Defensive Solidity Mentality: Pragmatism Proving as Vital for The North London Club
Dominating the rivals was the mentality at Tottenham last season but now the focus is on keeping out goals at the other end of the field.
Midweek's one-nil win over their European opponents in Spurs' Champions League debut was the fourth consecutive clean sheet they had achieved in the first five games to date.
By comparison, they had managed just a single at the comparable stage of last season, when the more attack-minded the former boss was in control.
“We discussed a lot about 'clean sheet mentality' this year because we conceded a lot last year,” the club midfielder Lucas Bergvall stated.
Center-back Micky van de Ven added: “I think we are a difficult team to play against, definitely. Tactically we are positioned really good and we all know what to do, so we're a difficult team to beat.”
The approach of Spurs against their opponents was in stark contrast to the attacking football played with Postecoglou.
They were much more reserved, even after being presented a fourth-minute opener thanks to a disastrous mistake by their rivals goalkeeper their number one.
Improved Backline but at an Attacking Cost?
Tottenham have allowed only one goal so far - in the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth.
That is a significant improvement on how they started the last campaign, when they allowed five goals in their first five games.
In the English top flight they have kept multiple shutouts already - meaning they are just two from replicating their total for the whole of last season.
The more reliable platform is possibly coming at a cost, however, with their one shot on target against Villarreal the second occasion in their last three games they had produced such a low number efforts on goal.
The boss recognizes this is an area that has to develop.
“We have a very good platform to stand on in terms of our backline setup and I think it's good and we gave not much away,” he said.
“This is the UCL against a good team. Also, I knew we took a stride against their London rivals, going forward is the area we need to enhance.”
