After Tottenham let a two goal lead slip at the weekend - new signing Toby Alderweireld praised his former Southampton teammates.
Speaking to London24, Alderweireld explained that his former teammates excelled at shielding the defence, putting himself and the rest of the back four under less pressure.
Alderweireld conceded a penalty in the 2-2 home draw with Stoke City, and offered an apology for his mistake too.
He said: "I think you have to play better because if you don’t play football any more they can keep putting pressure on you, put more guys in the box and then it’s very difficult to defend every ball.
"At Southampton, Victor Wanyama and [Morgan] Schneiderlin put good pressure on so the opposition didn’t have time to put the ball in the box. It makes it easier for defenders.
"I think everybody worked very hard for each other and tried to do their best, and of course maybe if I didn’t concede the foul for the penalty it would have been different."
He was not bemoaning the effort of his Spurs teammates, but the execution and quality clearly was not of the standard he got used to last season.
Spurs started Ryan Mason and Eric Dier in the midfield, although the former was substituted for Nabil Bentaleb in the 68th minute with the score a 2-0. Exciting teenager Dele Alli was an unused substitute.
Even had he re-signed at Southampton however, Alderweireld would not have had the same luxury as he did last season, with Morgan Schneiderlin sold to Manchester United.
Perhaps he would like it if Spurs would submit an offer for Victor Wanyama to help him out.
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any defence would look better with Schneiderlin in front, just look what he is now doing for Utd. Said it all along, he will be the signing of the summer.
have to say though disappointed with Alderweireld and the way he gave away the pen. For an experienced player he should have done a lot better
Am i the only one with a problem with this interview? I mean he has been in 5 minutes and is already saying our midfield is **** and we need to be more like Southampton?
I know you have to be patient with a new signing, but I wonder just how crucified he'd've been if he'd had Chiriches on the back of his shirt on Saturday?
Up until this point he was playing really well. And he did well in the Man Yoo game as well. So Nothing like a Vlad performance. Stupid penalty to give away but one of those times when he just made a rash judgement and tried to grab him.I know you have to be patient with a new signing, but I wonder just how crucified he'd've been if he'd had Chiriches on the back of his shirt on Saturday?
Up until this point he was playing really well. And he did well in the Man Yoo game as well. So Nothing like a Vlad performance. Stupid penalty to give away but one of those times when he just made a rash judgement and tried to grab him.
Am i the only one with a problem with this interview? I mean he has been in 5 minutes and is already saying our midfield is **** and we need to be more like Southampton?
I do too.
I don't think we have a happy camp at the moment
Chiriches was often flawless for 89 minutes of a match too
Am i the only one with a problem with this interview? I mean he has been in 5 minutes and is already saying our midfield is **** and we need to be more like Southampton?
Why do you say this?
I do think that Dier playing there shows an acceptance by Poch that the midfield has not been good enough giving defensive cover. Hopefully we'll see someone new signed as CM with a bit more defensive nous - Kramer would be my choice.I don't. Granted he has to accept responsibility for the penalty, but he's right about the midfield not protecting them. Lloris is one of the best keepers in the league, but he can't save everything. He's busy in virtually every game,
Am i the only one with a problem with this interview? I mean he has been in 5 minutes and is already saying our midfield is **** and we need to be more like Southampton?
These comments
Dembele questioning the managers comments on Kane
Seemingly mentally weak
Christians comments on the managers tactics the other week
Am i the only one with a problem with this interview? I mean he has been in 5 minutes and is already saying our midfield is **** and we need to be more like Southampton?
I don't. Granted he has to accept responsibility for the penalty, but he's right about the midfield not protecting them. Lloris is one of the best keepers in the league, but he can't save everything. He's busy in virtually every game,
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