No manager in the world would be happy with an opening-day defeat but, despite his side’s 1-0 loss at Manchester United on Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino should not be too downbeat following a performance that contained plenty of positives.
Spurs began the game the livelier side on the pitch, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane continuing from where they left off last season with some fine combination play.
Nacer Chadli also looked threatening on the right, while a defence that shipped 53 goals in 2014/15 — the fifth-worst mark in the division — appeared far more solid and sturdy in the opening stages, no doubt aided by the presence of newcomer Toby Alderweireld.
United did improve after Kyle Walker’s own goal gifted them a lead they barely deserved midway through the first half, but Tottenham continued to cause their esteemed opponents problems and did enough throughout the match to warrant at least a point. They may have departed Old Trafford with nothing to show for their efforts, but there were further signs of progress from which Pochettino can take solace.
Although the Argentine’s first campaign at the helm last time out was far from perfect, it must go down as an overall success.
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Most Tottenham fans would have settled for a fifth-place finish 12 months ago, particularly when the squad needed to be reshaped as a new style of play was introduced and youngsters such as Kane and Nabil Bentaleb were promoted while remaining competitive on the pitch.
Spurs were rightly criticised, at times, with avoidable home defeats to the likes of Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa turning out to be fatal in their pursuit of a top-four spot, but there were promising indicators that they had shed some of the flakiness traditionally associated with “typical Tottenham”. Pochettino’s outfit seemed to have a bit more steel; they won 17 points from losing positions and avoided defeat in 13 of their 19 Premier League away games.
It is a base from which they will hope to build this campaign. The ill-fated stream of purchases made with the money recouped from Gareth Bale’s switch to Real Madrid is now on the verge of being consigned to memory, with Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Etienne Capoue and Vlad Chiriches either set to leave or having already departed White Hart Lane. All were brought in after Bale completed an £80 million (Dh457.9m) move to the Spanish side in the summer of 2013.
The current group is already beginning to look a lot more like Pochettino’s, a year or so on from his appointment.
The former Southampton manager favours an energetic and high-tempo pressing game, an approach that many players do not suit. Remodelling the squad to match his demands will take time, but progress has been made and Tottenham look in far better shape than they have done since a Bale-inspired side took them to the brink of the Uefa Champions League two seasons ago.
Nevertheless, a couple of additional signings would be welcome before the window closes. A designated holding midfielder would further bolster the defensive unit, while more pace in forward areas would add greater directness and penetration to Spurs’ play.
Saido Berahino, Clinton N’Jie and Javier Hernandez have been linked with moves in recent days, with all three attackers’ ability to stretch the play exactly what Tottenham need.
Kane usually has been fielded as a No 9 up to now, but the England international looks more of a natural second striker than a line-leader, able to drop deep and create as well as convert. With men regularly running in behind him, Kane, 21, could have more of an all-round impact this season, even if he is unlikely to match 2014/15’s 31-goal haul in all competitions.
Many positives can be taken from the club’s current situation. While the top four may again be just out of reach, there is no reason why the north Londoners cannot keep progressing: with a new stadium on the horizon and a talented manager encouraging attractive football from his young side, these are exciting times for Tottenham Hotspur.
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