Charlie Nicholas points out defensive frailties of Tottenham

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Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has pointed out the Tottenham problem that manager Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t know his best centre-back partnership right now.

Spurs face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night in the second leg of a last-16 Champions League tie and are in pole position after winning at home 3-0.

But since then they have suffered defeats to Burnley and Chelsea, while they were held by Arsenal 1-1 at the weekend.

Nicholas has highlighted the vulnerability at the heart of defence and feels manager Pochettino is a little confused over his preferred starters.

Spurs have used four different combinations at centre-back in their last four games, which have included the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez.

“Spurs are on the ropes, not playing well, the effort and energy is there but defensively they’re vulnerable. Pochettino doesn’t know what his best centre-back pairing is, it’s disrupted them,” Nicholas told Sky Sports.

TBR’s View:

Pochettino has understandably had to rotate due to the sheer volume of fixtures recently for Spurs, but does need to try settle on his defence to sustain a top four bid in the Premier League and also go deep in the Champions League.

The tie with Dortmund is certainly not over and they could be in for a horrible night if they concede early.

Spurs should go back to the tested formula of experienced duo Alderweireld and Vertonghen, as the Belgian pair can be formidable on their day and have a brilliant understanding.

Sanchez and Foyth are still bright young talents that can become superstars, but Spurs need their main pair to help steady the ship.