Sunday's clash with the Saints is time Spurs got their season up and running

Before the start of the season, I’m pretty sure most Tottenham fans would’ve been eagerly anticipating facing Southampton at White Hart Lane. After poaching Pochettino from the Saints and watching the south coast side sell the majority of their star players, three points for Spurs should surely be the only possible outcome?!

Well, what a difference a few weeks make! Ronald Koeman’s men are currently riding a crest of a wave, and you could say that Tottenham are struggling to keep their head above the water after a drab start to the season.

Despite a hard-earned point at the Emirates last weekend, there hasn’t been much to shout about in terms of our performances since we beat QPR back in August.

Saints flying high

Conversely, the Saints have been magnificent since the opening day of the season and deservedly sit second in the table having picked up 13 points from their opening six fixtures. They also remain undefeated since the defeat to Liverpool in their season opener – which they were extremely unlucky to lose.

On top of that, they also beat Arsenal at the Emirates in the Capital One Cup and are playing football to match the standards that were set so high at St Marys last season under Pochettino.

Crowd demand a performance

Unfortunately, Tottenham have failed to showcase those same qualities in the early stages of the season and Pochettino will be desperate for his new side to deliver the goods on Sunday afternoon. A loss against the side he left to take charge at White Hart Lane will be disastrous, especially considering the murmurs coming from the crowd following the disappointing defeat against West Brom in our last home outing.

Changes once again

Undoubtedly, the Argentinean will make a whole host of changes to his starting 11 following Thursday night’s draw with Besiktas. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t make ten changes once again in all honesty and only leave Hugo Lloris keeping his place in the side that performed below par against the Turkish team in the Europa League.

Personally however, I would love to see Roberto Soldado given another start and Adebayor remain on the bench. Soldado’s hold up play is far better than Adebayor’s and his clever incisive flicks and passes demonstrate that his link up play also offers us so much more than what Ade’s does.

A run of games is what Roberto deserves, not just a start every other Thursday night and ten minutes here and there in the Premiership. It will be interesting to see what Pochettino does on Sunday, but I will be bitterly upset to see a starting line up devoid of the Spaniard.

Regrets

Whatever the final score at the weekend, you wont see our new manager showing any sign of regret at the decision to join Spurs, but a defeat, coupled with a poor performance against a free flowing Southampton side will certainly see the press start to question his choice to move to North London.

I, along with the majority of Spurs fans I’m sure, will continue to support the transition currently occurring at the club, however slow it may be. It would be pleasing if our season finally kicks into gear on Sunday afternoon though - come on you Spurs!

 

No more soldado harry kane is the way forward! he has better link up and holding ability than both soldado and adebayor plus he scores goals which is more than what we can say about soldado and adebayor at the moment too!

 

agree absolutely with the above. couldnt believe comments re soldado after thurs game. thought he really offered glimpses and looked enthusiastic to be playing. realise kane scored but honestly dont think he has what it takes or looks like getting it unfortunately. soldado has to be given his chance and just like verts i think once he's in the side he wont be shifted out again

 

Can't see us getting anything from this one. No in-form strikers = no goals. Should have got Welbeck, Levy out.

 

Any well drilled team thats hungry is going to give us problems literally because we are anything but.
Genuinely think were gona struggle Sunday, and if we lose the press will have a field day.

 

First thing get rid of the pre kick off huddle total nonsence it doesnt fool anybody.Secondly i hope and pray that lennon gets nowhere near the first team or on the bench this man is totally useless and should not be anywhere near the team or subs.