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I felt that Pochettino's dealings in the transfer window were strange rather than strategic, and I felt like his persistence with some players was unjust, when better players were sat on the bench. But now I'm warming to him, and here's why:
Midfield Masterstroke
Playing Dier in the holding midfield position was a gamble on paper, purely because it was a position he had not played much before, and also not a position he wanted to play. He turned down an England call up to hone his skills as a centre half, so it seemed strange that he would suddenly find himself in front of the centre backs. But it really, really works. He's been my player of the year so far. He's built like a centre back, but can shift when needed, and those assets give him a distinct advantage over a lot of small, skilful attacking players who are likely to play 'in the hole'. He's got a great attitude too. Several times this season his no nonsense approach to the opposition has been evident, but he still seems totally aware of his strengths and limitations. His short ball game is integral to our possession football. Couple him with Alli and you've got a great mixture of youth and exuberance.
Getting onto Alli - there isn't much left to be said about him that hasn't been already. He looks the real deal, and he's so purposeful in possession. Frank Lampard said that one of his bug bears is midfielders who take a lot of touches to do nothing, and Alli doesn't do that. He always looking to carry the game from deep, but it's the fact that Poch is playing him deeper in the midfield rather than behind Kane as many expected, that is allowing him the time and freedom to express himself. He's got almost the whole pitch in front of him to use, and Poch trusts him to do that.
Getting onto Alli - there isn't much left to be said about him that hasn't been already. He looks the real deal, and he's so purposeful in possession. Frank Lampard said that one of his bug bears is midfielders who take a lot of touches to do nothing, and Alli doesn't do that. He always looking to carry the game from deep, but it's the fact that Poch is playing him deeper in the midfield rather than behind Kane as many expected, that is allowing him the time and freedom to express himself. He's got almost the whole pitch in front of him to use, and Poch trusts him to do that.
Settled Back Five
Over the years at Spurs we've seen some horror shows at the back for Spurs. This year Fazio was lambasted for a woeful display against Arsenal in the cup, which in previous years might just have been the norm. It's testament to how well Alderwiereld has settled (and also, what a fantastic defender he is) that we now look as solid as we ever have at the back. Both Walker and Rose are perhaps guilty at being better at overlapping than they are defending, however both are quick, rugged and determined, which is making wingers lives very uncomfortable.
Vertonghen has become the player he's threatened to be in my opinion. I think he's had a bit of a 'want away' attitude before this season, but it's all change now, and his performances are showing it. Davies is also a very capable left back and has shown on several occasions that, whilst different to Rose, he's certainly no worse. Combine all that with one of the best keepers in the world in goal, and it's easy to see why confidence is high, and for the most part, goals are at a premium for the opposition. This could all be different if Poch hadn't infiltrated and settled Toby so quickly.
Vertonghen has become the player he's threatened to be in my opinion. I think he's had a bit of a 'want away' attitude before this season, but it's all change now, and his performances are showing it. Davies is also a very capable left back and has shown on several occasions that, whilst different to Rose, he's certainly no worse. Combine all that with one of the best keepers in the world in goal, and it's easy to see why confidence is high, and for the most part, goals are at a premium for the opposition. This could all be different if Poch hadn't infiltrated and settled Toby so quickly.
Dembele
Having played under 2 previous managers at Spurs, I think we were all beginning to wonder whether Dembele would fulfil his undoubted potential at Spurs, however this season has been seen a meteoric rise is his performance levels. His performances against Liverpool was probably the best individual performances of anyone this season, and he's finally chipping in with goals.
All players are different, and just because you are a strong, physical player, doesn't mean that what you really need to get the best out of you is for someone else to believe in your ability more than you do - and that's exactly what Poch has done with Dembele. He's played both deep and behind Kane, and excelled in both positions. He's, suddenly, a crucial element of the team.
All players are different, and just because you are a strong, physical player, doesn't mean that what you really need to get the best out of you is for someone else to believe in your ability more than you do - and that's exactly what Poch has done with Dembele. He's played both deep and behind Kane, and excelled in both positions. He's, suddenly, a crucial element of the team.
The Sum Is Greater Than Its Parts
Of course I miss the Bale, Modric, VdV team. We all do. Genuinely world class players giving us the best days we've had in years. We were taken seriously, and on several occasions we were touching distance from being Glory, Glory, Tottenham Hotspur again. Halcyon days for us fans... But then those individuals left, and what was left was a team wondering who to give the ball too to make things happen. The truth was, there wasn't anyone of that class left. It's taken a while, but what we've got here is a proper team. With the exception of Lloris, we don't have any real world class players, but what we do have is a team made up of small teams all desperate to achieve the same thing. Our back five work together, whilst Toby, Jan and Hugo all work well together.
Walker and Lamela have a partnership, as do Rose and Eriksen. Dier, Dembele and Alli all work as a sub team in the centre of the park. However the biggest asset is that if we were to lose any of our players to injury or the transfer market, the core would remain, and the platform would still be there. The new stadium means that any big money moves are unlikely. Poch will know he's got a sell to buy policy until the stadium move is complete, and whilst that is frustrating from a fans point of view, it does make very good business sense. So Poch had to make money off the deadweight and put faith in the players he thought worthy of his faith. It's take a while, but his vision is become a reality.
Walker and Lamela have a partnership, as do Rose and Eriksen. Dier, Dembele and Alli all work as a sub team in the centre of the park. However the biggest asset is that if we were to lose any of our players to injury or the transfer market, the core would remain, and the platform would still be there. The new stadium means that any big money moves are unlikely. Poch will know he's got a sell to buy policy until the stadium move is complete, and whilst that is frustrating from a fans point of view, it does make very good business sense. So Poch had to make money off the deadweight and put faith in the players he thought worthy of his faith. It's take a while, but his vision is become a reality.
We Are A Unit
Team spirit and character seem to be what's driving us on this year. Success breeds success and an unbeaten run like the one we've been on is going to make the players feel unstoppable, however the fact we have a group of young guys who have played together for a few years, a various levels, is definitely contributing. Kane is the headline maker, the poster boy of this era, however he's also one of the hardest workers - his feet are on the ground, because he's part of the team, and not just playing for himself. There are no egos, and if they surface, as they seemingly did with Townsend recently, they're dealt with. Townsend stepped out of line undoubtedly, but he's been used as a message to everyone at the club that anyone not pulling in the right direction is disposable. There is a good atmosphere amongst the players it seems.
Obviously, they're professionals, everyone is competing for places, however I don't think individual performance is valued above team success by anyone, and that's rare these days. Take the Anderlecht game for example - Mason has been out injured for a while, having previously been a regular. As he left the team, Dembele came in. Against Anderlecht, Mason played for 70 odd minutes and was replaced by match winner Dembele. The ethos of the team is such that Mason would not have been disappointed by Dembele's good form continuing, as the side now stand a great chance of progressing from a tricky Europa League group. It's all about what the team can achieve, not the individual.
Obviously, they're professionals, everyone is competing for places, however I don't think individual performance is valued above team success by anyone, and that's rare these days. Take the Anderlecht game for example - Mason has been out injured for a while, having previously been a regular. As he left the team, Dembele came in. Against Anderlecht, Mason played for 70 odd minutes and was replaced by match winner Dembele. The ethos of the team is such that Mason would not have been disappointed by Dembele's good form continuing, as the side now stand a great chance of progressing from a tricky Europa League group. It's all about what the team can achieve, not the individual.
Football is about form, and when you're in form it's easy to be positive, however it feels like the long term picture of Poch's masterplan is coming into focus. It's built on long term foundations, and the future seems pretty exciting right now.
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I'm glad you are finally warming to it but disappointed in the many Spurs fans that never really gave him time initially. Yes there were average performances but then look at the side he inherited? What did everyone expect? I'm not goin g to pretend I knew we'd work out but I was more than happy to give him more than a season with players like Paulinho and Ade hanging around before I passed judgement. I wish people would take a more positive outlook, I guess it can be protectionist to decide it probably won't work out then if it doesn't you don't feel quite as disappointed. The way I see it though is that regardless of my choice to be a pessimist or an optimist the journey for Spurs and the success of the team/manager probably won't change so why not be an optimist and enjoy some of the journey before (if) it crumbles instead of looking for negatives from the start and never really enjoying it. The negativity that has engulfed Spurs over the last few years is becoming draining and making for a poor atmosphere at the ground. I miss the days when supporters supported, no matter what. Fans used the revolt when things were bad, not when we were finishing 5th in the table. smile, enjoy and assume it will be great... simply because, it's more fun than the alternative.
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