Tottenham v Manchester City tactics: Danny Higginbotham examines the wide battle
Sunday 2 October 2016 11:09, UK
Danny Higginbotham explains why the wide battles will be crucial in Sunday’s showdown between Tottenham and Manchester City at White Hart Lane, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
City are the only team in the Premier League with a 100 per cent record and Higginbotham feels that dealing with the wide threat from Pep Guardiola's side is an important issue for Spurs.
Raheem Sterling and Nolito were both on target for City against Celtic in midweek and it's clear that Danny Rose and Kyle Walker will have a difficult job in stopping them.
In part, that's because Guardiola's set-up is designed to bring the best from his wide players. "I think the two full-backs Rose and Walker are going to be key," Higginbotham explains.
"What we've seen so far from Manchester City, the way they move the ball, the way that they take up positions, has been absolutely fantastic.
"Sterling and Nolito - who is suspended on Sunday - have been key players. The full-backs do their bit as well. What they've been doing is getting the ball forward and then going into midfield areas.
"What's been happening is that the wide players for the opposition have been going inside with them.
"What that's meant is that Sterling and Nolito have been able to get one-on-one with the full-backs. They've been able to isolate them. That's been key for City."
While that's been City's strength so far this season, there's still a possibility that Mauricio Pochettino's men can turn it to their advantage.
"To turn it around and look at how Tottenham can get the best out of that situation, what Manchester City will do is they will leave space down the sides," adds Higginbotham.
"So as much as I think Rose and Walker are going to be important defending-wise, they're also going to be so important attacking-wise.
"The key will be setting up defensively so that the full-backs can get forward without any fear of the counter-attack.
Live Nissan Super Sunday
"What we'll see is [Eric] Dier just dropping in. What helps in that situation is that [Jan] Vertonghen and [Toby] Alderweireld have played in the full-back areas for Belgium before.
"That means that they're nice and stable, they're nice and compact, and it will stop the counter-attack from Manchester City.
"I just think the wide areas are going to be key on Sunday for both Tottenham and Manchester City. I'm really looking forward to it."
