'What Spurs need': Glenn Hoddle says the 'very best' is yet to come from £90k-a-week Tottenham player
Today at 12:45 PM
Tottenham Hotspur returned to Premier League action with a bang as they ran out 4-1 winners over West Ham United in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Spurs conceded first as Mohammed Kudus opened the scoring for the Hammers in the 16th minute, but the in-form Dejan Kulusevski levelled before the break.
Ange Postecoglou’s charges were much improved in the second half and blew West Ham away with goals from Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min, plus Alphonse Areola’s own goal.
Kudus, arguably the visitors’ best player for most of the match, was then shown a straight red card after flooring three Tottenham players late on in the game.
While Dominic Solanke didn’t get on the scoresheet, he gave a great account of himself with some superb link-up play and relentless pressing.
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, speaking to TNT Sports 1 (19/10/2024, 3:11pm) after the game, gave his honest verdict on Solanke, namely what Spurs fans can expect from the striker.
Glenn Hoddle says Dominic Solanke can become Tottenham’s fox in the box – in time
Hoddle is confident Solanke will get used to Tottenham’s style of play and become a scorer.
However, the Spurs legend he called for patience, expecting it to take a “bit of time” before things click for the £90,000-a-week ace.
"If he keeps persisting, he will pick up his six-yard box goals as well, and that's what Spurs need,” said Hoddle.
“They need someone that can score their type of goals in those six-yard box, the gimmes if you like. And he has just got to believe that it will happen.
“And there is a goal in him as well. He can manufacture a goal himself, drop his shoulder.
“We will see them as well. I just think it is going to take a bit of time to see him at his very best in a Tottenham shirt."
READ MORE:Ange Postecoglou on why Djed Spence wasn't in Tottenham squad v West Ham
How the press rated Dominic Solanke’s Spurs display v West Ham
Football.london gave Solanke an 8 out of 10 rating for his efforts against the Hammers.
"Not many chances on goal to begin with but was instrumental to Kulusevski's goal after getting a vital touch to stop Tomas Soucek winning possession," he wrote.
"Showed his strength, determination and quality on the ball midway through the second half after some persistent play created an opening for Johnson.
"Some really good play throughout and all that was missing was a goal."
Meanwhile, the Evening Standard gave the Tottenham summer signing a 7 out of 10 rating.
"No goal this time, but a tireless display with some great runs into the final third," they said.
Goal.com gave Solanke a score of 6 out of 10, writing: "Like Johnson, was unlucky not to have scored.
"Pressed all afternoon long and made light work of Todibo. Again proved to be a perfect fit for Postecoglou's system."
