Opinion: Pochettino must rotate more and react quicker

Rotation is a word that is relatively foreign to Spurs and more recently, Pochettino. We’re in yet another campaign where the squad will need to compete to a relatively high standard across four separate competitions in a bid to end the desperate 11-year wait for a trophy.

It could be argued that Pochettino has not been equipped with the tools to compete on all fronts and yet, two cup final appearances along with four semi-final appearances during his 5 years suggests this is a manager who can punch his weight.

The despondence overshadowing this progress, however, is that inability to get the extra step further required to clinch silverware.

There are several factors which can be attributed to these shortcomings. One could be the mental block. The squad isn’t packed with players who have that winning mentality to steady the ship and navigate their way across the finish line.

The other is a case of squad quality in depth. The team have lacked a plethora of game-changers from the bench during Pochettino’s 5-year stint so far.

Fast-forward to summer 2019 and Pochettino has added Lo Celso, Ndombele, and Sessegnon to the already talented squad, whilst retaining the likes of Eriksen, Alderweireld, Rose etc.

Let’s not forget Troy Parrott and Tanganga who both impressed in pre-season too. Poch has gone from having an injury-ravaged squad with a limited bench to fielding a starting XI v Arsenal without Alli, Moura, Ndombele, Lo Celso, Sessegnon, Aurier and more.

Pochettino is known for regularly rotating the full-backs with Aurier/Rose both left in London for the Olympiacos UCL opener.

He must now follow this approach with other established players and not allow player bias to hinder his selection before and during the game.

Alli doesn’t need to be shoehorned into the starting XI. With Son, Moura and Parrott – Kane doesn’t need to play 90 mins every time or start every game.

Lo Celso is out injured at the moment but when fit, Poch must rotate him and Eriksen when necessary to maintain competition and freshness in the starting XI.

Winks and Sissoko, although good, do not need to feature every game. Dier or Wanyama should come in for games here and there to partner the likes of Ndombele.

Utilise the game changers we possess off the bench quicker when a different strategy is required during a game. Look at Moura’s impact v City for example.

The point is simple for Pochettino – maximise the players available, improve your in-game management, and give the team a better chance of winning games and potentially trophies.

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