November poses a testing obstacle for Spurs for the second year running; Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea all stand between the Lilywhites and three W’s on the form sheet.
The White side of North London have had a difficult time of it since the title-winning display against City earlier in the season, but getting points on the board before the festive period would well go far in keeping the spirits high.
Many Tottenham fans have found themselves scratching their heads over the past weeks, struggling to see where the next win will come from. It hasn’t helped having the talismanic Harry Kane side-lined and arguably the best defender in the league out through injury has left a ginormous Eric Dier sized hole in the midfield.
With the three biggest derby games of the season coming up it seems worth taking a look at how Spurs can battle the odds and return to the exhilarating form of last season.
Hopefully for Spurs, the old saying that form goes out the window in a derby comes to fruition…
With Harry Kane set to be in the squad for today’s fixture against Arsenal, the mood will surely be lifted in the Tottenham camp. He is, and has proven consistently over the last two seasons, that he’s one of the Premier Leagues most clinical strikers and has been a huge loss since his injury.
Tottenham fans knew the day would come when even Harry Kane would run out of steam but it’s been a painful period and he can’t come back quick enough.
The Tottenham man born and bred has the ability to breathe energy into the whole team, and against Leverkusen it was evident the team just didn’t look bothered. When the team is built around Harry Kane they seem lost when he’s not there. Kane’s scoring record in recent London Derbys is second to none though, as the anti-hero of the Lane Tim Sherwood would put it.
Goals against Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea come naturally to him it seems so November should be a breeze, even if he is coming back from injury.
The pressing game Tottenham play has built an admiring fan base of which needs to be at its best this month. The fans clearly found the evident lack of passion against Leverkusen distasteful and the games in November don’t come any easier. If the boys in white want anything from this month they need to press hard and press high, whilst keeping the width the full backs provide.
Christian Eriksen has been an enigma. Many Spurs fans would express their disappointment in his recent performances, but if they’re being honest he is a game changer.
The man has the ability to turn a game on its head, and quite frankly he’s been absent when Tottenham have needed him most, and many fans weren’t too disgruntled with his cameo appearance before being substituted against Leverkusen at Wembley.
The Great Dane needs to switch his football brain on against the big boys this month and earn the new contract he’s just signed.
All in all, whilst it’s a frustrating patch for Tottenham fans, the team remains unbeaten and 5th in the league. Two Champions League group games still remain, with Mauricio Pochettino happy to field an incredibly young and exciting team who are gaining good experience and confidence every chance they are given.
Not so long ago, the Spurs faithful would have bitten your hand off for being where they are, so a bit of perspective never goes amiss. With the three of the biggest derbies of the season coming up there’s still an awful lot to play for.
The futures bright, the futures Lilywhite.
