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Pochettino: Not Tottenham’s Best Game But Still Pleased

By Alexander Balano

Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with his team during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with his team during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tottenham came away victorious against Aston Villa in the FA Cup’s third round tie, but it wasn’t an easy game for long stretches of the match.

Mauricio Pochettino will be one of the first people to tell Spurs TV of how good his team played against an opponent. Likewise, he will inform them if his side didn’t play well.

Following yesterday’s deserved 2-0 win over Aston Villa, the Tottenham manager was quick to put out the defensive shape and organization that the Lions showed under Steve Bruce which directly affected how Spurs played their game.

A 2-0 win is still a win in the end. How Spurs reached that scoreline is because of two good substitutions in Dele Alli and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou following a scoreless draw for 70 minutes.

Both Alli and N’Koudou made quick work in finding pockets of space that Tottenham were attacking but were unable able to exploit.

A tired defense surely played a part, but a starting XI that hardly played many games throughout the season up to this point was a huge factor as well.

Related Story: Five Takeaways: Tottenham Win, Advance to FA Cup's Fourth Round

“Villa had good organisation and made it difficult for us but I’m very pleased because we showed a solid performance,” Mauricio Pochettino said (via Spurs’ official website).

“It’s true it wasn’t our best game but it’s always difficult for the players who are not involved regularly, they had the chance to play today, many played 90 minutes and fantastic, I’m pleased with them all.”

“I’m happy because it was a great opportunity for those players to show their quality and push the level in the team.”

“The players from the bench had a real impact and it’s fantastic to see how they all performed because we’re a team and that’s the most important thing.”

***

Nine changes were made and key starters were rested leading up to this Saturday’s Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.

To field a starting lineup that featured many backup players, it was evident at the start that this wouldn’t be a game in which Spurs would easily boss around.

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Sure, possession-wise Tottenham had control of the ball with a whopping 71 percent compared to Aston Villa’s 29.

But when Bruce decided to have as many as 10 defenders dropping behind the ball in Spurs’ final third, it’s clear that only one side was willing to attack.

Of course, having an offense spearheaded by Vincent Janssen, Son Heung-Min and Moussa Sissoko wasn’t going to be effective.

How can they when they’ve rarely played together?

Fixtures where Janssen, Son and Sissoko have gotten playing time in the same match:

  • Stoke city: Son started; Janssen and Sissoko subbed in for Kane and Eriksen, respectively
  • Sunderland: Son and Sissoko started; Janssen subbed in for Kane
  • Manchester City: Son and Sissoko started; Janssen subbed in for Son
  • West Bromwich Albion: Janssen and Sissoko started; Son subbed in for Lamela, Sissoko was subbed out for Dembélé
  • Middlesbrough: Janssen, Son and Sissoko all started together
  • Bournemouth: Son started; Janssen subbed in for Son, Sissoko subbed in for Alli
  • Southampton: Sissoko started; Son subbed in for Sissoko, Janssen subbed in for Kane

*Sissoko was suspended for Leicester City and Arsenal. He was not a part of the squad for West Ham United and Chelsea.
**Janssen was injured for Swansea City, Manchester United, Hull City and Burnley

While all three players have gotten plenty of playing time this year, Vincent Janssen with 23 total appearances, Son Heung-Min with 24 and Moussa Sissoko with 17, they have only played once together prior to Sunday’s FA Cup match.

And that was against Middlesbrough back on September 24th, 2016.

In this match, Son would play the full 90 minutes while Janssen capped out at 86 minutes before making way for Harry Winks. Sissoko on the other hand was forced to leave in the 70th minute because of injury.

So, when Mauricio Pochettino spoke of his team not playing their best against an Aston Villa team committed to defend for large stretches of yesterday’s cup tie, that’s just a part of the reason why the game was at a stalemate for 70 minutes.

Next: Tottenham Draw Wycombe Wanderers in FA Cup's Fourth Round

This isn’t a knock on Janssen, Son and Sissoko at all. Individually they bring their own skillset to the team. Collectively, is where they struggle because they haven’t had much time together.

It was only for 70 minutes against Middlesbrough until Mauricio Pochettino began making changes. If Vincent Janssen, Son Heung-Min and Moussa Sissoko are afforded more playing time together, then surely they can have a rapport like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen have built up from last season.