Monday 2 November 2015 12:16, UK
Goals pay the rent. That famous commentary line, about Kevin Keegan's scoring exploits, is over 30 years old now but it still sums up perfectly what is expected of strikers.
Their contribution is ultimately measured by their return in front of goal. Harry Kane got his share last season, but with only one goal in nine matches before the weekend's 5-1 defeat of Bournemouth, the doubters were gathering in number.
His hat-trick in Sunday's rout could hardly have been timed better. So was it a relief to be back on the score-sheet? "I don't think it was relief," Kane told Sky Sports. "Obviously as a striker you want to be scoring goals but it isn't the end of the world if I'm not. We've been playing well as a team and I feel I've been playing well even though I haven't been scoring. Maybe a bit of luck changed at the weekend."
His manager Mauricio Pochettino, in his post-match interviews, described the drought as the best experience that could have happened to him. Kane agrees.
"Definitely. Last season I seemed to be scoring every time I stepped out on the pitch so it was new this season for me, only scoring one in nine games," he said. "As a striker you learn about yourself in those periods and you learn about what you have to do to get out of it. For me it was all about working hard and staying patient as it isn't always going to go your way as a striker and you've just got to be ready for when it does."
It is a unique position on the pitch. Perhaps more than any other, the role of striker is the one that stands out when form has been lost. Uncertainty in front of goal, an unwillingness to shoot and an inability to get a clean strike away. Supporters watch on as confidence ebbs away. Fortunately for Spurs fans, Kane is not one of those forwards who wonders where his next goal is coming from, no matter how long the wait.
"I don't think you can have those thoughts. You just have to be ready for the next game and the next chance that comes your way," he explained. "I had a bit of luck with the odd chance that came my way and that's what you have to be ready for. All you can do on the training pitch is try and be ready and practice the chances, then when one comes your way in a game you're in a position to put it away."
Sunday's win took Spurs into the top six. Kane feels the league position should be better. "We've been a tad unlucky this season, even though we have been unbeaten since the first game. The draws we have had should really have been wins. We've got to keep this up and keep on trying to improve and get better."
So what would represent a good season?
"There's still a long way to go, we've had our sights on top four for the last few years now but you've got to play well the whole season to achieve that," said the England forward. "We've got the team to do it we just need to remain consistent and keep picking up results. We've got a lot of work from now until the end of the season, but we're excited about the way the league is shaping up."
There are exciting players on the pitch too, with a style and creativity that is pleasing fans. The stand out contribution has come from Dele Alli, who was playing League One football last season with MK Dons. He is a natural on the big stage.
"He's very mature for his age. He's a great lad to have around the dressing room, he's a bubbly character," Kane added. "He's come in and scored a couple of goals and settled very well. He's got a lot of stamina and runs a lot in games which suits us well. He's just got to keep on doing what he's doing and I'm sure he'll have many years to come at a high level. In training he's not afraid to show his skills and get out of tight situations. All round, he's a very good player."
The one who seems to be on Kane's wavelength more than any other is Christian Eriksen. His sublime pass for Kane's second goal on Sunday was typical of the type of link-up play the two have displayed. "We play very well together. We have an understanding around the 18-yard box about the movements we are going to make. We get on really well off the pitch too. The more chances he makes for me, the better!"
These are busy times for Kane. We met up at a photoshoot for the club's new poppy badge, which is raising funds for the Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Day. Kane is the club's poster boy for the campaign and will feature on the front of Monday night's match programme for the Aston Villa game. In the long term he wants to put in a good season ahead of England's Euro 2016 campaign and readily admits that his ambitions this season are running on two fronts.
"I'm thinking about a bit of both. I want to try and get a starting place in that tournament so you've got to play well for club and country to do that. It's obviously in the back of my mind. Any time I get picked for a squad I want to do my best and impress the manager. I'm probably not thinking about it as much as I will be in the New Year though."
There was talk of burnout affecting the player, but he brushes off the suggestion and raises a smile at the amount of column inches that have been devoted to his form this season. He has plenty of support at a professional and personal level too.
"The staff here are great but there's my friends and family as well. There are a lot of people I have conversations with so I can forget about the media and what they are saying. When I go home to my girlfriend I don't want to be talking football 24/7. It's important I can do that and get away and have normal conversations with people away from football."
On Sunday he did a timely bit of talking with his feet too, just in case anyone was wondering if the rent had been paid.
Watch Johnny Phillips' full interview with Harry Kane on Soccer Saturday from 12pm on Sky Sports News HQ. The extended version will be available from the same time on Sky Go, Sky Sports for iPad and On Demand.
