Opinion: Things are on the up for Spurs, but questions remain over Dele

It’s been a pretty good week for Spurs since the opening day defeat to Everton, qualification for the next round of the Europa League, securing a fantastic signing in left back Sergio Reguillon, the prodigal son Gareth Bale returned home and a stellar second half display saw us put five past Southampton, but not such a great week for Dele Alli.

Make no mistake, the Everton game is one to forget and showed that there was still much work for Jose to do. After being hooked at half time against the Toffees and left out the squad entirely against Southampton, Dele suddenly seems to be out of favour and rumoured for the exit, (Telegraph); a stark contrast to the budding relationship Dele and Jose seemed to have when he took charge, it begs the question as to what has really gone on between the pair.

Spurs have games coming thick and fast and need all the players to their advantage despite Mourinho professing they have too many (Football365). In my opinion, selling Dele would be a bold move from the manager and wouldn’t be my first choice out the door.

A sensational turnaround in the second half against Southampton after the introduction of Giovanni Lo Celso reaped the rewards for Spurs. Outstanding performances from Heung-min Son netting four and Harry Kane showing why he is the best all-round striker in the world bagging four assists and a getting himself a well-deserved goal.

But it really was a tale of two halves and granted Southampton’s determination to play a high line worked in our favour, similarly to the two sendings off against Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Europa League, but take nothing away from the team and the manager. Jose’s tactics were spot after the interval and when this team play flowing, positive football rather than hoofing a long ball over the top this team can do serious damage.

Adding Sergio Reguilón and Gareth Bale into the mix you are now talking about a proper team who have a better chance of competing this season.

Matt Doherty loves to play high up the pitch as does Reguilón and Spurs haven’t had that outlet from their full-backs since the departure of Kyle Walker and peak Danny Rose.

With the balance of Reguilón and Doherty on either flank provides even more attacking threat to this new look Tottenham team and hopefully sure up the defence as well.

As for Gareth Bale, his homecoming is fantastic for Spurs all round and one I think we could only have dreamed of.

Commercially it is a no brainer with fans desperate to go and buy just about anything with Bale on the back ready for their big return to the stadium, whenever that may happen.

Bale has come home to a totally different club than when he left in 2013 with far higher expectations, For the team and Spurs fans it’s a huge and much-needed boost to have someone of Bales’ quality back in the side.

A front line of Kane, Son and Bale would put fear in any defender and Bale could be that little bit extra that Spurs need to get over the line whether it be in the cup competitions or into the top four this season.

Whether or not Spurs will go back into the transfer window for that additional striker or centre half will depend on just how far Daniel Levy is willing to open those purse strings, but one thing is for sure things are looking far rosier for Spurs than they did a week ago.

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know