Although the analysis, backed with stats, is that Spurs are seemingly in the würst of all ‘moments’, with low numbers of chances created and high numbers of chances conceded…on Sunday I saw *some* reasons for optimism.
I’m well aware that the final scoreline may have some of you snorting into your cornflakes, or brisket, or noodles (depending on your time zone) as you read that, but let me make the case.
As against City, we raised our game in the first 45 mins of the game against Chelsea BUT, and it’s a significant butt, we did it by playing high-energy, aggressive, attacking football.
The fact that Tuechel had to hook Mount for Kante at half time was more testament to the fact that Nuno had got it right, than that he had got it wrong, in my view.
Whether by necessity, and perhaps against his more conservative instincts, Nuno picked a very attacking side on Sunday. Gone were the 3 defensive midfielders and in came both Lo Celso and NDombele, with Dele working further forward, more often, to help to create team pressure on Chelsea’s back line and not allow Jorginho time to either disrupt or dictate.
The result was our best 45 mins this season, with the only thing lacking a real clear cut chance for Sonny or Prince Harry to covert (more on him later).
If any of you saw the recent article on Dele, or have listened to the excellent View from The Lane podcast, you will be aware that he has been given more of a destroyer role this season, running round the pitch disrupting the opposition, but with Moura and Bergwijn both out (and not creating/assisting or finishing enough chances between them anyway) could Nuno have stumbled upon a set up and starting line up that suits our best talents anyway? An in-form Dele’s numbers, in terms of assists and goals when deployed in the right position are the kind that we need to support Son and Kane’s.
I know, I know…there’s another Kardashian-sized but here. The second half collapse was woeful, for sure, and the arguments have been well made as to why (conceded poor first goal, didn’t react to Kante substitution, allowed heads to go down after second lucky deflected goal etc etc).
However, for the purposes of seeing how we might secure a Ropey League place in the PL, or go far in one of the Cups (even the Euro Conference?), I glimpsed a possibility where Nuno sees how we need to play, has the players to execute it and is willing to take the risks required, rather than sliding to mid-table mediocrity and early cup exits, followed by a premature termination of his contract.
If only he can get NDombele fit, Lo Celso up to his international best and Kane enjoying his football again…or has that ship sailed? The ‘consummate professional’ seems to be allowing his head to drop awfully quickly, so much so that I’d be tempted to drop him, if resources allowed. And if Citeh came in with £130m ish in January I’d get him gone – and get on with the painful rebuild in a meaningful way.
Anyway, COYS!