Sport
POCHETTINO INGENUITY FINALLY EARNING DESERVED ACCLAIM
Tottenham are an enigma unto themselves. Much like Newcastle fans, the White Hart Lane faithful regard their beloved as somewhat of a superpower of the modern day game – and feel they have a divine right to win trophies.
Mauricio Pochettino has done a fine job of steering the expectant ship, but yet he is still to win over much of Tottenham’s most loyal.
Inheriting an expensively-assembled squad, the Argentinian coach finished fifth and reached a cup final in his first season in charge, but this wasn’t enough given the ‘talent’ he had at his disposal.
Yet, after earning the September Manager of the Month award, Pochettino is doing what he always does – making steady progress by getting the most out of the players at his disposal, and it is high time his ingenuity and tactical prowess were recognised by the masses in North London.
Pochettino is experiencing a remarkably similar chain of events to that which took place at Southampton – where the Argentinian made his name.
Taking over from a popular fan figure in Nigel Adkins, Pochettino inherited a strong squad, who had played together for many years, and gelled seamlessly as a unit.
Upon taking the job, via an interpreter, Pochettino assured the Saints supporters that he was the right man to take them forward, and he duly kept to his word.
Knowing the talent among the ranks, Pochettino meticulously planned how he could eek every inch of potency from his side, and many players have him to thanks for building his system around their individual ability – earning many a lucrative move away from the club as a result.
At White Hart Lane, despite being somewhat of a joke figure in the media, Tim Sherwood was nonetheless popular among Spurs fans after showing promise following on from a disastrous Andre Villas-Boas tenure.
Tottenham’s hierarchy defied many cries for Sherwood to get the job on a permanent basis, and went for the impressive young Pochettino.
And, slowly but surely, Pochettino is again making the most of the players he has at his disposal, and giving young players a chance to shine in their best positions – sticking to his principals established on the south coast.
Moving the inexperienced Eric Dier into midfield has proven to be a masterstroke, he has embedded Dele Alli into the squad perfectly, and Harry Kane’s record last season speaks for itself.
Kane’s tribulations this time out are the only blemish on the copybook so far, and were Kane to have continued where he left off last season, Spurs could well have been looking down on their arch rivals from the summit of the Premier League.
The “Magnificent Seven”, as they became known, have loomed large over Pochettino’s reign, but he is starting to get the most out of three of that ill-thought-out splurge.
Nacer Chadli looked made for the Premier League with his powerful presence on the pitch, but struggled to adjust in his first term. However, under Pochettino, Chadli weighed in with 11 goals and five assists last campaign, and he again impressed this time out.
Christian Eriksen is the orchestrator-in-chief at Spurs and, when fit, can be the difference between one point and three, as his last-gasp winners against Swansea, Hull and Sunderland are testament to.
Erik Lamela was the most surprising initial disappointment. Roma fans were furious after the Galliorossi let their star man depart for White Hart Lane, but Spurs supporters were left wondering what all the fuss was about.
This season however, after Pochettino constantly backed his fellow countryman, we are starting to see what caused such uproar in the Italian capital, as week-on-week Lamela looks more at home on our shores.
It is amazing what you can achieve with a little bit of faith, and having the diplomacy to build a team around the players’ best attributes.
“It’s good not just for me but for the whole club. It’s very important. Okay it’s ‘manager of the month’ but we need to recognise all people involved in the team. The whole club deserve this award,” Pochettino said after receiving his award, in his typically humble manner.
A likeable character, one who prefers to work away from the limelight, Pochettino’s methodical approach has been a success, without setting the world alight.
But without the riches of their rivals, does the Argentine deserve more credit for admirably working within his means, without lamenting lack of disposal transfer funds?
“Be careful what you wish for” is a mantra Spurs fans more than most should adhere to after 12 managers in ten years, and, taking in a little perspective, they should realise the future is bright at the Lane under their meticulous manager.
