‘If I’m Kulusevski, Kane or Son, I question the way we play’: Alli McCoist says Antonio Conte’s tactics are stifling his Tottenham side’s attacking power after 0-0 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt
- Ally McCoist has questioned Tottenham manager Antonio Conte’s tactics
- McCoist believes Conte is not getting the best out of his attacking players
- Rio Ferdinand says Tottenham struggled in the final third against Eintracht Frankfurt
By George Bird for Mailonline
Posted: 00:45, October 5, 2022 | Updated: 01:03, October 5, 2022
Ally McCoist believes Tottenham’s attacking players will question Antonio Conte’s tactics.
Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, following their 3-1 defeat at rivals Arsenal last weekend.
In both games, Tottenham lacked quality in the final third and McCoist believes the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski will find it difficult to thrive given Conte’s tactics.
Ally McCoist believes Tottenham’s tactics are not getting the best out of their attacking players
Antonio Conte’s defensive philosophy has made it difficult for the likes of Harry Kane
Conte is known for his defensive style of play and working with three at the back, but the system doesn’t seem to be working for Tottenham at the moment.
Speaking on BT Sport, McCoist said: “You look at a team like Spurs who have obviously had a really bad performance, a poor result at the weekend in the derby game, you’re looking for a reaction.
“I think Spurs’ strengths are at the front of the park, I don’t think anyone can argue with that. I think there are question marks on defense. I thought the game they came back against Chelsea was a bit more solid, is that the turning point? But I do not think so.
The argument I think Spurs fans can make is is Conte playing to his team’s strengths? I’m not sure. He is clearly defensive minded in the way he sets up his team and it has to be said that he is very good at it. Spurs have only lost one league game this year, that being the North London derby.
McCoist believes Conte is not playing to his team’s strengths, which is hampering Kane
“However, if I’m Kulusevski or Harry Kane or Son and I’m in this Spurs team, I actually probably question the way we’re playing.”
Rio Ferdinand stressed that Tottenham were lacking in the final third against Frankfurt.
Ferdinand said: “Those three strikers, whoever they are, will probably average further away from a goal than they’ve ever been in their careers at Tottenham.
The way we saw them tackle Arsenal in the first five minutes was so deep, on the edge of the box. It’s almost like watching a carbon copy of Atlético Madrid in recent years, all behind the ball and the lead striker marking one of the central midfielders.
Son Heung-min is another attacking player who is not at his best at the moment
“It’s not what Spurs are used to seeing. The last ball in the North London derby wasn’t good enough and today with Son and Kane it just wasn’t there for the last piece of the puzzle and the hardest part is getting the ball in the back or the net and they didn’t have that luck or quality in the last a moment.
Tottenham have taken four points from their opening three Champions League games and still have work to do if they are to reach the knockout stages.
In the Premier League, they are third despite recent criticism of Conte and are just four points behind rivals Arsenal.
Tottenham face Brighton away on Saturday but it looks highly unlikely that Conte will make any major changes to his tactics, although his attacking players are finding things difficult in the current system.
Add Comment