Why Erik Lamela's All-Round Hunger Epitomises Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham

There is a fine line between reckless and spirited. In Tottenham Hotspur's recent 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Erik Lamela did not so much walk the north London derby tightrope as career along it with the gusto and fearlessness of an Argentinian Philippe Petit.

Tottenham were instructed to take the game to the Gunners and, for an hour or so, they did it to tremendous effect. Lamela was not involved in Harry Kane's opener, but he played his part in his team establishing momentum that saw them control large periods. Perhaps a little too keenly.

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The attacking midfielder continued to hunt down the ball even after being booked in the 55th minute. He was only substituted 20 minutes later when his challenges were proving too risky. The player had performed with an all-round hunger that, for better or worse, epitomises Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino right now.

Lamela is not alone in embracing the fearlessness increasingly permeating the football played by the Lilywhite half of north London (albeit they are still striving to deliver it consistently).

Leading their season highlights so far, the team as a whole took on and defeated a supremely talented Manchester City with a conviction Spurs have rarely displayed against such lofty opposition in recent years. They will still feel disappointed they were not able to find the second goal that will almost certainly have sealed an impressive win over Arsenal.

The spreading of the Pochettino doctrine has been seen at points during the international break too.

Three of the four Spurs players who represented England in their friendly with Spain—Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Harry Kane, all 22 or under—partly owed their recognition to the belief their club boss is showing in them. Josh Onomah, who is perhaps the next player to benefit from that trust, scored a terrific goal in England U19s' win over Japan which was very much informed by the Pochettino principle of making opponents uncomfortable in their own territory.

Lamela has received such backing, too. Worked with as closely as any of the academy and English talent last season, trusted again this time around even after a slow start that raised premature fears he had regressed.

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In the 4-1 win over Man City, the 23-year-old confirmed his improvement in feeling his way into the new campaign with an outstanding display.

Although not an ideal opponent to display the collective punch of their pressing game against without fear of swift reprisal (as seen with Kevin De Bruyne's counter-attack opener), Spurs nonetheless attempted to close down their counterparts as stringently as possible. Lamela did his best here while also reaching the kind of creative heights Pochettino is encouraging his players to strive for.

Lamela's superb delivery set up Toby Alderweireld to give Spurs the lead, and he completed the win with a composed goal of his own. In between times he took on City with a confidence only previously seen intermittently in his dribbling.

"He was very good and I’m happy for him, he deserves everything and this is a good step," Pochettino told Spurs' official website post-match.

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There were some similar moments against Arsenal, too, with one particularly beguiling thrust through their lines almost catching them out. Away from home, though, the need to help unsettle the Gunners in possession was just as vital a service.

As noted earlier, Lamela went right to the edge in this objective after receiving a yellow card for fouling Francis Coquelin. Despite the risk of one of Arsenal's theatrically inclined players influencing the ref to brandish his card again, the Spurs man was undeterred in chasing them down.

The fine line Lamela trod looking to play as aggressively and positively as Pochettino demands is one Tottenham as a team have and will continue to walk, too.

There is much to admire about a group not afraid to get stuck in as part of their pursuit of victory. But in a modern game where players are liable to go down and win decisions from imaginary and/or minimal contact, it runs a risk of conceding costly decisions.

Spurs were not helped by the fouls they conceded against Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's men using free-kicks, as well as other crossing situations, to bombard the visitors' tiring defence. The exertions of three games in a week and a mighty effort at the Emirates Stadium resulted in a receding of their concentration.

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That is the other side of Lamela and Spurs working as hard as they do. As physically fit as Pochettino and his staff may get them, there will be times when relentlessness can give way to fatigue and sloppy play.

It is something for the Argentinian manager to continue to think about in how he harnesses the talents of players like his compatriot Lamela.

Not for a second should or will Pochettino consider dispensing with the general philosophy that has Tottenham shaping up as legitimate top-four contenders. But with a lot of football still to be played in 2015-16, he will understand the need to find ways of ensuring Lamela and Co. can continue to deliver the football he wants.

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