Now Alli must prove Spurs are not just the Harry Kane team
LOSING Harry Kane for the trip to Old Trafford is an enormous blow for Tottenham but now is the time for Dele Alli to step up. Alli is yet to hit top form this season. We have seen less of the creative genius and more acts of petulance, such as his middle-finger gesture to Kyle Walker on England duty.
In recent weeks he has started to find his feet — scoring in Spurs’ last two matches — and it is vital that Alli provides a similar goal threat today.
Tottenham are not the same side when Kane does not play. He is their most influential player. As well as his goals, they miss his link-up play and ability to pick a pass to put through a team-mate.
Fernando Llorente is good cover but not in the same league. Where Llorente is more of a ‘between the posts’ centre forward, Kane scores all manner of different goals. Whether it is with his left foot, right, head or rattling them in from outside the box, Kane has it all.
Llorente also has just 24 minutes of Premier League football under his belt this season and will be lacking rhythm going into the game.
Mauricio Pochettino could also go with Son Heung-min, who played well against Liverpool, but neither player can completely replace what Kane brings to the team. It is vital that Alli, Christian Eriksen and Spurs’ wing backs create plenty of chances.
Pochettino is a positive manager. I cannot see him changing his approach in Kane’s absence but this is the first real test of Spurs’ strength in depth.
After a difficult week, this will have given the Manchester United players a psychological lift. Their defenders will be sleeping a little easier tonight.
There is an onus on Jose Mourinho to play positive, attacking football. If they are not prepared to go for the jugular at Old Trafford, they might as well write off their title ambitions.
It was inevitable that at some stage this season Tottenham would have to cope without their star man. Beat United and Spurs will prove they are not just the ‘Harry Kane’ team.