Season Analysis 2019/20

August 1, 2020

@Pranav Patki

Jose in!

We may not all agree, but ‘Can’t smile without you!’ Might as well support the team keeping differences aside!

Another season comes to pass. It’s been a turbulent season, to say the least. It has been unpredictable and yet so predictable. Last year’s CL final run papered over the obvious cracks in our performances that were seen in the league. This season started with plenty of hope – CL finalists, a spend upwards of 140m, Lo Celso to ease Eriksen’s creativity burden (let’s not go to the Dybala and Bruno Fernandes stories), N’Dombele, the missing piece in our midfield, Sess, one of the brightest prospects in English football, and what not.

However, as time passed, the wheels started coming off our barrow.

The team did not gel, the signings did not integrate, performances dropped even further and the team, and most of all, beloved Poch looked drained.

We all know what followed- the season essentially became a write off and Mourinho had to be brought in. Yet, there are positives- encouraging team performances (Leicester, West Ham, Newcastle), players back to some of their best form (Dier, Kane, Alderweireld), points gained (4th most points since Mourinho joined, even after the injury debacles!) and of course, seeing our players playing with passion and a smile, not downright distraught.

We know Mourinho will not stay here forever (perhaps he will), but no manager does anywhere. What we must focus on is on what he will get to Spurs and how we can evolve thereon!

Why was he the best pick?

Our biggest problem was never the playing personnel’s quality; it was their mentality. The mentality to win, the mentality to go over and above, the mentality to come out on top at all costs. We need to make a decision- whether we want to enjoy pretty football (which we have) or we want to push on and be winners. They do not have to be exclusive, but we must prioritize.

Spurs have always put style above all else. However, the teams that did so had a winning mentality. Kane is not just one of the best players on ability, but also a mental beast. This is what makes him one of the best in the world. We need a squad to match that mentality. It’s encouraging to see Son (scoring a brace in a game after breaking your arm? Wow! Has pulled us through game after game), Winks (sacrifices and rapid improvement in a position not his own), Lo Celso (forcing his way into two managers teams), Dier (forcing his way back after several injuries and still putting his body on the line) display immense mentality.

We are on the right track. We must build in this direction!

That is where Jose Mourinho comes in. He has got in some changes that will help Tottenham, some in the short run, some in the long run.

Winning mentality

Mourinho has already changed the mentality with players talking about how tactics are now based on exploiting the opposition’s weaknesses, not smothering them with Spurs’ style of play.

Style

We are going to play tactical games to exploit the opposition. Our defending will be pragmatic and we will look to counter attack. Perhaps we might as well get used to the joy of seeing Spurs defend as if their life depended on it. We can expect some 1-0 wins and the sight of 4 substitutes waiting to come on in the 90th minute.

Cup Games

Mourinho likes to get trophies under his belt quickly. We can be sure he will be taking the League and FA cup seriously (Yes, we did a disastrous job here too). Poch did say winning the FA cup would not change anything– only the league and CL matter. True, but it helps getting the monkey off the back.

Faster football

Poch resorted to a slow build up. It was at times painful to watch Vertonghen strolling the ball to Alderweireld, even in our best games. Jose’s plan involves moving the ball quickly with purpose. Sure we aren’t going to dominate possession in the big games, but we can expect much more quick breaks.

Defense

Defensive football is now sexy. Clean sheets have increased and the team seems to have finally seemed to play like a Mourinho team can be expected in defense. Add the imminent arrival of a DM, and the defense seems to be an area sorted. The opponent knowing he’s not going to score must surely be at least a small edge in the game!

Fatigue management

Mourinho is not one who likes to rotate his team much. But he understands when teams tire over the season. We saw more breaks between games for players, and easier sessions unlike Poch’s double sessions. This is going to help us better deal with seasons, unlike tapering off in certain periods as before.

Transfer Market Pragmatism

To say we suffered from Poch’s approach to the market is an understatement. A pressing need in the squad needs to be filled. Ignoring it if the perfect player is not available does not mean not purchasing anyone to fill the gap and hoping it pans out okay (Striker, Defensive mid, Right back). Some blame can be appropriated to our man Dan, but a larger burden must be shared by Poch.

Mourinho is pragmatic. He has said they will try do the best in the given circumstances. A good sign that means holes in the squad will be filled.

Star Power

Mourinho has a great pull attracting players. We can expect quite a positive effect when battling it out for players.

Change in youth policy

KwP’s was severely hampered by Poch’s stance of not loaning out youth. Not having senior minutes for so long means the youth are essentially playing catch up. Mourinho recognizes that minutes in the men’s games (not training games) are essential for development. This means some of our brightest will be sent to develop perhaps at teams with style’s similar to ours. This helps development of the youth and also an even younger player’s promotion. The likes of Parrott, Sess, Etete stand to gain massively.

As ever, onwards and upwards.

The game is about glory, its about time we took the ‘glory’ part seriously!

Come on you Spurs!