Assessing Mauricio Pochettino's Start as Tottenham Hotspur Manager

The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham manager in the summer was a popular one with both Spurs fans and the wider football audience. It is far too early to make a complete judgement on his performance as manager, but an international break has produced a clear point of demarcation, one that gives us a chance to look at Pochettino's efforts thus far.

In the first five games of the season, Pochettino has started as he means to continue.  

Following a successful Premier League audition at Southampton, Pochettino seemed to possess all the necessary requirements to make the step up to Tottenham.

He was a proven coach who had brought the best out of his younger and more limited players. He had shown tactical sophistication that allowed him to take points from some of England's heaviest hitters. His team was aggressive, winning the ball high up the pitch and significantly outperforming expectations.  

One of Pochettino's major objectives for his first season has been to improve Spurs' defensive record. During his tenure as Espanyol manager, Pochettino made an instant impact on their previously leaky defence. 

In their first two Premier League games, which were against QPR and West Ham, Spurs secured clean sheets. Across the two legs of their Europa League playoff, they only conceded a single goal. Spurs' defence was powered by an aggressive pressing game.

It seemed as if Pochettino had made some tweaks to tighten Tottenham's defence, but in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, last season's weaknesses returned. 

The first goal came from a lapse in concentration, which was punished by Liverpool's lightning attack. Eric Dier conceded a contentious penalty, but there were positional issues and a failure in pressing that gave Liverpool the opportunity to expose Dier. Alberto Moreno's brilliant individual third was made by Andros Townsend's individual error, but the failure of the defence to adjust allowed the young Spaniard an easy route to goal. 

QPR and West Ham were toothless opponents. Liverpool were the first genuine attacking threat to face Tottenham, and they made easy work of them. That limp performance was reminiscent of many such defeats to top sides last season. Spurs face Arsenal and Manchester City shortly after the international break ends. Those fixtures will demonstrate whether or not they have really progressed. 

Tottenham's defence was a critical weakness last season, but their attack has been slow and cumbersome for several seasons. Spurs have always been associated with flair and attacking football. Even in the 1990s, when they were regularly far from places in the league, their sides played with a certain style. Part of Pochettino's assignment has been to restore that approach. 

For two years, Andre Villas-Boas' Spurs were focused on possession but struggled to penetrate and couldn't make quick breaks effectively. Tim Sherwood's Tottenham scored more often but played with little cohesion.

Already in this campaign, Spurs have played better, faster football than last season. Their performance against QPR was their finest at White Hart Lane since the 5-0 win over Newcastle in 2012.

They failed to reproduce that form against Liverpool, but they began brightly. An early goal surrendered any advantage they might have had.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs' eventual capitulation against Liverpool was a reversion to last season's disappointment or a simple blip. 

The emergence of a series of young British players under Pochettino's eye factored into the decision to appoint him at Spurs.  

Left-back Danny Rose was singled out for criticism last season as he struggled for form and fitness, but his recent England call-up is a testament to Pochettino's immediate impact. Rose has looked a far more assured defender and also impressed in an attacking role. Full-backs play a vital role in the Argentine's system. If Rose is up to Pochettino's demands, he will continue to blossom. 

Harry Kane and Nabil Bentaleb made their breakthroughs last season when Tim Sherwood took temporary control, but both have continued to perform well under Pochettino. 

Ex-Southampton full-back Francis Benali predicted that Spurs would be a "strong and exciting side" under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine worked wonders with Southampton. A talented but vulnerable playing group had won back-to-back promotions under Nigel Adkins but were exposed in the ruthless Premier League. 

When Pochettino surprisingly replaced the popular Adkins, he quickly smoothed the edges and imposed his fast-paced aggressive style. 

There has been little evidence of that industrious philosophy in Spurs' opening five games. During pre-season, Spurs were regularly winning the ball in dangerous areas as a result of their aggressive pressing. Perhaps Pochettino is seeking to gradually introduce this complex aspect of his playing style. 

It is yet to fully emerge at White Hart Lane. In flashes, Spurs have resembled his aggressive, attractive Southampton side, but such a style change was always going to take time. 

Pochettino has already demonstrated his quality in England. So far at Spurs, he has shown significant progress. He has revitalised the career of Danny Rose and helped Harry Kane continue his progress. Spurs' defence has improved, and although it remains a work in progress, their attack has a new spark. 

There remains much room for improvement, but the Argentine has made an impressive start to his tenure at Spurs.