5 Areas for Andros Townsend to Improve on with Tottenham Next Season

Andros Townsend was the first of Tottenham's current bountiful crop of youngsters to make an impact in the first team. 

Having made his first appearance in 2011, Townsend has been a regular sight in the team for many years. 

Despite that fact, or perhaps because of it, he is usually overlooked in discussion of Spurs' talented young team. 

His longevity obscures the fact that he is just 23, younger than Ryan Mason and just seven months older than Christian Eriksen. 

Liam Prenderville of the Mirror says Townsend could be used as a "makeweight" in a potential deal for Aston Villa's Christian Benteke. 

Those reports are almost certainly wide of the mark, because Townsend has shown, in patches, that he is certainly good enough to play for Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham. 

However, he must improve many areas of his game if he is to finally cement a place in Spurs' strongest lineup. 

Score More Goals

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Andros Townsend is an inverted winger, which means he must carry a goal threat from his preferred wide-right position. 

He has a reasonably respectable scoring record of roughly one goal in every eight or nine games for Spurs, but that ratio balloons to one in 15 for his Premier League games. 

Of course, many of Townsend's appearances in the domestic league have come as a substitute. 

That distorts his numbers somewhat, but he scored one goal every 375 minutes in the league last season, so his ability to make his time on the pitch count was limited. 

Townsend's goal return is poor, but it reflects very well when compared with Erik Lamela's scoring rate of one goal every 1,150 minutes in the Premier League. 

Nacer Chadli's transformation in his second season at the club demonstrates that it is possible to make that leap. 

If Townsend is going to become a regular starter, he simply must start scoring. 

Outwork Erik Lamela

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Townsend is realistically in direct competition with Erik Lamela for the starting role on the right side of Tottenham's midfield. 

The pair have some broadly comparable characteristics but are very different players. 

Pochettino knows that he has two different options for his right flank, but given his commitment to his defensive philosophy, part of his decision is made for him by the vast difference in their work rates. 

Lamela scores less often than Townsend and is frustratingly prone to lose possession. 

However, his willingness to track, tackle and press sets him apart from Townsend. 

The Englishman is reticent to commit to the defensive side of his role and, for that reason alone, will struggle to demand a regular starting role. 

If he works with Pochettino to better understand his place as a part of the team's defensive strategy, he will increase his chances of knocking Lamela out of the starting side. 

Improve Decision-Making

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Townsend's performances for Tottenham are frustratingly predictable. 

He will often use his strength and speed to break away from his marker and find space only to take the wrong option. 

He is a capable crosser, possesses a powerful shot and is perfectly able to bring the ball through high-traffic areas. 

It is rarely his skills that let him down. 

Instead, it is his decision-making.

Every Tottenham fan is familiar with the scenario of Townsend driving inside on his left foot only to drive a shot into the first defender.  

That area of his game can be improved to a point, but it will require a contribution from his manager to show him where he is going wrong. 

Step Up in 'Lesser Competitions'

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Andros Townsend will most likely be outside of the starting XI when next season gets underway. 

He may well make a substitute appearance as Spurs travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on opening day, but he is unlikely to start the match. 

Instead, he will be one of the most senior players as Spurs' European and domestic cup competitions get underway. 

This has been the case for the last two seasons. 

Townsend must embrace that senior role and demonstrate his best form against likely inferior opposition. 

Harry Kane forced his way into the first team with his European exploits last season. 

Townsend can emulate his former youth team colleague in the next campaign. 

Relax

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Many of Andros Townsend's problems appear to come from a lack of confidence and a desperation to prove himself at every turn. 

That is likely the root of his poor decision-making.

It is understandable that an academy graduate, who doesn't have the luxury of a multi-million-pound transfer fee next to his name, feels a certain inferiority. 

The fact that he has been sent out so often on loan or ignored in favour of other players that are not necessarily superior to him cannot help with his insecurity. 

Townsend is evidently passionate and driven.

No one would advise him to temper his expectations. 

Instead, he must recognise that despite his relative youth, he is already a proven Premier League player and England international. 

He is certainly good enough to be a regular starter for Tottenham.