Micky van de Ven's Wake-Up Call to Spurs: Passion Must be Consistent, Not Just When Losing
Micky van de Ven's message to his Spurs team-mates is clear: passion and intensity must be consistent throughout the game, not just when playing catch-up. Read on to uncover the aftermath of Tottenham's disappointing FA Cup exit and the urgent need for improvement.
Micky van de Ven defended Tottenham and Aston Villa's fracas at the end of their FA Cup third round tie, but sent a blunt warning to his Spurs team-mates that they cannot only show "this passion" when they are losing, having gone into half-time 2-0 down. Spurs were beaten 2-1 by fellow Premier League opposition on Saturday as they crashed out of the FA Cup at the third round stage. The north Londoners were 2-0 down heading into half-time after goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers. A strike from Wilson Odobert in the second-half sparked something of a fight-back, as Spurs attempted to arrest their recent poor form and find a way to progress to the fourth round. Alas, they were denied, and at the end of the game, a brawl almost broke out amid Villa's celebrations as Rogers fist-pumped towards the away end. Van de Ven has defended the melee and his team-mates' actions, but he insists Spurs have to find a way to prove their passion when they are either level or ahead, instead of doing it while behind. Van de Ven told reporters: "I think it's good passion. But we shouldn't be bringing this passion only when we are behind. If we start a game like this, it will be a whole different game. We were nowhere near in the first half like what we did in the second. We need to do this for the full 90 minutes. Then we will be a totally different team. We need to do it from the first minute and that is the problem at the moment."We have had too many ups and downs. We have too many games that we play at a good level and then there are games where we are way below our level. That's what we need to work on and be more consistent."Spurs have won just one of their last seven fixtures in all competitions. Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Spurs were handed good fitness news in the form of Dominic Solanke's return as a second-half substitute, but they will be counting the cost of losing Richarlison to what appears to be a hamstring injury. Manager Thomas Frank said: "Yeah, it could look like that. I think we've done a lot of things right to get him where he is now. I think he's done a lot of things right. It's not only about us, it's about every club. I think there's a few injuries across the Premier League. I think it's something for the football authorities to look into as well."We played five games in 13 days, four in ten. One of the few clubs who did that. This is our third time this season. That's the most tricky thing with two days in between. We're dealing with it. We're doing everything we can to compete in it, but that's a tough schedule."On Spurs' performance, he added: "Of course that's disappointing. I said before the game that we went full strength. There was nothing. There were players we couldn't...should we energise. Micky [van de Ven] is in a top place, but that was definitely a player to think about [resting]. But we wanted to do everything we could to win the game."We did everything we could, especially the second half. You can see we did everything we could. Unfortunately we faced a good Villa team as well. They made two moments. They scored two goals. We could only have made one."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSpurs will not be in the hat for the fourth round and their next fixture will instead come against West Ham in the Premier League. It feels like a game that Frank can ill-afford to lose.
Micky van de Ven's Post-Match Reflection
Following Tottenham's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa, Micky van de Ven stood up to defend his team-mates amidst the post-match chaos but issued a stark warning. The defender emphasized the need for Spurs to display the same level of passion and determination from the initial whistle rather than waking up only when faced with adversity. Van de Ven's words highlight a crucial issue within the team's inconsistent performances throughout matches.
The Rollercoaster Form of Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham's recent struggles continue, with just one victory in their last seven games across all competitions. This alarming lack of consistency has been a recurring theme for Spurs, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the team's ability to compete at the required level. Van de Ven's plea for sustained passion and performance could serve as a rallying call for the entire squad to address their sporadic displays.
Injury Concerns and Fixture Demands
Despite some positive news regarding Dominic Solanke's return, Tottenham must also face the setback of Richarlison's potential hamstring injury. Manager Thomas Frank highlighted the demanding schedule faced by the team, suggesting that the congested fixture list may have contributed to the injury concerns and overall fatigue. This issue raises questions about the management of player workload in modern football.
Looking Ahead: Lessons to Learn for Spurs
With a crucial Premier League fixture against West Ham on the horizon, Tottenham cannot afford to dwell on their FA Cup disappointment. The clash with their London rivals presents an opportunity for Spurs to demonstrate a renewed sense of consistency and commitment on the pitch. Van de Ven's call for sustained passion serves as a timely reminder for the team to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.

