Yesterday’s victory over Wolves represented a further step in the right direction, but more needs doing to continue our upward trajectory.
Indeed, my main negative takeaway is Spurs being slow starters. We’ve improved massively under Conte, yet we have this habit of starting matches slowly, as was the case in the Saints and Chelsea matches…and beyond. Indeed, we went in level at half-time in 19 of our 38 matches last season, having failed to score in 14 first halves in those matches. This season’s matches take it to 21 of our last 41 matches, and failing to score in 16 first halves from the start of last season. A first half lead does not automatically equate to a victory – as Spurs fans know all too well – but many points were dropped last season due to slow starts and soon enough, we will be punished for it. The top teams not only respond to setbacks by scoring late goals, but, more often than not, start matches with intensity. We must start matches like we started the second half yesterday.
Nevertheless, one can caveat this by pointing out that it’s another game unbeaten, and another win that has culminated in seven points from three games that we lost consecutively six months ago. Lessons have been learned, and that is testament to our growing maturity and mentality. Despite being slow starters thus far this month, we’ve ended each game strongly. That can only be promising as we approach peak fitness levels and ease new signings into the team. COYS!