Tottenham Hotspur’s mixed start to the season is not surprising given the North London side are struggling to score goals.
And while Andre Villas-Boas’ side are only five points adrift of league-leaders Arsenal, the lack of final product must be concerning the Portuguese.
Spurs have only managed nine goals in their opening 11 games, at an average of 0.82. The 18th-placed Fulham have found the net on more occasions. Adding to these modest figures is the fact that three of those goals have come from the penalty spot.
Tottenham’s new $47m striker, Roberto Soldado, has come under criticism for his lack of goals so far this campaign, however the Spanish international has still managed to score on four occasions.
The three goals he’s scored from the penalty spot give a profound clue to Spurs’ style of play and perhaps the lean returns from their considerable summer spending.
This campaign, Villas-Boas has opted for playing inverted wingers, football’s latest flavour of the month.
The concept was made trendy by Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben and Franc Ribery, however whether this trend will catch on in the English capital remains unclear.
The Spurs manager has favoured the left-footed Andros Townsend to operate down the right flank, keeping record $55m signing Erik Lamela to warm the pine.
Townsend’s pace and trickery can be a delight to watch, but too often he is guilty of selfishness, cutting in and shooting from improbable distances, rather than offering Soldado service from out wide.
On the left wing, the Portuguese manager hasn’t quite seemed to work out who should start. Gylfi Sigurdsson appears to be more effective in the centre of the field.
Aaron Lennon is a player far more comfortable on the right-hand side. Nacer Chadli, who is arguably the option with the best final ball, is currently sidelined with injury.
In the centre of midfield, it appears that Paulinho and Sandro are beginning to form a solid partnership in front of the backline, however neither Christian Eriksen, Lewis Holtby or Mousa Dembele have been able to impose themselves as a starting number 10 behind Soldado.
Until AVB knows his best starting midfield, Spurs will continue to struggle in front of goal. Roberto Soldado is clearly suffering from a lack of service from the midfield men behind him.
My Spurs XI
Lloris
Walker Kaboul Chiriches Vertonghen
Sandro Paulinho
Lamela Eriksen Chadli
Soldado
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Whatever side you take in Ange Postecoglou's ugly spat with a section of his own team's supporters, his meltdown about the "fragile foundations" at…
Ange was not happy after Spurs' 2-0 loss to Manchester City. He questioned the club's 'foundations' post-match.
A win for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham against Manchester City this week could hand the Premier League title to Spurs' arch rivals Arsenal. So be…
This time next year, Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham to be in the Premier League title race.
Son Heung-min's 86th-minute winner has helped Tottenham get their Champions League qualification hopes back on track with a 2-1 home victory over Luton. Ange…
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has doubled down on his belief that Champions League qualification is not crucial for the development of his team. Disappointed…
