Book not stopping Spurs' brave new world

Nov 30, 2017 - 5:04 PM There is no shortage of theories to explain the recent run of poor results that has quickly turned Tottenham into also-rans in the Premier League title race.

The dip in form of forward Dele Alli. The injury absence of defender Toby Alderweireld and midfielder Victor Wanyama. The continued issue of having to play "home" games at Wembley.

Or should Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino be looking a bit closer to home?

The slump - one win in the last five league games - has coincided with the release of Pochettino's book, Brave New World, which documents his time in charge of Tottenham.

The first extracts were released in mid-October and they detail private conversations with a number of key players.

Pochettino has denied that his bond with his players has been affected.

"I think my relationship with them is so strong and to find excuses about the book is wrong," Pochettino said. "It's a great opportunity to get a better idea that it's not only about playing football.

"When you are clear with everyone, the problem doesn't exist. The problem is when you lie, no?"

Whatever the reason, Pochettino needs the slide to stop quickly. Spurs slipped to seventh place, behind Burnley, after the midweek round of Premier League games following a 2-1 loss at Leicester.

Since beating Liverpool on October 22, the side have lost to Arsenal and Manchester United in the Premier League and drawn at home with lowly West Brom.

The most likely reason for Tottenham's poor form might be fatigue amid a congested schedule.

Pochettino didn't significantly bolster his squad in the off-season and he still relies on a core group of players.

Alderweireld is one of them, but he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, affecting Tottenham's defensive organisation. Christian Eriksen is another, and he may have been overworked in recent weeks after also helping Denmark qualify for the World Cup.

"A player like Christian Eriksen maybe can be a little bit tired, but mental more than physical, because in the last international duty he played two amazing games to try to qualify for the World Cup, and he cannot rest, he cannot stop," Pochettino said.

"Maybe him and Eric Dier, that is playing a lot. Maybe Davinson Sanchez. It's the same group, the players that travel a lot and were involved in nearly all the games. Maybe they can feel a little bit tired about competing."

Source: AAP