Article by e-Spurs Correspondent Daniel LevyCheck out the e-Spurs Podcast here!
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When I saw the line-up before the game last night I was hugely impressed with the boldness of the selection.
Without Cabaye, Newcastle have lacked a creative spark from their midfield but their power and pace remained and that is what we appeared to be combatting from the word go. Direct, combative, high pressing football with enough physical strength in the side to nullify Newcastle’s biggest threat.
Seeing Vertonghen (Vertunk) and Kaboul (Kaboom) as our centre back pairing I allowed a sense of calm to wash over me. I love Michael Dawson, he bleeds lilywhite, but sentiment aside you should be playing your best players in their favoured defensive positions if they are fit.
The urge to play Vertonghen at left back was resisted and that, coupled with making him Captain, was a huge wedge of respect given to him by Tim.
We looked solid when the ball was on the floor but struggled at times with set pieces and crosses, from where most of Newcastle’s good chances came. Thankfully we arguably have the best goalkeeper in the league playing between our posts right now and Lloris really put in a performance last night that goes further to prove the argument in his favour.
Capoue (Kapaow) was given the nod to start in a central midfield 3 also consisting of Nabil Bentaleb and Paulinho. Each clearly had designated roles but they were allowed to flit between them, each aware of the other two and covering when and if needed. Capoue looked a tad rusty on the ball and in the tackle, which was to be expected. He tracked players relentlessly and gave the back 4 some extra protection. Paulinho is still looking of the pace to me. He turns up in box at the right time but offered little else during the game. Hopefully he is still getting back to full fitness as I would say he was again, the weakest of the 3 midfielders.
Nabil Bentaleb was a revelation and arguably the MOTM. He was given a license to roam forward at will and took the opportunity to do so with the same confident swagger he has approached everything that has been asked of him so far. I love watching this kid play and I admire his 100% dedication. I don’t recall seeing him stroll back from an attack once and he performed his defensive duties as well as he did anything.
Our front 3 was certainly experimental. Dembele was started on the right playing in a similar role to Eriksen’s when playing off the left. While he isn’t really a player who’s attributes benefit us when breaking with pace, he is fantastic on the ball and he will have more space after he beats his man out on the wing than he does when hitting a defensive brick wall after he beats his man in the middle. Dembele’s strength also served us well as he helped protect Kyle Walkers flank when Newcastle were pushing forward.
I fully understand the reasoning behind starting Lennon on the left rather than Eriksen. We played a very high, very intense pressing game - something which Lennon’s engine and pace lends itself to. Eriksen also could have probably done with a rest having played every game we have had for a while, usually in a position where he had to work harder than he might have done previously. Lennon also was on hand to help out Naughton throughout the first half, often finding himself in deeper lying positions than Kyle No.2.
As for Ade, well, he must have read my blog post before the game. If your reading this one too Ade, keep up the astonishing work rate and desire – we are all loving watching you do your thing and I want to see that salute at least 10 more time this season.
Tim and Co finally got a solid performance out of the team from the get go. We played direct, no nonsense football against a physical Newcastle and we deserved everything we got out of the game.
We actually looked great in most areas of the pitch.
Our management team have continued to show their flexibility and I have faith in the future and what we can expect to see from Spurs during this crucial part of the season. 10 Premier League games, 1 Loss, 2 Draws, 7 Wins. And now we seem to be playing more like the Spurs we all want to be seeing.
Lets not think about the teams above us. For once they have the pressure on them to keep that ‘Gap’ nice and wide but points will be dropped and madness will ensue.
I cant bloody wait.
COYS.
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Yup I go along with all that!COYS
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