Mauricio Pochettino Is Proving Worth to Tottenham and Must Be Backed in January

Following Tottenham Hotspur's 4-1 win over West Ham United, Mauricio Pochettino was asked about his team's Premier League title prospects. Given the mixed form of so many favourites right now, surely the on-song north Londoners could be in the mix?

"It’s too far, the end of the season," he answered, batting the question down. But in the preceding and ensuing talk of Tottenham's present and future, there was a notable contentment and confidence about the way the Argentinian discussed his squad.

Pochettino appears a coach well in control of things. With his oft-cited "philosophy" being implemented so encouragingly, he has undoubtedly earned the Tottenham hierarchy's trust looking ahead to the January transfer window.

It is a reflection of where Spurs are at right now that Manuel Lanzini's late consolation goal for West Ham was considered an annoyance by left-back Danny Rose (above).

Inconsequential in terms of the result but an irritating mark on an otherwise near-flawless dismantling of a healthy-looking rival anticipated to trouble them.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

"It is one of the best performances of the season," Pochettino proudly reflected before being asked what stood out particularly. "I think, how you can feel from the touchline how the players believe in the way that we play."

It is certainly hard to recall a Spurs side—at least in the Premier League era—who worked as hard as this one do.

Shortly before half-time, Heung-Min Son failed to track a run from Lanzini, and on the sideline, Pochettino expressed his displeasure.

It was notable for being a rare lapse in concentration from the Spurs man, such were the yards covered by Son and his team-mates in shutting the Hammers down as quickly as possible all over the pitch.

Asked about the improvement in Spurs' defensive work this season (only second-placed Manchester United have conceded fewer goals), the Spurs boss did not identify it as a distinct feature. Rather, it was part of an all-encompassing game plan in which all aspects feed the other.

Pochettino said:

"

You know, I think it’s about philosophy and how we defend when we don’t have the ball. Today you can see [in] the game how Harry Kane, this is our striker, worked hard to try to recover the ball (which is very difficult).

We have a very strong mentality now settling on the team. All want to work hard to try to help their team-mate.

When we have the ball we always look forward and want to score, like in the last 10 minutes, three-nil. Sometimes you can manage the game but we have our full-back, our centre-back, this is…I like, I like because in football always is [about] look forward to try to play and score goals.

"

Tottenham maintaining their current level of performance in the next month or so will have meant them overcoming some considerable hurdles.

Victory over Qarabag on Thursday will secure Europa League progression, but the trip to Azerbaijan will not be simple with one eye on Sunday's visit from champions Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho's underwhelming Blues will almost certainly see a big derby against a travel-weary Spurs as a potential antidote to an ongoing malaise lasting longer than anyone anticipated.

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

Beyond that comes the hectic Christmas and new year fixture list. In recent seasons, Spurs' push for European places has been substantially aided by the momentum generated during this period. It could be just as useful again, but it can also take a toll on even the fittest of teams.

Spurs did tire in late winter/early spring after one such run last season. Pochettino will be conscious of this and, while stressing the need to focus on a match at a time, has already been eager to underline his squad can still get better.

Their progression and impressive form up to now will be something he looks—if he deems necessary—to parlay into securing the January investment that can sustain it even further.

"Now we are very happy, but we need to improve," Pochettino said after the win over West Ham. "Always there is something to improve in football."

For him, any short-term additions—in this case likely to be further support for Kane up front and possibly another defender—must also be capable of contributing to long-term ambitions, not to mention being compatible with his footballing vision.

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

"We need to be clever in the next few years to follow in the way that we take," Pochettino said in his press conference before the West Ham game.

"Improve our squad, improve in the way that we work and to try to get the success for the club, for our supporters that deserve we perform well and to take some trophies in the next few years."

Amid all this, the head coach stated his belief that Tottenham are one of the more attractive propositions in Europe for potential new arrivals, an argument well supported by the grandeur of the training complex in which he made the claim.

"Improve" is a word you may have noticed has cropped up a lot in Pochettino's remarks. At one point in the press briefing last week, he said it three times in a row—using repetition for emphasis.

It is the acknowledgement that should give supporters and the club's relevant decision-makers reason to be optimistic. That even at a point where Pochettino has his team, arguably, playing as well as any Spurs side this decade, he is far from ready for anyone to rest on their laurels.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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