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Signs of progress

3 min read
by Editor
Ben Norland looks back at a great performance against Everton yesterday.

Well, that was a turn-up for the books! I think I probably speak for the majority of those at the Lane when I say that I feared the worst upon seeing the team-sheets before the game. Eto’o, Lukaku, Barkley, and Mirallas up against a defence that has already been outplayed by Sammy Ameobi and Jonathan Walters this season, did not bode well. And yet, what a brilliant surprise.

Surprise is the wrong word actually, it implies an element of fortune, and that wouldn’t do justice to the wonderful Spurs display – arguably our best of the season. Bentaleb and Mason did a fantastic job in the centre of midfield against far more experienced opposition in Barry and Besic. Fazio and Vertonghen combined to ensure Lukaku and Eto’o barely got a look-in around the penalty box, the latter being forced to drop deep or pull wide to get the ball. Ben Davies did a magnificent job against Mirallas and then McGeady. Kane and Eriksen were at their scheming best – Kane, in particular, impressing with his composure on the ball and bold approach. Oh, and Soldado scored. Need I say more?

The fans, too, were superb. Even after seeing Mirallas’ wonder-strike arrow into the top corner, they immediately resumed the cacophony of chanting and applause, roused in part by a desire to prove Adebayor wrong, no doubt, but predominantly by the effort and attitude of the players. In particular, the relentless drum-beat of sound from the Park Lane and the Shelf as we thwarted late Everton attack after attack, felt like a return to the atmosphere of the Glory Glory nights.

[fullquote]Surprise is the wrong word actually, it implies an element of fortune, and that wouldn’t do justice to the wonderful Spurs display – arguably our best of the season.[/fullquote]

Both the atmosphere and the performance have been a long time coming. We all know it has not been the smoothest of starts to Pochettino’s reign. But in the last three games, there has been evidence that his philosophy is starting to take hold. The high pressing tactic has returned. Everton’s players were hounded every time they got the ball today, and with one such incident leading directly to Soldado’s goal. This is one of the areas in which Bentaleb and Mason excelled – constantly chasing the ball down in the middle of the park, ensuring that the Toffees’ players rarely had the chance to get their heads up and pick their passes.

But the most encouraging aspect is that our passing game seems to be starting to click at last. This was evident in the build-up to Eriksen’s goal against Hull, and there were a few lovely one-touch moves against Partizan too. Yet today, it was really clear to see – slick, one-touch moves all around the park, with players constantly on the move, finding space, and giving the player with the ball options. This is key – it is the fundamental basis of Pochettino’s game, and we should not underestimate the importance of seeing it begin to work on the pitch, even if it might not be leading to as many goals as we would like yet.

This is not to say that we have entirely turned the corner. There will be more setbacks ahead (in fact, most likely on Wednesday at the Bridge…), but I think we might finally be starting to see some of the fabled ‘progress’ that many of us stated was our primary ambition for the season. So enjoy this victory, not only for the magnificent performance that is was, but also, for what it might hopefully represent – in the words of Winston Churchill: “It is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, I think, the end of the beginning…”

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3 Comments

  1. Eriksons hair transplant
    01/12/2014 @ 1:43 pm

    Long way to go, but if last nights game is a sign of the direction I look forward to the journey. Great team effort. But the crowd, magnificent. I especially loved the Soldado ovation. The man is class and the fans showed him some class right back. He’ll come good and kick on and that’s exciting. COYS!

    • Rick
      01/12/2014 @ 2:29 pm

      Completely agree with the comment and a really good piece of writing above! Looks like progress and there will be a few bumps in the road. Keep getting behind Soldado, with confidence he will be excellent. Kane developing well and good to see Lennon’s energy and attacking intent back in the team

  2. pk
    01/12/2014 @ 6:02 pm

    Didn’t expect Poch. to start almost the same team that finished against Hull. He must be reading my comments. If Vlad can be made to resist trying his over ambitious long passes that get cut out and Lamela made to realise he is not expected to win games on his own then I think this team plus one or two quality additions will be capable of giving most teams a good game. But they must have the same attitude and commitment as shown against Everton and Arsenel when playing against the teams they are expected to beat.

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