Tottenham Hotspur fans began the season with high hopes, buoyed by exciting signings like Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke. However, the team has yet to fully capitalize on the potential of these new arrivals, with Gray seeing limited minutes and Solanke missing two of the first three matches due to injury.
As a result, Spurs have only managed to secure four points from a possible nine, marking a somewhat lackluster start to the campaign under manager Ange Postecoglou. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park was particularly disappointing, as the team had only themselves to blame for missed opportunities and defensive lapses that allowed the hosts to snatch victory.
Defensive Frailties and Missed Opportunities
The defeat was compounded by defensive errors, with Cristian Romero caught out of position for both of Newcastle’s goals. Destiny Udogie also struggled, failing to effectively challenge Jacob Murphy before he set up Alexandre Isak for his goal. However, they were not the only players who underperformed.
Wilson Odobert’s Underwhelming Performance
Wilson Odobert, a young talent signed from Burnley for £25 million late in the transfer window, was given his first start against Everton last weekend. While the 19-year-old has shown flashes of potential, he has yet to consistently make a significant impact on the pitch. Football.London’s Alasdair Gold highlighted Odobert’s struggles, awarding him a 5/10 rating for his performance and noting that while he posed a threat, he lacked the final pass needed to make a real difference.
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In the match against Newcastle, Odobert missed a clear opportunity to score and managed just one key pass during his 74 minutes on the field. His stats from the game paint a picture of a player who is still finding his feet at this level:
- Minutes Played: 74
- Touches: 40
- Accurate Passes: 20/24 (83%)
- Key Passes: 1
- Crosses: 0/2
- Long Balls: 0
- Dribbles: 0/2
- Shots Off Target: 2
- Duels Won: 4/8
- Possession Lost: 11 times
Given his current form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Odobert benched for Tottenham’s upcoming North London derby against Arsenal in two weeks.
Possible Replacements for Odobert
Tottenham boasts a versatile and fluid attacking lineup, which provides Postecoglou with several options to replace Odobert. Brennan Johnson, who played a key role in forcing Dan Burn’s own goal against Newcastle, is a strong candidate to start the derby. Additionally, Timo Werner could also be considered for the starting eleven.
If Solanke recovers from his injury in time, Postecoglou may opt to deploy Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski on the wings, with Solanke leading the line. This front three combination appears to be the most formidable and could pose significant challenges to an Arsenal defense that has been rock-solid so far this season.
Arsenal has yet to concede a goal with a full team on the field this season and has only allowed one goal in their first three matches. Given these defensive statistics, Odobert, who is currently lacking in confidence and sharpness, might not be the best option for such a crucial encounter.
While Tottenham supporters are eager to see Odobert make an impact, it may be wiser for Postecoglou to rely on more experienced players for the high-stakes North London derby. With the right adjustments, Spurs can put up a strong fight against their fierce rivals.