In what turned out to be a slight bummer of a match, Tottenham Hotspur took a 2-1 lead at home over Wolves deep into the match before conceding a late equalizer from Jorgen Strand Larsen that resulted in a 2-2 draw and two vital dropped points. It was a great opportunity for Spurs to pick up what has been a rare win lately, but to no avail. Spurs are still deeply injured and exhausted, though they get a couple extra days to recuperate before hosting Newcastle this weekend.
When thinking about what theme to use for this match, I happened across several websites that discussed actual wolf rankings. Wolves utilize a surprisingly sophisticated and robust societal ranking system that should be familiar to humans, but was still fascinating to read and learn about. It’s not super complicated — it’s a dominance society — but there is a surprising amount of jostling and ranking amidst the middle of the pack. Seems pretty appropriate after a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, right? Inside you are two Wolves and unfortunately they both scored against Spurs.
So for this theme, there are no takes — this is just a straight hierarchical ranking of wolf society. Here are your Tottenham Hotspur player ratings to the theme of wolf rankings. Researching this subject was fascinating and fun. Wolves rule.
You’d assume that the Alpha would be the biggest, baddest wolf in the pack, but that’s not always true. It’s multi-factorial, and includes not only dominance, but also age and experience. The top of the pack is usually the dominant breeding couple, and they rule jointly, making decisions about hunting, movement, organization, etc. But the hierarchy can be challenged and it’s not unusual for alpha couples to be dethroned by others within the pack.
No Tottenham players in this category
It’s obvious, but the Beta wolf is the top lieutenant of the alpha, its second in command and potentially king (or queen) in waiting. There may be both a male or female Beta
Dejan Kulusevski (Community — 4.0): Was a big part of everything good Spurs was doing offensively, and got the assist for Johnson’s goal. He gave everything in that match.
Wolf society is centered around breeding and production of offspring, and very little is as important as the next generation of wolves. So the pups, especially the pups of the alpha couple, are often revered until they age and establish themselves within the social hierarchy. The alphas may even allow the youngest members of the pack to eat first, before the rest of the pack.
Archie Gray (Community — 3.5): Once again proved to be the most level-headed and assured Spurs defender on the day. This kid is special.
Destiny Udogie (Community — 3.0): Finally looked like he was rounding into something close to form before injuring his hamstring. Bummer.
Rodrigo Bentancur (Community — 3.5): Scored off of a corner, a unicorn for Spurs this season. Absolutely one of his better performances but docked a half star for picking up a yellow that will suspend him against Newcastle.
Brennan Johnson (Community — 3.5): OK so I was a little harsh on BJ after the initial viewing. Scored a goal and won the penalty that was saved, but still disappeared completely from the match for large stretches of time.
“Soldiers” are the mid-range societal hunters in the pack — they help the alphas to capture and kill food and are (usually) loyal foot soldiers. They may or may not be related to the alpha couple. But the middle of the pack is fluid and there’s often a lot of jostling for position. Occasionally one of the soldiers will attempt to take out the alpha and establish his/her own dominance, leading the pack and claiming breeding rights with the alpha of the other gender.
Pedro Porro (Community — 3.0): Not bad. A little lax defensively but proved to be a threat, especially from his crossing.
Radu Dragusin (Community — 3.0): Decent match. Had a thumping header at goal saved but could’ve done better positionally on a couple of occasions.
Dominic Solanke (Community — 3.0): Once again proving to be a workhorse in the front line, but isn’t getting chances to score like earlier in the season. Came close once, pressed like a beast, but still — you expect more from your CF, right?
Sergio Reguilon (Community — 2.5): He was fine? Sure. He was fine.
Pape Sarr (Community — 3.0): Had a couple of fun looking forward runs with the ball that ultimately didn’t matter. Maybe could’ve been more impactful a little earlier?
James Maddison (Community — 2.5): No real complaints about Maddison, though he didn’t have the creative impact one would’ve hoped.
Ange Postecoglou (Community — 2.5): I suppose I’m grading on a curve here considering [gestures at everything], but I thought he more or less did everything correctly.
There’s an unusual deference within wolf culture to age and wisdom, and middle-ranking older wolves serve a vital role as teachers and protectors of the pups. While the alphas and soldiers go hunting, other wolves are left behind to guard the youngsters and also educate them on how to exist within wolf society. They are not high on the chain but they serve a very important role in fostering both community within the pack and ensuring the pack stays healthy and intact.
Fraser Forster (Community — 2.5): IDK man, I’m not sure even Vicario could save either Wolves goal. Forster wasn’t necessarily the problem but he most certainly isn’t the solution.
Yves Bissouma (Community — 2.5): I’m kinda done with this guy, ngl.
Timo Werner (Community — 2.0): Had one dangerous cross and otherwise wasn’t much of a factor.
There always has to be someone at the bottom of the pack hierarchy, but in wolf society the Omega (or Omega couple) plays a vital role in the health of the pack. Yes, they’re picked on and dominated by the rest of the pack, but they can also insert themselves in the middle of intra-pack disputes as a circuit breaker to defuse potentially volatile situations. They’ve been described as “court jesters” — abused by everyone above them and yet still revered by the pack as a whole.
Son Heung-Min (Community — 2.0): Another sub-par match where Sonny played every minute and looked absolutely knackered. Had a penalty saved by going low and left, his preferred PK shot, and Jose Sa had clearly done his homework. He needs a long rest.
The lone wolf is an archetype among humans -- the wolf who leaves the pack for whatever reason. That could be because it was ostracized or kicked out of the pack, or left voluntarily for breeding purposes, or a shortage of food. They may attempt to join another pack, often starting off in the low-middle of the hierarchy, or establish a new one as an alpha. But being a lone wolf is a tenuous existence, and a dangerous one.
No Tottenham players were as bad as being a lone wolf.