Tottenham's quiet progress built on solid defensive foundations
Monday 2 November 2015 20:40, UK
Are Tottenham quietly turning a corner under Mauricio Pochettino? Ahead of their Monday Night Football clash against Aston Villa, Nick Wright looks at their new-found defensive solidity…
Harry Kane's hat-trick against Bournemouth last weekend was a welcome sight for Tottenham supporters, but their talisman's return to form is not the only cause for optimism at White Hart Lane this season.
At the other end of the pitch, a transformation is occurring. Tottenham conceded more goals than relegated Hull City in 2014/15, but a traditionally leaky defence has been patched up. Spurs have conceded just eight goals in their opening 10 Premier League games of the season - the joint-fewest in the top flight - and they are unbeaten since their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening day.
Tottenham's transfer window ended on a sour note as they failed to sign Saido Berahino on deadline day, but their most significant piece of business was completed back in July, when they clinched the £11m signing of Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid following his impressive loan spell with Southampton.
Alderweireld has slotted in alongside his countryman and former Ajax team-mate Jan Vertonghen, and the pair have played every minute of Tottenham's Premier League campaign. They have been key, and according to Opta, neither player has made a single error leading to an opposition shot - let alone a goal.
After years of chopping and changing, Spurs now have a strong, settled and technically sound centre-back pairing.
"It is nice to play with him, we know each other well and I think you can see that on the field," said Alderweireld this week. "We know what to do in certain situations. It is very important. We know from each other that when he makes a mistake I cover, and when I make I mistake he picks it up."
It's a far cry from last season, when Pochettino tested out four different centre-back pairings in Tottenham's first 10 games of the campaign as Vertonghen, Eric Dier, Federico Fazio and Vlad Chiriches took it in turns to partner Younes Kaboul - who was eventually dropped himself. The upheaval set the tone for a chaotic defensive campaign in which Spurs conceded 53 goals - their highest total since the 2007/08 season.
Tottenham are only three points and two places better off than at the same stage last season, but the statistics highlight a marked defensive improvement in all departments. With Alderweireld and Vertonghen providing sturdy foundations, Spurs have collectively made more tackles, more blocks, more clearances and more interceptions than in their first 10 games of last season.
"I think it's the strongest defence I've had at the club so far," noted Pochettino after their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The result is that they have faced fewer shots on target and conceded fewer goals than last season, and Alderweireld and Vertonghen are not the only players to have made a difference.
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Kyle Walker has shown considerable improvement at right-back, ranking fourth among Premier League defenders for combined tackles and interceptions (62), and Tottenham's back line has also received stout protection from a youthful axis of Dier and Dele Alli.
Like central defence, defensive midfield has been something of a problem position for Spurs in recent seasons. Eyebrows were raised by Pochettino's decision to thrust Dier into the role at the start of the campaign, but the head coach's boldness has paid off. The 21-year-old's defensive instincts and positional awareness serve him well there, and he is also composed in possession, with a pass success rate of 86.4 per cent - the third-highest at the club.
Alli's emergence has been even more of a surprise. The teenager was playing League One football with MK Dons last season, but he has taken the step up in his stride. He plays a more attacking role than his midfield partner, but he possesses a similar engine. His box-to-box running has become a feature of Tottenham's play this season, and his form has already been recognised with an England call-up.
"The team wants to work very hard and make sure other players' mistakes don't hurt us," added Alderweireld. "That defensive solidity is the way we will get success. It is important the team feels confident in playing and isn't conceding, not giving away a lot of chances."
The next question is whether Spurs can pair their defensive strength with greater potency in attack. Champions League qualification remains a lofty target, but Spurs look as well placed as anyone to take advantage of the turmoil at Chelsea.
And with Kane hitting form and summer signing Heung-Min Son still to return from injury, there's reason to believe their steady progress could continue.
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