Tottenham's starting XI the youngest Premier League team this season

As the dust settles on our excellent 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the weekend, I have been reflecting on the manner of the side’s performance in winning the North London derby.

Spurs fans have unfortunately become accustomed to the side lacking the drive, desire and mental toughness to see jobs out in the past, but the fact that we shrugged off going a goal behind on Saturday to continue to dominate the game and eventually win it is a testament in itself.

The 2-1 victory resulted in Spurs now taking 15 Premier League points from losing positions this season - the most of any club in the division. It also shows the strength of character, the belief and positive mentality in the club’s players that Mauricio Pochettino has installed.

Had the side at the weekend been loaded with veterans of international and Champions League football, the comeback could well have been understandable as experience breeds mental toughness.

However, the fact that only three of the starting XI were aged 25 or over is a promising sign for the future of the club.

In fact, the average age of the side was only 23.6 - the youngest team to take to the pitch in the Premier League this term from any of the 20 competing clubs.

With even the older players Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele still in their prime, there is no reason to suggest that the core of the current side cannot stay together for years to come and develop and grow as a unit.

The pressure of managing Tottenham is considerable given the expectations of the owners and us fans, which is highlighted by the sheer number of managerial changes over the last ten years.

As such it would be easy for Pochettino to look for quick fixes; players who are the finished article to deliver instant success.

However, with the Argentine putting faith in the younger players at the club, he clearly has a long-term vision and is determined to develop something over a number of years, rather than just this season.

The January signing of promising youngster Dele Alli shows the club’s emphasis on youth, while the MK Dons superstar is another home-grown player - five of Saturday’s starting line-up were English also.

The fact that a number of our new young stars such as Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Ryan Mason have recently put pen-to-paper on new deals is also a testament to the players’ commitment to the project that is developing at White Hart Lane too.

The club’s next priority should be to tie Christian Eriksen down to a new, improved and longer contract, while it will be interesting to see if the likes of Tom Carroll, Alex Pritchard and other promising young stars can make a breakthrough into the first team after doing well on loan elsewhere.

Having a young team and a home-grown base for the squad is something the club should be proud of and in the long run this team can only improve as they mature and develop together.

 

It was the sheer desire to win the game on Saturday that impressed me most, and now looking at those stats it was a very mature performance from such a young group.
We are by no means the finished article and still have a number of mistakes to iron out of our game, but if we continue to play with that hunger this will make up for it in the mean time.
Unfortunately needing time go grow leaves plenty of time for Levy to f*ck it up.

 

I agree. Same thing in the Chelsea game - a joy to watch. I expect we will see the desire to win again tomorrow against Liverpool.

COYS!

 

We scrape a win v arsnal and the all 60k ho home said they were shite3. we 31k fans see it different..

Liverpool is a football macth.

 

Great to see such a young Spurs side taking to the field. I think Poch's playing style requires lots of energy and a youthful team can do the workrate required. Liverpool is another real test, i don't particularly fear them after watching them against their neighbours the Toffees, but Anfield has an aura and if we're still in the game with 20 mins to go i'm hoping we can snatch it ! Coys.

 

we can hang our dicks out for a late 2 -1 at home.

But basically 2 shoots at goal.

We aint scoring goals. And the Corners Poch are have been ****.

EARN THAT 25K PER WEEKAVERGEAGE PLAYER.