Spurs: 3 Things AVB Should Do To Stop The Rot

2. Try A Change Of Shape

Modern coaches like AVB prefer the en vogue 4-2-3-1 system. Fashion be damned we say! When you're on the end of the hiding is it the players that are to blame or the way they've been set up? What we ask here will require the Spurs head coach to be open-minded.

Both Newcastle United €“ who won 1-0 at White Hart Lane before the international break €“ and Man City played 4-4-2 against Tottenham. Hotspur may have had control of midfield, but what good is that when the rest of their side do not perform?

What AVB should do is look at why their recent Premier League opponents have been successful as well his team's shortcomings. To their credit Alan Pardew and Manuel Pellegrini set their sides up to move quickly and played a mobile striker alongside a target man. Spurs meanwhile strictly adhere to a slow, continental passing game which only seems to benefit one of their summer signings in Paulinho. His box-to-box threat is something that should be allowed though, and there is another to keep it in. Far be it from us to tell a Premier League manager what to do, but we have a subtle suggestion. AVB's preferred 4-2-3-1 can become a 4-1-4-1 with minute tinkering. You play a genuine holding midfielder (Sandro or Etienne Capoue) as the one then wingers, Paulinho and another as the four behind a lone striker. Not convinced Tottenham fans? This is the very same change that Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has made to Jupp Heynckes's treble winning team from last term, and is yet to lose.