Season Three – Part one

Transfers, again I decided to blow my budget, Neymar was available and although I did not need him I could not resist, not a great decision when other areas needed players, but ‘to dare is to do’ right. My budget did not quite cover Neymar and his £99 million transfer. Son Heung Min returned to Germany for £45 million, Dennis Appiah a free transfer from last season left after only 3 appearances, heading to Sevilla for £8 million. Some large bonuses to top up the shortcomings in what I could offer Neymar for wages and he agreed to grace White Hart Lane. I wanted to improve my full backs, I instead got a player to terrorize opponent full backs.

I stuck with the same formation I had played in the final of the Champions League for the Charity shield, 58% possession, 16 shots to Chelsea’s 12, but losing 5-4. Clearly my tactics needed refining, possession was good, attacking was good, defensively we were weak. We needed improvement in this area, without this another season of inconsistent loomed.

Building upon a Champions League win. Despite the win I was unhappy with our overall performances across the season. I had moved away from the focal points of what I wanted the team to play like

Possession
Attacking
Pressure
Dele Alli as a goal threat with runs in behind
Full backs extremely attacking

I decided to completely revamp my approach, and looked at a flat back 3 with wing backs. The last time I played this formation was back in CM 93/94 when the Spurs defence was weak enough to warrant the approach.

I wanted to attempt to get the fullbacks forward more, I wanted Dier to look to fill the hole between the CD’s and the midfield. With Pogba and Eriksen in midfield I opted for a DLP and a RPM, Dele Alli fills the SS role in an attempt to get him running in behind more. When in need I have moved Dier into the DMC position as a half back. First game of the season with the new tactic.

We won, not utterly convincing in some games, a 1-0 defeat to Man City however definite improvement whilst familiarity increased. Then, it happened. It clicked, following the 1-0 defeat to Man City, in all competitions we have played 18, won 16, drew 2, scored 61, conceded 9.

So far so good, I am extremely pleased with the progress, goals are flowing, solid at the back, full backs are getting forward and possession is good.

When in possession the wing backs push on. Without the ball they hold back.