Sustainability and the Pressing Game

[Spurger King]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

 

[Bulletspur]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

Food for thought !

 

[crokey]

I don't think we will lose players to not having the energy on match days, players don't notice they are tired if we are winning. However, we might lose some to not having the energy every day in training though. It's a tough ask of our players to do this day in, day out for years. If a team offering sandy beaches, 100k a week and one hour sessions comes in for some of our big players, some might be tempted to take it easy for a few years.

 

[JerryGarcia]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

I think a lot of the energy comes from the desire to win things, not just from being youthful. And as they say, success breeds success. I don't think Poch has been managing long enough for us to draw any solid conclusions.

 

[eddiev14]

From what I understand it is the 'high intensity sprints' that start to drop off as players reach a certain age, not their ability to actually cover ground and maintain fitness levels.

Also, my understanding of Poch's system is that the pressing is as much about positional awareness and discipline to enforce a press as a collective as it is about haring around. Meaning that as they become more familiar with his instructions, the more energy they'll be able to conserve.

That might be total horse shit so I stand corrected.

In any case Gattuso was still running more than anyone in the Champions Lesgue when he was well past 30 so I'm not worried I don't think.

Interesting post, for sure.

 

[beats1]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

I don't know how it is sustainable, in spain one of the reasons head coaches don't last that long is because players become complacent to the high pressing system after a long period

Pep Guardiola hated his last season at Barcelona and felt the team wasn't no longer responding. Pep now will no longer stay at a club for longer than 3 seasons as he felt his system isn't sustainable for such a long period.

I think Poch definitely needs to adapt and learn a bit more in regards to rotation and playing style if he wants this to be a long term project.

Also having a young squad isn't sustainable as it will cost a lot to constantly change players though it does help the academy is still yet to produce its best players.

 

[spurs9]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

I don't think so, Southampton had 32 y/o Lambert starting, Espanyol had Ivan Alonso and Duscher, who were in their 30s.

 

[Always Offside]

I can see your point but these are full-time professional athletes. If they can't manage or can't be managed (ie fitness/rest wise etc) to maintain this season's fitness levels then they should request a transfer to Italy or Spain. For me it wouldn't be about physical fitness levels moreso maintaining the mental fitness.

 

[Flashspur]

Simply put, Pochettino has a bit of a reputation for having young, energetic teams capable of fulfilling his pressing game. Does that mean our young players have an expiry date?

To someone like me, looking at our young players developing as a team makes me feel confident about the future. Here's a group of players that can grow together, and get better and better.

However, if youthfulness and fitness are the key to Pochettino's philosophy, are we looking at a temporary situation when it comes to our squad balance? Is there a chance that we'll be looking at a high turnover of playing staff over the coming years as Pochettino seeks to maintain a youthful team?

The high press demands a certain level of energy over the course of a season. In 4 years this team could have really gelled together, but would they still be able to maintain the level of high-energy pressing that is at the centre of Pochettino's tactics?

We often talk about the young age of this squad as being a positive for the future of Spurs, but perhaps they are tailor-made for the present.

I think you've missed the point. Poch has supported and promoted young players because they are more receptive and accept his regime much more easily. Its not because you need a younger team with younger legs to run all day.

If anything your physical strength increases with age. The peak years for most outfield players is 23-30 and for defenders 25-32. This is not just improved knowledge and skills but increased strength. A physically fit 28 year old is potentially a lot more stronger and resilient then an 18 or 20 year old who has not fully grown and can have more muscular injuries for example.

 

[eViL]

Sports Science is the answer.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Pochettino hasn't remained at a club long enough for there to be any form to go by. The best we can surmise is that as long as a player does what is required, he's in the team but as has been said, changing the team isn't going to be easy, it'll have to be a gradually evolving process in my onion.

Having said that, I don't think what we're seeing now is the end product so the evolution continues and the answer might well be that it just doesn't stop.

Consider yourselves lucky to have been treated to a rare moment of A&C seriousness.

 

[Donki]

Poch has constantly said there is a need for a blend in a team, not just youth but experience as well. Too much is made of age and fitness, as simply there is not rule for this, over the past 10 years fitness, diet and sports science have come along way. I don't think this is something we need to worry about for at least 4-5 years. Look at athletes like Mo Farah, 33 and still has the ability to compete at the highest level and win, yes that's a very extreme example but still relevant.

Peps comment regarding the sustainability is all in how you look at it, he says the high intensity is not sustainable. Perhaps in a league non competitive league like Spain where it's hard to motivate a team that's miles better than the majority of the rest of the league. I can't wait for him to start work in England, would be even better if he started with no Champins league.

 

[double0]

You'd be amazed what the body is capable of doing. Double sessions, high press drillings will become easier with routine.

Rotation and rest is also important...and I believe Pochettinho has been brilliant so far.

 

[Sir Henry]

I'm the one thats tired. I'm tired of reading the same thing over and over. Oh the players are tired, can they sustain this, can they sustain that. It's one of the most cringeworthy things I read day in day out. Kane even told you all that he's not tired, loves playing and would play every game and so do the rest of the players. The only people that use it are the media and management to feed the media as an excuse for not winning. Gonna fucking drop it.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think up to the age of around 28 there's no reason why people can't be high energy, particularly if they've been drilled in it for a few years.

Considering most of our current team is well below that age, I think we can sustain it using a number of the existing squad for a few years.

We'll have to bring in a few players here and there (outside of the areas where we need a genuine quality boost) so we have a big enough squad to rotate a bit more, but hopefully a lot of those players will come form our yoots who are presumably also being trained in the art of super-fitness.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I'm the one thats tired. I'm tired of reading the same thing over and over. Oh the players are tired, can they sustain this, can they sustain that. It's one of the most cringeworthy things I read day in day out. Kane even told you all that he's not tired, loves playing and would play every game and so do the rest of the players. The only people that use it are the media and management to feed the media as an excuse for not winning. Gonna fucking drop it.

So you think the fact that Kane says he's not tired extensively proves that players don't get tired?

I'm sure all of the players are capable, and would want to, of playing in as many games as possible, but whether they would be able to give 100% all of the time is a completely different matter, and if you come up against a fresher team of course it will have an impact.

I think sometimes a bit too much is made out of it, but to suggest that tiredness isn't an issue is pretty out-dated now and rightly so.

 

[danielneeds]

One reason he needs youth at the start of a project is that the older players are more stuck in their ways and less likely to want to change and run more. This shouldn't be as a problem with an older squad that has been with him for a while. I'm sure he'll be constantly pruning and injecting vitality into it though.

 

[Kilkenny Cat]

Very interesting topic and one that has crossed my mind before.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate and apt question - ie because Spurs cover so much ground, is there a risk (some of) the players will burn out before they should?

I'd like to think the answer is something as follows: Pochettino will tailor his style as the personnel change and the team develops, with the result that in two seasons' time we'll be playing a slower tempo but craftier and more incisive brand of football. And with - hopefully - a world-class number 10/9-and-a-half supplying the kind of cobra quality we currently lack in the final third.

Or is this wishful thinking on my part..?

 

[talkshowhost86]

This is all irrelevant anyway as presumably if we don't win the league we'll get rid of Poch and bring back the dream team of Harry and AVB.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I think the preference to use young players has more to do with them being open-minded and highly motivated than their physical energy levels. The saying 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' exists for a reason.

Once a player has bought into Pochettino's system and work ethic, I don't see why they have a shorter than average shelf-life. If explosive pace was the key to our system, we would have very different personnel (I wouldn't refer to many of our players as rapid).

Regardless of the system, players only excel in their latter years by improving tactically and positionally, and it's tougher to keep going in certain positions than others. Giggs is a great example of this, with how he moved from LW to CM.