Collective unity over individual brilliance the philosophical imperative for Spurs success

The dark clouds assembling over White hart Lane this season finally showed signs of dissipating on Wednesday night, following Tottenham’s 4-0 victory in the league cup to Newcastle. With the effervescent Harry Kane continuing to epitomise their newfound attacking verve, Tottenham finally seem to be making progress in the all too familiar narrative of a ‘new era’.

What has become evident in the fledging Pochettino reign, is the emphasis placed on utilising the whole squad so that the lines become blurred between identifying Tottenham’s strongest starting eleven, with that say of back up or ‘squad players.’ This emphasis on squad over individual’s maybe an indication of what Pochettino frequently refers to as the squad needing to buy into his philosophy.

And although the word philosophy has come to used to the same extent in football press conferences, to that say of stoner students exploring some ‘deep stuff’ at six in the morning, it seems important to investigate what our head coach is getting at, other than attempting to get us more in touch with our spiritual side.
[linequote]AVB failed to create the collective environment Levy craved, emphasised in Adebayor’s marginalisation[/linequote]
With much of the talk of Pochettino’s footballing ideas being based on his high intensity pressing game, both the media and fans have failed to acknowledge the way in which the Argentine is going about changing Tottenham’s mentality of favouring individual brilliance to one of collective unity.

Erik Thorstvedt’s now infamous statement that “we sold Elvis and brought the Beatles,” seems to epitomise everything that’s wrong with Tottenham’s – and in more general terms – modern day football’s obsession with transfer market ideology, in that: you cannot buy collective unity. For there to be a successful transition from individual brilliance to a communal union, there not only needs to be an identity of playing that both the current and new players can implement, but also the creation of an environment where every player feels as important and involved as everyone else.

AVB’s failing could be seen in the mutual exclusive relationship his brand of football represented in relation to the players brought in to execute it. He also failed to create the collective environment Levy craved, emphasised in Adebayor’s marginalisation and in his inability to progress talented home grown youth team members such as Kane, Bentaleb, and Mason.

Pochettino on the other hand is beginning to do both. Not only is there evidence that a shape and style are beginning to emerge in wins over Everton and Newcastle, but also that his continued rotation and utilisation of every member of his squad is starting to change the mentality at the club. This at first led to calls that he had no idea what his best eleven was, and that Sherwood’s statement that the squad “is much of a muchness,” was emphasised in Tottenham’s anaemic start in both the league and cups.

What’s becoming clear now is Pochettino’s creation of a culture whereby every member of the squad is valued and utilised, and that no greater importance in placed on one competition over another. This has not only created an inclusive environment whereby every player has the opportunity to exhibit their talent, but it has also reduced the chances of injury, and leads to greater match fitness towards the business end of the season.

Eriksen recently commented that the gruelling pre-season regime implemented by Pochettino was beginning to pay off, with consistent late goals bearing the evidence of improved stamina and team belief. And just a glance across at the Woolwich Wanderer’s injury list shows how sharing the workload across the squad might be beneficial.

[linequote]long-term collective cohesion is the imperative for Spurs to compete at the summit of the Premier League[/linequote]

It is for these reasons that fans should start believing in Pochettino ideas and that the philosophy he speaks of involves developing a culture primarily based on the collective over the individual. This should not be taken that individual talent cannot emerge and thrive, but rather that long-term collective cohesion is the imperative for Spurs to compete at the summit of the Premier League. Swansea and Southampton are proof that players and managers are easily replaceable once you have cultivated both a style and collective team ethic in advance.

Lets hear no more of buying and selling artistic brilliance, and instead focus on creating and developing the Spurs identity that runs through every aspect of the football club. With Pochettino at the helm, this might just be realised.