Micah Richards thinks rival teams have spotted 27-year-old Tottenham player has a weakness

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Tottenham Hotspur conceded once again from a set-piece on Tuesday as Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered another blow in their bid to catch Aston Villa in fourth place – drawing 1-1 against West Ham.

Kurt Zouma headed into the back of the net after Brennan Johnson had tapped in Timo Werner’s low cross in the first half. The scoreline remained the same, leaving Spurs two points behind Aston Villa.

Harry Redknapp thinks Spurs will finish in fourth but if they are to do so, then defending from set-pieces has got to improve over the next couple of months. It was the 10th goal conceded from set-pieces.

Speaking after the match, Guglielmo Vicario questioned the belief of his teammates to win the match – but perhaps, it is the Italian goalkeeper, who has been excellent at times, that needs to question himself.

Micah Richards criticises Tottenham man Guglielmo Vicario

Indeed, Glenn Hoddle spoke after the match this week about the 27-year-old – claiming he looked very “nervous”. Micah Richards commented on Vicario in his analysis on Match of the Day on Wednesday.

But Richards pointed out the issues Tottenham are having from corners and free-kicks, and thinks Vicario is the weakness – branding the Italian as a “chink” in Tottenham’s “armour”. Something that needs fixing.

“Vicario has been outstanding this season, especially with his feet and his shot-stopping. But teams have spotted a weakness from corners. Vicario doesn’t know whether to stay, or go,” Richards said last night.

“Not dealing with the threat. If you beat the centre-backs in Romero and van de Ven, you’ve got a chance of scoring. It’s a chink in their armour,” Richards continued, when analysing Tottenham’s defending.

The stats don’t lie, Spurs are struggling from set-pieces…

Sky Sports published a report this week that says Tottenham are the 18th-worst side when defending from set-pieces. For a side that sit fifth, pushing for fourth, that is nowhere near good enough.

The odd goal conceded from a corner or a free-kick is expected, especially against a physical side like West Ham. But, it is a nagging concern that is not getting any better. The goalkeeper is one to blame.

Vicario has to be better in this area. As Richards says, he is excellent with the ball at his feet, and has made some spectacular stops. But, his inability to command his box from set-pieces is killing Spurs.