Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Vic’s so vital to tilt at title says Francis
VICTOR WANYAMA has been hailed as one of the unsung heroes of titlechasing Tottenham. The midfield powerhouse – a bargain £11million arrival from Southampton – has proved to be Mauricio Pochettino’s best buy of last summer and has nailed down a starting place. While the goal-getters such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Heung-min Son hog the headlines, former Spurs boss Gerry Francis believes Wanyama has had just as vital a role. He said: “Wanyama’s been very important. I think he was a shrewd purchase. “He’s the protection really in front of the back four. He’s the one who wins the ball back, a bit like Kante at Chelsea. “He gives it to the Christian Eriksen’s of this world and Dele Alli and certainly has done a fantastic job patrolling in front of the back four. He’s important to them.” Spurs are already guaranteed to finish above Arsenal for the first time since 1995, when Francis was in charge at White Hart Lane. And they have not yet given up on chasing down league leaders Chelsea, who are four points clear with four games to go. Wanyama believes he is getting back to his best for the closing stages of the season after missing two games with back trouble last month. He said: “It’s been tough for me after my injury, so now I’m starting feeling like I’m getting back into it again and hopefully I can keep the good performances going. I feel I’m getting sharper and stronger.”