‘DISMAL’ Tottenham aren’t ‘anything like a proper team’ in Harry Kane’s absence, says Graeme Souness… as Jamie Redknapp insists ‘things are unravelling quick’ for Jose Mourinho after defeat at Brighton
Graeme Souness has labelled Spurs ‘dismal’ following Jose Mourinho’s side flat performance at Brighton, as Jamie Redknapp warned things could be unravelling quickly in north London after Sunday’s loss.
The visitors, without star striker Harry Kane, were unable to overturn a one-goal deficit after Leandro Trossard dispatched a swift attack from the Seagulls to score the only goal of the game.
The defeat at the Amex Stadium means Mourinho’s side have won just two of their nine games since moving to the top of the Premier League table in December, leaving them in sixth place and eleven points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Graeme Souness has labelled Spurs ‘dismal’ following their 1-0 defeat by Brighton on Sunday
Jose Mourinho’s side handed the hosts their first home win of the season in a lacklustre display
Mourinho revealed his stars were ‘sad’ after conceding in the first half, and Souness reflected that Spurs supporters would find their ‘dismal’ side’s recent string of results ‘concerning’.
‘I think it is slightly concerning for spurs after that performance today,’ the Sky Sports pundit said. ‘Liverpool beat them easily in the week and I think they have been well beaten again today by a team that is in and around the relegation dogfight.
‘Concerning times. Harry Kane is their superstar, their go to man. He gets them out a hole time and time again. You cant say without him they are anything like a proper team. I think it was a dismal performance by them today.’
Jamie Redknapp, meanwhile, warned that Tottenham’s aspirations of a top four finish risks unravelling quickly as the Sky Sports pundit said that he has ‘seen this film before’ in the wheels coming off fast under Mourinho.
Defeat at the Amex means Spurs have picked up just two wins from nine since going top
‘I didn’t believe they could win the title when everyone was talking about it,’ Redknapp insisted. ‘Top four has to be the aspiration. Kane and Son there is not a better partnership.
‘But things are unravelling quick and I have seen this film too many times with Jose, and he has got to change that pattern quickly. I am not saying we are in desperate times right now but the lack of effort was a real surprise.
‘Not good signs to be honest. He’s had a fallout with Aurier this week, which I’d imagine would be easy to do. Dele Alli out of the squad. I’m sure some would not be happy with the treatment of Gareth Bale.’
Spurs were without talisman Kane for the first time following his injury against Liverpool in midweek. The north London side have often had to rely on the efforts of Son Heung-min in Kane’s absence, and Carlton Cole says team effort will help cover for the Englishman’s loss.
Jamie Carragher warned that ‘things are unravelling quick’ under Mourinho in north London
The Sky Sports pundits said that Spurs lacked intensity and effort from their stars
The north Londoners need a turnaround in results, although they are without Harry Kane
‘They miss him so much, he is the one that connects the midfield with attack,’ the former Chelsea and West Ham striker said. ‘Son missed him. It was sad not to see him. When Harry Kane isn’t playing it affects the whole team. I don’t know how they are going to get out of this rut. They have to work harder.
Mourinho insisted that he was pleased with the spirit shown by his players in the final stages of the game after an altogether poor first half display.
‘To concede a goal in the beginning of the game brought more sadness and [low] self esteem,’ the Spurs boss said.
‘The second half was different. A complete different attitude. The chances were of a team that tried everything but the spirit in the last 30 minutes was good, I saw people trying really really hard and trying until the last second.
‘A defeat is always a bad feeling but I leave with a positive feeling for my boys which is a good thing for me.’