Martin Keown warns Tottenham key player risks regular injury unless they ‘adjust’ for him

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Tottenham Hotspur have had a very mixed season so far, recording some outstanding results but also delivering some real horror shows.

An unfortunate recurring theme this season has been Spurs losing their last game before the international break, and this proved the case once again last weekend.

As a result, Tottenham fans are once again left sweating about their team’s hopes for the remainder of the season during a period in which they can’t do anything about it.

However, there have certainly been some positives at Spurs, with a fair few players giving good accounts of themselves.

Pundit Martin Keown has now deemed one Tottenham star in the top three Premier League players in his position.

READ MORE: Every Tottenham star on November international duty with where and how to watch them

Martin Keown believes Tottenham should ‘adjust’ for Micky van de Ven

The player in question is Micky van de Ven, who has been impressive for Ange Postecoglou’s charges for the most part.

Keown, writing on talkSPORT, named the Spurs man at number four in his list of the best centre-backs in the Premier League so far this season.

However, the former Arsenal man wondered why Van de Ven has to use his pace “so often” and hinted that Tottenham “could adjust” their tactics for him.

“A word here for Spurs, Van de Ven is another player that I really think has caught the eye,” said Keown.

“I think he has to be in the mix as one of the best central defenders we’ve seen this this season.

“His pace, I would question why does he have to use that pace so often?

“He’s pulling his hamstring, so maybe they could adjust a little bit for him, but he’s really caught the eye.”

Is Postecoglou likely to change his tactics?

Keown does make a good point in that Van de Ven is having to rely on his pace a lot, which in turn could be leading to injuries.

Not only is this bad for the player, but when he’s on the sidelines, it’s clear that Tottenham suffer without him in the side.

However, Postecoglou seems unlikely to relent on his style of play. He has shown that he wants to stick to his guns.

Mark Schwarzer recently claimed that, at this moment in time, it’s the Tottenham players who are letting Postecoglou down rather than the other way round.

The Premier League icon also claims Tottenham simply don’t have the defensive discipline and the strength in depth to play the way Postecoglou wants all the time.

“When Micky van de Ven is injured there is no one to replace him,” said Schwarzer. “When Heung-min Son was out injured there was no one to replace him.

However, Schwarzer also said the Spurs manager “just isn’t going to compromise” on his style of play.