Antonio Conte should consider switching up his tactics at Tottenham Hotspur in certain scenarios with the form failing to improve.
That is according to reliable Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold, who believes it could benefit Spurs in certain games if Conte was to revert to a defensive four.
Should Conte switch to a back four?
Yes
No
The Italian’s style of play is synonymous with playing with a back three and two wing-backs, however, it is apparent his style is not working with the current batch of Tottenham players.
Spurs have now lost four of their previous five Premier League games after losing during the week to the relegation-battlers, Burnley.
With Conte’s style, a lot of the attacking threat is expected to come through the two wing-backs with his current crop of midfielders all lacking creativity.
Yet none of his wing-backs have excelled in the more attack-minded position and Gold feels this could provide Conte with the opportunity to play a back four and potentially bring in another naturally attacking player:
“Another one that falls on Conte and that’s to be tactically flexible in a situation he has not faced before,” wrote Gold for football.london.
He continued: “At the moment, teams like Wolves and Southampton are coming into the game knowing how to overcome Spurs, with the former’s boss Bruno Lage stating clearly that he knew that all he had to do was use an extra man in midfield to give Conte’s men problems.
“For certain games, perhaps Spurs could switch to a back four, giving them another man in the midfield or play with three in the centre of the pitch.”
TIF Thoughts on Gold’s comments…
We absolutely agree with what Gold has said. Spurs have struggled massively recently against the lesser sides who allow the Lilywhites to attack them rather than catch them on the counter-attack.
Spurs enjoyed their trip to the Etihad Stadium last week as Manchester City allowed Tottenham the space in behind to catch them on the break – as was the case for the opener.
However, in games where the onus is on Spurs to break down the opposition, there is clearly not the quality from his wingbacks to create the opportunities in front of goal for the likes of Harry Kane.
Conte has been clear in his desire to improve at right wing-back in the transfer window having not been impressed by Emerson Royal. So why persist with playing him in that position?
Surely it would be beneficial for Spurs to push him back into a more defensive right-back role and play with a 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing someone like Lucas Moura or Steven Bergwijn to be included in the XI?
In other news: Spotted: Spurs star was furious after Burnley clash