Spurs’ start to the season hasn’t gotten off to the flying start many wished, though they would consider themselves to be unlucky to only pick up one point from their opening fixtures against Manchester United and Stoke. The match against Stoke was certainly two points lost, rather than one gained. One can learn a lot about a team from the opening couple of weeks – what have we learnt so far about Spurs?
Three Talking Points from Spurs’ Start to the Season
Spurs desperately need some striking backup.
Once Harry Kane went off, Spurs were effectively playing with 10 men. There was no obvious outlet up front, and this nullified the potential to play on the counter-attack. Erik Lamela, Kane’s replacement, was virtually non-existent. The first two times he got involved in play he gave away free-kicks in dangerous areas. For all his nice touches, he still gives the ball away alarmingly often.
This wasn’t so much of an issue last year, as Kane played 90 minutes regularly, and Roberto Soldado was always available off the bench. However with Soldado sold, and Emmanuel Adebayor frozen out of the first team, the lack of depth is glaringly obvious. Lamela was the only choice to come on after Kane was withdrawn due to a calf injury. In fact, Lamela was Spurs’ only attacking player on the bench. Kane won Spurs 24 points last season through his goals, more points than any other player at any Premier League club. While Spurs fans are hoping that he can do the same again, back up is needed.
The signing of 22 year-old Clinton Njie is a sign that Pochettino recognises this need. Njie will provide immediate backup for Kane, and is also quite comfortable playing on either side of a central striker. Njie will get game time on the left as well. With Spurs in the Europa League, more than two strikers are going to be needed. Pochettino has proven that he will give the youth team players a go, and the Europa League is the place do to this. However it still seems as though a third quality striking option is needed, Pochettino himself has hinted at this, commenting after the Stoke game that Spurs may sign another striker in the next two weeks. Whether that is someone like Saido Berahino, or Charlie Austin remains to be seen.
Read more about Clinton Njie here.
The long ball is now a feature of Spurs’ play.
Pochettino has built Spurs to play with his philosophy, and more of this has been evident so far this season. Intelligent long balls from the back have been tried far more often than last season. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier have been the main instigators, and the results so far have been promising. A number of times so far these long balls have turned Spurs possession at the back instantly into an attacking situation. Kane’s ball to Ryan Mason for Spurs’ second goal against Stoke is a great example. Even when they don’t come off, the quality is such that it’s likely the opponents have to clear the ball out or straight back to Spurs. Expect to see more of this in 2015/16.
Out wide is still an issue.
This issue is one that was noted last season as well. Spurs’ three attacking midfielders all like to drift in and play somewhat centrally. This ends up with Spurs often being crowded out once they get into attacking positions. Twice against Stoke the fullbacks Ben Davies, and Kyle Walker got into huge pockets of space out wide that provided very promising chances. If the midfielders are going to drift in, Spurs need to make more use of the space created out wide. One would expect Danny Rose to fully exploit this when he returns to the starting side.
On the other side of the coin, Stoke exploited their wide areas quite well. Kyle Walker picked up a yellow card in the 25th minute after getting beaten far too easily, and had to play more cautiously as a result. Time and time again, Stoke managed to get in dangerous crosses from his flank, with one eventually ending in the back of the net. Signed from Burnley at the beginning of the transfer window, Kieran Trippier has not just been signed as a backup, and I’d like to see him get a start soon. His delivery in the final third is also much more proficient than Walker’s.
Despite the slow start, Spurs do have the potential to kick-on and challenge the top four this season; with two of its four contenders already dropping points, there’s time for Pochettino’s men to get it right.
