- Aug 10, 2014
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Some more amazing stats
http://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-201617-the-winners
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham
I know the response before I even type the words: But Tottenham haven’t won anything.
That is true, of course. Tottenham ultimately failed to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup, in order of how serious Mauricio Pochettino took each competition. These are facts.
Yet to describe this season as anything other than an overwhelming success is foolish, one-eyed or both. Tottenham started this season as sixth favourites for the Premier League title, expected by bookmakers to miss out on a place in the Champions League. The summer transfer window was intensely disappointing, with the signing of Moussa Sissoko for £30m doing more harm than good.
That Sissoko signing was notable: It took Tottenham into positive net spend over the last five years. Of the 20 clubs in the Premier League this season, only Swansea City have a lower net spend over that period. For all the jokes about using that as a measure of success, it indicates the remarkable job Pochettino has done on a budget and with a small first-team squad. They also still have the lowest average age of any first-team squad in the division.
Pochettino did not just upset the odds to engineer a top-four bid, but ran Chelsea closer to the title than any other club. Tottenham recorded the second highest ever points total by a club that has not won the Premier League title in that season.
Most enjoyably for neutrals, Tottenham are the most exciting team in the division to watch when in form. Their goal difference for the last two seasons, compared with their peers, is mightily impressive:
Tottenham – 94
Manchester City – 71
Arsenal – 67
Chelsea – 58
Liverpool – 49
Manchester United – 39
Spurs have the best full-backs in the league (for now, and when fit), the best central defensive partnership, one of the best goalkeepers, the best young player in Dele Alli and the best striker in Harry Kane. Those players who fill the gaps (Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Christian Eriksen and Heung-Min Son) aren’t bad either.
Tottenham’s performances against Manchester City in October, Swansea in December, Chelsea in January and Leicester City in May also account for four of the ten best team displays of the season, indication that when this team clicks they are a joy to behold. By any measure, Tottenham have over-achieved.
That does not mean that this Tottenham project is complete or that potential has been realised, but it is worth praising during the journey as well as congratulating them if they reach the ambitious destination. A traditional Premier League also-ran has become a key player. Further squad investment is needed, but keeping their manager will again be the signing of the Spurs summer.
Harry Kane
– Kane has become the fourth player to win consecutive outright Premier League Golden Boots after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. He is 23.
– Kane became the fourth player to score 20 or more goals in three successive seasons after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy, although Sergio Aguero matched that on Sunday. He is 23.
– Only four players have now scored more Premier League hat-tricks than Harry Kane (Alan Shearer, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Thierry Henry). He is 23.
I didn’t sign up to the Harry Kane ‘two-season wonder’ tag just as I didn’t sign up to the ‘one-season wonder’ tag, but that does not mean that Kane’s achievement this season is not surprising. Despite his rise over the last three years, 2016/17 somehow ended as Kane’s best season yet. His record of 29 goals in 30 league matches this season is nothing short of extraordinary.
Tottenham’s defence
Goals conceded since beginning of last season (teams must have played in both seasons):
Tottenham – 60
Manchester United – 64
Arsenal – 79
Manchester City – 80
Chelsea – 85
Southampton – 88
Liverpool – 92
Given that Manchester United, Tottenham’s only close challenger, sacrificed attacking intent for defensive stability, that is a wonderful effort. Toby, Jan, Danny, Kyle, Eric and Hugo; well played.
http://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-201617-the-winners
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham
I know the response before I even type the words: But Tottenham haven’t won anything.
That is true, of course. Tottenham ultimately failed to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup, in order of how serious Mauricio Pochettino took each competition. These are facts.
Yet to describe this season as anything other than an overwhelming success is foolish, one-eyed or both. Tottenham started this season as sixth favourites for the Premier League title, expected by bookmakers to miss out on a place in the Champions League. The summer transfer window was intensely disappointing, with the signing of Moussa Sissoko for £30m doing more harm than good.
That Sissoko signing was notable: It took Tottenham into positive net spend over the last five years. Of the 20 clubs in the Premier League this season, only Swansea City have a lower net spend over that period. For all the jokes about using that as a measure of success, it indicates the remarkable job Pochettino has done on a budget and with a small first-team squad. They also still have the lowest average age of any first-team squad in the division.
Pochettino did not just upset the odds to engineer a top-four bid, but ran Chelsea closer to the title than any other club. Tottenham recorded the second highest ever points total by a club that has not won the Premier League title in that season.
Most enjoyably for neutrals, Tottenham are the most exciting team in the division to watch when in form. Their goal difference for the last two seasons, compared with their peers, is mightily impressive:
Tottenham – 94
Manchester City – 71
Arsenal – 67
Chelsea – 58
Liverpool – 49
Manchester United – 39
Spurs have the best full-backs in the league (for now, and when fit), the best central defensive partnership, one of the best goalkeepers, the best young player in Dele Alli and the best striker in Harry Kane. Those players who fill the gaps (Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Christian Eriksen and Heung-Min Son) aren’t bad either.
Tottenham’s performances against Manchester City in October, Swansea in December, Chelsea in January and Leicester City in May also account for four of the ten best team displays of the season, indication that when this team clicks they are a joy to behold. By any measure, Tottenham have over-achieved.
That does not mean that this Tottenham project is complete or that potential has been realised, but it is worth praising during the journey as well as congratulating them if they reach the ambitious destination. A traditional Premier League also-ran has become a key player. Further squad investment is needed, but keeping their manager will again be the signing of the Spurs summer.
Harry Kane
– Kane has become the fourth player to win consecutive outright Premier League Golden Boots after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. He is 23.
– Kane became the fourth player to score 20 or more goals in three successive seasons after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy, although Sergio Aguero matched that on Sunday. He is 23.
– Only four players have now scored more Premier League hat-tricks than Harry Kane (Alan Shearer, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Thierry Henry). He is 23.
I didn’t sign up to the Harry Kane ‘two-season wonder’ tag just as I didn’t sign up to the ‘one-season wonder’ tag, but that does not mean that Kane’s achievement this season is not surprising. Despite his rise over the last three years, 2016/17 somehow ended as Kane’s best season yet. His record of 29 goals in 30 league matches this season is nothing short of extraordinary.
Tottenham’s defence
Goals conceded since beginning of last season (teams must have played in both seasons):
Tottenham – 60
Manchester United – 64
Arsenal – 79
Manchester City – 80
Chelsea – 85
Southampton – 88
Liverpool – 92
Given that Manchester United, Tottenham’s only close challenger, sacrificed attacking intent for defensive stability, that is a wonderful effort. Toby, Jan, Danny, Kyle, Eric and Hugo; well played.