Come on You Spurs

Sometimes the most obvious shortcomings are not that evident to decision makers. Tottenham Hotspurs have developed a reputation of stockpiling players. Between the 2014/15 season and the current 2015/16 season, the Spurs first team has boasted 11 midfielders, 3 strikers and 10 defenders. Of these number only a handful can be truly counted on to deliver at the level that is needed in the Premier League, the rest seem to be placeholders.

The 2015/16 season started with very little fanfare in the Lillywhite’s camp. A number of players have moved on and there were a few additions, but overall the strength of the team has not improved. Whilst Manchester United brought in players the likes of Bastien Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin, Spurs has countered with the purchase of two centre backs and a right back (Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld).

The opening day loss to Manchester united showed just how much Spurs need more attacking options. Far too often are their transitions and build up play sluggish and aimless. The constant reliance on Harry Kane to pull a rabbit out of a hat has been their Achilles heel. The lack of a second option in the attacking third of the park makes them far too easy to contain. Kane’s isolation for most of the Manchester match also showed just how much Eriksen also needs help. Pochettino would do well to realize that some more creativity is needed to ensure that his forwards are given adequate opportunities to change the game.

Even though Spurs were able to stand on their own and push Manchester United to the final whistle, the right injection of game changing talent could have made the difference needed to turn around the tie. With only a few more days left in the transfer window, one can only hope that Pochettino is given the right backing by the board and is able to bring in the proper reinforcements for a team in dire need of it.