Ange Postecoglou is a miracle worker. James Maddison quickly proving himself the division’s best summer signing, Heung-Min Son flying and there’s no suggestion they’re missing Harry Kane. The emotional hangover from previous head coaches – Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – has quickly disappeared, Spurs sit top of the table and packed with plaudits. How long will it last?
After Newcastle thumping, Palace host Tottenham tonight
- Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side remain unbeaten in Premier League play after nine matches, 23 points (seven wins, two draws)
- £34.5m summer signing Micky van de Ven spoke about the team dynamics after heading home his first goal, the winner away at Luton on Oct. 7
- Guglielmo Vicario has impressed as Hugo Lloris’ replacement, while James Maddison and Italy fullback Destiny Udogie also being praised too
It’s amazing what a few months can do, when it comes to transforming a team.
Tottenham were a side in disarray back in May and now, sit top of the tree heading into this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures – they can move five points clear, at least momentarily, with victory in south London against a injury-stricken Crystal Palace side who conceded four away at Newcastle last Saturday.
Injuries to Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze for tonight’s hosts mean they lack creative firepower and depth to match most of the division’s sides battling for European places. There are easier trips than Selhurst Park on a Friday night though.
Brazil youth international Matheus Franca created three key passes – a joint team-high – in a 20-minute cameo from the bench on his Premier League debut, but Palace were already 4-0 down by the time the Brazilian was introduced.
It’s easy to dismiss the fact Tottenham benefit from not having to juggle multiple competitions, under new management for the third season in the last four.
Ange Postecoglou is already well-revered in the media, which is a good start – just as now-Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino was despite winning no silverware.
Dan Kilpatrick’s Standard feature earlier this week details how the Australian has reset the culture – both on-and-off the pitch – but we had a similar sense of history repeating itself under Mourinho and Conte in previous seasons.
Mourinho was lauded as the master motivator, Conte the expert taskmaster and yet both burned quite badly before the end. It’s easy to celebrate early success but how will they – fans and players – respond to a poor stretch of form this time around?
Tottenham’s next five fixtures after Crystal Palace
November 6: Chelsea
Nov. 11: Wolves
Nov. 26: Aston Villa
December 3: Manchester City
Dec. 7: West Ham
The exile of Eric Dier, their joint second-longest serving player, hasn’t gone unnoticed. Neither has Richarlison’s streaky tendencies or their over-reliance on Son, guilty of overexertion and playing through injury with South Korea too.
Palace probably won’t stress Tottenham in ways other teams haven’t, but someone soon will. Only then will we know, if this is for real.
Predicted XIs
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Lerma; Ayew, Hughes, Edouard; Mateta.
Tottenham (4-3-3): Vicario; Udogie, van de Ven, Romero, Porro; Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr; Richarlison, Son, Kulusevski.
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 