Hazard expects the world of Archie Gray as Tottenham talent does something he wouldn’t
Archie Gray learned a valuable lesson last weekend when at fault for Nottingham Forest’s opening goal in their comfortable win over Tottenham.
Tottenham were on the end of a 3-0 loss to Forest at City Ground that piled more pressure on manager Thomas Frank.
Gray was caught in possession in the lead-up to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal, which opened the floodgates as Spurs were on the end of another disappointing defeat.
Many are in agreement that Guglielmo Vicario was truly at fault for the Forest opener, but Gray was the man who will be credited with the error in the record books due to technically losing possession.
Gray’s starting spot against Liverpool is now in doubt, but a former Spurs player insists the youngster deserves praise for wanting to always get on the ball.
Micky Hazard defends Archie Gray after Nottingham Forest loss
Gray has started eight games under Frank in all competitions, while making a further four appearances from the bench.
From being a regular under Ange Postecoglou – often in a mixture of positions – to having to drop in every now and then, it has not been ideal for the Leeds United academy graduate.
What perhaps goes under the radar, however, is that Gray averages a pass completion rate of 91.8 per cent in the Premier League.
That is a tally no Tottenham player other than Dominic Solanke (100 per cent) can better, but the striker has played just 31 minutes of action to Gray’s 284.
It shows that Gray is more than comfortable in possession, whether he is playing out from the back of getting the ball in midfield and getting it into the final third.
And former Spurs player Micky Hazard admits Gray is showing bravery that he himself would not dare of at the same age, while backing the 19-year-old to reach the top.
| Player | Minutes | Pass-success rate (%) |
| Dominic Solanke | 31 | 100 |
| Archie Gray | 284 | 91.8 |
| Micky van de Ven | 1,340 | 90.9 |
| Kevin Danso | 493 | 89.8 |
“People look at the negative side of him giving the goal away,” Hazard told The Sun’s print edition on Saturday.
“Actually, it’s a positive for him, because for a young boy of 19 to be playing in the Premier League with experienced pros, and showing the confidence and belief in his own ability, going to the edge of his own box.
“I think that shows a confidence way beyond his years. I’m not sure when I was 19 I would show for the ball in areas where I wasn’t at risk to a goal.
“Yes, he lost the ball, and he learned from that. And the next time he gets in that situation, he’ll play the pass first time, because he’s a clever footballer.
“That’s part of a learning process. And sometimes the learning process is quite punishing. It can quite hurt you when you’re learning.
“And it takes a big mistake like that to maybe make the learning so much quicker. I like him. He’s going to be a very, very good player. One day he could be one of our leaders.”
As per FBref, Gray has averaged 4.52 progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, which is defined as a completed passes at least 10 yards towards the opposition goal.
Only four Spurs players can better that, and they are all predominantly players in wide areas.
Thomas Frank risks making wrong choice over Gray vs Liverpool
Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday evening is massive for Frank, who is already under threat of being sacked.
There have been suggestions that Gray will drop back out of the starting lineup, with Xavi Simons, Joao Palhinha and Lucas Bergvall making up the midfield three.
Gray needs a consistent run in the side, ideally in his favoured position of central midfield, in order to blossom.
As he showed at Leeds a couple of seasons ago, he really is a player destined for the very top.
The odd mistake will happen – if you can even call it that – but that is all part of the learning curve.
Spurs invested heavily in Gray and that will be rewarded in the long term. It is just a case of retaining faith in the teenage talent.
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