In the space of three years Tottenham have had three managers, all with varying tactics. Every time Daniel Levy hires and fires a manager, it forces the squad to go through yet another transition season. This leads to great instability in the club, never allowing a manager to put their perfect tactics into action with suitable players. He really needs to keep faith in Mauricio Pochettino, to allow the team to grow into its greatest potential.
André Villas-Boas joined in 2012, taking over from Harry Redknapp with a vastly different set of tactics. Instead of ‘run about a bit’, all-out attack, Old ‘arry style, it was graceful, patient football that Tottenham began to play with Villas-Boas. It was a rough transitional season that saw Spurs finish fifth; Gareth Bale almost carrying the team to the finish line. The directness in the football wasn’t quite there. This was highlighted in the absence of the Welsh wizard. When Bale departed, a gaping hole was left behind. Perhaps the manager did not get the suitable players he asked for. The chairman axed Villas-Boas when his team were routed by many goals by different sides. This left Spurs in the lurch mid-season.
With nobody available, a new manager stepped up: Tim Sherwood. He had previously managed the under 21s youth team at Spurs, but had little other experience which meant he was a dubious choice for many fans. He was simply a caretaker manager. Sherwood brought Spurs back to playing the Redknapp way of football, scrapping 4-5-1s for 4-4-2s. He brought back Emmanuel Adebayor who was an instant hit. Also, Nabil Bentaleb was introduced centre stage to the Premier League. Sherwood took time to nurture the younger players and give them the game time they needed to thrive. However, the tactics had changed again. Losing to West Ham three times that season was due to the fact that, Spurs were yet again, going through another transitional season.
Sherwood was dismissed. It was time for another manager, and yet another season to adapt and settle.
Along came Mauricio Pochettino, the new and current Tottenham manager. He has brought a style that the side are still adapting to. So, this season, can Spurs achieve the fans high expectations? Of course not. The Champions League is way off in the distance. But, with time this can change. Pochettino’s tactics have already been proven to be good for the Premier League at Southampton. With time, with a few transfers, the manager can build his perfect side at Tottenham. That’s if the board is behind him. Levy’s trigger happy nature needs to be quelled if Spurs are to become a successful team in years come.
Pochettino has brought new life to the club; some of last years ‘flops’ are this seasons star players. Érik Lamela has been a revelation, along with Nacer Chadli. Yet, it’s not just the new signings that have benefited from the new manager. Ryan Mason was thrown into the deepest of deep ends. After scoring a cracking first goal against Nottingham Forest, he was thrown into the fervent depths of the North London Derby. He came out the other side with a very pleasing performance. Pochettino had shown his faith in him; a great example of a manager who can manage a squad. It was seen as a risky move, yet it paid off. With this inventive approach, giving players a chance, Pochettino can spur Tottenham’s side on to victory.
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