Pochettino gives precedence to system over ‘superstars’

‘Chelsea stays on top of the league as they thrash Tottenham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge’.

This grim opening sentence is an introduction that we have read all too many times before however, the latest lesson at Chelsea was somewhat easier to swallow, all thanks to Mauricio Pochettino’s system which is beginning to bear fruit.

As this article is being scrawled with mildly ludicrous optimism, it is worth noting that Spurs are currently sitting 10th, already 16 points off 1st-placed Chelsea after only 14 matches played. We have a negative goal difference of minus three; scored as many goals as 15th-placed Crystal Palace (18); and have lost to Newcastle, West Brom and Stoke – all at home.

Nevertheless, Pochettino’s Tottenham side are slowly beginning to resemble the Southampton team of last season that were so irresistible to watch for any neutral. Despite the inconsistent form, well at least according to the league table, Spurs are beginning to look like the collective unit which we all envisioned, where our players hunt down the ball like savage dogs and then counter-attack at frenetic pace.

As any rationale Spurs fan would accept, Poch’s philosophy was going to take time to implement into the team. It has been very disappointing to see senior players such as club captain Younes Kaboul and his deputy, Emmanuel Adebayor, respond so poorly to the new manager’s system. But, what eclipses this setback in the campaign has been the continuing development of three academy players who have all bought into Poch’s vision – Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Harry Kane.

Poch has stuck to his ideologies despite the pressure that came with some poor results. Rather than discarding his system that worked so seamlessly St Mary’s, Poch has identified players who will follow instructions, players who are committed to the cause, players that want to play for Tottenham, players who care about Tottenham.

Who would’ve thought in pre-season that Mason and Bentaleb would shield the back four, whilst Kane lead the attack at Chelsea? Moreover, who would’ve thought in pre-season that Bentaleb and Kane would be Spurs’ best players on the pitch at Stamford Bridge?

[fullquote]Spurs are beginning to look like the collective unit which we all envisioned, where our players hunt down the ball like savage dogs and then counter-attack at frenetic pace.[/fullquote]

The young Algerian is an imposing player; he passes the ball quickly; reads the game well; and is technically astute. Unlike his senior counterparts Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Moussa Dembele, who take far too many touches and therefore far too long to release the ball, Bentaleb has the ability to enable a quick transition from defence to attack.

Like every good striker, Harry Kane has a nose for goal, but what he does not get enough credit for is his football brain. Kane runs into space effectively and has the ability to drag opposition defenders out of position. In addition, and unlike his head, his touch is elegant.

Contrasting Kaboul, who submitted to Man City after giving away a foolish penalty – Mason has heart – something very scarce amid an unbalanced squad of largely average players. He gets stuck in and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around; his confrontation with Christian Benteke at Villa arguably turned the game around. It at least sparked Spurs into life.

Spurs fans have been criticised for the lack of home support, but fans feed off players who they can see are putting in a shift. The atmosphere at the Lane against Everton was brilliant on Sunday. How brilliant was it to see Roberto Soldado finally slot one into the net? What’s more special about the goal was the fact that it was straight out of the Pochettino textbook.

Soldado’s winning goal against Everton started from the enthusiasm of Kane, who was willing to drop back and rob Gareth Barry of possession in midfield, before passing to Lennon who countered with speed. The Spaniard got his name on the scoresheet but there were four other players in Tottenham shirts ready to put the ball in the net.

Poch should be credited for sticking to a system rather than succumbing to a squad of players who have now seen three managers in the space of twelve months. If it means sticking to home-grown products who are willing to adapt to a system, rather than expensive imported “superstars”, then so be it.