Rift or injury prevention?
Mauricion Pochettino had denied a rift with Jan Vertonghen after reports that a second row took place at the WBA game.
Having played in the World Cup and had his summer break after the tournament, Vertonghen's return to fitness was delayed at the start of the season. He missed the West Ham game, played against AEL Limassol and the QPR. After not playing in the return led of the UEFA Europa League tie, Vertonghen played against Liverpool, after which he was dropped.
Vertonghen didn't play against Sunderland after the international break and was consigned to the second XI while after a poor performance against Sunderland, Vlad Chiriches retained his place against WBA and cost us dearly, needlessly giving away a corner form which they scored the winner.
There were reports in Belgium that Vertonghen had been promised the captaincy and rumours of a row surfaced when he didn't get it. There have been suggestions he had another row with Pochettini at the WBA game.
Mauricio Pochettino is a disciplinarian, he may be friendly but things are done his way and it was thought when he was appointed that a player like Emmanuel Adebayor would have a problem with him. As it turns out it's our best defender, who has of course now refused to sign the new contract he was fully expected to sign.
Pocettino was asked about a possible rift with Vertonghen he was quick to deny it suggesting players game time had to be managed.
Tottenham have had a terrible injury record over the last few years, we run players into the ground who then break down, just like we have done with Kyle Walker and are now paying the price. As reported at the time I expected Walker, who has been out since March, would after his operation be out until December at the earliest. There has been no indication from Tottenham how long he will be out suggesting the club don't know when he'll return. Groin injuries can keep you out for a year and in some cases end top level careers.
Pochettino is looking to manage game time and give players a rest from the intensity of the Premier League with games in the UEFA Europa League. He rested Eric Dier against Arsenal so there may be an element of preparing for later in the season and trying to avoid player fatigue, something that has clearly affected us before. Fatigue causes injury and that may led to Pochettino not playing Vertonghen in two Premier League games that the Belgian didn't want to miss.
His record with injuries at Southampton was very good and no player is indispensable, but when Arsene Wenger praises Tottenham players by name then you know they have had outstanding games. Both Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen, together with Hugo Lloris received praise, a shock because I remember Tottenham scoring 4 goals against Arsenal and every one of them was apparently lucky!
We will have to watch how the situation develops and see what happens in the winter transfer window. No doubt clubs will be circling to try and take Vertonhhen away from White Hart Lane.
Having played in the World Cup and had his summer break after the tournament, Vertonghen's return to fitness was delayed at the start of the season. He missed the West Ham game, played against AEL Limassol and the QPR. After not playing in the return led of the UEFA Europa League tie, Vertonghen played against Liverpool, after which he was dropped.
Vertonghen didn't play against Sunderland after the international break and was consigned to the second XI while after a poor performance against Sunderland, Vlad Chiriches retained his place against WBA and cost us dearly, needlessly giving away a corner form which they scored the winner.
There were reports in Belgium that Vertonghen had been promised the captaincy and rumours of a row surfaced when he didn't get it. There have been suggestions he had another row with Pochettini at the WBA game.
Mauricio Pochettino is a disciplinarian, he may be friendly but things are done his way and it was thought when he was appointed that a player like Emmanuel Adebayor would have a problem with him. As it turns out it's our best defender, who has of course now refused to sign the new contract he was fully expected to sign.
Pocettino was asked about a possible rift with Vertonghen he was quick to deny it suggesting players game time had to be managed.
"No, no, no. Maybe because I pick players in different games but any problem with Jan, this is wrong.
"We have a lot of games ahead and need to see and analyse the performance and analyse the situation after the game, maybe tired, maybe some problem, and after you need to manage.
"We have a strong squad and this is important.”
Tottenham have had a terrible injury record over the last few years, we run players into the ground who then break down, just like we have done with Kyle Walker and are now paying the price. As reported at the time I expected Walker, who has been out since March, would after his operation be out until December at the earliest. There has been no indication from Tottenham how long he will be out suggesting the club don't know when he'll return. Groin injuries can keep you out for a year and in some cases end top level careers.
Pochettino is looking to manage game time and give players a rest from the intensity of the Premier League with games in the UEFA Europa League. He rested Eric Dier against Arsenal so there may be an element of preparing for later in the season and trying to avoid player fatigue, something that has clearly affected us before. Fatigue causes injury and that may led to Pochettino not playing Vertonghen in two Premier League games that the Belgian didn't want to miss.
His record with injuries at Southampton was very good and no player is indispensable, but when Arsene Wenger praises Tottenham players by name then you know they have had outstanding games. Both Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen, together with Hugo Lloris received praise, a shock because I remember Tottenham scoring 4 goals against Arsenal and every one of them was apparently lucky!
We will have to watch how the situation develops and see what happens in the winter transfer window. No doubt clubs will be circling to try and take Vertonhhen away from White Hart Lane.
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