Mauricio Pochettino will hoping that his season picks up when Everton visit White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.
His side are yet to win a game this season, and more dropped points this weekend would leave chances of finishing in the top four looking as slim as ever.
The Merseysiders will of course have their own European expectations this season, and ahead of the clash between the two, we’ve spoke to Read Everton editor and Toffees fan Patrick Boyland about his thoughts surronding the showdown.
Thanks for your time Patrick. A decent enough start for the Toffees so far with four points from their opening three games. What’s your thoughts on the team’s opening to the season?
It’s been a mixed start to be honest. We’ve got a very tricky first ten games to negotiate, and most expected the Blues to struggle slightly as a result. The opening day draw at home to Watford was dissapointing, purely because that was a game we were banking on winning given the difficulty of the games to follow. The next match at Southampton was a lot better, obviously, and showcased Everton at their best – we played fast, counter-attacking football that catered to the strengths of our main men Ross Barkely and Kevin Mirallas (something we don’t always do, in our opinion) and fully merited the 3-0 win.
Last time out, with expectations raised somewhat, we were brought crashing down to earth by a very decent Manchester City side. Pellegrini’s men were worthy winners on the day and will no doubt come very close to lifting the title this season, but I’d hope to at least force a draw at home to sides like that. We were a bit naive, didn’t perhaps get the luck we needed, and ended up being punished for some slack goalkeeping from under-fire Tim Howard.
That seems like a pretty fair assessment! If you had to pick one star performer so far, who would it be?
Several players such as McCarthy and Jagielka are still yet to get fully into their stride, in truth, but the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley and John Stones have all started the season well. I’m expecting big things from the first two this season.
What about the summer signings? How are they settling in?
As it stands, we’ve only brought two in – although I imagine this will change over the next week or so. I think we’ll sign 2 or 3 new players before the deadline. Of those that are already here, Gerard Deulofeu was hailed as a superb summer signing (which he is, to be fair), but got injured in pre-season and thus missed our first two games of the season. The former Barcelona winger is very gifted and turned last night’s tricky League Cup game away at Barnsley right on its head after his introduction, causing havoc and set up three of the goals.
Tom Cleverley, much-maligned before his arrival, has fitted in very well. He’s a good, tidy player who fits perfectly into Martinez’s system. I’m a fan of both players, but we need cover at centre-back, a creative midfielder in the Eriksen-mould, and a striker to apply pressure on Lukaku.
It looks like it could be a busy few days ahead for you then! Who do you think Spurs should fear most on Saturday?
If fielded together, the attacking quartet of Mirallas, Deulofeu, Barkley and Lukaku could cause real problems for Spurs – particularly on the break. Leighton Baines, our main creator, is out, but Seamus Coleman will be a threat from right-back.
And what about us? What are your thoughts surronding our poor start to the season?
From the outside, it seems as though Spurs have had a below-par start to the season, given the fixtures they’ve had. I’d expect a side of their quality to be another two or three points to the good at this point, in all honesty. Clearly, the Stoke game was the big missed opportunity and, from speaking to your fans, the feeling I get is that Pochettino’s high-pressure game hasn’t really clicked so far. When I watch Spurs I feel that the ball should be moved quicker in order to get the most out of the attacking players that are at the club’s disposal, whilst Pochettino could probably introduce a bit more width to the play too.
For me, his style of play really starts to bear fruit in the winter months when the team’s superior fitness often results in a host of late goals (usually winners, as shown last year). On a side note, it’s pleasing to see Dele Alli doing so well. I wondered whether he’d get sufficient minutes in a strong Spurs midfield but he’s clearly a promising young talent and one that I’ve been following for a few years now.
He’s certainly impressed this season. Is he the man who you think could pose you a problem? Or perhaps someone else?
Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane are the ones I hope Martinez will pay particular attention to in his pre-match briefings. The former, if fit, is a really classy playmaker and one that should get better in time, too. Kane is probably suffering from a bit of second season syndrome, but will remain a danger as he finishes so well.
That he does, when he gets the service! Both teams of course have similair aspirations this year, but where do you think each side will finish?
Can you ask me that in a week!? There’s lots of business left to do and i’d imagine that both sides will strengthen (god knows, we need to). As it stands, I’d say Spurs will finish 6th or 7th and we’ll be just behind in upper mid-table. Our season will be shaped by the business done before the end of the window – keep Stones, get a few quality players in, and we could easily push for a Europa League spot.
And the burning question – what’s your prediction for Saturday?
I expect a good attacking game, i’ll go 2-2!
Sitting on the fence! Thanks for your time, Paddy.
