Tottenham: Micky van de Ven must be axed as Rio Ferdinand mocks his display v Newcastle
Ange Postecoglou will be concerned about Micky van de Ven after the Tottenham star’s performance against Newcastle United.
Spurs were thrashed for a second season running on Tyneside as they fell to a 4-0 defeat against the Magpies at St James’ Park on Saturday (13 April).
It was one of the club’s worst performances of the season, and Postecoglou will have plenty to ponder after such a disappointing afternoon.
However, what would have truly surprised the Australian is the performance of van de Ven.
The 22-year-old has been one of Tottenham and the Premier League’s best centre-backs this season but had a nightmare against Newcastle with Rio Ferdinand criticising the defender’s performance live on TNT Sports (13 April).
After labelling the Dutchman a “Rolls-Royce” ahead of kick-off, Ferdinand was called out by Lynsey Hipgrave at half-time, responding, “Well sometimes Rolls-Royce’s do have technical issues and they go for an MOT and get a once over.”
Tottenham supporters will be surprised by Micky van de Ven’s performance against Newcastle United
Van de Ven looked a shadow of himself against Eddie Howe’s side.
Usually calm and composed, the Netherlands international was anything but on Saturday afternoon.
As per Sofascore, he managed to win just 25 per cent of his ground duels, and although he did make one last-man tackle, he was also dribbled past twice, with both of those incidents leading to Newcastle goals.
While he did complete 95 per cent of his passes and his one long ball forward, that was more or less all he did on what was an incredibly difficult afternoon for the Spurs ace.
His three clearances, two interceptions and one tackle were all overshadowed by his costly mistakes as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both sat him down in the buildup to their goals.
Spurs have the small matter of a North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next on the agenda, and they will already be heading into that crunch clash off the back of a sobering defeat.
What they cannot afford is to allow that to carry over, and Postecoglou might be wise to take van de Ven out of the spotlight and offer Radu Dragusin an opportunity against the Gunners.
In other Tottenham news, a Postecoglou sack verdict has emerged after recent Daniel Levy news.
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