Tottenham Hotspur’s striker shortage exposed in goalless draw at Nottingham Forest
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Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro (left) and Mateus Fernandes after the 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest.
PHOTO: ACTION IMAGES
NOTTINGHAM, England – Tottenham Hotspur’s failure to sign a recognised striker despite spending over £300 million (S$514 million) in the summer was exposed in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Sept 5.
The stalemate earned them their first point after three matches in this season’s English Premier League, but left them waiting for their first goal.
A frustrating end to the transfer window saw Spurs miss out on Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, who ended up signing for Manchester City, while last season’s top scorer Richarlison has been omitted from the club’s EPL squad.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi has received strong backing in the market, especially with a host of attacking midfielders and wingers, but his side looked powder-puff up front.
Savinho, who arrived from City along with Omar Marmoush, flattered to deceive before being substituted.
The club’s only out-and-out striker Dominic Solanke went close late in the game after coming on, and Marmoush was guilty of missing a good chance before half-time, dragging a shot wide.
While a first clean sheet after their 3-0 loss at Brentford and 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle United was welcome, Tottenham’s lack of firepower looks like it will be a problem.
“I think we played well, but in the last third, we have to improve,” said de Zerbi, who saved Spurs from relegation last season after arriving with seven games to go.
Tottenham failed to force goalkeeper Matz Sels into a save – the first time they have not had an effort on target in an EPL game since April 2022. They last failed to score in three straight league games back in November 2021.
But de Zerbi played down the statistics.
“We could have scored three or four goals today because if you take the wrong decision, you don’t score. But for me, it’s a chance to score,” said the 47-year-old Italian.
He also sounded confident that the goals will come.
“I love these players. Marmoush, we have to analyse if he has, or not, 15, 12 goals. I think, yes, because he has all the qualities, enough to score that number of goals,” he added.
“He has to improve, of course. Like Domi Solanke, I think if Domi is fit, is in the best physical condition, the chance he had was completely different.”
Mudryk not ready yet
Missing out on Ndiaye meant Spurs made a late swoop to sign Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Sept 1.
The 25-year-old, who came off the bench at the City Ground for his first competitive outing in 646 days after returning from a doping ban, did not make much of an impression.
“He’s not ready yet. He’s working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work,” said de Zerbi, who had coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk.
While it was frustration for Tottenham, it was the same for the hosts, whose manager Oliver Glasner felt his side were denied a clear goal after Neco Williams bundled the ball home in the second half following some chaotic Spurs defending.
After a video assistant referee (VAR) check, referee Craig Pawson decided the ball had hit Williams’ arm as he dived to head home on the goal line.
Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams scoring a goal in the second half that was later disallowed.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“It’s not clear and obvious. You needed four different (camera) angles and then you guessed that he probably touched the ball with his arm,” said Glasner, whose side have two points from their opening three games.
“The VAR should say to stay with the on-field decision because it is about strengthening the referee. Stick to the on-field decision.” REUTERS
