Fresh tactics and smart new signings - How Postecoglou got Tottenham back on track

Few clubs have enjoyed as strong a start to the new Premier League season as Tottenham Hotspur. Although Manchester City have technically picked up more wins and three other clubs share the same amount of points as Spurs, there’s little doubt that fans of the North London club are pleasantly surprised with how things have turned out after a truly tumultuous transfer period for the club.

Following on from the arrival of a new manager in the form of Ange Postecoglou from Celtic, Tottenham also had to finally say goodbye to star striker and club legend Harry Kane. And while the club were able to record a British transfer record for the England international, it was little consolation to a fanbase that had seen their side stagnate even with the in-form goalscorer still leading the line. However, things have all turned around rather quickly and there are some obvious reasons for that.

New tactics and fresh faces make all the difference for Spurs

Indeed, after three wins and one draw from their first four league games, Tottenham were rewarded for their good form with a manager of the month award for Postecoglou. And in no uncertain terms has the Australian tactician got this formerly under-performing team back up to speed. According to Opta, only one club has forced more turnovers in possession in the opponent’s half than Spurs this season, while the manager’s clear emphasis on attack is abundantly clear through the manner in which the club sit second in the league for shots towards goal and goals scored. Like his all-conquering Celtic side, Postecoglou’s Spurs look deadly in front of goal and extremely tenacious off the ball.

Similarly, it’s clear that some new signings have also played a pivotal role in Postecoglou’s strong start at the club. Central defender Micky van de Ven has already formed an impressive bond with Cristian Romero in defence, shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario looks solid between the posts and last season’s loan signings Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski undoubtedly now look settled at their new clubs after completing permanent moves. However, few players have been quite as impressive as new playmaker James Maddison. Alongside his two goals and two assists from his first four league games in a Tottenham top, the England international also sits seventh in the Premier League for through balls, fourteenth for key passes and joint second alongside Brighton striker Evan Ferguson for shots on target. And in no uncertain terms the midfielder has helped the club quickly transition from the previous system of simply facilitating and hoping that Kane will score the majority of the team’s goals each season.

In other words, Tottenham were in desperate need of a complete makeover and in new manager Postecoglou and smart signings in key areas of the pitch that’s exactly what the North London club have done. The question that is now on every fan’s lips is how far their club can now go with this new manager, team and lease of life.

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