Tottenham appear to have a problem position. Not up front, though the problems here are well-documented, but at left-back. Kyle Naughton and Jan Vertonghen had been filling the position in Benoit Assou-Ekoto’s long-term absence through injury with a varying degree of success.
Vertonghen has played reasonably well there but perhaps lacks the pace needed for the role, whilst Naughton has looked uncomfortable. Playing Naughton has negated Spurs attacking threat as being right-footed has reduced the player’s ability to overlap and get to the byline. However, Naughton’s main problem has been defensively. Whilst his tackling success is reasonable, arguably his sense of positioning is poor and on too many occasions Spurs have looked vulnerable down their left when he has played.
Perhaps surprisingly when Assou-Ekotto returned from injury, the Cameroonian didn’t slot straight back into the side and has struggled to gain a starting place. Whether he does not have his coach’s confidence only Andr
