Transition Hotspur

As was widely anticipated this season appears to be another transition season at Spurs, a season where new management attempts to implement new ideas to a new squad. The start to the season has been far from ideal but yet it is madness that large sections of Spurs’ supporters have gone into full on meltdown mode with some even considering whether Pochettino is a failure and should be under pressure.

The expectations in a season of transition should be lowered, however, many of those who on the face of it accepted a season of transition, somehow expect this process to be a smooth one of constant progress.

Instead there should be an acceptance of teething problems with a focus on the eventual aim of Pochettino identifying and implementing a style of play which produces better results and performances. This does not seem to be allowed though as with each unforgivable loss being met with full on crisis mode. Whilst the Newcastle result was undoubtedly a poor one it is part and parcel of the transition process.

[fullquote]There should be an acceptance of teething problems with a focus on the eventual aim of Pochettino identifying and implementing a style of play which produces better results[/fullquote]

The faults which led to the defeat at Newcastle were ones which have been apparent numerous times before: naivety in defence, a lack of leadership, a lack of urgency and quality in the final third. These are not new issues; they are factors which have been present in just about every disappointing defeat for the last few years.

They are facets of Tottenham Hotspur’s ineptitude that has been prevalent long before Pochettino has come along. Each poor result should allow Pochettino to identify strategies to combat their causes and to improve in the future.

In an article by Jason Burt he suggested that it is the players – not Pochettino – who are on trial this season. After the gutless performances of last season this seems a fair policy. Some players appear to have already failed this trial with Paulinho nowhere to be seen and Chiriches seemingly included as back-up centre-back by default after some shocking displays from both. Other former first team players already seem to be on the fringes – Lennon, Townsend, Dembele – with their futures uncertain.

Whilst this supposed policy of the manager being backed is to be applauded it must also be tempered with trying to gain a semblance of continuity. Pochettino must identify the key players who are not going to be sold and are going to be the key members of his first XI. These players must be entrusted with earned responsibility to become and be treated as senior players of the squad. This, again, is not an immediate solution but one that can be worked towards.

Whilst it should be accepted that transition is slow-burn process it is also one that should be moving forwards, even if it is by trial and error. Pochettino must turn from the Newcastle defeat and tweak his tactics and personnel, to attempt to draw some fight from the group and to plan for four important games before the next international break.

[fullquote]These players must be entrusted with earned responsibility to become and be treated as senior players of the squad.[/fullquote]

We’re now a quarter of the way through a season which was always expected to be a challenge. That it hasn’t started magnificently should not be a surprise, should not induce a meltdown and should not call Pochettino’s position into question.

Changes have begun to be made and perhaps some of these will now need to be accelerated but ultimately Pochettino will need significantly more time than the 9 league games he’s been given to produces the improvements he’s being expected to. This is not a time to panic and complain, to point fingers and or to label yet another manager a failure before they’ve been given their fair chance.

Ultimately if we want to escape from this cycle of transitional seasons we will need to grin, bear and support through some tougher times.