Why Tottenham’s Unbeaten Run Ended

After six wins and six draws, Tottenham’s unbeaten run was finally ended by Chelsea. Just as some fans were beginning to wonder if they were witnessing the new ‘Invincibles’, they were quickly sobered by the defeat. In truth, the first half was the most promising half for a while, but sloppy defending scuppered any chance of gaining points.

However, the end of the unbeaten run could be put down to Mauricio Pochettino’s management, in terms of substitutions and set-up. Another factor is the injury and suspension crisis with key players missing.

Too Good To Be True

Whilst possible, the odds of a team going undefeated are incredibly slim. It was inevitable that at some point, Tottenham were going to fall to defeat. Every club must account for having bad days at the office. In addition, there are days when the opposition are simply unstoppable.

There have been growing signs of the inevitable demise of the unbeaten streak. Particularly in the Champions League, Spurs have been dreadful. Whilst improvements were made to ensure better Premier League performances, in truth, the displays have still been less than impressive. The 3-2 win against West Ham was a great example of grit and determination to come back, but Spurs should never have been in that position in the first place.

There is an element of complacency in the team’s current play which eradicates the chances of success. Already knocked out of two competitions, the FA Cup is the only knockout competition in which they remain. To fulfil supporter expectations, the squad must step up another level to win some silverware.

Pochettino To Blame?

It is very easy for the media and fans to place the blame on the manager. Chairman Daniel Levy has all too often fallen into this trap, too. Pochettino has come under criticism during his tenuous unbeaten streak, mainly due to his lack of early substitutions.

One example of this is the lack of playing time given to Georges–Kevin N’Koudou. He recently impressed against Chelsea. In his paltry 17 minutes, he achieved one attempt at goal, three crosses and completed two take-ons. In comparison, Heung–Min Son made one attempt on goal, with no crosses or completed take ons with 48 minutes’ more match time. Giving a player 17 minutes is hardly enough time for a player to make an impact, and N’Koudou deserves to be given more of a chance.

Crisis

Two key absences of Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela have really hit Spurs hard.

In defence, Alderweireld is the marshal and the diamond in the crown. His defensive organisation is supreme, but his ability to distribute the ball is even more important. He has been dearly missed in the heart of the backline and is another reason why the unbeaten run came to an end.

Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer have filled in with less than impressive performances. Most recently, at Chelsea, it was these two players who were partly at fault for the two goals. Whilst it is wrong to say Alderweireld would have won Tottenham the match, he may have reduced the margin for defensive error.

Lamela is incredibly underrated. His energy and tenacity is a key cog in the Tottenham midfield, and it is his often scrappy yet dogged play that wins the ball back for his team. In addition, his ability to contribute to goals and chances from the wing has been sorely missed. The sooner he recovers from his hip injury, the better for the team.

In addition to the injuries, the suspension of Danny Rose was important in ending the streak. Against Chelsea, Wimmer was deployed as a makeshift left-back, heavily stunting the team. Not only did he struggle against Victor Moses, he provided little width. Therefore, it is clear that the wing-back-like play of Rose is absolutely vital. Spurs should look to invest in another similar left wing-back, to avoid compromising width with makeshift left-backs.

There was no single factor that caused the end of the unbeaten run. In fact, it was the combination of poor individual performances, late substitutions and the absence of key first team players that ended the run. Spurs have plenty of time to pick up another run of form. The inexperienced squad and coach must learn their lessons to ensure progression. If they can quickly overcome the recent disappointments, they still have the chance of having a successful season.

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