1) Conte’s Spurs are lacking in variety
Where was Harry Kane? Where was Son Heung-min? Where was Antonio Conte’s ability to make decisive in-game, narrative-changing tactical switches? Sure, Manchester United were shaky and required Cristiano Ronaldo to rescue all three points. Last month the Italian’s masterplan had Kane and Son turning Manchester City over via rapid counterattacking. This is how Tottenham play. This is the Conte masterplan. And if it doesn’t work he seems to have nothing else. Against United his two star forwards did not have enough impact on the contest and Conte needed to find a way for them or others to do so. It was instructive that Spurs’s best moments were the very rare occasions where they managed to flood United with numbers One of these led to the penalty that Kane scored. Perhaps that was a clue to how Conte might vary the side’s play. Jamie Jackson
