3 Biggest Positives for Tottenham's 2015-16 Season so Far
An international break is a natural time for club teams like Tottenham Hotspur to reflect where they are at—a week or so for the coaching staff to take stock of the good and the bad and where they want to take their side next.
The last break of the calendar year is a particularly appropriate point to pause and think given it is virtually non-stop from here until at least the end of January, by which time elimination from all cup competitions may finally provide a free weekend.
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While there are areas of concern for Tottenham moving forward, 2015-16 so far has mostly been a campaign of positives. The three biggest of which are detailed here.
Regular readers will recall a similar piece from October. Some elements of the plus points listed then have not changed, but we now have a better idea of them and how they may develop moving forward.
Like then, we begin this latest look with a recognition of the the role youth is currently playing in Spurs' ascent to within touching distance of the Premier League top four.
The Kids are Still Alright
Plenty is being made of the youthful team that has taken Tottenham to fifth place, and rightly so.
Albeit subject to some week-to-week variation, the north Londoners are fielding the division's youngest side on average, as confirmed by the Telegraph's Alistair Tweedale.
It is not without experience (more on that later). But it is safe to say the mix of academy-nurtured players and burgeoning talent recruited from elsewhere have made prominent contributions to Spurs' bright start.
Of the four Spurs men selected in England's squad for their friendlies with Spain and France, the oldest was 25-year-old Kyle Walker. Not to detract from the right-back's good recent form, but the others, Dele Alli (19), Eric Dier (21) and Harry Kane (22), earning their spots is even more impressive. Their mature performances bely their ages and relative inexperience—lest we forget Alli was only playing in League One last season.
Even in the midst of the scoring drought he recently ended, Kane played with the same eagerness and graft that underpinned his terrific 2014-15. Spurs look an even more fearsome prospect now his goals are flying again.
The Alli-Dier midfield partnership has come together as a result of injuries to another couple of Spurs' youthful set, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason. If anything, the recent England debutants look more composed, balanced and natural as a unit. Time will tell if the duo is made for the long run, but right now they are very much on the same page.
Elsewhere, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and Son Heung-Min have all played their parts in Tottenham wins. Others such as Tom Carroll and Josh Onomah have not been involved so frequently, but it is telling of the optimism in this squad right now that Pochettino feels comfortable in handing them opportunities.
"I'm not afraid to play them," the Argentinian said recently, via Sky Sports. "If they are 17, 18, 19 or 20 it's the same for us; if they deserve to play, and show character and maturity to be given the responsibility, then they will play."
Keeping It Tight Defensively
Still unbeaten in the league since their opening-day defeat to Manchester United, Tottenham's enviable sequence is down in large part to a much improved defence.
They have conceded just 10 goals in 12 league games. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Man United—all currently above them—have let in fewer. Spurs also enjoy a plus-10 goal difference, no small point of encouragement given they have only just scraped into the positive here by the end of the last two seasons.
Consistency of selection has played a large part in this.
Hugo Lloris is the regular goalkeeper behind a centre-back pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen that has started every league game. To their right, Walker is playing his best football since before his lengthy injury layoffs of recent years. At left-back, Danny Rose looks to have claimed the spot again after some initial rotation between him and Ben Davies.
Spurs' defence looks like a proper collective, again something not so apparent in recent seasons.
The two Belgian central defenders have overcome initial difficulties to establish a good understanding, leading by example in word and deed. In Spurs' best displays—the standout being the 4-1 defeat of Man City—their full-backs have been just as in tune.
It has been noticeable the defence has looked at its laxest in cup and European competition, when changes have been made.
In the recent 2-1 win over Anderlecht, Davies and Vertonghen both assumed the other was going to deal with Imoh Ezekiel. Neither did, and the substitute scored an equaliser that could have cost the north Londoners. Away against the Belgians, it was covering right-back Kieran Trippier who seemed particularly off the pace.
Tiredness appeared to have an effect late on in the recent north London derby draw. Their weariness after a strong effort in their third game in seven days seen in second-half failures to mark Arsenal players at crosses and set plays.
These are areas Pochettino will need to be mindful of. If sufficiently addressed, Spurs' defence can continue to have a positive say in their team's fortunes.
Spurs Look Ready for the Big Premier League Occasions
Despite the disappointment at failing to hold onto their lead against Arsenal, there was much for Tottenham to be proud of in their performance.
They played an aggressive and creative style Pochettino wants from them and worked hard throughout. A second goal during one spell of dominance early in the second half would almost certainly have sealed the victory. Given their effort up to that point and in the preceding week, even this especially fit side could only exert so much.
The performance and result—a point away at joint-top Arsenal is still decent—are in keeping with a readiness for big Premier League games that optimistically appears to be carrying over from last season.
Arsenal and Chelsea were dispatched last time out. This time around, Spurs have thrashed Man City, denied the Gunners a home victory and were unlucky not to see off Liverpool at home. A point away at third-placed Leicester City may look even better by the season's end.
This optimism will be tested further before November is out, with two big London derbies against West Ham United and Chelsea coming up. Another couple of positive results and displays will have Pochettino and his team believing they are capable of achieving something this season.
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