Kyle Walker an unsung hero in Tottenham's recent resurgence

Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification received the timely boost of a distinctly positive festive period, which culminated in the memorable 5-3 hammering of Chelsea at White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day.

After taking 13 points from a possible 15 since the last time Spurs faced tomorrow’s opponents Crystal Palace back at the start of December, Mauricio Pochettino’s men now sit two points adrift of the top four.

Although Harry Kane’s extraordinary goalscoring exploits have taken centrestage, and rightly so, there are other key aspects to the side’s upturn in form and results that deserve to be recognised.

Christian Eriksen is quickly becoming one of the most accomplished young playmakers in European football, with his link-up with Kane a source of joy for the White Hart Lane faithful.

Nacer Chadli is starting to turn the promise he displayed in sporadic glimpses last term into goals and an end product, while in Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio the side have a settled and improving centre-half pairing.

However, Kyle Walker’s reintroduction to the first team following injury also deserves to be highlighted, as the England international has played his part in the side’s good run of recent form.

Such is the former Sheffield United defender’s security in the starting XI, Spurs have not equipped themselves with adequate back-ups should Walker become unavailable.

With Kyle Naughton not up to scratch, Eric Dier more comfortable at centre-half and the Spurs fans more comfortable with Vlad Chiriches nowhere near the pitch, right-back has been a problem area for Tottenham this term.

Walker has added a commanding presence since returning to the fray and it is not a coincidence that he has a 100 per cent win record this season to date; four Premier League games played, four Spurs wins.

The 24-year-old is by no means the finished article and he still needs to work on his positional sense, discipline and concentrating on the task at hand for the full 90 minutes.

However, his speed to cover in behind the centre-halves if necessary, distribution of the ball, competitiveness against his opposite number and ability going forward make him an international player that Spurs rely on.

With the now seemingly ever-present figures of Fazio, Vertonghen and Lloris in the team, retaining Walker at right-back and fielding a settled back four can only be a good thing for Tottenham; left-back remains an issue that must be addressed.

However, with Walker only going to get better as his time on the pitch increases and keen to prove a point having missed the World Cup due to injury, Spurs look much more secure with him in the team than they ever did while others deputised.

Here’s hoping Walker makes it five wins from five games tomorrow at Selhurst Park and Tottenham’s good run of recent form continues well into 2015.

 

I would hope DeAndre Yedlin will be more than adequate back up.

 

Not the biggest fan of Walker. His distribution needs work, for me, and sometimes he looks like he doesn't have a clue. Still, he's better than the alternatives, for sure

 

Remember Walker being mentioned as the next player from Spurs to be joining Real Madrid ! Lets hope he gets back to that kind of form and develops his all round game. Coys

 

I cant agree with that at all . Walker is a liability , absolute woeful defender and his distribution is poor . Only thing he has.going for him is his pace . Everyones entitled to their opinion but this isn't about opinion .. We've all seen his games since he came back and it hasn't been pretty .. Our defending has been poor all round and our full backs have contributed majorly to this .. No offence to you but thats a nonsense of an article .

 

Walker is not a good right back.might b worth trying him on wing. He gives the ball away. rubbish at crossing and most of time out of position. But please tell me y we took townsend off and brought that pile of rubbish capoue on when we were in control of game ????? bring lennon on.Looks like back to norm aarrrrrr.

 

Think u put the old jinx on poor old walker here. Zaha teared him a new
ASss hole