Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou must trust Ben Davies more despite what happened with Wales
Ben Davies should still be considered a very important figure at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite suffering heartbreak with Wales during the international break.
The 30-year-old has deputised at left-back for the majority of his career but has slowly transitioned to a third centre-back role over the last few seasons, especially when away with his national team.
Despite a highly underrated Premier League career since 2014, amassing 329 appearances for Spurs, Davies has only started 11 league matches this season, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven preferred in the centre of defence.
The defender played 120 minutes on Tuesday 26 March as Wales failed to reach the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany this summer, losing to Poland on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Cardiff City Stadium.
It was an extremely disappointing night for the Red Wall but, as always, Davies was leading by example, reminding his teammates to keep their heads up, especially after Dan James’ devastating miss from the penalty spot.
Should Ange Postecoglou put more trust in Ben Davies at Tottenham?
Davies could have been returning to London on cloud nine, alongside his international teammate Brennan Johnson. However, both will be extremely deflated.
Saying this, the Wales captain showed no signs of disappointment on the pitch, instead turning to his teammates to lift them off the ground. This is definitely a leader that Postecoglou needs in the run-in to the end of the season.
Though his passing rate on the night was far from ideal, finishing with a 69 per cent accuracy, as per FotMob, this was clearly a tough day at the office, compared to his Premier League average this season of 92 per cent. [FotMob]
Because of Poland’s 58 per cent possession, Wales were often under pressure to look long to Ipswich Town’s Kieffer Moore, who struggled to make the desired impact for Rob Page’s side. [FotMob]
Despite a lack of an attacking display, Wales were resolute in defence, keeping out the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Karol Swiderski, and Davies was at the very heart of that.
The 30-year-old was able to boast a 100 per cent tackle success, with one being an important last-man tackle, also making three clearances, one interception and four recoveries. [FotMob]
He was involved in 14 duels during the match, more than Chris Mepham and Joe Rodon, winning just 43 per cent of them, but causing enough nuisance to put off a deadly Poland attacking lineup.
The skipper also blasted home Wales’ opening penalty in the shootout, staying calm and composed under pressure.
Though Postecoglou is unlikely to remove Romero or van de Ven from the starting XI ahead of a Premier League clash with Luton Town on Saturday 30 March, Davies certainly deserves more minutes on the pitch.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou must hand one fringe player at Spurs an opportunity after what he did on international duty.
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