Why Capoue Is Under Most Pressure for Tottenham Following Loss to Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United has left the north London club 11th in the Premier League. The still-developing state of the 2014-15 season—Tottenham are both three points off fifth and three off the relegation zone—emphasizes the need to not get carried away with any premature judgments.

Nevertheless, with nine league games played, Tottenham's stuttering form does require addressing.

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Labelling Etienne Capoue as the Spurs player most under pressure following the Newcastle defeat is not particularly intended as a criticism.

During the recent international break this writer described Capoue as the team's unsung performer of the season's first couple of months. His functional dependability in central midfield had been a constant for manager Mauricio Pochettino even as he tweaked things around the Frenchman.

Capoue's performances have not especially changed in quality in the two league games since then. Against both Manchester City and the Magpies he continued to adhere to his defensive responsibilities with an expected level of effort, although the former proved the toughest opponents he has faced all season.

On Sunday the Frenchman enjoyed the better of the early going against midfield counterparts Jack Colback and Moussa Sissoko (save for one 13th-minute duel with the latter in which an intervention from Danny Rose was required). He made some terrific passes throughout the game, too—notably a superb cross-field switch to Rose—but as Spurs ceded the advantage, his influence was restricted to participating in the buildup to ultimately fruitless attacks.

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Capoue's place might be under threat in that there are potential alternatives to him who might shape the team's play from midfield more prominently.

Alongside the 26-year-old over the last month has been Ryan Mason. The academy product was excellent in the first half against Newcastle.

His chipped assist for Emmanuel Adebayor's opener was delightfully executed and was just one example of his frequent contributions either side of the halfway line. A willing passing option throughout, he probably paid for his earlier efforts with a more quiet, fatigued showing after the interval.

Clearly asked to focus on protecting his defence, criticising Capoue for not matching Mason's box-to-box work would be wrong. But as Pochettino looks to find ways for his team to create more in attack without sacrificing shape and solidity, he could consider shifting the balance in midfield to provide more energy to the team.

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A change in formation could make the difference here—for instance Christian Eriksen dropping back or one of the Dane's fellow attacking midfielders being replaced with a proper central midfielder. If it is a case of a straight swap, however, Capoue would likely the one to make way.

Mousa Dembele certainly has the dribbling flair and—though rarely seen—ability to get a shot away, while still possessing the athleticism to pitch in further back. He has not especially shone in his appearances so far this campaign, though (perhaps a result of his World Cup exertions?).

Injured last week, the teenager Nabil Bentaleb will be worth a look again at some point. He is an all-rounder in waiting with good passing, decent attacking chops and a positional sense that has improved from a defensive perspective over 2014.

Given he has not been featured in the last games and was not even on the bench for Newcastle, Benjamin Stambouli might seem further away than most from a run-out in the league. But should he play and impress against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Capital One Cup, the summer signing might prove to be the man most likely to displace Capoue.

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Back in September, Pochettino described Stambouli to Tottenham's official website as a "tremendous addition in...defensive midfield." But it was the head coach's reference to him knowing "what it takes to win" that most struck him and has been noteworthy, even if somewhat fleetingly, in the ex-Montpellier man's four appearances thus far.

There is a positivity about Stambouli similar to that of Mason in his inclination to venture forward when the situation arises. But there is also a bite in his tackles and an eagerness to get around the midfield that has been lacking from all but the aforementioned Englishman in the position.

If Capoue is kept in the side for the next league game with Aston Villa, a win and a solid outing could reaffirm his position in the team. But if he and/or Tottenham struggle to impose themselves for a whole match again, there is scope for a personnel/personality change if Pochettino is up for it.