September 20th to October 22nd: A Critical Stretch of Matches

[TH1239]

I haven't seen too much discussion about this, but with the cup draws we have been afforded, we have an upcoming series of games, that in my opinion, may dictate the direction of our season. In case you weren't aware, here is what we are faced with after upcoming matches against Sunderland (away) and Qarabag (home).

September 20th: Crystal Palace (H)
September 23rd: Arsenal (H)
September 26th: Manchester City (H)
October 1st: Monaco (A)
October 4th: Swansea (A)
October 17th: Liverpool (H)
October 22nd: Anderlecht (A)

Considering our start points wise (3 out of 12 possible), we'll need to be winning some of the above league matches, which will all be exceptionally difficult. There are also expectations that the squad will compete strongly across all four fronts this season, with the match against Arsenal clearly holding importance, and Europa being our best avenue to earn a Champions League place.

So how will we cope with the above? Do we have the squad to rotate? In my opinion, the above schedule makes it absolutely critical that we make a quality striker and central midfield signing to give Pochettino serious rotation options. You can't expect to beat some really good teams in those cup competitions with players playing out of position. For example, if we don't sign a true striker, does Kane start against Arsenal? Do you start N'Jie (not a true striker and with little experience) against Monaco and Anderlecht away, as Chadli and Son will likely be starting league matches? Will Pochettino need results so badly that he plays many of the first XI league players in cup matches, too? I also have major concerns about who would partner Wimmer (who himself is very inexperienced) if Fazio is sold and Dier is a permanent central midfielder.

I think the above stretch of games will really dictate the direction of our season. This is a squad that will be attempting to play a high-energy pressing game across all competitions, so without rotation in the above games, our most important players could be susceptible to injuries and fatigue as the season progresses.

The other thing about the above stretch of matches is that it will have an impact, one way or another, on the squad's confidence. The team, overall, is relatively young, so momentum from positive results can have a lasting impact. The inverse is true from poor results.

 

[MyNameIsNicolaBerti]

Considering our start points wise (3 out of 12 possible), we'll need to be winning some of the above league matches, which will all be exceptionally difficult.

Which is exactly why the lack of progress is far more worrying so far than the eternal optimists seem to accept.

Europa being our best avenue to earn a Champions League place.

False. It is actually harder for us to win the EL than it is to get fourth when you consider that only one side can win it and we have to win every single knock out stage against good quality opposition. I've never understood why people, year in, year out, act as if the EL is much easier to win then finishing in fourth. We've never even reached the final.

So how will we cope with the above? Do we have the squad to rotate? In my opinion, the above schedule makes it absolutely critical that we make a quality striker and central midfield signing to give Pochettino serious rotation options. You can't expect to beat some really good teams in those cup competitions with players playing out of position. For example, if we don't sign a true striker, does Kane start against Arsenal? Do you start N'Jie (not a true striker and with little experience) against Monaco and Anderlecht away, as Chadli and Son will likely be starting league matches? Will Pochettino need results so badly that he plays many of the first XI league players in cup matches, too? I also have major concerns about who would partner Wimmer (who himself is very inexperienced) if Fazio is sold and Dier is a permanent central midfielder.

If we do not make at least two more essential signings then we cannot truly compete on four fronts IMO.

I think the above stretch of games will really dictate the direction of our season. [/quote] The direction of our season is already dictated. We are on the back foot, both in terms of points and the inevitable drain on confidence that a poor start brings. We have an uphill struggle to get back on track.

The other thing about the above stretch of matches is that it will have an impact, one way or another, on the squad's confidence. The team, overall, is relatively young, so momentum from positive results can have a lasting impact. The inverse is true from poor results.

If this hasn't happened already, I'm say it'll only take losing or drawing the next game to do that. IN reality, Leicester and Everton was just a crucial, if not more so, than any of the fixtures you have listed.

 

[TH1239]

Which is exactly why the lack of progress is far more worrying so far than the eternal optimists seem to accept.

False. It is actually harder for us to win the EL than it is to get fourth when you consider that only one side can win it and we have to win every single knock out stage against good quality opposition. I've never understood why people, year in, year out, act as if the EL is much easier to win then finishing in fourth. We've never even reached the final.

If we do not make at least two more essential signings then we cannot truly compete on four fronts IMO.

I agree with almost everything you write, with the exception of the Europa League bit. We will not finish in the top 4 this season. Over the course of the season, Arsenal, United, City and Chelsea simply have too much quality spread out across their squads, with the ability to buy more in January, for us to be able to finish above them, not to mention the likes of Liverpool, Swansea, etc. I agree with your general notion that Europa is exceptionally difficult to win, but I'd actually say this season, with the strength of the Prem, it is a marginally better route for us (I say marginally because we were given a very difficult group with Anderlecht and Monaco).

 

[MyNameIsNicolaBerti]

I agree with almost everything you write, with the exception of the Europa League bit. We will not finish in the top 4 this season. Over the course of the season, Arsenal, United, City and Chelsea simply have too much quality spread out across their squads, with the ability to buy more in January, for us to be able to finish above them, not to mention the likes of Liverpool, Swansea, etc. I agree with your general notion that Europa is exceptionally difficult to win, but I'd actually say this season, with the strength of the Prem, it is a marginally better route for us (I say marginally because we were given a very difficult group with Anderlecht and Monaco).

"Marginally", so near impossible then if top four is impossible.

With our poor start, and the significant difficulty of lifting the EL, I think we should just put CL out of our minds entirely. Just relax and see where the season takes us. Might get more out of the squad that way.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Every game is critical

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

So how will we cope with the above? Do we have the squad to rotate?

Who will Poch "rotate" Kane with. The squad may be young but the holes in it are clear for all to see.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Who will Poch "rotate" Kane with. The squad may be young but the holes in it are clear for all to see.

According to 'Ben's' ITK, Son

 

[mpickard2087]

We're getting relegated.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

We're getting relegated.

I remember that season so well. The vivid reminders from everyman and his dog stating that we were indeed "too good to go down".


Be careful what you wish for.


Too good?

 

[chavkev]

We will draw two and lose the rest. Quahog and Sunderland will not be easy matches either.

 

[Black]

Some tough games, let's hope the philosophy kicks in by then.

To be fair at the moment the way we're playing I don't see us winning any of those premier league games only possibly Swansea because we always get lucky against them.

This going to be a really hard season.

 

[walworthyid]

We're better than many say imo. We've actually looked quite good so far this season. I've been as frustrated as the next man with many of our performances since poch took over but if we buy into his 'philosophy' then it is possible to see some faint shoots of improvement. If you take our game up to the final third so far this season we have looked controlled and confident. Where we have been let down is in a lack of penetrative in that final third. On that basis, the players we have bought, and the couple that we should still get, will solve those problems. Some pace up top will change our forward play considerably. At the moment teams can get set up against us knowing we aren't going to get around the side or in behind. We have been the better side in all 4 games and arguably should/could have won all 4.

 

[Yid_Summers]

Here comes the pessimists.

 

[Francis Gibbs]

wow that's a tough trot of fixtures, let's see how many remain as fully signed up members of the glee club after these

 

[BK007]

We are fucked.

Son and Njie may not even start for the next 4 games.

We have no game changers. Pochettino is an imbecile. Levy will not sign anyone.

It has been terrible planning from start to finish.

 

[Shadydan]

Cup competitions are easier to win that finishing high in the league, just ask Liverpool and Greece. EL represents our best chance to qualify for the CL.

 

[Shadydan]

I remember that season so well. The vivid reminders from everyman and his dog stating that we were indeed "too good to go down".


Be careful what you wish for.


Too good?

I remember someone starting a relegation thread on here last season lol

 

[haxman]

You can never tell in football. It's why doing those end of season predictors is a total waste of time. It's too unpredictable. Who'd have thought we'd beat Arsenal, Chelsea (the 2 in 3 days) and City in that run to the CL a few years back.

No point panicking yet.

 

[Yid_Summers]

We are fucked.

Son and Njie may not even start for the next 4 games.

We have no game changers. Pochettino is an imbecile. Levy will not sign anyone.

It has been terrible planning from start to finish.

Shut up!

 

[Ribble]

We're better than many say imo. We've actually looked quite good so far this season.

I agree, think as soon as one of the regular attacking players starts hitting the back of the net we'll be fine.

 

[hellava_tough]

I agree, think as soon as one of the regular attacking players starts hitting the back of the net we'll be fine.

Agree with this.

But football is all about confidence and momentum .

When you're going through a tough period or a bit of a downturn, you need your players to 'dig-in' mentally and ride out the storm.

Conversely, once you start scoring and winning games, you can build up a head of steam that takes the team on a winning streak.

My worry would be that despite playing okay in large sections of the previous 4 league games, that the longer we go without a win, the greater the liklihood that the players' heads begin to drop, and they start putting in poor performances.

The lack of leadership and experience in the squad won't help this.

So, yeah, like the OP has said, this is an important run of games for us. If you were to tell me that by November Poch would be sacked, or by November Spurs would be up there in the European places, I could see either of those scenarios happening.