Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou must axe Yves Bissouma after what happened v Nottingham Forest
Tottenham produced an improved second-half display to overcome Nottingham Forest 3-1 in Sunday’s (7 April) Premier League contest.
Forest arguably could have gone into half-time ahead after momentum swung their way once Chris Wood had cancelled out a Murillo own goal.
Ange Postecoglou took action at the interval by withdrawing holding midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
Ange Postecoglou substitutions pay off for Tottenham
That proved an inspired decision as Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg both impressed in the second period.
Defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro stole the headlines with their strikes, but Bentancur and Hojbjerg more than played their part.
Discussing the impact made by Postecoglou’s substitutes on talkSPORT [7 April, 7:32pm], Scott Minto summed it up in one word: “Whirlwind”.
Hojbjerg had 65 touches, which was the fifth-most of any Spurs player, despite only playing half of the game [Sofascore].
The Dane also completed 88 per cent of his passes, including three out of three of his long balls, and won his only aerial duel.
Bentancur also impressed when brought on as he completed 26 passes – more than Sarr – and managed to get his side on the front foot.
Yves Bissouma could make way v Newcastle United
The form of both players could be a particular concern for Bissouma, whose days in the starting line-up appear to ne numbered – at least for now.
Bissouma won just 25 per cent of his attempted duels (one out of four) and registered only one tackle as Forest turned the screw in the first half.
The 27-year-old also lost possession five times and was wayward from three attempts – no player had more shots off target for Tottenham.
While Bissouma has had a good campaign for Spurs overall, his off-days are more notable than others, such as in the 3-0 loss to Fulham.
Overall, Bissouma has a pass-success percentage of 92.4 for Tottenham this season [WhoScored] – bettered only by Van de Ven (95.3).
Postecoglou has numerous options, though, and it may well be that Hojbjerg and Bentancur are now given the nod against Newcastle United.
In other Tottenham news, Joe Cole has raised a problem he has noticed with a Spurs player.
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