When Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Tottenham this summer, we knew the transition process would involve some teething pains.The Argentine picked up a squad that had struggled to perform under two previous managers, yet brought with him a philosophy from Southampton that demands committed, all-or-nothing performances.Even so however, the Lilywhites' start to the Premier League season is just a few wayward results away from disaster - in 12th place with 14 points after eleven games, Spurs are only one point closer to the top four than the relegation zone.Clearly, some changes need to be made in the coming weeks and just in case Pochettino is short on ideas, here's FIVE ways he can revive Tottenham's form.
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Accept Tottenham are not Southampton
Clearly, Mauricio Pochettino got the Tottenham gig on the premise that heâd bring the high-octane, progressive philosophy that earned him rave reviews at Southampton to White Hart Lane.
Equally, the Argentine gaffer finds Spursâ inability to adapt to his methods - particularly in regards to work-rate - âdisappointing and frustratingâ.
But one of footballâs oldest adages appears to be forgotten here - you create a system around the best talents at your disposal, not the other way around.
In short, the Lilywhites squad doesnât have too many relentless workers like Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert or Jay Rodriguez and itâs time for Pochettino to accept that.
Spurs need a bit of an overhaul in terms of playing personnel, but until that takes place, the Lane boss must find a system and style than better compliments the squad at his disposal.
REINSTATE JAN VERTONGHEN
Despite being by far Tottenhamâs best defender on paper, Jan Vertonghenâs started in just over half of Tottenhamâs eleven Premier League fixtures this season.
One can only assume itâs partly linked to the Belgium international refusing to extend his contract at White Hart Lane back in September:
And admittedly, the 27 year-old is still yet to come anywhere close to the marauding, Beckenbauer-esque displays of his debut season:
But even so, Federico Fazio and Younes Kaboul are proving far less reliable as a centre-back partnership. In their two Premier League outings together, the duo have witnessed six of Spursâ 16 goals conceded this term go past them.
That defensive record is matched or bettered by 13 Premier League sides, so until the Lilywhitesâ form improves overall, their most talented defenders need to be on the pitch - even if thereâs backroom politic involved.
Play Kane up top until reinforcements arrive
Tottenhamâs striker situation is not ideal. In fact, itâs one of the direst in the entire Premier League.
The expensively assembled, high-earning strike force of Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor have found just two league goals between them this season and quite frankly, it looks like they could take or leave playing for Tottenham as long as another club would match their wages.
That gives Mauricio Pochettino little choice but to stick with Harry Kane, who was given his first Premier League start of the season against Stoke City prior to the international break, until reinforcements arrive in January.
Heâs by no means a world-beater but a decent young talent nonetheless, with five goals in his last four Europa League outings, and got off the mark in the Premier League a few weeks ago with this fortuitous free kick against Aston Villa:
Heâs got the industry and passion Pochettino is looking for, but the Argentinean MUST bend Levyâs arm and ensure the Spurs chairman splashes out on a new centre-forward in January.
Failing to do so, and even a top half finish could be too much to ask of the north Londoners this year.
Keep faith in Lamela, Chadli and Eriksen
Their form this season has been remarkably inconsistent, much like Tottenhamâs, but anything good the Lilywhites produce going forward comes through Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen.
Indeed, between them, the trio have amassed nine goals and five assists, making them in some way responsible for every single Premier League goal Spurs have netted this season.
As shown below, none have been particularly reliable on a week-in-week-out basis:
Chadli:
Eriksen:
Lamela:
And thereâs been particular criticism of their lack of work-rate.
But clearly, on their day, this attacking trio are capable of hurting even the best Premier League sides. Although their inconsistency may be frustrating, Pochettino must keep faith in Lamela, Chadli and Eriksen by making sure theyâre on the pitch as much as possible.
BRING BACK THE INTERPRETER
Remember Mauricio Pochettinoâs translator? The interpreting young man forever by his side at Southampton?
Well, what if he was the real brains of the operation and the Spurs gaffer is just some bloke, fortunate enough to look very similar to former Argentina international Mauricio Pochettino, found loitering around St. Maryâs one afternoon?
Perhaps thatâs a little extreme (although, relatively believable) but even so, it feels as if Pochettinoâs lost some of his magic since ditching the translator.
It gave him a unique, mystical velour in press conferences and likely amongst the players too. But now, the Spurs gaffer comes across as a manager running low on ideas, who can only communicate in broken English.
Whether itâs for tactical genius, improved public relations or simply as a lucky charm, Pochettino needs that suspiciously trendy-looking translator back by his side.
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