After a solid and encouraging start under new manager Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur’s form has dipped in the last month as they have won just one of their last five games. The win came against Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 3rd round replay.
They have lost 3 of their last 5 Premier League games and are falling further away from the top 4. Mourinho’s side travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday to face Watford, who have turned things around and are in great form. The Hornets have won four of their last five games and will give the north London outfit a tough fight.
Let’s take a look at 3 Spurs players who have to step up against in-form Watford
Son Heung-Min
The injury to Harry Kane, who is expected to be out for a number of months, is a huge blow for Spurs as the English striker has usually been the lynchpin of the squad and their most effective player in the last few years. The north London side don’t have a quality replacement for Kane yet, which means that they will have to look elsewhere for goals.
One man who has to step up is South Korean attacker Son Heung-Min, who could play in place of Kane, or in his left-sided attacking role. Son hasn’t scored in his last six games in all competitions, but he will have to turn it around soon and add to his tally of five goals in the season.
Dele Alli
Another player that Mourinho and Spurs fans would like to see score more is Dele Alli, who had a huge upturn in form following Mourinho’s appointment. But, even he hasn’t scored in his last five games. Alli, Son, and the others in attack will need to contribute consistently if they are to start winning once again.
Alli almost has a free role in this Spurs team under Mourinho with the player not having to do much defending. This gives him the freedom to bomb forward and contribute in attack, something he hasn’t done well enough given the talent at his disposal.
Harry Winks
Following Mourinho’s appointment, many felt that one player that would not benefit from his appointment is Harry Winks. Winks is not the kind of player that Mourinho likes in midfield, but the Portuguese manager has given the English midfielder a few opportunities. They have come about mostly due to the injuries to midfielders Tanguy Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko.
Winks is very good at dictating the tempo of the game with his controlled and composed passing. But, he will have to contribute more and create chances for his forwards if he wants to retain his place in the Tottenham side and carve a future for himself at his boyhood club.