- May 26, 2004
- 4,797
- 2,139
Back after a short holiday, we cover the games our league cup exit to Woolwich to yesterday's goalless draw with Liverpool.
GOOD WEEK
Dele Alli
Simply put, looks a Premier League player. Appears to have the kind of tenacity and determination that means even when things are not quite going his way, he still contributes and that is probably what sets him apart from the likes of a Nabil Bentaleb.
Made in his England debut, added a second cap, and must be eyeing up a place on the plane come the summer.
Erik Lamela
The redemption continues. Man of the match in the win against City, scored in Monaco, and while it still feels that he can contribute even more in an attacking sense, he no longer looks like a transfer flop and more importnatly will be set for a run of games for the foreseeable future.
Toby Alderweireld
While collectively we are still susceptible to finding ourselves under pressure when the opposition win the ball, defensively we look so much more assured and a large part of that has to be Toby. It can be no coincidence that he was part of the best defence last season, and is part of the (joint) best defense this season. I think Vertonghen has benefited from playing with not just a fellow countryman but also a quality defender, and with the full backs playing better and Lloris as good as ever, we look to finally have our first third issues sorted.
Mauricio Pochettino
Jurgen Klopp's appointment overshadowed Saturday's game, and Pochettino may not be upset that it will be another manager's high pressing game that will be under the microscope. Three league wins from three earned the manager of the month award for September, and slowly but surely the team is coming together.
Poch might be disappointed that we are not making the most of our offensive opportunities but considering how much change we have been through in the 18 months or so he's been in change, and that we have the youngest team consistently, the signs are positive for the future.
Clinton N'Jie
Finally fit, and a nice little cameo against City. Came on much earlier against Liverpool and showed some impressive rawness and some shocking passes. The injury to Chadli, and Son's absense, could open the door to the young Cameroonian.
Moussa Dembele
Now, we have seen plenty of false dawns from the ex-Fulham man. Rumours last week indicated he could be set to move away fom the Lane, and there would not have been too many tears shed as Dembele has failed to live up to his £15million price tage.
Then came Saturday. Injuries to Mason and Bentaleb, Dier's suspension and the indifference to others meant Moussa had his chance and boy did he take it. There are many...not so much flaws but disappointments to the Belgian's game, but against Liverpool he showed his trademark strength on and off the ball, an urgency to win the ball back which can be sometimes lacking, some great tackling and security with the ball. Still not sure he could ever be the main man in a central midfield partnership, but showed his Spurs career might not be over just yet.
BAD WEEK
Andros Townsend
Last started a league game in April; currently looks more likely to get meaningful game time with England than Spurs. Behind Lamela, Son, Chadli and N'Jie, and you feel Pochettino would shoe horn Eriksen, Dembele or Alli into a wide position before Andros gets a kick.
Thursday's match against Anderlecht should be yet another opportunity for Townsend to try to convince he warrants a bigger role at the club, but the omens do not look good.
Harry Kane
How many times are we going to hear "and last season that would have gone in"? Got his first goal against City, and the positives are that his build up play is pretty good, and he is getting in the right positions, but its just not happening for Harry. Lacking perhaps just a smidgen of spark and is verging on the edge of trying too hard to score instead of just acting on instinct, but it will come good.
Tom Carroll
Was he injured? With so many central midfielders out, he might have fancied his chances of a rare Premier League appearance but he was not even on the bench.
GOOD WEEK
Dele Alli
Simply put, looks a Premier League player. Appears to have the kind of tenacity and determination that means even when things are not quite going his way, he still contributes and that is probably what sets him apart from the likes of a Nabil Bentaleb.
Made in his England debut, added a second cap, and must be eyeing up a place on the plane come the summer.
Erik Lamela
The redemption continues. Man of the match in the win against City, scored in Monaco, and while it still feels that he can contribute even more in an attacking sense, he no longer looks like a transfer flop and more importnatly will be set for a run of games for the foreseeable future.
Toby Alderweireld
While collectively we are still susceptible to finding ourselves under pressure when the opposition win the ball, defensively we look so much more assured and a large part of that has to be Toby. It can be no coincidence that he was part of the best defence last season, and is part of the (joint) best defense this season. I think Vertonghen has benefited from playing with not just a fellow countryman but also a quality defender, and with the full backs playing better and Lloris as good as ever, we look to finally have our first third issues sorted.
Mauricio Pochettino
Jurgen Klopp's appointment overshadowed Saturday's game, and Pochettino may not be upset that it will be another manager's high pressing game that will be under the microscope. Three league wins from three earned the manager of the month award for September, and slowly but surely the team is coming together.
Poch might be disappointed that we are not making the most of our offensive opportunities but considering how much change we have been through in the 18 months or so he's been in change, and that we have the youngest team consistently, the signs are positive for the future.
Clinton N'Jie
Finally fit, and a nice little cameo against City. Came on much earlier against Liverpool and showed some impressive rawness and some shocking passes. The injury to Chadli, and Son's absense, could open the door to the young Cameroonian.
Moussa Dembele
Now, we have seen plenty of false dawns from the ex-Fulham man. Rumours last week indicated he could be set to move away fom the Lane, and there would not have been too many tears shed as Dembele has failed to live up to his £15million price tage.
Then came Saturday. Injuries to Mason and Bentaleb, Dier's suspension and the indifference to others meant Moussa had his chance and boy did he take it. There are many...not so much flaws but disappointments to the Belgian's game, but against Liverpool he showed his trademark strength on and off the ball, an urgency to win the ball back which can be sometimes lacking, some great tackling and security with the ball. Still not sure he could ever be the main man in a central midfield partnership, but showed his Spurs career might not be over just yet.
BAD WEEK
Andros Townsend
Last started a league game in April; currently looks more likely to get meaningful game time with England than Spurs. Behind Lamela, Son, Chadli and N'Jie, and you feel Pochettino would shoe horn Eriksen, Dembele or Alli into a wide position before Andros gets a kick.
Thursday's match against Anderlecht should be yet another opportunity for Townsend to try to convince he warrants a bigger role at the club, but the omens do not look good.
Harry Kane
How many times are we going to hear "and last season that would have gone in"? Got his first goal against City, and the positives are that his build up play is pretty good, and he is getting in the right positions, but its just not happening for Harry. Lacking perhaps just a smidgen of spark and is verging on the edge of trying too hard to score instead of just acting on instinct, but it will come good.
Tom Carroll
Was he injured? With so many central midfielders out, he might have fancied his chances of a rare Premier League appearance but he was not even on the bench.