4 Tottenham Players with Much to Prove in 2015-16 Premier League Season
A solitary point from two matches is not the start to the 2015-16 Premier League season Tottenham Hotspur hoped for. There have been positives about their first two performances, but the end results—a 1-0 loss to Manchester United and a 2-2 draw with Stoke City—have ensured they cannot be regarded as wholly satisfying.
Naturally, part of all this is the process of each player feeling his way into the return to competitive football. For some more than others, there is an extra burden to hit the ground running or at least not crash spectacularly upon landing.
The following article looks at four Tottenham players with much to prove in the year ahead.
Each represents a different aspect of the challenge to establish a regular place in the first team. The central theme for all is a need for improvement necessitated by previous difficulties.
First up is the defender whose first year in north London was not the seamless transition he probably envisioned.
Ben Davies
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Ben Davies joined Tottenham in the summer of 2014 off the back of two name-making seasons with Swansea City. Expected by many to walk straight into his new club's starting XI at the expense of the previous first-choice left-back Danny Rose, the Welshman was instead used more selectively.
Back-up for cup games early on, Davies enjoyed a decent starting run in the month or so prior to the turn of the year. But rather than becoming the foundation of his establishing himself at Spurs, the temporary change in personnel was used by head coach Mauricio Pochettino as a means to get more of out of the underperforming Rose.
It worked. Rose was recalled for the New Year's Day win over Chelsea and never looked back. Davies would contribute thereafter but saw his season come to a frustrating end when a shoulder injury prematurely concluded a tough outing in the 2-2 draw away at Southampton.
Davies started against Manchester United away with Rose injured and kept his place for Stoke when the latter was fit enough for the bench. The Wales international performed adequately in both—notably setting up Spurs' second against the Potters—but was not so dominant Pochettino will not at least be contemplating going back to Rose.
Still only 22, Davies has time on his side. But having been a starter at Swansea, it remains unclear just how he will respond to a second year in and out of the Spurs team.
Tom Carroll
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Post-season 2015 has shown two sides of Tom Carroll.
In the European Under-21 Championship, there were unsurprising examples of his good passing range. He mostly struggled to influence games for England, though, occupying a central midfield role but somehow feeling on the periphery of things.
Carroll comparatively shone in Tottenham's tour of Malaysia and Australia in May and in the Audi Cup win over AC Milan earlier in August. He was lively and confident, linking particularly well with longtime team-mate Harry Kane out east and latterly superbly finished the game-sealing move against the Serie A club.
There are a range of factors to consider. Carroll was not the only one to struggle in Gareth Southgate's dull and uninspired under-21 team. Offseason friendly games are far from being the best barometer of a player's form.
But if Carroll can find a way to get involved in games—standing his ground defensively and not being shy going forward—he has the talent to be a genuine contributor to the Spurs midfield. The fact that Pochettino kept him around after loaning him to Swansea City last year is a sign he has some belief he can become that player.
Carroll will have to be patient. The Europa League and the Capital One Cup are likely to be where he gets the majority of his minutes in the coming months. Pochettino has shown he is willing to give youngsters coming out of the academy opportunities to earn their chances with the first team.
Andros Townsend
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Andros Townsend has taken a different route from youth-team hopeful to regular part of the senior squad than Carroll.
While he too was developed through a mix of loan spells and occasional first-team outings, Townsend's abilities made it a little easier to stand out. The turn of pace on the wing and the willingness to take on an opponent and try his luck at goal are more understandably appreciated and implemented than the specifics of a more nuanced central midfield role.
For Townsend, Spurs' utilisation of his skill set early in 2013-14 quickly transitioned into an England call-up that suddenly raised expectations around him. His form when he was selected for the national side showed he is capable of handling them. But injury problems and changes in boss in N17 have contributed to difficulties shining for his club as consistently as he or anyone would like.
The 24-year-old is long past the point of being a potential-affixed hopeful. His need to prove himself comes from the perspective of an established squad member, and there is less patience for those.
Last week, the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse reported interest from several Premier League clubs in signing the winger, but he also noted the player's desire to remain with Spurs.
The first opportunity he gets, Townsend needs to show he can be a reliable performer for the club that developed him. Having had plenty of time to work on his game, perhaps that extra urgency will be the true making of him.
Erik Lamela
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Time is a matter of urgency for Erik Lamela.
The expensive summer 2013 recruit from Roma struggled to settle down in a first season in England that ended early because of injury problems. He improved in Year 2, looking much more comfortable with the Premier League's physicality, playing well in spells as part of the predominantly used three-man attacking midfield.
Yet it is also fair to say the down periods have left him with plenty to do to justify the £25 million-plus Tottenham spent on him.
Having been allowed sufficient time to adjust, Lamela is facing an all-or-nothing season. The skill, creativity and willingness for a little dirty work need to come together in a cohesive, consistently productive package.
The Argentinian's late return from the Copa America has not helped his preparations. Off the bench against Man United and Stoke, he failed to make an impact, and his misguided introduction by Pochettino in the latter unintentionally contributed to the visitors regaining a foothold in the contest.
Some allowances should be made for him feeling his way back (and while not entirely an excuse, his style is more suited to establishing a game's rhythm, not altering it). Nonetheless, the pressure is on Lamela to show Spurs something when he gets his first proper run in the team.
If he does not prove he can be the major player Tottenham need to help shape their attack, the 23-year-old can have no complaints when they inevitably try someone else.
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