‘Terrible’ – Alan Shearer slams Tottenham star footage on MOTD for what he did v West Ham
Alan Shearer has launched a scathing critique of Destiny Udogie, singling out his “terrible” defensive errors that contributed to West Ham United’s crucial goal in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 away defeat on Saturday, October 19th. Udogie’s inability to effectively clear a cross from Mohammed Kudus, coupled with his failure to contest Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the air, allowed West Ham to continue their attack, ultimately resulting in a goal that further cemented Tottenham’s difficult evening.
The moment unfolded when Kudus delivered a well-placed cross into Tottenham’s penalty area. Udogie, instead of clearing the danger, hesitated, giving Wan-Bissaka the opportunity to win the aerial challenge. Wan-Bissaka, with ease, directed the ball to Jarrod Bowen, who wasted no time making a darting run into the box. Bowen, with a keen eye for positioning, picked out Kudus, who then calmly dispatched the ball into the top left corner, leaving the Spurs defense scrambling.
Shearer, while speaking on Match of the Day (October 19, 39:00), was visibly frustrated by Udogie’s defending, pointing out how the Italian international’s failure to cope with the play led directly to West Ham’s goal. “If this is a good ball in from Kudus, just look at Tomas Soucek in the middle,” Shearer analyzed. “There’s no one within five or six yards of him. It’s terrible defending from Udogie. Bowen goes past him far too easily, and Kudus is there again. Even though the shot is scuffed, it still finds the net.”
Shearer’s harsh words reflect the broader defensive issues within Tottenham’s backline. Udogie’s mistake was symptomatic of a larger problem—Tottenham’s inability to maintain defensive composure under pressure, especially in key moments of the game. West Ham, despite being the underdog, capitalized on this weakness, exposing Spurs’ vulnerabilities on a night where the North London side struggled in every aspect of the game.
Meanwhile, for West Ham United, this victory came as a much-needed boost in what has been a frustrating campaign so far. Despite their decisive win against Tottenham, the Hammers find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 15th in the Premier League table, just five points above the relegation zone. Their performance has been inconsistent, and this victory, while impressive, doesn’t fully erase the concerns surrounding their overall form this season.
Julen Lopetegui, who took over from David Moyes in the summer, has been under increasing pressure to deliver results. The former Sevilla manager was brought in with high expectations, but the results have been underwhelming. West Ham’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town in the cup was seen by some as a turning point in their season, but their inability to carry that momentum into the Premier League has left fans frustrated.
Lopetegui has overseen a busy summer transfer window, bringing in players like Max Kilman and Crysencio Summerville to strengthen the squad. Yet, despite the influx of talent, West Ham has failed to find consistency. The club’s struggles have been compounded by defensive lapses and an inability to control games from midfield, leaving them vulnerable to teams that press high and exploit spaces in behind their defense.
The question on many fans’ minds is whether Lopetegui can turn things around before it’s too late. West Ham’s summer spending spree was meant to propel the team towards the top half of the table, but as it stands, they remain mired in a battle to avoid relegation. Kilman, Summerville, and other key signings have shown flashes of potential, but it’s clear the team has yet to fully gel under Lopetegui’s system.
Alan Shearer’s analysis of Udogie’s defensive frailties points to a larger issue within Tottenham’s ranks as well. Spurs have enjoyed a promising start to the season under Ange Postecoglou, but defensive mistakes like Udogie’s could prove costly in the long run. Udogie, still relatively new to the Premier League, will need to adapt quickly if he’s to avoid further criticism from pundits like Shearer.
For West Ham, this win will provide a brief respite from the pressure, but it’s clear there’s still a long way to go. Lopetegui’s side has been woefully inconsistent, and with tough fixtures on the horizon, the Hammers need to find form fast. Their defensive structure, while solid at times, has shown cracks that need addressing if they are to climb up the table. Kilman and Summerville were expected to add much-needed steel and creativity to the side, but the team’s inability to control matches has left fans questioning whether this squad can live up to its potential.
There’s still plenty of time left in the season for West Ham to improve. Lopetegui will need to rally his squad, especially key figures like Bowen, Kudus, and Soucek, to find the consistency needed to push away from the relegation zone. But for now, this victory over Tottenham will be seen as a glimmer of hope in an otherwise difficult campaign. If West Ham can build on this performance and address their defensive weaknesses, there’s still a chance they could turn their season around and avoid another fight for survival in the Premier League.
As for Udogie and Tottenham, lessons must be learned quickly if they are to maintain their push for a top-four finish. Defensive lapses like the ones witnessed against West Ham could derail what has otherwise been a promising campaign under Postecoglou’s leadership. The Italian left-back will need to improve his positioning and decision-making in key moments if he is to establish himself as a reliable figure in Spurs’ backline moving forward.