José Mourinho's Defensive Setup Shows Signs of Bearing Fruit for Tottenham

"It was ugly, it was nerve-wracking, at times it was desperate. But they got there, and picked up a massive three points."


How many times over the years have we been able to assign a sentence like that to a José Mourinho team?


The Special One's insistence on coercing defensive performances out of a team whose strengths so obviously lie at the other end of the pitch has been a major source of frustration for those of a Spurs persuasion. Especially since - until now - it hasn't really worked.


Prior to returning from lockdown, they were winless in six matches in all competitions. They'd exited the FA Cup with defeat to Norwich, bowed out of the Champions League to Leipzig with a whimper, and the new Mourinhoball that Spurs fans were promised was nowhere to be seen.


Their reluctance to attack games and utilise their obvious strength in the final third had them floundering in mid-table, and they didn't really look like winning any game - let alone a big one.


Since returning from lockdown, that defeat to Sheffield United - as bad as it was - is now their only one in six. Their performances elsewhere haven't been swashbuckling - wins over Everton and West Ham were in fact yawn-inducing - but looking in the rear-view mirror following a massive victory over Arsenal, their post-lockdown results look like an early indicator that things could be coming together.


When Toby Alderweireld rose to head in the winner on Sunday evening, there was an air of vintage Mourinho about it. Arsenal had controlled the game largely, but Spurs rarely looked in danger of losing, defending resolutely, and pinning their hopes on taking their chance when it came along.


So when big Belgian attacked the ball like a player determined to prove a point to his manager, his desire providing the moment his team needed to win the game, all of a sudden, José looked vindicated.


It was the kind of win on which José has built a legendary legacy. There was little attractive about it, but he backed his players to win the mental battle with the visitors, and it's something they responded to.


Spurs, for all that they were some way off their best, were more collected. They were more streetwise, more tactically nuanced, and though they finished the game on 37% possession, they were more of a threat.


Above all, they were more ruthless - which is the clear advantage of having José Mourinho on the sidelines.


It's a long road back for the Portuguese, who might still consider his job on the line after a rough start. They sit two points from the European places, however, and with the benefit of Mourinho's infamous tactics slowly beginning to shine through at the right time - and on the big occasions - there may just be life in the old dog yet.



Source : 90min