Igor Tudor singles out two young Tottenham leaders for their 'energy and quality'
Igor Tudor has offered his assessment of Tottenham’s youthful midfield pairing after their performance in the draw with Liverpool.
It was a team performance from Tottenham Hotspur in their recent outing against Liverpool on Sunday evening.
Tottenham showed some much-needed fight in that encounter, and their resilience was rewarded as Richarlison grabbed a late equaliser to earn Spurs a point.
That draw ensured Tottenham maintained their one-point lead over their relegation rivals, Nottingham Forest in 17th and West Ham United in 18th.
Spurs have also hit the often sweet 30-point mark that almost always guarantees survival, but that will not be enough this term.
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor praises Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray after Liverpool draw
Tudor has stated that he hopes Richarlison’s equaliser sparks Tottenham on for the rest of the season following their struggles this year.
However, while Richarlison was the goalscorer, there were a few under-the-radar performers that Tudor has now handed praise to, with Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr impressing for Spurs in the middle of the park and drawing praise for their energy.
Speaking to football.london about the young midfield pairing and their performance, Tudor praised their qualities but also spoke about the difficulties of working without a full squad.
“I like them very much in the Atletico game as well, in the middle. They have both things, good energy, running, even quality.
“I would like to have this consistency with the team, you know, like other coaches. Today, seeing the bench of Liverpool, it makes you feel different.
“So, without having a complete squad at the time, you cannot work on a daily basis, everything is almost impossible.
“So the job is hard to do, sometimes maybe you cannot even imagine, because you are outside, how difficult the job is to do here, and in the end it is always about results.
“So if there are no results, you know, it is always like someone who is charged, he is not probably, he is not working good, he is not good enough, but… okay.”
Spurs analysis: Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray numbers vs Liverpool
Tudor is not wrong in his assessment of the young midfielders, as their underlying numbers show just how immense they were against Liverpool.
Pape Sarr, in particular, was involved throughout the game, contributing defensively while also progressing the ball into the final third.
| Pape Matar Sarr vs Liverpool | Stats |
|---|---|
| Touches | 67 |
| Accurate passes | 39/47 (83%) |
| Defensive contributions | 17 |
| Passes into final third | 6 |
| Successful dribbles | 2/2 (100%) |
| Accurate long balls | 2/4 (50%) |
| Dispossessed | 0 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Headed clearances | 3 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Recoveries | 9 |
| Ground duels won | 5/6 (83%) |
As for Gray, the teenager who has just turned twenty, also delivered an impressive display, offering composure on the ball while contributing defensively during key moments of the match.
| Archie Gray vs Liverpool | Stats |
|---|---|
| Touches | 34 |
| Accurate passes | 19/24 (79%) |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Defensive contributions | 7 |
| Clearances | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Dribbled past | 0 |
Sarr has not had a consistent place in the Tottenham starting XI, but today he was afforded one in the absence of Joao Palhinha and Conor Gallagher.
While they are more senior players, the pair might struggle to displace the Senegalese from the team when they return to fitness.
It is possible that Palhinha, Gallagher and three other Tottenham senior players will make a return for the Nottingham Forest game next week.
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