Playing for 90
Fansided

5 things Tottenham must do to dominate West Ham

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on before the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on September 13, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on before the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on September 13, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates his team’s 1-0 victory during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates his team’s 1-0 victory during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

4. Isolate Mark Noble

In some ways I hate to isolate Mark Noble for criticism. Two years ago he was one of the most underrated midfielders in England. Unfortunately, at 30 years of page it’s highly likely that his best football is firmly behind him.

He’s going to need to play above his head in this match to deal with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. Noble’s Whoscored.com player rating average of 6.54 this season makes it clear he hasn’t been playing at that level.

Specifically, his lack of pace makes him ill-suited to thwart the Tottenham attack. If Pochettino’s troops can force him into a foot race with any of their attackers it should lead to great success for the Spurs attack.

West Ham will try to pack in their defense to protect Noble, but it’s difficult to stay completely compact in an emotional London derby. In the end, Noble’s desire to get forward and provide his club a spark may be the Hammers’ undoing.

Home/Tottenham Hotspur