Tottenham's Hidden Flaw: Why Spurs Can't Hold Our Dominance on the Pitch

Tottenham's Hidden Flaw: Why Spurs Can't Hold Our Dominance on the Pitch

Tottenham were not clinical in the opening game, Leicester City v Spurs, of the English Premier League season and paid the price with a disappointing 1-1 draw.

The second game saw a 4-0 victory being hailed as clinical, but in reality it wasn't. The second goal you can't be down to being clinical really and neither a corner from a header.

The third game Newcastle v Spurs, we were not clinical again and paid the price. I give an example of our problems with throw-ins in this piece and Maddison was involved in both Newcastle goals.

Spurs were again complacent in my view and I didn't think the performance was outstanding, Bissouma was for the first time in a Lilywhites shirt.

So, let's take a look at our Achilles heel, complacency, looking good without the end product and understanding the reasons behind it, for only then can you fix it.

The situation with Tottenham reflects a complex blend of tactical, psychological, and individual factors that can influence a team's performance. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Complacency Despite Dominance: We have shown a tendency to become complacent in matches where we dominate possession, as seen in the games against Leicester City and Everton. 

2. Youthful Summer Signings: Spurs have continued to invest in youth with signings like Lucas Bergvall (18), Archie Gray (18), and Wilson Odobert (19), adding fresh talent to an already youthful squad. These signings reflect a long-term vision but also bring immediate energy and competition to the team.

3. Individual Player Performance: Players like Yves Bissouma, who have previously underperformed, can be reinvigorated by personal motivation or challenges, as evidenced by his standout performance following his club-imposed one-game suspension. This highlights the importance of managing player psychology and motivation.

4. Leadership and Mental Toughness: Today's piece underscores the need for strong on-field leadership and mental toughness to maintain focus throughout the game. This is essential to prevent complacency and ensure that possession dominance is converted into consistent wins.

5. Tactical and Psychological Adjustments: Addressing complacency requires both tactical flexibility and psychological conditioning. Spurs need to adapt their strategies during games and ensure that players remain mentally sharp and motivated, especially in matches where they control possession.

We'll begin the main body of this piece by breaking down the 'unseen sport', the key issues that explain why Tottenham keeps dropping points despite dominating games.

1. Complacency in Dominant Performances

• Psychological Aspect: When a team dominates possession and appears in control of the game, there can be a tendency to relax mentally.
  
  This happens because players might subconsciously feel the game is already won, leading to a drop in intensity and concentration.
  
  In the case of Tottenham against Leicester City, this complacency allowed the newly promoted Foxes to capitalize on a brief lapse in focus, resulting in the equalizing goal.
  
  
• Overconfidence: Possession dominance can sometimes lead to overconfidence, where players underestimate the opposition's ability to exploit even small mistakes.
  
  This overconfidence can lead to a lack of urgency in key moments, such as finishing chances or maintaining defensive discipline.
  
  
• Fatigue and Concentration: Even with high possession, if a team doesn’t convert its dominance into goals, frustration can set in.
  
  This, combined with physical fatigue, can lead to lapses in concentration, especially in the latter stages of a game.

2. Why Is This Happening?

• Tactical Setup: While possession-based football can be effective, it also requires constant movement, quick decision-making, and relentless pressing to prevent counterattacks.
  
  If the players aren't fully committed to these demands throughout the entire game, gaps can appear, leading to complacency.
  
  Rob Key, the managing director of English cricket spoke of exactly this point, which I discussed in Spurs' parallels with the England cricket team.
  
  
• Player Mindset: The mindset of the players can fluctuate. Inconsistent performances can stem from a lack of motivation, especially when the team feels superior to the opposition.
  
  I remember losing to Leeds United in the FA Cup (January 2013) and Moussa Dembele spoke about this exact point, complacency through lack of motivation about the difficulty of the task ahead.
  
  

  The Belgian international midfielder said: "I think that this is the most difficult thing in football to try and think like every day you are playing against Manchester United, like we did the week before.
  
  "To motivate yourself to play good against Man United is very easy, you don't have to do anything.
  
  "But against teams like Leeds it is more difficult because you have something to lose and they have everything to win. Yes, that is the most difficult thing in football."

  
  Yves Bissouma’s performance, for example, improved significantly after facing a personal challenge (the suspension), suggesting that individual motivation plays a critical role.
  
  Why then, is this not being addressed as a compulsory part of training with the Spurs 1st XI sports psychologist?
  
  It is so patently obvious this is a problem but football in this respect is in the dark ages. Tottenham must innovate and lead the way so we get this motivated Bissouma-type performance from everyone every game.
  
  
• Lack of Leadership: On-field leadership is crucial in maintaining focus. A vocal and demanding captain or senior player can help keep the team engaged and prevent lapses in concentration.
  
  If Spurs lack this kind of leadership, it can lead to the entire team becoming complacent.
  
  I don't think Son Heung-min is that kind of leader, Maddison might be, Romero probably is.

3. Addressing and Fixing Complacency

• Mental Conditioning: The coaching staff needs to emphasize mental toughness and concentration throughout the entire match, regardless of the scoreline or possession stats.
  
  Regular mental conditioning sessions, focusing on maintaining focus and avoiding overconfidence, can be beneficial. Does this happen?
  
  Again I repeat, Tottenham must establish themselves as the innovators and world leaders of mental conditioning. If the stark differences in Yves Bissouma's performances from normal to hyper-motivated are not enough to convince anyone nothing will.
  
  Imagine the whole team that motivated and raising their game by the same level, the results would be a massively improved performance every week and that would bring trophies.
  
  To me, it's an absolute no-brainer.
  
  
• Tactical Adjustments: Even when dominating possession, it’s essential to vary the approach. More direct play, quicker transitions, or strategic pressing can help maintain intensity.
  
  Rotating players or introducing substitutes earlier might also prevent complacency by keeping energy levels high.
  
  
• Accountability and Leadership: Encouraging player accountability, where every individual is responsible for maintaining high standards throughout the match, can reduce complacency.
  
  Leadership from senior players or the captain is vital in setting this tone.
  
  As a captain whose role it was to develop the youth from the ages of 13 playing men's sport, I adopted a no-blame and don't worry about mistakes approach, what you were trying to achieve is more important than any mistake in its execution.
  
  I would bring my youngsters together at points in the game and tell them now we concentrate hard, we put in maximum effort, we expect the ball to come to us and explained to them the situation and why this was important.
  
  They all responded positively.
  
  Equally, I would get them to encourage each other and congratulate a good piece of play, even if it was stopping ball a ball and preventing what could have happened next.
  
  Again they took this on board and we had a great spirit within the side, even though it was 7 kids and 4 adults playing against a team of men.
  
  After every game I sat them down, highlighting what they did well, emphasising their role and focussing on the application to that rather than he outcome at their age, the outcome would improve with age and experience.
  
  Every time I see one of them now (I live in a different area) and it's been 14 years, they look back upon that time fondly and with enthusiasm.
  
  Mentally I developed these guys which will have impacted their lives both on and off the field.
  
  
• Use of Motivation: Similar to Bissouma's situation, identifying ways to motivate players individually can lead to improved performances.
  
  Whether it’s through competition for places, setting personal goals, or addressing personal challenges, finding what drives each player is key.
  
  That is a sports psychologist's role because what people think motivates them, often isn't and plenty simply don't know what motivates them.

4. Bissouma’s Situation

• External Motivation: Bissouma’s noticeable improvement after a suspension might indicate that he responded to external motivation, whether from the coaching staff, personal pride, or external criticism.
  
  Addressing his previous off-field issues and focusing on his potential on the pitch could have been pivotal in this transformation.
  
  
• Enhanced Role: His performance also suggests that giving him more responsibility in the team (such as being more involved in key plays, like the crossfield balls and defensive passes) can elevate his game.
  
  Providing him with a clearly defined role where he feels important to the team might help maintain his form.
  
  This is the path I chose to develop the youth I mentioned, which involved alleviating them from anxiety about their performance.

The Wrap Up

Complacency in football is often a result of psychological and tactical factors.

To fix this, Tottenham needs to focus on mental conditioning, tactical flexibility, and ensuring that all players remain motivated and accountable.

Leadership, both from the coaching staff and within the squad, is crucial to maintaining focus and intensity throughout the game.

For individual players like Bissouma, personalized motivation strategies and a clearly defined role in the team can help sustain their best performances.

5 Further Points

1. Q: How does Tottenham's youthful summer signings, like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Wilson Odobert, influence the team’s potential to overcome complacency?

• A: The infusion of young talent can inject fresh energy and competition into the squad, reducing complacency.
  
  Young players are often eager to prove themselves, which can push the entire team to maintain higher intensity and focus.
  
  Their hunger to establish themselves at the top level could inspire more established players to avoid lapses in concentration.

2. Q: With such a youthful squad, what role do senior players have in preventing complacency within Tottenham’s ranks?

• A: Senior players are crucial in setting the standard for professionalism and maintaining focus throughout the season.
  
  Their experience can guide younger teammates in handling the pressures of top-flight football and ensuring that the team remains concentrated, even when dominating possession or facing weaker opponents.

3. Q: How can the inclusion of promising youngsters like Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert impact Tottenham's tactical flexibility?

• A: Young players like Gray and Odobert offer fresh tactical options due to their versatility, energy, and willingness to adapt.
  
  Their inclusion allows Tottenham to experiment with different formations and styles of play, keeping opponents guessing and preventing the team from becoming predictable, which can lead to complacency.

4. Q: What challenges do Tottenham’s young signings face in maintaining consistency in their performances?

• A: Young players often struggle with consistency due to a lack of experience and the mental demands of top-level football.
  
  They may face challenges in sustaining high performance levels across an entire season, particularly in maintaining focus during games where the team is dominant.
  
  This can be mitigated through strong mentoring and a gradual introduction to the rigours of the Premier League (EPL).

5. Q: Can the youthful exuberance of players like Lucas Bergvall help Tottenham maintain intensity in matches where they dominate possession?

• A: Yes, young players like Bergvall, with their eagerness and enthusiasm, can help maintain a high tempo and intensity even in matches where Tottenham dominates possession.
  
  Their drive to make an impact can reduce the risk of the team becoming complacent, ensuring that the team continues to press and capitalize on their control of the game.

If you enjoyed this I have ideas for 5 related articles covering the aspects you don't find elsewhere on Spurs blogs and videos.

If there is an aspect you'd like to hear discussed leave it in the comments, I read and approve all the non-abusive ones.

Until next time folks.

COYS