Christian Eriksen impressed at times against Manchester City (Picture: Getty Images)

There is a massive game coming up for Tottenham Hotspur.

No, not the Europa League match against Greek side Asteras Tripolis.

I’m not dismissing it, Thursday’s fixture is important if we want to get out of a very tight group, but the game that follows is the one I’m thinking about.

Instead my focus is on Newcastle United at the Lane.


I’m fairly confident we’ll beat Asteras whatever, and I’m actually happy enough to see Mauricio Pochettino rest and rotate his squad for this particular game.

I’ve been against the chop and change philosophy so far because, if the coach is forever adapting the line-up, it seems to prevent players from building up a fluid connection with their team-mates .



Why the momentary change of heart? Well, we did well at Manchester City. That sounds laughable if you spend too much time staring at the 4-1 scoreline. We did well in that we are beginning to see evidence of that quick touch and movement from the forward thinking players, finally hinting towards maturing connectivity between midfield and attack.

Although each player is arguably required to improve tenfold, the likes of Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado resembled working parts of an engine that is gearing towards purring. Exhaust back-firing is the sound of the season thus far, but there’s promise there.

I enjoyed the City game, for the most part, because our intent was to get the ball forward and we did so with precise football. We had opportunities but failed to take them. We need that ruthless killer instinct to return to our psyche and aid us with separating ourselves from taking no points or taking all three. We also need to defend with far more composure.

If the game against Asteras is one for players to sharpen up in, then the game against Newcastle is one where the application has to result with definitive end product.

I keep calling out for our players to boss it, own it. If more than a single player is on form then nothing should stop us from doing so. I can’t really hang onto the 4-0 QPR win any longer.

Too often there has been a lack of refined shape from one league game to the next. We are disappointing at home. Before too long the excuse that it’s early in the season will not be there for us to fall back on. I’m not sat here expecting free-flowing swashbuckle from the go but I do expect us to aspire to towards it.

Two games. Two wins. Two solid performances. Brighton at home follows so it’s actually a triple opportunity for Spurs and our players to start giving something back and repay our faith.

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