What we learned about Tottenham Hotspur in the preseason
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur has the preseason in the rearview mirror and Manchester City coming down the tracks, so what did we learn from preseason?
Tottenham Hotspur has the regular season straight ahead. Before the weekend and the start of real games, we should look back on what was an undefeated preseason. The Spurs showed a strong fight in a draw with Chelsea on the road. Even better fans got to enjoy the pleasures of a north London derby win over Arsenal at home. However, preseason is not about the wins, losses, or draws, it is about the team and the play. Based on that play here are three things we learned from the preseason about Tottenham Hotspur for 2021/22.
Tottenham will be a different team this season
It is not about the formation, which clearly is going to start as a 4-3-3, it is the style that will be different for Tottenham Hotspur this season. Even if new Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo surprised us all and went with a 4-2-3-1 to face Manchester City Sunday, it would be a vastly different approach to the formation than last season.
As promised in the offseason with all the “DNA” talk, Tottenham Hotspur is going to work hard to play on the front foot. Whether it is looking for long balls over the top, through balls between the lines, or intricate passing to break down opponents, the modus operandi for the Lilywhites is going to be to attack.
Whereas the approach – regardless of formation – with the previous coach Jose Mourinho was to sit back and look to hit on the counter; we should see the exact opposite from this Santo version of Tottenham Hotspur.
We should consistently see pressure from the front line on the ball and a real effort to move them quickly, up the field. Whether from the keepers restarting faster or more defenders playing long balls, except aggression on the pitch.
Besides a different, more aggressive version of Tottenham here are two more takeaways from the preseason for this year’s Spurs team.