Why Etienne Capoue Is the Unsung Hero for Tottenham so Far in 2014-15 Season

Tottenham Hotspur's decent, if inconsistent 2014-15 campaign thus far has seen its standout performers have their praises rightly sung.

From the continued brilliance of Hugo Lloris in goal, through to Nacer Chadli grabbing his chance in attack with four goals. Eric Dier, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela have led the others making relatively bright starts, too (albeit with scope for improvement).

Tottenham's unsung hero, though, has been Etienne Capoue.

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Firstly, it has been good to see the midfielder put a run of games together. Last season he was sidelined at points in September and February when he looked like he might establish himself in the team. The foot and ankle problems he suffered in winter ended his first season in England right there.

Fit again for pre-season, Capoue made the most of the absence of other central midfielders due to illness (Sandro) and delayed returns because of national team duty (Mousa Dembele and Paulinho). When he played, Spurs looked noticeably more solid with him patrolling in front of the defence, an athletic, 6'1" deterrent to the attacking intent of the opposition they faced.

He was also tidy in possession, and supplied the likes of Eriksen and Lamela in a prompt and precise manner.

All this had been seen in Capoue's best moments during 2013-14—chief among them his impressive home debut versus Swansea City, and his quietly dominant work as Spurs thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 away—but its reemergence in the summer was a timely reminder of his value.

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Head coach Mauricio Pochettino rewarded Capoue's good pre-season displays with the first crack at the defensive midfield role. Since then he has played well enough to keep it, starting all seven Premier League matches (although he did drop back into central defence for a spell in the win over West Ham United).

The main reason why Capoue should be regarded as Spurs' unsung hero of the season's first few months is as much to do with his function as his individual performance (though the two are intertwined)—he has provided a consistent presence in the team and in midfield.

Pochettino has changed things up in defence and tweaked things around him in midfield, but the Argentine knows where he stands with Capoue. He is a natural defensive midfielder who can hold his position when needed but can also reliably bring the ball forward and connect with those in front of him.

Capoue has not been effective in every game. Before his position switch, West Ham bypassed him with a lot of balls out wide. In the 3-0 loss to Liverpool, the rapid passing and movement of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and others saw him barely get near a red shirt.

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Finding a way to impose himself against tougher opposition—or at least adapting to the game so he can contribute in some way—is an area Capoue can stand to improve in. He is not as assertive as Sandro was at his best, or as capable of driving the team on like Nabil Bentaleb, Dembele or new signing Benjamin Stambouli might be.

With that said, an allowance for Capoue finding his feet in those previously mentioned games should be considered. Arguably his best two performances have come since then, in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and the 1-0 win over Southampton.

Capoue did fine work stifling Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, he tackled him three times and likely contributed to his substitution just after the hour mark. His five clearances that day spoke of his readiness to clear his lines as Spurs tried to keep their north London rivals out, both statistics tallied by Squawka. Against the Saints he was just as engaged.

The 26-year-old undoubtedly upped his game, but he also benefited from the presence of Ryan Mason beside him.

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Another pre-season standout, at the Emirates Stadium Mason was disciplined as he helped the side maintain their shape, and he was game for the midfield battle alongside Capoue (he disrupted Arsenal's flow with 12 attempted tackles himself, even if only four succeeded). The academy product's desire to get forward also ensured Spurs were not pegged back for the match's entirety and helped give his midfield partner a breather.

With the right pieces around him, Capoue's own value is enhanced. That is the same for most players, of course, but some more than others require a certain type of partner for them to do their best work. For the Frenchman, that might prove to be Mason.

Both players still have work to do to keep their respective places (that is an ongoing effort with the options Pochettino has to call on in midfield). Capoue can reflect on a job well done so far, and the knowledge that maintaining his clockwork-like reliability will be one less worry for his manager.