Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have been a resilient side this season enjoying their longest unbeaten run in their history. Hers’ what makes them such a success
Solid in Defense:
Tottenham have been to beat this season because of their defense. In the past they haven’t always hade a stable back four and have been guilty of conceding too many times, but this year they seemed to have addressed that problem
Their defensive duo of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderwerield have been rock solid at the back, conceding the least number of goals in the entire league which currently stands at 19.
The two Belgians at the back are also good passers helping Spurs start attacks from deep with their long balls.
Young and Talented
Pochettino has been very encouraging of youngsters wherever he has managed, a policy that has reaped great rewards this season with Tottenham’s squad being the youngest in the Premier League having an average age of 24.7 years.
One of those youngsters Delle Alli has become the star of their midfield this season.In his 19 appearances for the club in the Premier League, he has scored 7 and assisted another 5. He scored a brilliant goal in a recent game against Crystal Palace, once again showing the quality he possesses.
Tom Carrol, Eric Dier, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane only add to the list of impressive performances this season.
Strength in Depth
Tottenham have a good first team but they also possess a strong bench. They have several options in midfield if they do need to change it around. The likes of Nacer Chadli, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason are all good options for Spurs if and when they need to replace a first-team member.
In attack, they have Son Heung-Min, the Korean international who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen this season. They also have young Clinton Njie, who has impressed whenever he’s played.
The likes of Chadli and Son have featured regularly in the FA Cup as well as the Europa League and have performed admirably. Pochettino can be reassured that if ever he needs to call upon his bench strength they will be up for the task.
Familiarity of the Top 4
Tottenham have always been one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the League over the last few seasons. They have only finished in the top four on two occasions but they have been in around the top 6 for the last six years.
This year they mostly have a top four spot tied down barring a dramatic collapse of form. But now having broken that barrier they now have the motivation to go all the way.
Thier confidence will only get better with each game. And with the experience of knowing how to pick up points and finishing in the European places year after year means, they know how to sustain a high level of performance.
The Failings of Arsenal and Manchester City
These two teams are were considered in the category of title favorites in August but they haven’t been backing that up enough ever since. Arsenal have failed to take their opportunity when others have faltered and City are just not consistent enough.
Arsenal seem to be experiencing their usual new year hangover and Manchester City have been a shadow of a side they’re capable of being without their captain Vincent Kompany. They will have to pull their socks up this weekend as the top four face each other for only the sixth time on the same day in Premier League history
So who has a better shot at the title? Tottenham have definitely outdone themselves this season. They started with the hopes of finishing in the top four and now have achieved the tag of title contenders. They are without doubt a well-drilled side under Pochettino.
But Leicester have been blowing critics’ minds with their performances. Everyone is waiting for them to slip up but that just doesn’t seem to happen. Instead, they have now affirmed themselves as title favorites by beating the original title favourites Manchester City in their own backyard.
If it is a race between the current 1st and 2nd placed teams I have a funny feeling Leicester might just outlast Tottenham simply because they have done it in the past 23 games and show no signs of fatigue. Tottenham will definitely finish in the top four but Leicester look like the real deal and could go all the way
