After what has been described as many within the football world as the best overall performance from a side all season, Tottenham Hotspur have entered the international break on the crest of a wave. But, and I can already here the fans saying “How can there be a but here? We are second, and unbeaten!” Tottenham Hotspur have a long way still to go, starting against West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday 15th October.
This fixture in some ways is more important than the Manchester City victory. This is because it will reveal a lot more about the attitude and mental strength of the side that crumbled after a draw against the Baggies halted their title charge last season. It has been said many a time it is easy to motivate and perform against a top side, what can Spurs do against a tough mid-table team?
In the past seven Premier League meetings between the two sides, the North London outfit have failed to register maximum points on 5 of these occasions. However difficult each top flight game may be, this is the sort of game Mauricio Pochettino will need to motivate and demand more of his players, so that they can continue to push to the summit of the Premier League.
A West Brom team managed by Tony Pulis, is well known for it’s ability to be meticulously organised; and able to frustrate higher quality opposition. Not only will Spurs manager Pochettino have to work on breaking down this defence, he will have to keep an eye out for the underrated Venezuelan striker Solomon Rondon, who has a decent run of form with a goal every other game in the 2016-2017 campaign. The striker is starting to form a dynamic partnership with former Spur, Nacer Chadli, who has been given the necessary game time and attacking freedom behind Rondon to earn himself a return of 3 goals and 2 assists in the Premier League season. The Belgian is certainly one to look out for as he is looking as confident as the perhaps surprising form player of the season so far Heung-Min Son. The attacking midfielder will no doubt be looking to keep up this rich vein of form and add to his goal tally, having scored on the international break for his country South Korea.
There is no doubt manager Mauricio Pochettino will be scrupulously creating his plan for the game at the Hawthorns, as I am sure he is aware of the challenge it will be (especially with two players in the opposition team in such good form) and therefore the statement it will make if his side were to improve on the recent indifferent form against the midlands side, and come away with three points on Saturday.
So as the international break trundles on, with own goals from Kevin Wimmer, and screamers from Joe Allen, the footballing world, and most of all excited Tottenham Hotspur fans, are desperate for the familiar taste of Premier League action to get their teeth into next weekend!
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