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Tottenham are devoid of ideas without Son and Bergwijn: TBR view

Ally Darlow

Sun 12 September 2021 19:15, UK

Tottenham’s fantastic start to the season was quickly forgotten yesterday.

Having won three out of three games in the Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs fell to a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

It was certainly a day to forget for Tottenham, but it can’t be forgotten that the Lilywhites were forced into playing a much changed side.

Nuno had to deal with six first-team absences for that London derby.

That quickly became seven when Eric Dier went down injured in the first half.

The main issue that the supporters had with the defeat was the lack of attacking intent and creativity.

It also made it abundantly clear that Tottenham will struggle greatly without Heung-Min Son and Steven Bergwijn.

The tricky wide pair have been excellent in Spurs’ opening three games, but picked up injuries on international duty.

Their absences meant Lucas Moura, Harry Kane and Dele Alli started as Nuno’s front three at Selhurst Park.

However, without the ball-carrying abilities of Son and Bergwijn, Spurs found themselves with no way out against Palace.

Bergwijn and Son have so far contributed with some fantastic underlying numbers.

Bergwijn’s 1.3 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game are crucial to Spurs going forward.

Meanwhile Son has scored twice and chips in with 1 key pass per game ().

So long as Nuno refuses to play Tanguy Ndombele, the creativity in this Spurs side has to come from the wings.

That’s why without their South Korean star and Dutch dynamo Spurs will struggle.

Neither of the pair are confirmed to be available for next week against Chelsea.

Without them Tottenham’s chances of a result are far less, though.

Nuno will have to find a way to set his side up without the impressive wingers and if he’s to avoid back-to-back Premier League defeats he’ll have to find it fast.