Tottenham Hotspur: Back To Basics (Take 2)

Spurs Tie Up Pre-Contract Deals For 4 Players

http://isportsweb.com/wp-content/uploads//2015/01/giovinco.jpeg
Juve Striker Sebastian Giovinco is one of four new faces at WHL

---

As football fans gear up for Pre-season, Spurs have been active in the transfer market, sealing pre-contract deals for four players in the run up to the action restarting. Despite not spending a penny so far, the club have brought in four, quality, first team players.

1. Zakaria Bakkali, PSV (Free)

http://media.voetbalbelgie.be/fancy.73787_20140113_12582006152d3b959d8fe2.jpg
The 19 year old Belgian had been stalling on contract talks at PSV, and Pochettino had him on his radar - technically gifted, and with an eye for goal, the left winger has a massive future ahead of him. Although undoubtedly playing second fiddle to Ukranian Eugene Konoplyanka, Bakkali has the talent and work ethic to break into the first team with ease.

"I'm very pleased to have signed a deal here - Spurs are a great club, with a great reputation for developing youth. That Martin [Odegaard] chose here as his destination when every big club was chasing him, speaks volumes. I'm looking forward to getting my head down and pushing myself to the limit."

2. Jeronimo Rulli, Sociedad (Free)

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/attachments/football-manager-2014-manager-stories/416750d1384679865-blasphemy-seven-clubs-lock-horns-title-after-sir-alex-fergusons-retirement-1700543.jpg
The Argentine only spent 6 months in Spain after his move from Estudiantes, before Spurs picked him up on loan last January. Since then, Rulli has formed bonds at White Hart Lane, and when his contract expired this summer, there was never much doubt that he would make his move permanent. Growing in stature every day, he is almost ready to challenge Hugo Lloris for a first team spot.

"Last year, when I played here on loan, I got on very well with everybody and made friends very fast. I enjoy being at Spurs, and when we discussed a permanent move, I was very happy. The defenders here are a great bunch, and they make a goalkeeper's job so much easier. I'm ready to work hard to improve, and hopefully kickstart my career."

3. Sebastian Giovinco, Juventus (Free)

http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/binary/lapresse/65.$plit/C_2_foto_178959_image.jpg
Until last week, Giovinco had every intention of staying at Juventus. The 28 year old helped the Turin side to the Italian cup last season, and was named in their Best Eleven. However, with rumours flying about the future of Roberto Soldado, Pochettino made his move, and tied up a pre-contract agreement for the Italian.

"At first, I was happy to stay at Juventus...but always I was being told "next week, next week" for contract talks. Spurs made an approach, and we agreed a deal which was good for both parties. I do not expect to be starting every game, but I think I bring something new to the club - an experience which was previously missing from their attack."

4. Roberto Pereyra, Unattached (Free)

http://www.iamnaples.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Roberto-Pereyra.jpg
A midfielder with a deadly range of positions, Pereyra moved to Udinese in 2011 for £1.7m, and played there for 3 seasons, before moving to Juventus on loan last year. Neither side though, saw fit to hand him a permanent contract, and now he has arrived in London with something to Prove.

"I've not had the best of luck in Italy, but with hard work and dedication, I can push myself here. Working alongside Lucas [Romero] is great, as we both understand each other, and he is learning every day. I know I will not be first choice here, but the standard of player and league is excellent, and i'll really be able to push myself."

Spurs Kick Off Pre-Season by revealing new signing

http://www.standard.co.uk/incoming/article9814916.ece/binary/original/Harry%20Kane.jpg
Harry Kane Kicked off pre-season in the same manner as he ended his season last year - with a goal

---

Spurs kicked off their pre-season with an emphatic win against Nantes, in a game which really had it all. But before the game had even started, the Spurs media team called a press conference to unveil a new signing who had travelled to France to take his place on the bench, following the closing of Spurs' first cash deal of the season.

---

PO: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this press conference, where I am pleased to announce our latest signing: Signed in a £14.74m deal from German side Wolfsburg, please give a warm welcome to Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez!

There was a smattering of polite applause, punctuated by the frantic scribbling of notes, typing of e-mails and clicking of cameras, as the press worked to take down every word

J: Ricardo, how does it feel to be sitting here as a Spurs player?

RR: It is a great feeling. I was very dissapointed when Wolfsburg were relegated, and they will always be a club very close to my heart, but I had to make the move which was best for my career, and that was Tottenham. I have had many good conversations with Mauricio Pochettino, and i'm pleased with his vision for this club. I am very happy to be here, and hope to bring every success to the club.

J: What do you say to the fans who claim you are unproven on the biggest stage?

RR: I would ask them what makes the Bundesliga any less valid than the Premiership. Last year, I was voted into both the Swiss national and Bundesliga teams of the year, despite Wolfsburg's relegation, and was voted my fans' player of the year...I can understand the concerns that perhaps i've not got the wealth of European experience that some may think I need, but part of moving to a new club is to prove yourself, and that's what i'll do.

PO: No more questions, thank you - the club will release a statement in due time, but for now, Ricardo has a warmup to complete.

---

Meanwhile, at pitch level, the Spurs fans were cranking the volume higher and higher, desperate for a glimpse of their heroes. As the players started running out for their warmup, the fans slowly started to notice their new man - Rodriguez was in with his new teammates warming up, and the fans were audibly delighted.

Over the tannoy, came the announcement of the starting eleven

"Se il vous plaît joindre à moi pour accueillir nos clients, Tottenham Hotspur ! Le onze de départ Tottenham pour ce soir est ..."

"Please join me in welcoming our guests, Tottenham Hotspur! The Tottenham starting eleven for this evening is..."

Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Younes Kaboul (c), Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Emre Can, Mousa Dembele, Martin Odegaard, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Marcel Ryder

The Spurs fans applauded as their players took to the field and lined up, and with a sharp blast on the referees whistle, the 2015/16 pre-season was under way.

For the first 20 minutes, the match was even: Nantes matched Spurs for every pass and every tackle, stopped every run and frustrated their opponents. Pochettino was pacing his technical area like a caged lion, looking for a way through. Eventually, Harry Kane capitalised on a defensive error to steal in behind the Nantes centre backs to rifle a low shot past the goalkeeper and put his side ahead.

The rest of the first half was the same game of cat and mouse, and Spurs fans were becoming frustrated; where was the improvement they desperately wanted to see from their side? Nantes were a side they should be beating with ease, and yet they were struggling

At half time, Pochettino rang the changes, making six substitutions.
OFF: Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele, Martin Odegaard, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Marcel Ryder
ON: Ricardo Rodriguez, Roberto Pereyra, Roberto Soldado, Sebastian Giovinco, Nabil Bentaleb, Erik Lamela

---

Despite the changes, it was Nantes who struck first, Eric Dier's loose pass was intercepted by Birama Toure, and he beat Kaboul before lifting the ball over Lloris. The Nantes fans celebrated, the Spurs fans stood silent, stony-faced, waiting for a spark from their side.

And, as so often before, It was Lamela who brought that spark - the Argentine darted down the wing, cutting inside beating two players, and hammering home from the tightest of angles. 2-1 Spurs, and all of a sudden, Spurs looked much more dangerous.

Lamela was at the center of everything for his side, and once again he brought about a goal, when he was hauled down just inside the box, and Roberto Soldado slotted home from the spot to seal what was, in the end, a comfortable win to kick off pre-season

Full Time: Nantes 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

1

Pre-Season Roundup 2015

---

As Spurs prepared for the upcoming season, they took a tour around Brazil to warm up for what is sure to be a testing season. However, pre-season proved to be something of a mixed bag for Spurs, with almost as many concerns developing as there were highlights.

Matches

Community Shield 2015

---

Welcome to Wembley, where 90,000 noisy fans have packed in to watch Tottenham take on Manchester United in one of this seasons most highly anticipated matches. Last season, Spurs lifted the FA cup, and sealed their place in Europe this year. Depsite a dissapointing pre-season, the fans are confident, and club captain Hugo Lloris seems content about their chances, stating that "These games are only as easy as we make them; we need to be alert."

Manchester United though, have form on their side: Spurs always find it difficult against them, and have only beaten the Manchester side once in the last 4 meetings, with United winning twice (6-0, 6-2), and the sides drawing 2-2 once.

http://e1.365dm.com/football/badges/192/608.png

Tottenham Starting XI

Hugo Lloris (c), DeAndre Yedlin, Doria, Jan Vertonghen, Ricardo Rodriguez, Emre Can, Lucas Romero, Erik Lamela, Euguene Konoplyanka, Harry Kane, Paulo Dybala
Subs: Jeronimo Rulli, Eder Alvarez Balanta, Christian Eriksen, Sebastian Giovinco, Federico Fazio, Roberto Pereyra, Jese

http://e2.365dm.com/football/badges/192/210.png

Manchester United Starting XI

David De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Jorginho, Ilkay Gundogan, Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney (c)Falcao
Subs: Anders Lindegaard, Antonio Valencia, Andan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez, Nani, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera

---

It was Spurs who started fastest, a slick team move capped by Erik Lamela lifing the ball over De Gea after just 9 minutes. Celebrations in the stands were wild, but the Spurs bench were more conservative - an acute awareness that the United Backlash would be painful kept Pochettino pacing his technical area like a caged lion, and true to form, United brought a brutal reply.

Wayne Rooney was first to strike, powering home a snapshot from the edge of the area which left Lloris grasping at straws after 23 minutes. Rooney has never failed to find the net against Pochettino's Spurs side, and he was to haunt them again, it seemed.

United broke forward, falling against the Spurs defence in wave after wave of pacey, accurate passing and flagrant skill. Lloris was equal to shots from both Rooney and Falcao, and Vertonghen brought composure to the back line with his ability to seemingly pick a pass out of the air which was en route to the boot of Angel Di Maria, who lurked on the 6 yard line with an open goal in front of him.

After half-time, it was a different story. Rooney struck again within 5 minutes of the restart, with Lloris found wanting after a Mata corner, and the United Captain wasted no time in firing home to put his side ahead. Mata took his chance to be a hero after 53 minutes, with a spectacular overhead kick from a Di Maria ball from the right wing.

Spurs were reeling, and the players were gettingg desperate; Doria, Can and Romero all picked up yellow cards for niggling fouls before Jese, a 53rd minute substitute for Dybala, picked the ball up on the edge of the area and beat 3 United defenders before slotting home.

Falcao though, was, as always, on hand to quash any hopes of a Spurs comeback, rifling past the honestly woeful Hugo Lloris for United's 4th goal, and putting the tie to bed, sealing another trophy for his side.

Full-Time: Spurs 2-4 Manchester United

1

August 2015

---

Off the back of a defeat in the Community Shield, Spurs were looking to get their season off to a good start with games against Stoke, Hull and Nottingham Forest. Boss Mauricio Pochettino was confident about his side's chances, telling the Daily Mail "I think we've got a great chance this season: training has been positive, and the boys have something to prove after the game against Manchester United."

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Fazio, Doria, Rodriguez, Romero, Can, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Kane, Dybala

---

A fantastic performance from Spurs - Harry Kane in particular looked hungry to show that his performance last season wasn't just a flash in the pan. The passing and movement on display was really something to behold. By full time, Spurs fans seemed convinced that, like Liverpool (every year), this year was their year

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Fazio, Doria, Rodriguez, Romero, Can, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Kane, Dybala

---

Lucas Romero was the inspiration behind a powerful Spurs performance, as they brushed Hull aside in a 3-0 win. The Argentine midfielder linked well with Emre Can to create space and chances from midfield, and dominate the game. Proficient in the tackle and accurate with his passing, Romero showed exactly why Spurs fought so hard to keep him in summer, as Inter Milan and Barcelona came knocking.

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Fazio, Doria, Rodriguez, Romero, Can, Lamela, Eriksen, Konoplyanka, Kane

---

Another assured performance from Spurs, but it almost all came unstuck when Frederico Fazio was shown his second yellow card for a reckless challenge. With Spurs down to ten men, Forest mounted a brave comeback - only a series of brave stops from Hugo Lloris stopped them burying more than two goals, and Spurs came away with the three points.

September 2015: Pushing On

---

European Football came to White Hart Lane this month, as Genk became the first to fall in the Europa League group stages. There were also convincing wins against Manchester City and Fulham, which bode well for the remainder of the season. However, a crushing defeat at the hands of Newcastle saw Spurs crash out of the Capital One Cup early.

---

Starting XI: Rulli, Yedlin, Doria, Vertonghen, Rodriguez, Romero, Can, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Kane, Jese

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Balanta, Doria, Rodriguez, Paulinho, Can, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Kane, Giovinco

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Balanta, Doria, Rodriguez, Odegaard, Romero, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Jese, Giovinco

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Balanta, Doria, Rodriguez, Can, Romero, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Jese, Giovinco

---

Starting XI: Lloris (c), Yedlin, Vertonghen, Doria, Rodriguez, Romero, Can, Lamela, Konoplyanka, Kane, Giovinco

---

Pochettino's Thoughts

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc463/SFC2010/4059_zps2a0853ae.png
I think, overall, we have to consider this month to be a positive step - big wins for us in 3 of the games, and we were unlucky against Aston Villa. The team have settled into this season well, and I can only hope that continues.

October 2015

Pochettino's Thoughts

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc463/SFC2010/4059_zps2a0853ae.png
Another positive month for us, despite a heavy loss to Liverpool. We made good progress in Europe and the league, and Lucas Romero was particularly impressive. Hopefully we can continue to play in this way; if we can, this will be a very good season for us