‘The fans recognised it’: Joe Cole claims West Ham supporters spotted weakness in one star
Joe Cole claims West Ham supporters spotted weakness in one Tottenham Hotspur star Tottenham Hotspur took the lead at West Ham United but couldn’t secure all three points as they ended up drawing 1-1 at the London Stadium.
Tottenham fans have become all too used to seeing their side go behind before producing a rousing comeback to win the game.
That was the script on Saturday as Tottenham went 1-0 down to Luton Town before turning the game on its head to win 2-1.
Tottenham may have stunned a few of their own supporters then, as it was they who took the lead early on at West Ham United.
Brennan Johnson tapped home from close range to put Tottenham 1-0 up at the London Stadium, leaving fans hoping for a big derby day win.
That didn’t quite happen though as Kurt Zouma found an equaliser, heading home from close range as Tottenham again conceded from a set piece.
Ange Postecoglou’s side had all the possession but just couldn’t go anything with it, coming up against a West Ham side determined to keep it tight after Saturday’s 4-3 collapse at Newcastle United.
Joe Cole concerned over Tottenham Hotspur star
Tottenham won’t be too disappointed with a draw in a London derby but the manner of West Ham’s equaliser should concern Postecoglou.
Spurs looked troubled on set pieces all night long and pundit Joe Cole believes that it’s partly down to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
The Italian hadn’t really encountered many set piece problems before facing Everton in February.
Everton crowed Vicario and enjoyed real success with that approach, with West Ham somewhat copying that strategy on Tuesday night.
That’s how the Zouma goal materialised and Cole told TNT Sports (02/04, 22:45) that he thinks Tottenham teammates such as Yves Bissouma need to do more to protect Vicario and give him room to come and claim the ball.
Cole noted that Premier League managers will be targeting Vicario from now on, even highlighting that West Ham fans could sense that Vicario may struggle on crosses into the box.
Cole added that Vicario must improve and even called on Tottenham to deploy somebody to ‘clear the decks’ in front of him.
“I remember watching Vicario at Everton and they did fabulously against him,” said Cole. “Look how congested it is, he cannot find a route to the ball. For me, I think Bissouma in this case, he needs to do better. Just before he kicks it, move him, give Vicario an option to come out and get his hand on. He got his hand on one cross and he flapped at that.”
“I think every Premier League manager will probably look at that situation. The fans recognised it didn’t they? Every time they had a set piece, the fans were getting a sense that it was gonna happen. He needs to improve that, Vicario, with his coaches, he’s a young goalie and he can, but they may need to build something around him, someone in there who’s job is specifically to clear the decks so the keeper can come and claim it,” he added.
Guglielmo Vicario must find a way to deal with corners
We have seen goalkeepers struggle on crosses after arriving in the Premier League before.
David De Gea springs to mind as teams targeted him again and again after joining Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
De Gea eventually got to grips with those high balls into the area but it’s worth remembering that he was 21 upon his arrival and clearly needed some development.
Vicario is already 27 and he will be keen to nip this in the bud before teams start believing that he has a real weakness.
Vicario has been exceptional this season and the question marks over his ability to deal with corners is pretty much the only concern to emerge from his first Premier League campaign.
We would back Vicario to find his way through this situation but Postecoglou may be minded to try something different when defending set pieces in order to help his goalkeeper.
