In the whirlwind of the two Manchester clubs spending like a showing off teenager, the rest of the Premier League competitors were forgotten.

Tottenham, for instance, managed to conduct a rather sensible summer of investment without having to pull up too many trees. That is, of course, until their panic splurge for Moussa Sissoko on Deadline Day. In a window when standard prices shot up and clubs became well aware of the spending power that the Premier League possesses, it was a task to find any modicum of value.

Vincent Janssen, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko were Spurs' most notable signings and all addressed a fundamental issue within the squad. Janssen provides competition and support for Harry Kane, Wanyama gives the extra option of two midfield enforcers and Sissoko adds some direct running to Spurs' forward line, along with his versatility.

Mauricio Pochettino, with Daniel Levy, identified the issues they needed to address and did it. Sometimes managing a squad can be that simple. Do not look to go for the show-stopping signing, risking squad harmony and shape, just think of it in the most obvious form. This could pay real dividends for Spurs; it allows them to build on the same framework as their success of last season without having too many changes in personnel.

Tactically, little has changed from Tottenham. Pochettino has been able to keep things relatively stable because of his summer investment, rather than his hand being forced. The addition of Sissoko, particularly, gives the Lilywhites options and they are in a stronger position to adapt their shape and system than they have been for some time. Janssen allows gives Pochettino to the opportunity to attempt a two striker formation, while Wanyama gives the option to protect the defence more sternly alongside Eric Dier.

The season has been underwhelming so far, but that should not dampen the expectation around this cohort of Tottenham players. A depth of talent and a renewed, pragmatic approach to transfers gives Pochettino the tools to challenge significantly on several fronts this season. Avoiding the long-running sagas and shirt-selling names might not capture imagination in the same way, but it shows an understanding of constructing a squad that Tottenham have previously lacked.

It may not work, though. The downside of the profile of this Tottenham squad is a lack of experience. A failure to understand how to run down games or tussle in big European matches may seem them come unstuck. If it does go disastrously downhill this year, it will be hard not to see this as a lazy knee-jerk reaction to the terrible results of the post-Bale spending a few years ago.

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