Football.London’s Alasdair Gold believes that Tottenham’s clash against Newcastle United is further evidence that the Lilywhites are now much better at both attacking and defending set-pieces.
Defending free-kicks and corners was a real problem for Spurs last season but Ange Postecoglou remained adamant that he would not spend much time on the training ground working on set-piece defending (Daily Mail).
Despite this, the Australian has worked to rectify it in the summer, with Gold previously revealing that new assistant coach Nick Montgomery has taken charge of both attacking and defending set-pieces.
The journalist has now pointed out following Spurs’ 2-1 defeat at St James Park that the Lilywhites looked much better at defending set-pieces, while they also seemed a lot more threatening from corners than they were last season.
Gold stated that Spurs looking ‘far more organised’ in defending free-kicks and corners, explaining that they now employ a hybrid zonal and man-marking system.
He also added that the Spurs players who are weaker in the air are now tasked with marking opposition midfielders rather than big defenders and attackers.
Cristian Romero has been a constant threat from set-pieces so far this season, while Radu Dragusin was also a danger against Newcastle last time out.
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This change implemented by Ange seems to be having the desired effect and is perhaps evidence that the Australian is not as rigid as he might sometimes come across.
He is very much open to changing his mind depending on the evidence in front of him.
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