Ranking Tottenham's Best 4 Players in August

Tottenham's start to the season has been less than ideal in terms of the points they've been able to collect.

Just three draws in a winless month have Spurs looking up from near the foot of the table. 

Despite their failure to beat any of their first four opponents, Tottenham have played well in patches against each. 

As a team, they produced particularly impressive spells against both Stoke City and Everton and were unfortunate to beat neither side. 

Erik Lamela is the only one of Spurs' players who would be ruled out immediately simply based on form. 

In what is a huge season for the Argentinian, he wasted his chances to impress. 

Now, with the return of Andros Townsend from injury and the arrival of Heung-Min Son and Clinton Njie, he may be relegated to a substitute's role. Townsend, Son and Njie are all capable in wide areas and would almost certainly offer more than Lamela has done in his appearances this season.  

Perhaps Tottenham's best performer in the month of August should be Christian Eriksen. 

While he played only twice, his absence was sorely felt in each of Spurs' last two games as his team was shorn of the guile that the little Dane provides. 

The difference between performances with and without Eriksen is palpable. 

By the same logic, Danny Rose could be considered. 

Ben Davies deputised at left-back for the first three matches of the season, and Spurs were weakened by the replacement. Davies is a fine player, certainly a solid back-up, and doesn't deserve the criticism levelled at him on social media, but there is no doubting that Rose is the superior player. 

The return of Rose against Everton coincided with Spurs' attack running rampant down the left flank. 

For this list though, it seems only fair to consider the players who have played in each game. 

That means Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli, both having given unblemished performances in their appearances so far, are by necessity omitted.

Ryan Mason began the season short on fitness and outside Mauricio Pochettino's starting lineup. 

His injection off the bench at Old Trafford prompted Spurs' best spell of the match, and he has justifiably started every match since. 

Against Everton he was tasked with replacing Eriksen's creative spark and posted higher up the pitch than he has ever played for the first team. A number 10 as a youth player, Mason took to the task ably and was denied a goal only by Tim Howard's excellent display in the Toffees' goal. 

Mason bore the brunt of criticism last season, but he continues to look an excellent young midfielder. 

Kyle Walker missed much of Tottenham's last two campaigns. Having seemingly beaten his injury woes, he is once again a mainstay on Spurs' right flank. 

His pace makes him a constant attacking threat, and while he remains capable of defensive lapses, he is a vital part of Tottenham's game. 

Alongside Walker in defence, Toby Alderweireld has been another strong performer. 

While he conceded a foolish penalty against Stoke, Alderweireld has otherwise been faultless in defence and a valuable contributor in attack. 

His ability to play accurate long cross-field passes keeps Nacer Chadli constantly in the game, and his confidence upfield is a major asset. 

He is also helping Jan Vertonghen to return to his best, although that remains a ways off. 

Few players have been better for Spurs in their sputtering start to the season than Eric Dier. 

Thrust into an unfamiliar midfield position, Dier is already one of the better defensive midfielders Tottenham have employed in the Premier League era. 

He remains a work in progress, but his performances have been drastically better than his experience would have suggested. 

The fact that Spurs did not bring in a replacement during the transfer window suggests that Pochettino, too, has been pleasantly surprised. 

Despite his failure to score a goal so far this season, Harry Kane has been Tottenham's best player. 

The seam of fortune that could be traced through his scarcely believable 2014-15 season appears to have run dry, but the talent indisputably remains. 

Had he been a little luckier this season, Kane would have scored several goals. 

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It is not just luck but also the players around him who are contributing to Kane's frustration. 

There has been a lack of pace on the wings, with Moussa Dembele's deployment on the right chiefly culpable, which means opposition defences can focus on restricting Kane. 

He continues to work hard for the team, make intelligent runs and create scoring chances for his teammates. 

The signings of Son and Njie will take some of that defensive attention away from him. 

Moments of brilliance appear in every match, and the goals will certainly come. 

Spurs will hope that Kane gets the opportunity to return to scoring form for England against San Marino. 

Whether he adds to his England tally or not, Kane will continue to be the star man for Tottenham.