Ex-Spurs Scout: Tottenham player ratings v Crystal Palace – Davies ‘poor,’ Son ‘transformed’
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome aboard our brilliant new columnist Bryan King, the former goalkeeper who spent six years as a senior scout at Spurs and 28 years in total in first-team scouting roles. Brian also spent eight years on Everton’s recruitment team and 11 years scouting at Aston Villa across two different spells.
Tottenham maintained their unbeaten start to the season, surviving a late scare at Selhurst Park to secure a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Friday 27 October.
After a goalless first half, the visitors forced the breakthrough in the 53rd minute when Joel Ward turned James Maddison’s cross into his own net.
Spurs doubled their lead in the 66th minute after Son Heung-min finished off a fine team move from close range, and although Jordan Ayew did claw a goal back for the hosts late on, it was too little too late.
Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King watched on for Tottenham News and has provided his player ratings for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Guglielmo Vicario – 7
“Had a ten-minute spell at the start of the game where he kept Tottenham in it. He made a really good save from Odsonne Edouard, got down very quickly on his left side with a big strong hand and got up quickly to gather the loose ball. He dealt well with crosses into the box, apart from one corner which went straight over everyone.”
Ben Davies – 5
“Poor, couldn’t cope with Jordan Ayew’s pace, looked lost on the left which didn’t help Richarlison. He offered very little support. He surprised me, I thought he would have done much better with his chance but the pace of the game passed him by, good decision to bring him off at half-time.”
Micky van de Ven – 8
“Outstanding, once again he showed how important pace is. Had to do a lot of clearing up behind Davies.”
Cristian Romero – 8
“Just like van de Ven, he was also fantastic.”
Pedro Porro – 6
“Did very well for 89 minutes but got caught ball watching for the goal. Made a fantastic challenge in the final moments to deny a goalscoring opportunity which made up for his mistake.”
Yves Bissouma – 6
“Postecoglou showed faith in him and I thought he did okay, nothing spectacular, a few decent runs.”
Pape Matar Sarr – 8
“He was involved with both goals. For the first one he made a strong run into the right-hand channel and his pass across found James Maddison, and for the second goal, the ball he played across to Brennan Johnson was a great ball. Overall he impressed me, he is a tough boy and I thought he did a good job.”
James Maddison – 7
“In the first half, he had far too many touches in areas where he should have passed, he did get caught in possession a few times, and he got away with a few things. However, in the second half he started playing like the Maddison we know and the tempo and passing quality improved for the whole team. His pass to Johnson for the second goal was absolute class, it showed just how good a player he is. When he plays his football no one can get near him.“
Dejan Kulusevski – 6
“Set up a good chance in the first half with a deep cross to Richarlison who headed it across goal. He works hard, but I do think Spurs lack a bit of quality in his position, maybe something to look at in January.”
Son Heung-min – 7
“You cannot fault his finishing and the timing of his runs, they are both quality. Ange Postecoglou has transformed the way he plays.”
Richarlison – 5
“He doesn’t look happy on the wing for me, and he doesn’t do enough. Everyone says he needs a goal but I can’t see where it is going to come from, he has had enough chances to score. I don’t think he will start against Chelsea, I think Brennan Johnson will.”
Substitutes
Emerson Royal – 6
“He did a good job, even though he wasn’t on his natural side. Spurs looked more positive with Emerson instead of Davies, and Richarlison seemed to grow into the game.”
Brennan Johnson – 7
“Very good, his general energy was impressive. He certainly livened things up, he did things that Richarlison didn’t. His movement and passing was good and Crystal Palace found it quite hard to handle him, Son and Maddison.”
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6
“Steadied the ship, didn’t really put a foot wrong.”
Rodrigo Bentancur – 7
“When you have been out with an injury like he has been out with, for me that is what put me out of football, and I understand the way he has had to work to get himself back. That feeling of him coming on the pitch must have been the greatest relief he has had in the last 18 months. When someone has a serious injury you never know if they are going to come back the same, so it was fantastic to see him back on the pitch.”
Bryan Gil – N/A
In other Tottenham news, Postecgolou has discussed Son’s brilliant form so far this season.