Each week at ProSoccerTalk we will hear from from U.S. national team and Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron, who is now a special correspondent for NBCSports.com.
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The proud Bostonian tells us what life is like behind-the-scenes in England’s top-flight with Q&A’s, first-person pieces and more. This week Geoff previews Stoke’s home clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and looks at how the Potters can stop Spurs’ main man, Harry Kane.
Geoff, you beat Tottenham 2-1 away from home earlier this season. What was the key to that victory?
I think the key to that win at Spurs back in November, it was just making sure that everyone was working hard for one another and everyone was on the same page. We were sharp from the start down at Spurs in that game. But right now, we know we have to put in a good performance on Saturday because it was a bad result for us last weekend at Swansea. For me, I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to get back and be fully fit for that one. Now I am fit and ready to go and hoping to be involved in the squad this weekend. I am just focusing on helping the team to get a victory.
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We all know that Tottenham is a good team. They are a top six team and for us it is just about making sure we all do our jobs and we work and protect one another because they are a good team and have good players. But so are we. We want to keep making our home stadium a fortress and get back to winning ways. In the last few weeks, I don’t know whether it is because we are coming to the end of the season but maybe we took our foot of the gas a little bit. I don’t know. But I think we need to get things rolling again and finish the season on a high note. There are three games left and we want to get nine points, starting with the game this weekend.
Do Spurs possess any players you guys are particular wary of? As a defender you will have to keep a close eye on Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane, right?
Yeah, they are good players. Harry Kane has been a beast. He has been the main guy for Spurs and he has put them on his back. He has had a fantastic year and has done really well. He has great movement and is full of confidence and obviously the team believes in him. We have to be aware of that. He can do whatever he wants in their lineup, he has the freedom and the role to be creative.
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The one thing that really impresses me about Kane is that he works very, very hard off the ball. He tracks back and works hard defensively, he pressures guys and doesn’t give them time on the ball. He is an all around good player and deserved to win the PFA Young Player of the Season award. I think we have to be aware of his movement, as a back four, and keep a close eye on him.
Do you think Stoke matches up well against Spurs? You seemed to last time at least…
I think it will be an entertaining game, for sure. Back and forth… obviously we want to be in control of the game most of the time. For us it is key for us to set the tempo and we need to control the game from the first minute on and try to get on their toes and make it uncomfortable for them because first and foremost we want to dictate the rhythm of the game. That is what we are going to try and do, make it difficult for them to play in our home. We have two home games left and we want to beat our record from last year and keep it going.
With the injury settling down, how is the body feeling as the long season comes to a close?
This week I have just been working hard to be ready for this weekend. We have three games left and I need to take care of a few issues with the body after the season is over. Most importantly we want to finish the season on a high note and getting a big win over Spurs will definitely help us on the way to doing that.
