Kieran Trippier looks a shadow of his usual self. Photo: PA/John Walton
It's been a long 22 weeks since Kieran from Newcastle Trippier had a holiday. That takes us back to mid-July, when his team began pre-season training. Before this, Trippier, judging by his Instagram, enjoyed a vacation in the Bahamas and Disneyland. Judging by the results of this match, he could use more time on the beaches, snorkeling and taking family photos with wrestling actors dressed as Buzz Lightyear.
Instead, he has three days to recover before the Champions League game against AC. Milan, which Newcastle must beat to have a chance of making the play-offs. Each team focuses on load management, ensuring players are rested to maintain performance levels and prevent injury. Circumstances prevented Eddie Howe and his 33-year-old right-back from doing this.
Trippier has played every minute since the start of the Premier League season, with the exception of the 20-minute breaks given during the 8-0 and 4-0 wins over Sheffield United and Crystal Palace respectively. He managed to save the last three minutes here too, but the damage had already been done. On his best days, Son Heung-min can beat a defender with ease. For most of the first half he treated Trippier like a training cone.
Spurs' first two goals came from Trippier's team, which is no great shame in isolation, but his attempt to intercept Son before the second goal revealed his fatigue. Trippier's eyes were glued to the ball, but he mistimed his attempt to steal it and looked like a novice video gamer pressing the wrong button at the most inopportune moment. Soon after, balanced but visibly spinning, Trippier tried to throw the ball towards Miguel Almiron, but instead kicked it away for a throw.
It's been a tough four days for the England defender, who has arguably been Newcastle's best player of the season so far. Everton's first two goals at Goodison Park last Thursday came after his mistakes and Trippier said after that game he was not one to hide. You saw this in practice in the second half.
Howe's side attacked with renewed vigor, moving a little higher up the pitch and Trippier leading by example. The header was won with feeling, he beat Son to reach the high ball. Soon after, he competed for a corner in front of the Newcastle fans to roars of approval. Ten minutes later he made a free pass, quickly unloaded and raced forward. This set the tone for his team to move forward collectively and increase their attack numbers.
These signs of life did not lead to a goal and Spurs' third goal, in which Trippier was flawless, ended their mini-revival. Trippier was still there and Son was still running at him. With 20 minutes left in the match they found themselves one on one again, and it looked ominous. This time Trippier held his nerve, timed the tackle perfectly and won the shot.
It is because of this tenacity that Newcastle fans will forgive any number of mistakes by Trippier, such a talisman in their accelerated rise from upstarts to contenders. But his recent mistakes are impossible to ignore, partly because of the unforgiving position he plays in.
There is no suggestion that Trippier is seriously falling apart, he could simply benefit from a more suitable supporting cast. There is a quick solution if Howe wants to move current left-back Tino Livramento to his natural right wing. Lewis Hall could slot in on the left, although the Chelsea loanee has been rarely used so far.
“I think Tino has been excellent at left-back and Kieran has his quality at right-back.” . — Howe said. “Lewis has to perform well when he comes on.
“If I make changes, I want to make changes that benefit the team… We don't have many options.”
< p> “When [Trippier] is part of your biggest attacking threat every week, he's very hard to miss. Even today he had moments with really good crosses, especially in the second half.”
Trippier made another contribution — a late yellow card for being involved in a minor scrum. It was his fifth match of the season, meaning he is suspended for the match against Fulham on 16 December. He will be missed, but the weekend may be the best option for all parties.
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