Guglielmo Vicario given solution after Everton expose ‘weakness’ in Tottenham keeper
Paul Robinson has explained what Guglielmo Vicario should do to overcome opponents leaving a player on him when they play Tottenham.
Jack Harrison targeted the Spurs keeper as balls came in from set pieces during the 2-2 draw with Everton on 3 February, after he had been put under pressure against both Manchester City and Brentford.
Former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given suggested it is a “weakness” in the Italian’s game on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club on 5 February, but ex-England stopper Robinson disagrees.
He praised Vicario for adapting during the match at Goodison Park and said his own way of dealing with that situation was to station a defender between him and an opponent, giving him a barrier to push back with.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “I think the fact that we’re talking about it is going to highlight it, and obviously people are, but I don’t think there’s a problem with him, I really don’t.
“There’s just work to be done on him in the box when the opposition put men on him as deliveries are coming into the box.
“Manchester City did it first and we saw with a late goal there he struggled to get out and get to the ball. Brentford did it. Then they went to Everton who really highlighted it.
“But actually, in the second half at Everton, I thought he did really well. Jack Harrison was backing into him and making it really hard for him.
“That’s hard as a goalkeeper. You can be as good as you like at coming to catch crosses but when your box is full and a man is standing on you, trying not to let you out, you are half-relying on the referee to give you a little bit of protection.
“But then you have to be strong yourself. I used to like putting a defender between myself and the attacker because as soon as I lift my arms up and push an attacker, I risk a foul.
“I can push my own defender all day long, so if he’s there I can push him and use him as a shield. There’s certain ways around doing it.”
Vicario can combat pressure in Tottenham goal after Everton tactic
Spurs need to combat teams targeting their keeper as soon as possible before it becomes an accepted tactic to use against him.
Ange Postecoglou and his staff will no doubt be working already on a plan to prevent this becoming a regular feature of Tottenham matches, and Robinson knows what he is talking about when it comes to Premier League goalkeeping.
So putting a defender between Vicario and a disruptor looks like the quickest way to nip this issue in the bud.
In other Tottenham news, one Spurs man has been heaped with praise for his high-difficulty achievements.
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