On Saturday, Spurs won convincingly 2-0 against Norwich with two well-taken goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson being enough to seal the three points.
The Lilywhites brought on Sandro, Lewis Holtby and Erik Lamela as subs in that game. Those three players could easily get into the first team, but here was Andre Villas-Boas bringing them on as subs. Spurs’ depth has definitely improved recently with a certain departure of a man we mention far too much funding much of this increased level of quality in the Tottenham squad. To be able to have such depth is key to finishing the season in line with the goals set out at the start of it. Injuries and suspensions are inevitable. We simply cannot predict an injury and that is why Tottenham’s depth is absolutely key.
Tottenham’s strike force is now covered with three strikers in a formation where Spurs only really play with one, which means they are finally safe on that front with Jermain Defoe backing up Roberto Soldado. Emmanuel Adebayor appears to have had a non-existent pre-season, which is slightly worrying for Spurs as this man cannot afford to stay at the club if he is not playing, especially considering his enormous wage bill. Many dislike Emmanuel, but on his day when he is hungry for a goal, he will achieve that want in style, and can be almost unplayable for a defender. He continues to be linked with a loan move to re-join old boss Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road.
Goalkeepers. Yeah, Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel are fantastic. How about Heurelho Gomes? Former starter, former big flop. He wasn’t the best of keepers, but on his day he didn’t do bad at all. He was a keeper capable of pulling off world-class saves and, unfortunately, world-class howlers too. Are we going to see this man loaned out, or will he finally appear in the Europa league back in the Lilywhite shirt again? I would love to see him played in a few lesser games, he deserves another chance.
Paulinho, Sandro, Moussa Dembele, Holtby, Christian Eriksen, Sigurdsson. Spurs could quite easily field two different midfields, with plenty of options to choose from. With Spurs’ hard-working Brazilians such as Sandro and Paulinho, you could slot Eriksen in to provide a little more creativity and flair. Or you could field Holtby, Eriksen and Sigurdsson for a very creative and attacking midfield. The possibilities to mix and match are endless in Tottenham’s central midfield areas, and on the wings there are choices to make too. Townsend – on the left for some good balls in, or equally as good on the right with his hungry, goal-seeking self (his cross for Paulinho against Tbilisi was on the right, so maybe he doesn’t need to be on the left to deliver a good ball). Aaron Lennon is consistently full of energy and pace, causing defenders a nightmare and there is also Nacer Chadli providing a taller man for Michael Dawson to ping his diagonal balls to (pardon the undesired image).
Speaking of Dawson, Tottenham’s defence has also been strengthened too. The recent addition of Vladimir Chiriches, and the ability of Etienne Capoue to fill this position too, means that we are well covered in the centre back department. Danny Rose played his socks off against Norwich and looks to be a key asset out on the left side of defence, whilst Kyle Walker seems to be doing okay on the right with Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen as solid as ever in between.
Depth will be the key to Tottenham’s success this season. Top four lives on consistency and with quality throughout the squad, consistency is now possible.
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