In an open letter to the Tottenham Hotspur fan base on the finish of the 2021 season, chairman Daniel Levy highlighted the membership would look to nominate a supervisor who might ship “free-flowing, attacking and entertaining” soccer – and so they’ve discovered what they have been on the lookout for in Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian has turned Spurs into the Premier League’s high urgent aspect. For those who take a look at the chart under, going left to proper, Tottenham have received extra excessive turnovers than some other aspect up to now this season. With their upcoming opponents Arsenal dwelling in the course of the pack.
Going up the chart, it’s also possible to see solely Manchester Metropolis have sometimes received the ball again increased up the sector – a metric known as ‘beginning distance’. So, Spurs presently win the ball again round 46m from their very own purpose.
They’re on the entrance foot and the north London derby on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities this Sunday – might be no completely different.
The aggressive nature and affect Ange has had on the crew is obvious to see by the graph under. Previous to his arrival, Tottenham sat again, simply 40m away from their very own purpose, when beginning a passage of play.
Since then, Tottenham have pushed ahead practically six metres. That is quite a bit. They’ve gone from a deep crew to essentially the most superior aspect – bar Metropolis.
They’re reaping the rewards for his or her efforts, too. Final season, Tottenham ranked second for possession, second for ahead passes and fourth for pictures. Their defensive efforts are translating right into a risk on the reverse finish of the pitch.
It is a new season however nothing new from Spurs, as they give the impression of being set to proceed with their mercurial fashion of play.
Simply take a look at this: Who’s obtained the ball most within the ultimate third whereas underneath strain this season? Let’s glaze over De Bruyne. Subsequent on the checklist? Maddison, then Son, then Porro – a full-back!
There’s a draw back to all of this, after all. The trademark excessive press and focus to keep up possession of the ball additional up the pitch leaves them inclined to counterattacks.
As you may see on this chart, Manchester United have been turned over greater than some other crew final season with counters reaching the ultimate third – and we all know that was an issue with United final season.
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We additionally know Newcastle suffered defensively and so they rank among the many 5 groups right here.
Spurs rank sixth worst. Given their attacking dominance, maybe the high-risk method is value that?
The alarm bells do not cease ringing there, both. Once you evaluate Spurs and Arsenal final season, Ange’s aspect conceded greater than twice the variety of targets.
Solely six groups conceded extra anticipated targets than Tottenham. After which there’s the sensitive topic of set-pieces, which is thought to get on Ange’s nerves.
Spurs shipped 23 targets from lifeless balls final season – solely Nottingham Forest (27) and Sheffield United (24) conceded extra.
In full distinction to Spurs, Arsenal conceded a league-low 29 targets. Even their anticipated targets conceded was a league-low – which suggests there was no luck concerned.
However the query is, will the Arsenal defence miss the presence of Declan Rice forward of them following his pink card in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion?
These numbers recommend he completes 97.1 per cent of passes whereas underneath strain – a better ratio than any team-mate.
Shedding a cool, calm and picked up determine like Rice would affect any crew – however can Spurs exploit this new discovered weak spot within the Arsenal squad?
Spurs sometimes solely enable opponents 6.3 passes earlier than urgent and inflicting a defensive motion – which is 2 lower than Arsenal, even once they have Rice main the cost.
Postecoglou is but to style victory within the derby – together with his aspect taking only one level from the fixtures final season.
Nevertheless, with the footballing philosophy he is instilled on this group of gamers, in addition to an immense quantity of expertise throughout all positions, he is obtained the instruments at his disposal to safe all three factors in opposition to a depleted Arsenal this time spherical.
