Tottenham Should Start Alfie Dorrington at Centre-Back Against Wolves – Opinion
Ange Postecoglou Faces Selection Challenge Ahead of Sunday's Match Against Wolves, with Alfie Dorrington as the Only Viable Partner for Archie Gray.
No Centre-Backs Available for Tottenham
When Ben Davies clutched his hamstring against Bournemouth, Spurs fans braced for an even tougher December.
Archie Gray has stepped up admirably at centre-back, showcasing technical skill and confidence.
However, his lack of experience is evident in his positioning and defensive anticipation.
To compound matters, Radu Dragusin’s knock against Nottingham Forest and Davies’ aggravated injury during training leave Tottenham potentially without a recognized centre-back for their clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Alfie Dorrington: Tottenham’s Gamble
With no senior defenders available, Ange Postecoglou faces limited and unappealing options for Sunday’s defensive setup.
While Yves Bissouma partnered Gray in the Nottingham Forest match, Postecoglou made it clear in his press conference that this isn’t a viable long-term solution.
Another option, Rodrigo Bentancur, is similarly inexperienced in the role.
That leaves 19-year-old Alfie Dorrington as the most plausible partner for Gray.
Dorrington, who debuted off the bench during Spurs’ 5-0 win against Southampton, has yet to start a senior game.
Throwing him into a Premier League fixture under these circumstances isn’t ideal.
To make matters worse, Spurs’ midfield appeared fatigued against Forest due to excessive overuse.
Maintaining energy levels throughout the game will be critical, requiring Tottenham’s midfielders to share minutes and support the inexperienced defensive pairing.
Dorrington’s Readiness Despite Setbacks
Dorrington enjoyed a standout Premier League 2 campaign last season but suffered an injury requiring surgery, sidelining him for the entire pre-season.
This setback delayed his integration into the first team and thwarted potential loan opportunities.
Given these circumstances, playing for Tottenham’s senior team this season wasn’t part of the original plan.
However, injuries have forced the club to turn to Dorrington earlier than anticipated.
While this baptism of fire presents significant challenges, it also offers Dorrington a chance to step up and prove himself.
In the short term, he could provide a stopgap solution to Spurs’ defensive crisis.
With the January transfer window approaching, Tottenham will hope to bolster their squad and alleviate the current strain on their backline.
