Redknapp: This Tottenham first teamer is really struggling

Mon 23 January 2017 7:06, UK

By Harry Sykes

Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Kevin Wimmer “really struggled” in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City as it showed up the team’s defensive frailties without their main men.

Spurs were torn apart by some thrilling City attacking play at Etihad Stadium on Saturday but showed great resilience to come from two goals down to rescue a point through goals from Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min.

Tottenham’s only change for the match had been Wimmer instead of the injured Jan Vertonghen, who will be sidelined for six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The Austria international, making his eighth appearance of a difficult second season at White Hart Lane, slotted into a three-man defence that could not cope with Pep Guardiola’s side and he suffered the humiliation of being withdrawn at half-time as Mauricio Pochettino switched to a flat back four.

Main man Toby Alderweireld was then substituted with a hamstring problem midway through the second half amid fears he could face a similar six-week lay-off to Vertonghen.

High profile pundit and former Spurs midfielder Redknapp believes the match highlighted the difficulties Pochettino’s side could face without their two best defenders.

“Tottenham were very fortunate to rescue a point against Manchester City but it may have come at a cost,” wrote Redknapp in his Mail column.