsequently failed, to sign Inter centre-back Milan Skriniar in the summer transfer window, it would appear that Mourinho could hold a similar belief to McQueen.
However, Tottenham did add one centre-back to their ranks in the transfer window, Swansea City’s Joe Rodon, although, as the defender has never featured in the Premier League before, it could well be argued that the club is still in need of a more experienced signing in the heart of their defence.