‘His instinct is to go backwards’ – Glenn Hoddle labels one Spurs star ‘unconvincing’
Glenn Hoddle believes that Guglielmo Vicario needs to play more on the front foot when it comes to defending his own penalty area from set-pieces.
Set-pieces are a problem for Tottenham
Set-pieces have been Tottenham’s Achilles heel for the entirety of Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge of the North London club, with the latest example coming in the derby on Sunday.
In a game in which Spurs had the majority of the ball, they ultimately lost all three points because they couldn’t prevent Gabriel from rising highest to head home from a corner.
That goal was Tottenham’s 18th conceded from a set-piece since the start of the 2023/24 season (TNT), which tends to imply the Lilywhites have a persistent problem when it comes to defending their own box.
Glenn Hoddle is not impressed with Vicario
Glenn Hoddle believes that teams are actively targeting Vicario between the Tottenham sticks because of his tendency to go backwards instead of claiming or punching from set-pieces.
The North London Derby would tend to reinforce that hypothesis, as Vicario was more distracted by pushing Arsenal players than he was actually dealing with the cross or resulting header.
Hoddle told Premier League Productions (15/09/24 from 16:15): “The goalkeeper has an Achilles heel. Other clubs have seen it – it’s any ball in that inswinging area into that six-yard box
“His instinct is to go backwards. He’s never looking to come out. He’s involved in the battle up but he’s got to detach himself away from that and think to himself: ‘Where is my intent?’
“His body is always going backwards – he’s got to come and punch some of those balls,’ Hoddle continued.
“Arsenal have played that corner because time and time again he’s conceded from that situation. He flapped at one in the first half, he wasn’t convincing.
“He’s a good shotstopper but he has got to come and make himself more physical, come and get more balls and punch more balls.
“‘He’s not got to catch it there but clear the area. And until he does, they are going to concede even more goals.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
While Vicario does need to improve in these situations, it is also very much a team problem. Spurs don’t have that one commanding player who you know is going to clear the ball every time – like a Van Dijk or a Saliba. Romero and Van de Ven need to be stronger here.
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