As a former manager, I was surprised to read the front-page headline in The Verdict asking whether Tottenham are a ‘bunch of divers’.
This was followed on Tuesday by Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel’s suggestion that Dele Alli falls over on purpose to win penalties.
Firstly, journalists, managers, pundits, players and supporters should respect the referee’s decisions more. How can we expect a new breed of referees to be introduced if they are constantly berated? They are an honest bunch who will occasionally be found, retrospectively, to have made a mistake.
Dele Alli has received criticism recently after being accused of simulation during matches
It would be interesting to test all football lovers’ knowledge of the laws of the game. The failure rate would be considerable.
Anyway, in terms of the winning of penalties, let us analyse some pertinent factors that are rarely raised.
I recall some years ago being at a summer coaching course at Lilleshall where a manager was bemoaning the fact that his team had not been awarded a penalty all season.
To me, it was not surprising. His team played attritional football — a direct route-one game — and the only action that took place in the opposition area occurred in the air. He did not have a dribbler, a subtle forward or a midfielder who would run with or without the ball and get inside the box.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has defender the young England international
This was in an era when the Kop at Anfield roared constantly for a decision and the Stretford End at Manchester United was also vociferous in its request for a spot-kick.
These fans expected penalties because they had dribblers, players who would attack defenders in the box and therefore get tackled, fouled and knocked off balance. I am thinking of Ian Callaghan, Peter Thompson and, later Kenny Dalglish, Steve Coppell and Gordon Hill.
These were the times when clever players like Rodney Marsh, Francis Lee and Tony Currie loved getting into the area for Manchester City and Leeds.
The fact is that attackers who get into the box have always induced penalties and always will.
Kenny Dalglish was one player who used his skill to draw tackles from opposition defenders
I could name 50 or more current Premier League midfielders who never even get into a position to shoot at goal over 90 minutes, never mind come close to advancing into a congested area.
To make runs like this among strong defensive bodies requires courage as well as timing. Frank Lampard had it. Before him, John Wark of Ipswich and Liverpool also excelled.
Bravery, timing and dribbling skills are all major factors that enable Dele Alli to give problems to last-ditch defenders. It’s not so surprising that he gets fouled or tipped off balance when he makes these runs several times in a game. Sometimes the merest touch at close quarters can affect a player’s balance.
Was anybody that surprised, for example, when the flying Gareth Bale was the recipient of so many free-kicks?
England need a fit and worry-free Alli, who must continue to do what he does well. He will also be more than aware of the intense scrutiny his game attracts. With the help of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, he must be wary but not lose his poaching qualities and drive. Keep getting into that box, young man.
It really didn’t come as a surprise when Gareth Bale won so many free-kicks for Tottenham