The Pundit - Danny Mills on 'exceptional' Spurs

In the first of a new series, we'll seek the opinions of top football pundits at Spurs matches. Former Leeds, City and England full-back Danny Mills was in the co-commentator’s chair for BBC 5 Live for our 4-0 win against West Brom and was happy to give his thoughts on what he’d seen at the Lane...

Danny Mills

- Over 350 career appearances with Norwich, Charlton, Leeds, Boro, City, Hull and Derby
- Helped Leeds to Champions League semi-finals, 2001
- First-choice right-back at 2002 World Cup
- League Cup winner with Middlesbrough, 2004
- 19 England caps
- Now a pundit with BBC, BT Sport and Sky Sports

The pundit - Danny's analysis

“I thought Tottenham were exceptional in the first half - pace, power, movement, crisp, decisive passing, well-organised, well-drilled, well-balanced, almost faultless. I say ‘almost faultless’ because they should probably have scored four or five goals and there is always the concern at 2-0 that West Brom could come up with a set-piece goal, it’s suddenly 2-1 and they get back into it. Momentum can shift quickly, we’ve all seen that before. The second half wasn’t quite as aggressive, but it doesn’t need to be when you are 2-0 up.

Below: Danny with BT Sport at the recent Cambridge v Leeds FA Cup tie

“I was very impressed. I said throughout the commentary that there aren’t too many weaknesses in this side. You don’t look at a particular player and say ‘he could be got at’. Okay, Jan Vertonghen’s injury was a disappointment, but it’s not a crisis and players can come in, like Ben Davies did on this occasion. Spurs have such strong holding midfield players, very dominant and physical in the centre of the park. The wing-backs push on and you have Vertonghen one side, okay, that will change now, then Alderweireld and Dier and they can hit those diagonal passes, a fantastic out ball.

Below: Mousa Dembele holds off West Brom's Darren Fletcher

“West Brom were forced into playing a flat back six at some points, with two holding midfielders in there as well. The problem is then, if you lose the ball, you can’t get out. That’s where Tottenham were fantastic and it was wave after wave of attacks. Spurs keep the pressure on and that’s where the chances and the goals came from. I was very impressed. If Spurs keep everyone fit, come the end of the season, they will be there or thereabouts.”