A possible 7 points out of a possible 9 is not a bad start to the month.
Our teams’ points under Squawka have seen us increase our points every game this month. Going from 7 against Utd, 228 against Fulham and recently 350 against Sunderland.
Our problem area has been on the wings in the final third of the pitch. Again we have seen an increase going from 4.92% against Man Utd to 4.95% against Fulham and 5.63% against Sunderland (this was just on the left of the pitch). This shows that the team are pulling out onto the left well and are using the left hand side of the final third of the pitch well. We have moved backwards on the right hand side after Fulham 3.21% (Man Utd), 4.73% (Fulham) and 2.60% (Sunderland), which is a tiny concern, but again it shows that the players and AVB have been working on the issues that the fans and pundits have raised.
We have now managed to score more than one goal 1/3 of our games and have seen 2 goals per game for each of the past 3 games. It is a good sign and again proof that things are being worked on.
In the oppositions goal mouth we have seen the action area percentage rise from 6.38% against Utd, to 9.29% against Fulham, but against Sunderland we have it drop back down to 6.73%. The slight concern is the increase of the oppositions percentage in our goal mouth. Against Man Utd we kept their possession down to 7.08%, which was reduced to 6.92% against Fulham, but rose to 9.77% against Sunderland.
These figures make a few things clear. We are becoming a team that is moving forward better, but the pace of the game has seen the defence falter and suffer as a result. So it would seem that the defence must concentrate that little bit harder in order to maintain our previous high standards. The lapse in defence has also seen Lloris suffer as he has been attempting to clear up the mess left by his team mates in front. Against Utd we saw it have a hugely negative affect, but I would expect this, due to the shift in the teams play.
I still question certain inclusions in the side and although it is not fair to highlight one player, Chadli has proven ineffective since his return from injury. Yes he did set up a goal against Sunderland, but the rest of his game time showed him giving more balls away than any other player and his lack of awareness. Each run forward by him resulted in loss of possession and a counter by the opposition. I am not suggesting that the player is poor, just that he is not ready to play in the starting lineup. He had shown great promise at Twente and he is in a highly talented Belguim squad (as was highlighted to me), so he isn’t a POOR player.
I am sure that we all realise that the adjustment time has been long and very arduous, but there are signs of a move in the right direction. Again look at these stats to reassure yourself;
Man Utd: 73% Pass Completion, 71% Tackle Succession
Fulham: 77% Pass Completion, 65% Tackle Succession
Sunderland: 80% Pass Completion, 89% Tackle Succession
The passing is getting better and the tackle succession is increasing, it is just the silly mistakes of not being aware of your surroundings and the square or backward passing that needs to be cut out.
What I have liked to see is that in the past 3 games Spurs have had 2 of the 3 top performers in the game, for the past 2 we Spurs have had the best performers in the match, but against Sunderland they fielded all 3 of the top performers.
As I have said above it is a great start to December (point wise), the team is showing signs of positive steps forward and the team are putting it all out there for their manager (ok most of them are).
True signs of a step forward can only really be assessed at home to Liverpool on Sunday. If the team get all 3 points then they are moving forward well and I would expect the final 3 games to see Tottenham walk away with 9 points (with an away game at Southampton and 2 home games to Brom and Stoke).
Well let's hope for early Christmas gifts against Liverpool and Southampton and some belated ones against Brom and Stoke.
COYS!!!!!
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