Is a tweak in formation the reason behind Tottenham’s sluggish start?
By Joe Simon
Tottenham entered the 2019-20 campaign as Champions League finalists and added much needed depth to their already talented squad after settling into a fantastic new stadium.
So what is the reason behind Tottenham’s sluggish start to the season?
While there are many more reasons to Tottenham’s disappointing start, they have lacked the attacking flair and composure that brought such success and excitement in recent years. And that may be due to the manager’s tactical adjustments.
Talented midfielder Tanguy Ndombele was added to the squad in the summer, and while he is still finding his feet in the English Premier League the 22 year old has started impressively his Tottenham career.
With two important goals so far, and a number of impressive Mousa Dembele-like runs though midfield, Spurs fans are looking on with excitement, as Ndombele appears to have all the makings to fill the void left by Dembele.
His addition to the squad, and indeed the starting 11, forced Pochettino to slightly tweak the formation, which has cost Tottenham in the early goings of this season.
Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko are both key members of the side, and Pochettino clearly views the pair as deserving starters.
Pochettino has opted for a midfield three on a number of occasions this season.
Tottenham fans will recall Dembele and Victor Wanyama as a formidable pairing in a support of an attacking four, a formation that proved to be very effective.
With Ndombele joining Winks and Sissoko in midfield, Pochettino has added midfield stability. However, it’s been at the expense of a creative midfielder, with either Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli or Lucas Moura typically being left out.
Ndombele was ruled out with a thigh injury earlier in the season. In his absence Pochettino selected Erik Lamela, who joined Harry Kane, Eriksen and Son Heung-Min, to start in the North London Derby against Arsenal. Winks and Sissoko supported the attacking four.
Tottenham began this game with fluidity and composure, bypassing a crowded midfield and capitalizing on the additional support they had in attack.
In the first half of the match Spurs conceded a few chances to Arsenal due to lack of focus, but they were solid in midfield and defence while bagging two opportunistic goals.
This tactical adjustment is still new territory for Spurs, and it may be the reason Tottenham aren’t attacking with the free-flowing flare that Spurs fans have come to expect.
Pochettino will persist with the formation tweak but I’m not sure a midfield trio of Ndombele, Sissoko and Winks works well. If so, it will take more time, but so far things aren’t panning out the way Pochettino intended.