The Spurs squad rotation has been one of the prominent reasons for their success so far across most competitions. Mauricio Pochettino really deserves credit for his ability to rotate the squad and, as a result, giving vital minutes to younger players.
Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have had a good season so far. This is partly due to the fact Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies have been utilised in cup games or less important league fixtures. The most recent example is Spurs’ 1-0 win over Watford, where Trippier notched his first goal, and Davies was denied multiple times from scoring his first. The Spurs full-backs are paramount in the overall game plan. They provide an invaluable outlet and width going beyond the inverted wingers, and their tremendous energy really gives a cutting edge in the final third. Any of the overlapping defenders are capable of causing some kind of damage. Trippier and Ben Davies are good crossers of the ball from anywhere up the flanks, whilst Walker and Rose have the speed to get to the byline before cutting the ball back. However, the kind of energy and fitness needed to maintain these lung-busting runs all match long, for consecutive matches, is phenomenal. Therefore, by rotating the full-backs often, Spurs are able to keep up the bombardment of the opposition’s defence, without their own back line becoming too fatigued.
@Wizward #COYS he seems to have been spot on with his rotation. The rotation of the FBs hasn’t affected our defensive capabilities.
— spurs4life (@LouJayne1882) February 7, 2016
Rotating the wingers is also a major feature of Pochettino’s overarching ideology. Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Son Heung-Min, Clinton N’Jie, Christian Eriksen and Joshua Onomah have all featured on the wings at some point this season. The sheer depth listed in this position is a marvel to behold, yet Pochettino still manages to rotate his wingers effectively. Injuries have affected Chadli, N’Jie and Son already this season, which meant that Spurs have been forced into fielding different wingers anyway. Each player brings something different to the role; for example, Eriksen is allowed to drift inside to create chances, whereas Chadli and Onomah are perhaps more suited to staying wide. Son seems most at home on the wing, rather than centrally. This allows him to cut inside and hit rocket-like shots like he did against Leicester. His involvement as a substitute and starting in other games has really added some firepower to Spurs’ attacking menace.
@Wizward Rotation of the full backs has been key to so many games. Gives us different options. Although failure to rest Dier may be costly.
— Eoghan Mullan (@eoghanmullan) February 7, 2016
However, there are some exceptions to Pochettino’s rotation system. Eric Dier has played 2,833 minutes of football, only missing one league match this season, more than any other Spurs player. Harry Kane has also played a total of 2,648 minutes and has featured in every single league match. There is certain favoured personnel within the squad because, simply, these are the players that there are no alternatives to. Dier is a specialised player, a centre-back turned defensive midfielder. His role is very specific, and very important, so he features more than any other Spurs player because no other can do his job to the same effect. Meanwhile, Harry Kane has featured so often because Spurs have no other traditional strikers in their squad. Son or even Chadli could perhaps give Kane a rest, but both players would be rather ineffectual out of position. Kane is also very important because he is the top scorer currently in the league and such good form cannot merely be rested every week.
Spurs squad rotation is key to their current and future success. Even the goalkeepers are rotated, ensuring Hugo Lloris gets a break and Michel Vorm gets some minutes in between the sticks. Pochettino may be receiving more than just a standing ovation by the end of the season, for his squad rotation has put his team in the running for the title.
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