As it stands right now, Poch has probably got the best PL win ratio, yes? Or best points per game in the PL?
Certainly he has vastly improved us as as team and seemingly combined some of the better parts of Redknapp's era with some of the more ballsy/brave parts of AVB's time.
For me he has some big weaknesses though:
- seemingly struggles to integrate pacy/tricky wide players into his style/sytem (N'Jie, Nkoudou, Lennon)
Lennon wasn't up to it consistently sadly. I loved Azza but the truth is there for all to see. N'Jie? Jury's out. Nkoudou? Jury's out. Had he got Mane and that not worked, I might agree.He deserves better to work with.
- struggles to integrate and rotate enough to allow the likes of Alli, Kane and Toby more time off than they get at present (imagine the burden if we didn't crash out of Europe unexpectedly both times this season)
- To often away from home vs the top 6, he isn't pragmatic enough
- Tactically still mediocre in Europe (and also often found wanting in domestic cup games)
He doesn't have the depth to fight on all fronts. He has unearthed a genuine star in Winks, and I expect KWP and CCV to come through in the same vein. Ditto Marcus Edwards. I think away from home v top 6 we have had some poor luck. The European mediocrity has most certainly been evident (some games have not been good enough) but we have created enough chances in our CL wembley games to smash the opponents. Furthermore, has he been able to play a full strength side in Europe?
At the moment as i say this is outweighed by our ability to:
- more often than not take on the big boys at home (other members of the 'top 6' now more often than not view a draw at WHL as a good result)
- more often than not overcome the 'park-the-bus' tactics of the lower sides at WHL
- defend doggedly (i can't remember us having a defence this consistently good)
- give youth a chance AND develop some absolute gems into players that rumours have started that the big giants across Europe are now monitoring (i know some of this is probably tabloid BS to unsetlle us, but they at least sound partly plausible...it's not as if it's as ridiculous as Jamie O'Hara being linked to Bayern)
Overall i still fear we have peaked under Poch (e.g. how sustainable is our energy and pressing? For example, realistically can Walker keep being our main source of pace AND width? Should he continue to be?) but he sure has made supporting Spurs exciting...and to think we could have got LVG
Don't be afraid. Be optimistic!
Now please PLEASE just beat Millwall to at least set-up a semi-final at Wembley.
PLEASE