Actually statistical analysis showed Spurs were one of the top PL teams for interception of attempted passes in midfield last season but that when those balls got through they were more likely than other teams to result in shots or goals. Suggests the defence was the problem and not the midfield shielding.
Just quoting you from the ITK thread, NWND, as I think we're trying to shift the discussion to here.
Like yourself, I saw that statistical analysis when it was first posted to the board a few days back and - for me - it was a perfect example of the ambiguity of stats... how something apparently black-and-white can actually be interpreted in multiple ways. Because I saw something entirely different in them.
We intercepted more passes in midfield than most teams but - crucially - intercepted fewer of those passes that resulted in shots. Some read that as an issue with the defence. To me it is equally likely to be an issue with the defensive positioning of the midfield. Our midfielders are harrying the opposition and pressing them high up the pitch resulting in sloppy passes and lots of interceptions in their half... but they are rarely in the correct position to intercept the important and dangerous through-balls that create goal-scoring opportunities.
It's probably a bit of both. Our defence definitely needed tightening up this summer - and I think / hope we've done that.
But (IMO) neither Bentaleb nor Mason displayed a shred of defensive awareness last season, and you need
at least one of your central midfielders to have some understanding of defensive positioning.
People say we don't need a dedicated defensive midfielder because we use this "double pivot" system. But I'm not asking for a defensive midfielder, I'm asking for a midfielder who has some defensive awareness, that's all. Which - incidentally - the double pivot demands two of! And right now, neither of ours do. Bentaleb, however, is a league above Mason in terms of quality - so it's Mason we need to look at replacing with someone who can help cover defence - maybe teaching both Bentaleb and Mason a thing or two in the process.
I'd definitely want Mason to stay at the club for at least another season though. I like the guy's perseverance and I'd like to see him get plenty of game time in the cups, as well as league games against less threatening opposition. Maybe he can challenge to get back into the first team (perhaps further up the field).