Three things to look for in Tottenham Hotspurs’ first friendly

Tottenham Hotspur travels across town in London to face Leyton Orient in their first preseason match of the 2021/22 campaign, so what can we expect? 

We know that Tottenham is going to be quite shorthanded in their first preseason match against Leyton Orient at The Breyer Group Stadium in London. Despite missing almost a full XI from the summer commitments, Tottenham has enough senior players available to show some things against the O’s. Here are three things to look for in Saturday’s friendly for Spurs.

Can Tottenham show their physicality?

One of the exciting things about bringing in new Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo is that the Portuguese tactician is known for aggressive, physical, hardnose football teams. Somewhere between the lost Champions League final and the end of Mourinho’s reign, Tottenham became a soft team.

Being a soft team is not something that can continue and Saturday is a perfect opportunity to begin to change the narrative about Tottenham and toughness. The O’s are a League Two team and as such Tottenham should be the superior team both from a talent and physicality perspective. The Spurs need to prove that against Leyton.

This is not to say the Lilywhites need to be bullies against their neighbors in a friendly, but it is about establishing something and it starts with being a strong team both mentally and physically,

Tottenham need to play from the front foot

Just as Tottenham was lacking physically last season they were also far too passive a football team. Spurs were quite comfortable sitting back looking for opportunities on the counter and trying to absorb whatever came at them. Unfortunately, often what came at the team was too much of a burden to bear and points were dropped.

A big part of the Tottenham DNA is playing aggressive, attacking football. Saturday, against a team two divisions below them, is a perfect opportunity for the Lilywhites to play on the front foot.

Specifically, we need to see some long balls over the top to work on stretching the defense. We need to see some through balls up the seems to help keep the defense honest. We need to see some service and some crosses and some balls into the box – no matter who the striker might be.

Most importantly, we need to see Tottenham play with some real tempo to their game. Part of being a physical team is bringing real pace and purpose to one’s play. If the Spurs can get the tempo right while pushing forward and into the box, this is a team that can score some goals.

What kind of attitude is in the air?

The third and final thing we need to watch for is to simply watch the player. There were times last season where some players looked like they had no idea how to play football or were simply too scared to do what they were supposed to. Spurs need to replace scared players with smiles and positive energy.

Are the players communicating with one another and working as a team? Are the players celebrating the goals and showing some frustration when things do not go their way? Are the players consistently running hard and putting a real shift in? Are the player having fun?

If the answers are yes to all those questions during the match, then things can get better in a hurry at N17 this season. Yes, the team needs some new players and needs to move some deadwood but there is still a talented team at the core.

If that talented team is to do anything, the attitude has to be right. With the right attitude, a forward-thinking approach, and a real physical presence Tottenham can begin taking steps in the right direction again.