No more Mr Nice Guy
Mourinho rips into his Tottenham flops for lack of aggression
JOSE MOURINHO believes Tottenham were punished for being “too nice” after Wolves twice came from behind to nick the win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The race for that final Champions League place will probably come down to who has the man to bang in the goals.
Tottenham don’t – but Wolves certainly do.
Raul Jimenez expertly converted his chance to take his tally for the season to a remarkable 22 and his combination with the electric Diogo Jota simply tore Spurs apart.
Meanwhile, still in the treatment room for probably another six weeks each are Tottenham’s two main strikers, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.
If ever that huge loss was exposed it was yesterday. Jose Mourinho’s team strived, they battled, they probed. But they simply did not have the wit or invention to open up a formidable Wolves defence or crucially the strikers to finish off the chances.
Mourinho said: “They had the correct mentality and I think we were punished. Not just today on the second and third goal but for quite a long time because we don’t have that aggression, that ruthlessness. I think we are too good, we are too nice and that was the only thing that made a difference in the game because tactically I think the team was really good. I think Wolves were not expecting and they were in trouble for periods of the game.
“We didn’t have one single problem apart from Wolves’ individual qualities so it’s difficult to cope with some individual qualities that they have. So I think it was a totally unfair result but for the neutral – great game.”
Spurs suffered a blow before kick-off when Hugo Lloris was ruled out with a groin injury. But Mourinho’s move of playing Eric Dier in defence was a spectacular mistake. Wolves’ ability to break with pace from defence was also instrumental.
The danger was there right from the start as Adama Traore broke clear but shot wide.
But Spurs, with Lucas Moura again gallantly leading the line, actually grabbed the initiative.
From an excellent Giovani Lo Celso’s pass, Serge Aurier crossed low and Steven Bergwijn slotted home after Dele Alli’s effort had been saved by Rui Patricio.
Wolves though were never quiet, Jota shooting over. And then they were level with a goal that will give Mourinho nightmares.
Ruben Vinagre burst down the left, Dier completely missed his cross, the ball bounced back off the hapless Japheth Tangana and Matt Doherty finished.
But on the strike of half-time, without really creating too much, Spurs were ahead again.
This time Alli played in Aurier on the right and the full-back cut in to curl his shot nicely past Patricio. The key moment for the hosts came when Ben Davies slung in a long cross and Alli escaped his marker – but glanced his header wide. Had that gone in Wolves might not have recovered.
But they did. Traore found Doherty once again breaking with pace down the right and Jota stabbed in his low cross.
And then came the best move of the game.
A lovely touch by Jota saw him get away from Moura, he raced away to cut inside, rolled a pass to Jimenez and the Wolves marksman fired home.
It was all about precision and finishing ability. And right now, Mourinho’s men do not have enough of it. And the tinkering with his defence is not helping.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “It was a good game and a tough game. I think Tottenham started much better than us, so much quality moving the ball and they had chances so the first half was not so good.
“Second half was much better, more organised, better points of pressure, higher in the pitch and don’t concede too much and good movements.
“I was pleased with the way we finished the game, the levels of energy were there, so good performance of the boys.”