Areas Where Tottenham Hotspur Are Actually Better Than Last Season

Tottenham Hotspur are on a high after an excellent north London derby performance that has followed a sustained period of strong play. 

Last season, a young and exciting group of players fought their way to the League Cup final, only to be beaten by London rivals Chelsea. 

Many fans, though disappointed, were certain that it was only the start of a successful period under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. 

Premier League hammerings of Chelsea and Arsenal at White Hart Lane were similarly indicative of a bright future for the club. 

The 2015-16 season is still young, but all indications are that Spurs have picked up where they left off. 

At the same point in 2014-15, Roberto Soldado remained the starting striker with Harry Kane still making his point as an impact substitute. 

Federico Fazio was still starting for the club, while Aaron Lennon, Paulinho and Vlad Chiriches were still considered acceptable options off the bench. 

After 12 games last season, Spurs had accrued 17 points through five wins and two draws. This term, they are four points better off and have met defeat just once. 

Six of the 12 teams they had played at this point were relegation fodder, including Hull City and QPR. 

Arguably only two of the teams that they've played in this season are similarly poor: Aston Villa and Bournemouth. 

So, with a tougher schedule, Tottenham are in much better shape. 

Of course, 12 games may not be enough to draw meaningful statistics. 

The real indicator comes from watching them play. 

In that regard, there can be little question. Mauricio Pochettino has, in his second year in charge, made Tottenham a far better side. 

The first improvements to the team were obvious before the season even began. 

The sales of unwanted players like Younes Kaboul, Paulinho, Chiriches, Etienne Capoue; many of whom weren't even replaced by new signings, helped revitalise the squad.

Pochettino now has a younger, more energetic group.

Chronically injured players like Kaboul were simply no longer up to the task. It has become clear that Chiriches probably never was. 

Toby Alderweireld is an excellent player.  However, his addition to the squad has had a greater impact than simply his own quality. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

This is the first time since 2013-14, when Kaboul was at the height of his powers, that Jan Vertonghen has such a strong player alongside him. 

There is no coincidence that Vertonghen is returning to the form that won him a place in the PFA Team of the Year and the moniker of "Super Jan."

Ahead of that pair, Eric Dier's form has been a revelation. Dier has been the most effective defensive midfielder in the division so far this season. 

Defending so much further up the pitch than he was previously used to was a challenge in the beginning. He clearly had some vision issues and collected yellow cards at a worrying rate, but that has now abated. 

His brutal efficiency has helped Spurs cut down on the defensive mistakes that have plagued them for several seasons. 

Consequently, both Vertonghen and Alderweireld are freed up to intervene only when necessary.

They are on track to concede only 32 goals in this campaign. The club's best defensive record since the advent of the Premier League was 38 in 1995-96 and 2005–06. Last season the total was 53. 

The trio of Dier, Vertonghen and Alderweireld are at the heart of Spurs' defensive improvement this season. 

Pochettino made his name as a manager at Espanyol and Southampton partly on his ability to fashion excellent defences. 

It has taken longer than expected, but he has brought that same quality to Tottenham. 

Spurs' improvement this season is not limited to the defence. 

Erik Lamela was seemingly at a crossroads after almost single-handedly losing the game for Spurs against Stoke earlier in the season, but he has evidently now chosen the right path. 

Lamela tried hard and had some excellent moments last season, too, but he has discovered the consistency that had previously escaped him in this campaign. He was the man of the match as Spurs hammered the likely champions, Manchester City, 4-1 in September and a key part of the dominant display at the Emirates. 

The incorporation of high-energy players like Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli has Tottenham, at their best, buzzing around the opposition goal like bees around a honey pot. 

The indefatigable nature of Alli in particular gives Spurs an overwhelming energy with and without the ball. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Pochettino's willingness to incorporate the 19-year-old from the opening day of the season has been justified by a remarkable consistency. 

In Alli and Dier, Spurs have the midfield duo they were searching for last season.

Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb were the preferred pair, but neither is well-suited to deep defensive duties.

Now Mason has been freed up to play in a more pure attacking role, although injuries have restricted his opportunities. 

Similarly, Bentaleb has been limited by injury and now appears to be, at best, third choice in central midfield. 

This is a sign of the general improvement of the playing group. 

Last season, it would have been unthinkable to omit Bentaleb, but now Spurs can play at a high level without him. 

The Algerian will leave his mark on Tottenham's season, but he must wait for his opportunity.

It is tantalising to consider just how good this group could become if given time to really jell. 

With the goodwill Pochettino has accrued in a steadily impressive 18 months in charge, it seems likely this team, his team, will get that chance. 

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The improvement in his first 18 months, and even between his first and second seasons, has been significant. 

If the club continues to make steady progress, he will get the opportunity to mould this young squad into a truly fearsome team. 

They are not likely to challenge for the league title this season. They remain outsiders to finish in the top four. 

If his first year-and-a-half are any indication, Pochettino could change both of those facts before long.