What are some of the less obvious reasons for our success thus far?

[Gaz_Gammon]

I rest my case M'lud..........

 

[Bus-Conductor]

The biggest single factor is that we are now working harder collectively and more coherently without the ball as a group.

The front four, without the likes of Townsend and Chadli, are all working, including Kane again - in a way I think Kane's goal drought actually re-ignited his old work ethic, I think he realised that if he's not scoring he better at least put a fucking shift in whereas toward the end of last season and the beginning of this I think he'd started to believe his own hype and thought he could take it a bit easier.

We have a settled and symbiotic CB pairing and a pretty settled back four for the first time in a long time.

I really don't think it is about having a designated DM, and I think the Liverpool game proves that, but I'm not saying that Dier should't always play either or isn't having a positive defensive effect in some games. I've looked at the shots/shots on target stats for all our CM combinations and the bottom line is it doesn't seem to matter which combo we've played, we are now allowing teams less shots and much fewer shots on target per game.

As a team we are conceding an average of 3.4 shots on target per game. And an average of 12.3

Dier/Alli (5)--------- 3.8-------13.8

Dier/Mason (3)-----3.6------13.3

Dier/Bentaleb(2)---2---------8.5

Dier/Dembele(1)-----4-------10

Dembele/Alli (1)----3-------12


Clearly the sample size for all, especially the non Alli/Dier makes the stats pretty meaningless, but what they possibly suggest at this early stage is what my eyes are telling me (and that of plenty of others too) is that we've played 5 different CM combos and none have made a radically bad impact to what we are conceding shot wise as a team, which suggests to me it is more about the general work ethic of the "team".

 

[jurgen1966]

No Adebayour, No Lennon...recently no Townsend

 

[thfc1973]

Oh, I dunno,... maybe our opposition not being at their best when they play us...?

 

[Misfit]

PEDs. Sorry, don't really believe that. I just wanted to join in with the latest football hipster topic of conversation.

*adjusts scarf*

 

[yankspurs]

Genuine question because I do not know, but what has Baldini done regarding revolution behind the scenes? my knowledge of his role is restricted to the generally poor Bale money signings.

He completely revamped the scouting team and trix has recently revealed he also worked alot with the medical team and revolutionized their workings, and it is paying dividend with players now seemingly coming back on time and getting and maintaining fitness levels. Also dont let anyone tell you the bale window was solely down to him. He recommended 3 players that window. We still have 2 of them playing roles in the first team.

 

[dudu]

He completely revamped the scouting team and trix has recently revealed he also worked alot with the medical team and revolutionized their workings, and it is paying dividend with players now seemingly coming back on time and getting and maintaining fitness levels. Also dont let anyone tell you the bale window was solely down to him. He recommended 3 players that window. We still have 2 of them playing roles in the first team.

3

edit - sorry hit post too soon -

Did he not bring in Eriksen, Lamela and Chaldi?

 

[Neon_Knight_]

For me, the key factor is the shift in mentality of the squad, rather than improvement in the ability of players available. The negative / disruptive figures, who were senior players and must have had an influence over the attitude of the squad as a whole, are finally gone. The replacements are young, without baggage and simply want to get on with playing.

This has led to a squad of players who pull together in the same direction, buy into the manager's ideas and apply themselves.

A manager can can be as tactically astute and innovative as he wants, but that's worthless unless the players buy into it.

 

[strader]

Success? We haven't done anything yet. Let's not fall into that trap again please.

We've improved massively over the last two years. It's nice being a Spurs fan again as games are more enjoyable but I'm holding fire on the word success until we actually achieve something.

Success? What do you classify as success.

in you post you mentioned we are paying better,improved, u enjoy watching, defence is much solid. Without going over the top I will count that as progression and success.

 

[Japhet]

Getting rid of some of the poison such as Adebayor and Capoue. Although they weren't playing you wonder how much their presence affected team spirit. The squad seems so much more together this year

Remind me again what Capoue did that was 'poison'. As far as I know he wasn't a 100% trainer but I never heard of him saying or doing anything untoward.

 

[McFlash]

Remind me again what Capoue did that was 'poison'. As far as I know he wasn't a 100% trainer but I never heard of him saying or doing anything untoward.

Wasn't he part of an attitude fuelled, holier than thou clique?
Siding with Ade, Kaboul et al during the Kane situation.
Wasn't part of the club, as such.

 

[yankspurs]

Wasn't he part of an attitude fuelled, holier than thou clique?
Siding with Ade, Kaboul et al during the Kane situation.
Wasn't part of the club, as such.

Yes

 

[Dharmabum]

Poch and Baldini for pushing through a much needed revolution behind the scenes. It has changed the entire mentality of the club, and we are now starting to see the benefit.

I am very happy to see you mention Baldini as a part of the "revolution" behind the scene - because many Spurs buy into the press that wants us to believe that all he did was wasting the Bale money (as if he singled handedly was the one buying all the players).

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

Chadli injured......

 

[Dharmabum]

-Fitness level
-Less injuries
-Walker more solid defensively
-Finally having a quality (not top quality) LB in Rose - who done better as LB than most expected (including me).
-Huge clearance of "dead wood".

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

Ok maybe that was harsh, but our attacking 3 has been SO much more productive this season.

 

[bubble07]

Trippier who has made Walker play well

 

[bubble07]

Plus playing 3 centre backs has made us more solid

 

[Mullers]

He completely revamped the scouting team and trix has recently revealed he also worked alot with the medical team and revolutionized their workings, and it is paying dividend with players now seemingly coming back on time and getting and maintaining fitness levels. Also dont let anyone tell you the bale window was solely down to him. He recommended 3 players that window. We still have 2 of them playing roles in the first team.

If that is true, then it seems he was doing a good job. I wonder why he wasn't kept?

 

[McFlash]

Chadli injured......

Harsh or tongue in cheek, whatever, I'd struggle to get him back into the first team now.
Subs bench for him now, while he waits for his chance again.