Tottenham have been struggling mightily to start the new Premier League season.
As it turns out, back-to-back 17th-placed finishes weren’t exactly as low as it could have gotten for Spurs. Managerial change, busy transfer window and lots of cash splashed weren’t able to prevent their poorest start to a league season in over 50 years.
Consecutive defeats away to Brentford and at home to Newcastle ended up being heavier blows given the expectation surrounding the new campaign. Roberto De Zerbi’s side has looked more like their version from the end of last season than a renewed, fresh one.
Luckily for them, it’s still early days and there is a long way to go.
How can Roberto De Zerbi turn things around at Tottenham?
Fully commit to transitional play
Newcastle caught – and hurt – Tottenham in a sort of ‘mid-block limbo’, as we called it in our post-match coverage.
Spurs weren’t willing to sit deep nor press relentlessly high up the pitch. This left enough space in behind for a direct side to find their pacy forwards and enough time for defenders and midfielders to think their moves through and pick passes out.
Not by chance, the connection between Nico Gonzalez and Amar Dedic was Matthias Jaissle’s main source of danger.
There were instances in which Tottenham tried to take a step forward and press. But they never did it as a unit, leaving one pressing block of four-to-five players up front and the remaining five-to-six at the back. As a result, Newcastle had no issue breaking through the first wave and finding space in midfield.
The main thing for Spurs is to choose one and settle. Sitting deep would be a better fit considering their current moment and De Zerbi’s intentions to always have space to attack into. There would be no need to bait the press if their lines are already lower than usual.
It might not be his preferred style or the most entertaining option from the fans’ perspective. But Chelsea’s success with their remarkably low possession tallies under Xabi Alonso may convince people that it’s a valid strategy.
Embrace technicality and skill on the wings
This one might get easier and easier from now on. The addition of Savinho certainly helps, and he has already shown great signs during his debut off the bench against Charlton in the Carabao Cup. But Mohammed Kudus also returned from injury and played a few minutes against Newcastle.
Whether fans like it or not, Mikey Moore and Mathys Tel gave Brentford and Newcastle’s goalkeepers the most work. The academy youngster had three distinct – and very similar – opportunities on opening weekend, but couldn’t find a way past Caoimhin Kelleher.
All three of his shots came in sequences that started on the left flank and eventually found him behind the opposing left-back (Keane Lewis-Potter). They were all well worked and well thought out, so there is a clear attacking strategy and perhaps a path to scoring in the near future.
The Frenchman had a poor showing against Newcastle, but it was his shot that gave Lukas Hornicek the most trouble. And also Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a corner.
Tel also completed six of his eight take-ons against Brentford. And Pedro Porro was quite busy in the minutes he spent on the right wing against Newcastle as well, leading Spurs in shot attempts (4).
Ultimately, they had decent opportunities through their wingers but hit a technical ceiling. Whether it was Moore’s and Porro’s finishing or Tel’s decision-making, things may get easier now with Savinho and Kudus potentially taking their minutes and providing sharper execution.
Lean more on Omar Marmoush
Tottenham looked looser and more threatening with Omar Marmoush leading the line than Richarlison. As we have now learned, the Brazilian wants to leave the club. Which may have played a part in how easily Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins won their duels against him.
But Marmoush is still a better player nevertheless, and could provide more efficient play as a false nine, dragging defenders away from the box.
The Egyptian has more vision to pick out passes for infiltrating teammates, and even led Spurs in chances created against Newcastle (3). He also didn’t misplace a single pass in that afternoon, completing all 19 of his attempts.
And also more ability to sustain contact and win duels, as he showed by completing four of his five take-ons.
Marmoush already looked more comfortable in 90 minutes under De Zerbi than in 18 months under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Making sure this continues could be a good way to get decent attacking returns from him – which also includes benefitting everyone around him.