Mauricio Pochettino Needs Change of Plan for Tottenham After Newcastle Defeat
WHITE HART LANE, ENGLAND — Tottenham Hotspur were unable to dedicate a win to Bill Nicholson around the time of his actual passing in 2004, either.
As the north London club paid tribute to their legendary manager a decade on, they were again unable to commemorate his life and contribution with a win. For Bolton Wanders, Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Arsenal in 2004, here in 2014 was Newcastle United.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has mostly persevered with the same Premier League starting XI this season. But after two consecutive losses following the international break, the time has come for the Argentinian to consider changing things up.
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Pochettino's patience, indeed loyalty, with his players is admirable to a degree. For instance, questioned about Emmanuel Adebayor's lack of goals prior to the Manchester City loss, he defended the striker (who was rested for that game after a late return from international duty). "I am very happy with his performance," Pochettino said then. "It's difficult when the striker doesn't score, but we have full confidence in him."
Adebayor had played well in the previous league game against Southampton. His 18th-minute goal against Newcastle—a clinical looping header from Ryan Mason's chipped cross—suggested his manager might have been wise to keep faith.
The striker's involvement was minimal thereafter, though. His display more in keeping with the quieter showings that that preceded the Saints' win.
Bar a moment on the half-hour mark when he almost seized onto a pass to Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, Adebayor gave centre-back pairing Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor little to think about up until his 83rd-minute withdrawal. That's a problem, given the Magpies struck back through Sammy Ameobi straight after the interval and were ahead through Ayoze Perez within 15 minutes.
The threat that can be posed by Adebayor, his experience and record too, is understandably hard for Pochettino to ignore. But Spurs need more from their front men for 90 minutes, not just one or two here and there.
The option of using Harry Kane from the start—ineffective but determined off the bench here—has to be worth a look sooner rather than later.
His manager defended the decision to leave last Thursday's Europa League hat-trick hero out ("After 45 minutes it’s a good decision because Adebayor scored"). But he has looked a whole lot hungrier than his more experienced team-mate in the process of scoring seven cup goals so far this season. Even an extended run for Roberto Soldado, something the Spaniard has not had this year, could be worth considering as Spurs look for more in the final third.
Adebayor is a pertinent discussion point here, given the aforementioned comments from Pochettino and Kane's recent form. More costly against Newcastle was work further back.
Speaking post-match, Pochettino pinpointed "a lack of concentration from us" after Tottenham had managed Newcastle's threats well in the first half. The reunited pairing off Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul comfortably dealt with the isolated Perez, while Eric Dier and Danny Rose controlled their flanks with equal conviction.
From the moment Ameobi equalised in the second half, though, Spurs were outfought by a re-motivated Newcastle attack, undoubtedly enhanced by the half-time introductions of Ameobi and Remy Cabella—"The attitude of our players went up a level, and it was the difference," Pardew told his post-match press conference.
Dier was caught napping by Ameobi as the winger raced in behind the full-back onto a superb Jack Colback pass. Spurs looked just as sleepy for the visitors' second.
The excellent, aggressive Moussa Sissoko drove down the left flank and teed up Cabella to his left. He crossed to Perez, who had snuck in behind the ball-watching Vertonghen, and proved too tall for Rose, who was alert.
"We need to work hard in our mentality," Pochettino pondered. "Because it is not tactical, it is not physical, it is concentration and mentality. We need to work hard. We need to be more strong, like a team. This is our challenge."
Greater focus could be aided through some consistency using the same back four. A change was forced this week with Federico Fazio suspended, but overall, Pochettino's habit of changing things up in defence—even in cup games—might have to be forgone, certainly in the league. Tactical whims are not for a position where solidity is required and disruption not ideal.
His assertion that tactics have nothing to do with Spurs' struggles is hard to agree with, either, notably in terms of their midfield work.
The advanced trio of Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela is capable of some wonderful football. They were ably supported by the again impressive Ryan Mason. But Sissoko and Colback were better prepared for them all in the second half, and they quickly ran out of ideas.
That is a theme in Spurs' worse performances this season. These players' interchanges and movement is key to the team's best work, but set up as predictably as it has been, it is often stifled.
Blowing the 4-2-3-1 system up is probably not the solution, but some tweaking is due.
The aforementioned Kane or Soldado joining Adebayor in a front two might help Spurs to better occupy sides. Moving Eriksen back into midfield proper, or even dropping one of him, Chadli or Lamela to try Mousa Dembele or Andros Townsend in some midfield variance might open things up in a different manner when Spurs bring the ball forward (or defensively, for that matter).
Tottenham take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, Aston Villa in the Premier League the following Sunday.
They could not win for Bill Nick. They will have to find inspiration elsewhere. Changes might be key.
All quotes obtained firsthand.
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