Tottenham have essentially enjoyed a mini winter break, but after 10 days without a game, Spurs are looking at 3 in a week as their first festive fixture takes them to Southampton.
All of Tottenham’s rivals picked up maximum points since Christmas so it’s pivotal that they beat Southampton to go into the New Year well in the title race and the race for top 4 at a minimum.
What’s of secondary importance, but crucial to most fans, is winning comprehensively and in a manner that shows the rest of the league that last season wasn’t a one-off.
Spurs have been making statements to the league’s rich and wealthy all season with every new contract that’s been signed; Hugo’s new contract, amongst plenty more, is evidence that the players see Tottenham as a project, and one which has serious potential.
However, the team needs to prove the same case on the pitch.
Spurs will look to come out of the blocks straight away against Pochettino’s old side and aim to take the pressure off early.
With so many games in such a short time, the team won’t want to give themselves any unnecessary hurdles.
With the first choice back five all fit, Tottenham will surely show the solidity that earned them so many plaudits last season. It’ll be the midfield battle that’ll prove to make or break this Christmas period for Spurs.
Tottenham have the ability to put a few past Southampton, and have a further found strength in midfield, with Wanyama proving successful more quickly than most fans anticipated. He is likely to start against the Saints to bolster the defensive line.
Danny Rose and Kyle Walker have enjoyed plenty of praise this season, and proving to stake a claim for the best full back pair in the league. They’ve both taken to the new responsibilities effortlessly, and both contributed with goals and assists.
The full backs have made the difference on a number of occasions this season, and with their blistering pace both have taken on the role of wingers. This has in turn taken pressure off the likes of Eriksen, Alli and Sissoko who have all shown good recent form.
Harry Kane is the obvious choice up top, to further prove and set himself as one of the league’s best frontmen. Nobody needs to make a claim for him to start, as he is invariably the first name on any Tottenham team sheet.
This Christmas period is the perfect opportunity to rotate the squad, to give everyone some minutes to keep it fresh. Any fit player who doesn’t get any game time should be conscious that they could be on their way out over the next two windows.
Two away games to the Saints and Watford face Tottenham before the first real challenge of the New Year in the form of Chelsea.
If Tottenham want to go into the London derby on the 4th January with any aspirations of challenging at the top, they need to go into the next two games and get positive results with positive performances.
