Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has dissected some of the tactical difficulties his team faced against Luton Town.
Tottenham left it late, but secured all three points against Luton Town in a tough clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs had a far from ideal start to the match, with Tahith Chong finding the back of the net for the Hatters.
The home side went close as Timo Werner, Heung-Min Son and Pape Matar Sarr were all denied with fantastic chances in the first half. The game swung in the second half though as Issa Kabore put the ball into the back of his own net trying to deny Werner.
The Lilywhites kept pushing for a winner and were eventually rewarded as some nice combination play between Werner and Brennan Johnson teed up Son to finish. It was far from comfortable, but it added another three points to the board and put the side a step closer to Champions League qualification.
Ange Postecoglou tactical change
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou made a change at half-time that seemingly spun the game on its head. Dejan Kulusevski came off in favour of Brennan Johnson, who went on to provide for both goals.
Explaining that decision, the manager told the press, via Football London: “We felt that in the first half Deki [Kulusevski] was probably coming inside a little bit too much and we felt that Timo [Werner] was certainly getting some opportunities down the left-hand side and if we got Brennan [Johnson] on the right-hand side that he could equally be a threat. I thought both wingers in the second half were outstanding.”
Ange Postecoglou tactical philosophy
The tactical identity of Postecoglou has been a key talking point throughout the season so far. It’s something that the team are far from perfect with, as the manager continues to outline the importance of his wingers in the shape.
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He continued: “Our wingers should play the same way. I think Deki was trying to get maybe too involved in the game a little bit. He went looking for the ball, he’s that kind of player – wants to be on the ball all the time.
“I just thought we had a different structure in the second half. It’s not about the individual players, it’s about the overall structure that they have to follow. I thought it was really important and I could see that Timo was getting two or three really good opportunities, and we weren’t getting the same kind of joy on the other side because Deki was coming inside looking for the ball.
“With Brennan’s pace and he has really good quality delivery, and gets in the box, and I thought the game was going to be good for him.”
Dejan Kulusevski position
Questions are likely to follow surrounding the best position for Dejan Kulusevski at Tottenham in the current system. Few can deny the quality of the 23-year-old, who has plenty of his best years ahead of him.
However, if the Swedish international is more suited to dropping into space to find the ball, rather than having the discipline to hold a high and wide position, there will naturally be some concerns. Perhaps those issues can be tweaked with a position change.
Kulusevski deputised for James Maddison as a number ten when the playmaker was injured earlier this season. There were some impressive displays from the former Juventus man, with close control and good vision.
Kulusevski is unlikely to dethrone Maddison for that position in the short-term, however it is another option that offers tactical flexibility for the manager.
Brennan Johnson Tottenham impact
Brennan Johnson continues to impress at Tottenham and chipped in with a few more goal contributions against Luton. The direct pace of the winger makes him a threat, while the quality of his delivery has been setting up teammates all season.
READ MORE: Get to know Brennan Johnson, the promising £47.5m Tottenham winger
The Welshman’s tally is now up to four goals and seven assists in the Premier League this campaign, from 23 appearances for Spurs since signing. There will be plenty of hopes that the 22-year-old can continue to prove why the club shelled out £47.5million for his ability.
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