Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is under pressure after an indifferent start to the season has left fans unhappy with his style of play.
Ahead of their meeting with Manchester United on Saturday, here are the key areas Nuno needs to address to turn the corner.
Introduce a more attacking style of play
Apart from results, this is the critical issue that Nuno must address – and he finds himself in a tricky situation. Chairman Daniel Levy was outspoken in his desire for a return to “attractive, free-flowing and entertaining football” after Jose Mourinho’s exit and as a result, Nuno was initially overlooked for the job due to his pragmatic style.
But following Fabio Paratici’s arrival as managing director of football, the Portuguese was chosen. However, he clearly did not get the memo as Spurs have been dismal to watch so far this season.
They scored just one goal from open play in their first five matches and after a change in system improved things, they failed to have a shot on goal in the second half at West Ham last week.
The boss has been questioned about his style more than any other thing and this seems to be the biggest mismatch as he is at a club that often appears to value style of play over results. But if Nuno is to prevail then he has to come to some sort of compromise and find a system that will allow his attacking players to flourish.
Get the best out of Kane
A lot of Nuno’s issues would be solved if Harry Kane returned to his sparkling best. The England captain is having a hangover from an emotional summer as the effects of the run to the European Championship finals, his late return to training and his transfer saga still hang over him.
Kane finished last season as the top goalscorer and top assist-maker but his output so far this season has been minimal, notching just one of each.
Take that away from any team and they would struggle, so it is vital that Kane rediscovers his best form as a matter of urgency and Nuno has to find a way to help that.
Build the defence around Romero
One positive has been the recent emergence of Cristian Romero. The Argentinian defender was eased into the side following his move from Atalanta, not helped by his decision to break Premier League rules and travel to Argentina for World Cup qualifiers in September.
But now with a run of games under his belt, Romero is beginning to look the real deal in the centre of the Spurs defence, with his aggressive and front-foot style of defending proving effective.
Improve results in the club’s high-profile fixtures
Nuno’s cause has not been helped by a dismal set of results in London derbies this season. They have lost all four of them, going down 3-0 to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, 3-1 at Arsenal and losing 1-0 to West Ham last week.
Those sort of high-profile defeats do not sit well with the fans, so he has to start getting points against the big teams and rivals. Spurs did beat Manchester City on the opening day of the season, though it was the perfect time to play the defending champions, and winning against United would be a good addition.
A resolution for Dele and Winks
Nuno has inherited a situation that Mourinho also had to contend with – the fall of Dele Alli and Harry Winks.
Both men were ostracised by Mourinho last season and, while Nuno has not given Winks much action, Dele started the season in the team.
However, he is no longer part of the Premier League side and was left out of the squad all together for the cup game at Burnley on Wednesday. Nuno has hinted strongly that both players are lacking the commitment required to fight their way into the team and he must now coax them into showing more.
If he cannot do that and they continue to be frozen out, then Nuno must urge the powers that be to move the pair on in January.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3mqlGqv
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