- May 26, 2004
- 4,794
- 2,135
Turns out I've missed the entire month of November, so here we are covering Villa, Anderlecht, Arsenal, West Ham, Qarabag and Chelsea, and also the international period...
GOOD MONTH
Dele Alli
Stretch your mind back to the beginning of November, and the progress made by Alli was extraordinary. To think that since then he has pushed on again is spectacular.
The former MK Dons midfielder had already picked up an England cap, but against Italy he was the most impressive player on the pitch, offering not just a box to box presence but also showing immense quality and composure in the attacking third.
We have seen a lot of talented youngsters at the club but there is just something about Alli that indicates that he is not just a big game player, not just a game changer, but someone who simply brings it all to the table no matter what the occasion. We missed his intelligent runs forward against Chelsea but to be honest I don't care - I am just really excited to have such an impressive footballer at the club.
Mauricio Pochettino
Everything is coming up Mauricio! Four wins and two draws mean an unbeaten month, when we faced three London derbies and a trip across the globe to Qarabag. Europa League progress has been secured, the unbeaten run has been extended, we are in a good position in the league and the squad (save one in particular) looks all on the same page.
That the number of issues with the playing squad seems to be diminishing week after week (arguably only a proper second striking option is needed) and that individuals are reaching peak form shows that Poch is a very good manager and its good to see that the club is supporting him.
Harry Kane
Back in the goals. There was never any doubt
Toby Alderweireld
A better centre back than Ledley? Certainly no one has been as good since our King departed, but with Toby there is no injury concerns and he looks set to be an ever present in our defence for many years to come.
The whole defensive unit looks impressive, and the goals conceded column shows that. Alderweireld has been the new name and his mobility, reading of the game and decision making has definitely been a factor in Vertonghen and Walker performing better.
Kyle Walker
Getting back to his best...and he scored!
Mousa Dembele
Has continued his stellar form, and was even afforded a rest at home as the rest of the side went to Azerbaijan.
Joshua Onomah
Missed out against Bournemouth, but again Poch pulls a masterstroke by putting young Josh on with the game against Villa in the balance at 2-1. Rather than some token minutes in a game petering out, Onomah was trusted to have an impact and that will have been a massive boost to the kid.
Eric Dier
Could be set to partner Alli in England's midfield in France in the summer.
The youngsters and players on the fringes
With progress secured, the match against Monaco might be a chance for a young player to make a name, or for a fringe player to earn a second chance.
BAD MONTH
Andros Townsend
The exception to the harmony currently enveloping White Hart Lane. Andros has never really seemed to fit into Pochettino's setup, and I don't think the inverted winger really makes the most of Townsend's talents, especially when he is out of form. A bust up with Nathan Gardiner, the fitness coach, will certainly have not helped his cause and Andros' Spurs career is not simply stagnating, its rotting away. With so many other options, there really does not appear to be a way back for the England international.
Fans of Milos Veljkovic
There is a glimmer of hope that the U20 World Cup winner may stay at the Lane with word that one final attempt is being made to get him to sign a new contract, but with no prospect of making a breakthrough to the first team and only six months left on his current contract, it seems the Serb is going to leave sooner rather than later.
Daniel Levy
English Heritage were always going to be a pain in the backside as the club looks to redevelop the area around the new ground, but I suspect Levy actually enjoys going on the attack in matters like this and we will all be watching with interest to see what happens in the latest development of the Tottenham Stadium drama.
Ryan Mason
Looks like yet another injury lay-off, which is a real shame for Mason but unfortunately not a surprise. Pochettino seems to show great loyalty to the players he likes, and Mason falls into that category, but every injury is a chance for someone else to shine.
Chadli and Bentaleb
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but with our recent run and performances, we no longer rue who is on the injury list. Over the past month has anyone really thought about the likes of Nacer and Nabil and wished they were fit? The big plus point is that, when others start to fatigue, we will have two integrated players fresh and fighting fit, but both have fallen down their relative pecking orders.
GOOD MONTH
Dele Alli
Stretch your mind back to the beginning of November, and the progress made by Alli was extraordinary. To think that since then he has pushed on again is spectacular.
The former MK Dons midfielder had already picked up an England cap, but against Italy he was the most impressive player on the pitch, offering not just a box to box presence but also showing immense quality and composure in the attacking third.
We have seen a lot of talented youngsters at the club but there is just something about Alli that indicates that he is not just a big game player, not just a game changer, but someone who simply brings it all to the table no matter what the occasion. We missed his intelligent runs forward against Chelsea but to be honest I don't care - I am just really excited to have such an impressive footballer at the club.
Mauricio Pochettino
Everything is coming up Mauricio! Four wins and two draws mean an unbeaten month, when we faced three London derbies and a trip across the globe to Qarabag. Europa League progress has been secured, the unbeaten run has been extended, we are in a good position in the league and the squad (save one in particular) looks all on the same page.
That the number of issues with the playing squad seems to be diminishing week after week (arguably only a proper second striking option is needed) and that individuals are reaching peak form shows that Poch is a very good manager and its good to see that the club is supporting him.
Harry Kane
Back in the goals. There was never any doubt
Toby Alderweireld
A better centre back than Ledley? Certainly no one has been as good since our King departed, but with Toby there is no injury concerns and he looks set to be an ever present in our defence for many years to come.
The whole defensive unit looks impressive, and the goals conceded column shows that. Alderweireld has been the new name and his mobility, reading of the game and decision making has definitely been a factor in Vertonghen and Walker performing better.
Kyle Walker
Getting back to his best...and he scored!
Mousa Dembele
Has continued his stellar form, and was even afforded a rest at home as the rest of the side went to Azerbaijan.
Joshua Onomah
Missed out against Bournemouth, but again Poch pulls a masterstroke by putting young Josh on with the game against Villa in the balance at 2-1. Rather than some token minutes in a game petering out, Onomah was trusted to have an impact and that will have been a massive boost to the kid.
Eric Dier
Could be set to partner Alli in England's midfield in France in the summer.
The youngsters and players on the fringes
With progress secured, the match against Monaco might be a chance for a young player to make a name, or for a fringe player to earn a second chance.
BAD MONTH
Andros Townsend
The exception to the harmony currently enveloping White Hart Lane. Andros has never really seemed to fit into Pochettino's setup, and I don't think the inverted winger really makes the most of Townsend's talents, especially when he is out of form. A bust up with Nathan Gardiner, the fitness coach, will certainly have not helped his cause and Andros' Spurs career is not simply stagnating, its rotting away. With so many other options, there really does not appear to be a way back for the England international.
Fans of Milos Veljkovic
There is a glimmer of hope that the U20 World Cup winner may stay at the Lane with word that one final attempt is being made to get him to sign a new contract, but with no prospect of making a breakthrough to the first team and only six months left on his current contract, it seems the Serb is going to leave sooner rather than later.
Daniel Levy
English Heritage were always going to be a pain in the backside as the club looks to redevelop the area around the new ground, but I suspect Levy actually enjoys going on the attack in matters like this and we will all be watching with interest to see what happens in the latest development of the Tottenham Stadium drama.
Ryan Mason
Looks like yet another injury lay-off, which is a real shame for Mason but unfortunately not a surprise. Pochettino seems to show great loyalty to the players he likes, and Mason falls into that category, but every injury is a chance for someone else to shine.
Chadli and Bentaleb
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but with our recent run and performances, we no longer rue who is on the injury list. Over the past month has anyone really thought about the likes of Nacer and Nabil and wished they were fit? The big plus point is that, when others start to fatigue, we will have two integrated players fresh and fighting fit, but both have fallen down their relative pecking orders.
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