‘It would represent a massive boost’ – Ex-Spurs Scout: Five things I learned from Tottenham win against Bournemouth
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. Bryan also spent eight years on Everton’s recruitment team and 11 years scouting at Aston Villa across two different spells.
Tottenham bounced back from defeat by beating an in-form Bournemouth side 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on New Year’s Eve.
After being beaten convincingly by Brighton 4-2 at the Amex Stadium on Thursday 28 December, Ange Postecoglou would have been looking for a response from his players against the Cherries, who were unbeaten in their past seven league matches heading into the clash.
The hosts, boosted by the surprise return of Rodrigo Bentancur, made a dream start as Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes.
Bournemouth dominated from this point forward but could not convert their chances, with Son Heung-min and Richarlison scoring late on to ensure all three points, despite the visitors threatening a late comeback when Alex Scott scored from the bench in the 84th minute.
It is now four wins in five for Spurs in the league, who made sure they ended 2023 on a positive note, despite losing both Sarr and Alejo Veliz to injury throughout the match, with the former’s AFCON plans now up in the air.
Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King was watching on for Tottenham News and has detailed five things he learned from the victory.
Sloppy performance despite the win
It was a good win, but Tottenham made it difficult for themselves. They created some great chances in the first half an hour, Son Heung-min should have scored straightaway after that brilliant cross from Brennan Johnson. However, after going 1-0 up, Tottenham seemed to drop off the pace.
Bournemouth were unlucky not to score and Spurs were very fortunate they didn’t score. I find that they often allowed players to carry the ball up the pitch, they didn’t put players under pressure until they were 10 yards from goal, and they left themselves open in wide positions.
Rodrigo Bentancur return a huge boost
I was very surprised to see Bentancur back in the lineup, and I thought he did well. To play an hour after what he has been through, I think people should be happy with that. He didn’t back away from anything, and he played well. I like him, he is a good footballer.
He has had two serious injuries in the last 10 months, one which was career-threatening and one from a ridiculous tackle which could have been even worse for him. I was very surprised to see him back, but it was a nice surprise, and now that he has an hour under his belt he can build on that. He should certainly play in the FA Cup.
Richarlison continues to impress
It is all down to goals, once strikers score one, their confidence goes through the roof. There are long periods in the game where he looks awkward in his play, but the run and finish for his goal were impressive.
It was very similar to his goal against Everton, he made the same movement, and it was Johnson who fired it in for him again. He makes good runs and he finishes well.
Premier League title is still a step too far
It is a win which puts Tottenham in the mix at the top, they’re positioned nicely at the moment. I don’t think they will win the league, but I am expecting them to compete for a top-four place, as long as injuries don’t curtail their plans.
I can’t see them winning the league, not at this stage. Football can change quickly, but Tottenham are keeping pace with the sides at the top, and if they can finish in the UEFA Champions League places it would be a fantastic season.
FA Cup becomes a priority
With the way they’re playing, Tottenham could certainly win the FA Cup. The likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have European fixtures to contend with, so they will all be distracted.
They need to take a more positive attitude into the FA Cup than they did for the Carabao Cup. They have got to field their best side in the competition. It is a cup which Tottenham have enjoyed winning in the past and for me, it is still a top trophy to win, and it would represent a massive boost for Spurs if they won it.
In other Tottenham news, one 97 per cent Spurs ace proved his “world-class” status in the victory over Bournemouth.