Ahead of Tottenham's visit to Loftus Road, LFW caught up with Spurs fan and deputy group editor on the Independent newspapers in north London Michael Pickard for the latest from White Hart Lane.
How would you assess Pochettino’s first season in charge?
MP: After a slow and unremarkable start, the new manager has now settled in and the squad is starting to find its feet under his methods. We’ve been picking up points without playing particularly well, which was crucial to keeping up appearances at the top of the table in the early stages of the season. And despite fair arguments that the draw throughout the competition was favourable to us, a cup final in his first year isn’t too bad.
What has he changed? What has he done well? Where could he improve?
MP The most obvious change is the players’ fitness. I can’t remember scoring so many goals late in games, and we certainly wouldn’t be so high in the table without them. It’s great to know the team has it in them to grab victory from the jaws of defeat, when we’re so used to being the team to concede the last minute goal. It’s also great to see the number of home-grown players now established in the first-team, even as starters. Buying in talent is great but it’s not until they’ve settled in, perhaps after a couple of years, that they feel part of the furniture at the club. Having Harry Kane, Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb, Andros Townsend, and Danny Rose in the side gives supporters a sense of connection to the club that seems to have been missing in recent seasons, particularly after the sale of Gareth Bale and the influx of so many new characters. Of course, the defence still needs work, with Kyle Walker still finding form after his injury lay-off, but with fewer games now our cup exploits are over, hopefully the emerging first choice partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier in the middle can continue to improve.
Is Harry Kane international standard?
MP: Undoubtedly yes. Kane does have international quality — he’s quick, strong, and can read the game. He’s also not shy about taking a shot. But I’m wary of sticking him into the next full England squad for him to just get a five-minute run-out and then to be forgotten when he inevitably has a couple of quiet games. That happens too often with England players. I’d rather see him in action at the Under-21 European Championships this summer where he could get some tournament experience in what would be his last opportunity at that level, and then hopefully he would graduate to the senior squad next year. There’s also the danger that with Rooney and Sturridge, among others, in the squad, Kane may not play as a central striker — another square peg in a round hole that ensures some England players never have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
In what kind of esteem is Daniel Levy held by the supporters at the moment?
MP: While protests against Levy and the ENIC ownership appear to have been quiet of late, it doesn’t take much for them to reappear. Pochettino’s improving side, plus the cup final, will have given Levy a moment’s peace, but he’ll be expected to bring in some new players and replace some of the big money signings that, for all the good will in the world, just aren’t working (sorry, Roberto). With a new scouting network taking shape, hopefully Levy will take a backseat on the football side of things and concentrate on the business operations, including the new stadium.
Talk of a year in Milton Keynes — what are the realistic options, what’s your preference, what’s the general consensus?
MP: When (it’s no longer if) the new stadium is built, it’s clear we will be homeless for at least a season. Wembley is the obvious choice, but this doesn’t seem to be a viable option, which would make MK the inevitable destination. All things considered, the temporary move is for the greater good — a new shiny stadium of our own — but the intervening period lodging up the M1 won’t be easy for the club or the fans.
Who have been the stand out performers?
MP: What’s left to say about Harry Kane? His emergence has been nothing short of phenomenal, while Pochettino seems to have been spot on in the way he has brought him into the first team. Christian Eriksen is also having a great season with some valuable late goals, while Hugo Lloris’s contribution cannot be undervalued. He would leave a huge hole in the side were he to be sold in the summer. Bentaleb has also been solid in the middle, perhaps under the radar, so much so that he was sorely missed when he was away for the African Cup of Nations.
Who or what are the weak links in the side?
MP: If we play our strongest side, it’s hard to pick a weak link now, such is the progress the side has made. The defence can still look vulnerable, with Lloris coming to the rescue on more than one occasion. And without Kane, our strike force would be a worrying proposition, and not for the right reasons. It was nice to see Mason and Townsend get onto the score sheet against Swansea on Wednesday — more please!
Short, medium and long term aims for the club?
MP: Has the short term aim been achieved? It was great to be back at Wembley, but at perhaps at the cost of progressing in the Europa League. As it stands, fourth place has to be the aim until May, but Manchester United and Liverpool could prove hard to catch, even with our game in hand. It would be nice to have a settled summer for a change, with relatively few incomings and outgoings, though there will be business completed no doubt. Next season, a real push for the Champions League would be nice, plus another Wembley trip? With the right additions, we may also finally be able to juggle the Europa League conundrum that has proved tricky these past few seasons.
The Twitter @mchlpckrd, @loftforwords
Pictures — Action Images