Sherwood - Spurs missed a ball-playing midfielder
Tim Sherwood has revealed he felt Tottenham were missing a ball-playing midfielder last season and Brazil had the same problem against Croatia.
Former Tottenham boss Sherwood wasn't impressed by Brazil’s “rigid” performance and he felt that Tottenham summer purchase Paulinho’s was part of their problem.
There are many Spurs fans who would agree with that assessment after Paulinho put in a largely disappointing season at White Hart Lane. He seemed to lack composure in front of goal and spent most of his time passing sideways and backwards.
Certainly we could have expected more from the player we signed from Corinthians for £17 million as part of our summer spending spree. After Charlie Adams had done what Charlie Adams does, which doesn't usually involve the ball, he seemed to coast through games as if he was saving himself for the World Cup.
Recent Stories:
Ardiles - Centre-back Ezequiel Garay is one to watch
Lloris, Sherwood, Darlow, Pirlo
Teddy Sheringham - I'd have taken Defoe
Spain 1 Holland 5 Video Highlights
Banega, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Morata
David Bentley retires at 29 in tears
Spurs consider another Argentinian midfielder
He eventually got back into the side towards the end of the season and put in the effort again. The 25-year-old box to box midfielder was though capable of filling the Frank Lampard type role but didn't live up to those expectations.
I always find it amazing that a professional player on £60-70,000 a week can only use one foot. It should be standard practice to become competent on what for some is just a standing foot.
Former Tottenham boss Sherwood wasn't impressed by Brazil’s “rigid” performance and he felt that Tottenham summer purchase Paulinho’s was part of their problem.
“I felt the issue was that Brazil, in Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho, do not have a player who is comfortable passing the ball forward.
“They are both good up-and-down, workmanlike midfielders but neither of them has got the guile.
“That was the problem that Tottenham had last season. We missed the clever ball-playing midfielder.”
There are many Spurs fans who would agree with that assessment after Paulinho put in a largely disappointing season at White Hart Lane. He seemed to lack composure in front of goal and spent most of his time passing sideways and backwards.
Certainly we could have expected more from the player we signed from Corinthians for £17 million as part of our summer spending spree. After Charlie Adams had done what Charlie Adams does, which doesn't usually involve the ball, he seemed to coast through games as if he was saving himself for the World Cup.
Recent Stories:
Ardiles - Centre-back Ezequiel Garay is one to watch
Lloris, Sherwood, Darlow, Pirlo
Teddy Sheringham - I'd have taken Defoe
Spain 1 Holland 5 Video Highlights
Banega, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Morata
David Bentley retires at 29 in tears
Spurs consider another Argentinian midfielder
He eventually got back into the side towards the end of the season and put in the effort again. The 25-year-old box to box midfielder was though capable of filling the Frank Lampard type role but didn't live up to those expectations.
“Paulinho’s strength is that he can get from box to box. He will get on the end of a move and score a few goals, but he needs it on his right foot for that to happen.
“It would be optimistic to compare him to someone like Frank Lampard who, at his peak, was capable of surging into the opposition area from midfield and scoring with his left or right foot.”
I always find it amazing that a professional player on £60-70,000 a week can only use one foot. It should be standard practice to become competent on what for some is just a standing foot.
Post a Comment