Analysis of the goal conceded against Leeds
A really exciting game last night – it had a bit of everything, and it was a pleasure to watch. That said, I’m sure I’m not the only Spurs fan that thought “not again” when Luciano Becchio put Leeds level. We’d missed so many chances by that point, and it did make me think back to the first game, where we’d done just the same. Thankfully, Defoe found his shooting boots in the second half.
On the stroke of half-time, Leeds get a corner. It’s reasonably well defended, but it comes back out to Snodgrass. We seem to have plenty of bodies in the box.
Crouch wins the header against Beckford.
The ball comes straight out to Brondby. He intelligently lobs a ball back into the box. Notice Crouch, now with two Leeds players behind him.
As the ball comes in, Crouch looks favourite to win it.
But he doesn’t judge the flight, whereas Beckford does; he spins Crouch and does well to get an awkward shot on target. Gomes doesn’t deal with the shot particularly well, but it’s difficult to blame him – it’s not a tricky height, and it’s a reaction stop. This is where he needs help from his defenders. Crouch, Jenas, Corlula, Bassong and Dawson are all stood watching this situation unfold.
Becchio anticipates his opportunity, and the only Spurs player to react is Dawson. Bassong is actually initially best-placed to deal with the situation, but in the 3/4 seconds that pass between Brondby feeding the ball back in, and Becchio steering it in, Bassong stands still.
Looking from the other angle, you can see just how caught on their heels our players are – as the ball comes out from Gomes, Becchio has gone from being in line with our defenders, to being in a prime position.
I have had concerns about Bassong’s natural defensive awareness for some time. He just doesn’t seem to enjoy the art of defending – he doesn’t like to get close to players, he doesn’t put his body on the line, and he doesn’t anticipate situations. Jenas, Corluka and Crouch are not entirely blameless in this situation, but the ball certainly fell into Bassong’s “zone”, and I think Gomes will be unhappy that he didn’t back him up.
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Because he was onside when Beckford had the shot, the flag correctly stayed down.
He is offside in phase 1 of the play (when Brondby helps the ball back in and Beckford has his shot), but that is irrelevant because he has not touched the ball in that phase - that's how the offside law describes it anyway, disagree at will!
Goals are usually the result of errors by defender even when an opponent does something exceptional. Poor positioning,lack of awareness, slow reaction or whatever as Windy is pointing out.
However the objective in a sense is positive; to raise awareness though I don't expect the Spurs players crowd round their computers waiting for Windy to put them straight even if they should.
My own feeling is that Dawson is slow to bring his fellow defenders out when the ball is cleared and that we defend too deep a lot of the time.
The penalty spot is a better guide line than the six yard box on a lot of occasions especially when we have a tall, alert, and athletic goalkeper.
Perhaps as he gains confidence as captain he will do so.
Last night we had plenty of time to leave the whole of the Leed's front line offside including Beckford.
However, all that is irrelevant to this analysis as the players should play to the whistle. The goal stood and was a result of poor defending in general, not just Bassong.
Just a thought.
But that didn't happen. Beckford has a shot - Becchio is behind him, and therefore has got himself back on-side. First phase over.
Gomes saves. Second phase begins. Becchio scores from an onside position.
Which bit do you disagree with?
BB - cheers for the comment! Beckford was in line...they did the "line across the pitch" analysis on poxy ITV, and even without the benefit of the doubt, he looked on.