Frank Lampard slams Son Heung-min for 'strange' moment in Tottenham loss v Newcastle
Ange Postecoglou will be disappointed with his attacking players after Tottenham were defeated 2-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday (1 September).
With Dominic Solanke unavailable through injury, the forward line consisted of Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski and new signing Wilson Odobert, who joined on a £25million deal from Burnley [BBC Sport].
Despite this, Spurs could only hit the back of the net through a Dan Burn own goal, with Postecoglou's side outscored by Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak, with Son being singled out for his poor movement.
Speaking via BBC's Match of the Day 2 on Sunday (1 September), Lampard said: “This is a strange movement from Son [as Johnson looks to cross from the right], when he is the one striker and number nine in the box.
"It might be because he’s not an out-an-out striker. He goes for the cut-back when he should be getting into the six-yard box, so it’s an afternoon of those things and it not going right for them.”
Son Heung-Min disappoints in Tottenham v Newcastle United
The South Korean was one of Postecoglou's key players last season, notching 17 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League, and sparked his new campaign into life with a brace against Everton.
However, his performance at St James' Park left plenty to be desired as Spurs' attack were unable to make much of a dent on Eddie Howe's side, albeit taking 20 efforts during the game [FotMob].
Despite maintaining a 92 per cent passing accuracy against the Magpies, the 32-year-old could only unleash one blocked shot, completing 33 per cent of his attempted dribbles and successfully delivering 50 per cent of his crosses.
Tottenham looked to be missing a figure in the final third, with Son, Kulusevski and Odobert all natural wingers, rather than an out-and-out No.9, and their movements proved this.
Son ranks in the top 80 percentile for non-penalty goals and the top 89 percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area [FBref], but his lack of impact against Newcastle needs to be addressed.
Indeed, he had an expected goals (xG) return of just 0.13, which six other players on the field bettered - including Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly (0.19) [Sofascore].
With Solanke recovering from an ankle injury, Postecoglou has few options for a proper striker, so he must have a word with his Son if Spurs are to deal without their £65million signing.
In other Tottenham news, the club are set to receive £10million-plus for one player after a Fabrizio Romano update.
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