3 ways that Tottenham can turn around their drop in form

#3 Stop switching off at crucial times

Spurs need to avoid switching off during set-pieces to prevent them conceding weak goals

Football is a game of small margins and as crazy as it sounds, had things gone slightly different for Tottenham in their last three games, we probably wouldn’t be talking about this blip in the first place.

Spurs didn’t play well against Watford but could’ve come away with a victory had they not succumbed to pressure and the direct style of the Hornets; Liverpool outplayed them but both of the Reds’ goals were weak and Spurs could’ve had a late penalty, and they led Inter Milan until the last five minutes before conceding two goals.

Of those 6 goals that Tottenham conceded, it’s also notable that 4 of them came from set-pieces. Mauro Icardi’s stunning volley for Inter was basically unstoppable and Roberto Firmino’s goal for Liverpool was caused by an error by Michel Vorm, but the rest were sloppy goals for a top side like Spurs to be letting in.

Simply put, you’d expect defenders the calibre of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez to be far more commanding in the air than they’ve looked in their recent fixtures. Quite what’s caused this issue is unknown as Tottenham have never looked this vulnerable from set-pieces under Pochettino before.

What is clear though is that this must change going forward if Spurs want to turn their form around. Whether it’s an issue with the marking system they’re using – or a simple case of switching off at crucial times – Spurs need to be far more careful when defending set-pieces. If they can fix this issue, then perhaps this slump won’t turn into much of a slump at all.