JOSE MOURINHO claims the reason Tottenham’s defenders are coming up short — is because they are too SMALL.
Spurs found stopping goals under Mourinho a tall order.
Jose Mourinho has claimed Tottenham’s defensive woes are because his defenders are too small
They have conceded SEVENTEEN goals in ten matches in all competitions since the Special One took over from Mauricio Pochettino.
Mourinho takes his defence-shy team to struggling Southampton today. He said: “We play so well, we create so much. In the beginning we were conceding lots of goals on corners, we stopped that.
“We conceded the other day against Brighton from a free-kick. But there are things in football that are very difficult to control.
“When I am small and you are taller than me by 15cm there are things in football that are impossible.
The only solution is to select a majority of tall players to cope with the physicality of the Premier League or in European competitions.
“But we have to improve, we concede too many goals and it is very frustrating.”
Many will dismiss Mourinho’s claims as a tall story as four of the defenders who played against Norwich on Saturday — Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth — all stand above 6ft.
But Spurs looked shoddy at the back again as they drew 2-2 at rock-bottom Canaries.
Tottenham have now let in 12 goals in eight Premier League matches under Jose.
By contrast they have scored EIGHTEEN goals in those top-flight contests and a further five in his two Champions League fixtures.
Mourinho admitted: “If I was one of my attackers I would be very frustrated that behind we are unable to stop it. But it is also great to know the team never gives up. I want to praise that fantastic spirit.
“People who accumulate 180 minutes in two games were fantastic. The others who are not playing too much or came back from injuries, like Erik Lamela and Tanguy Ndombele, deserve praise.”
Lamela and Ndombele returned to action at Norwich.
Mourinho also welcomes back midfield pair Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko to the squad for today’s trip to Saints. The boss may be struggling to solve their defensive issues but he has wasted no time in sorting their away form.
Tottenham had not won away for 11 months before Mourinho’s November arrival.
They have won two and drawn one of their four away games in the Prem under him.
He said: “Is that better than before? Yes. Is it perfect? No.
José Mourinho accuses Tottenham defenders of giving away goals like ‘gifts’ after two defensive howlers allow Norwich a point
“At Manchester United we got to half-time at 1-1. But the second half starts and we concede a ridiculous goal, that is the problem.”
Yet Mourinho, despite being without the injured Danny Rose, insists he is not planning to bring in any new defenders this month.
He said: “No, no, in January we have more time to work to try to improve.”
Spurs defenders Toby Alderweireld and Juan Foyth both stand over 6ft tallCredit: Getty – Contributor
Centre-back pair Jan Vertonghen are also towering presences Davinson SanchezCredit: AP:Associated Press
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
